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AFC Champs: Patriots will face Falcons in Super Bowl

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots have earned their NFL-record ninth berth in the Super Bowl by slamming the Pittsburgh Steelers, 36-17 in the AFC championship game.

Tom Brady was 32 of 42 for 384 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, hitting Chris Hogan for touchdown throws of 16 and 34 yards before Julian Edelman's 10-yard scoring grab put New England ahead 33-9 late in the third quarter.

Pittsburgh finished the game without running back Le'Veon Bell, who suffered a groin injury late in the first quarter.

The Patriots have gone to eight Super Bowls in the past, the most recent being in 2015.

PAST SUPER BOWL APPEARANCES

Super Bowl XX - 1985
Super Bowl XXXI - 1997
Super Bowl XXXVI - 2002
Super Bowl XXXVIII - 2004
Super Bowl XXXIX - 2005
Super Bowl XLII - 2008
Super Bowl XLVI - 2012
Super Bowl XLIX - 2015