FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots are in the midst of a run of success that has even their own players in awe.

The Patriots advanced to an NFL-record sixth consecutive AFC championship game with a 34-16 victory Saturday night over the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots were previously tied with the Oakland Raiders, who played in five consecutive AFC championship games from 1973-77.

“I think it’s special to be a part of history,” said Matthew Slater, New England’s special teams captain. “I think that speaks to this franchise and the way it’s built, from the top down, with the Kraft family and obviously Coach (Bill) Belichick.

“But to have that consistency, it’s really hard to put into words.”

Safety Duron Harmon, who had the last of three New England interceptions Saturday, and linebacker Rob Ninkovich, who had the first of three sacks, both spoke of the work the Patriots put in each day to get better.

“It’s truly a blessing to be in this organization,” said Ninkovich, who joined the team as a free agent in 2009 and has never missed the playoffs. “Being in a place where there’s consistency, where you know what you’re going to get year in and year out with how hard you work and all the things you put into it … We work tremendously hard and I think we’re successful because of how hard we work.”

Harmon added, “It’s really a testament to this organization, the work that we continue to put in, how hard the coaches continue to push us. It’s very rarely done and I’m just excited to be part of this.”

Belichick, as usual, seemed unimpressed. Asked after the game about the achievement, he said: “You’re one of four teams that’s left after the weekend, but again, I mean, I don’t really care about the other five years right now, or however many years it’s been. The only thing that matters is this year, this team, and what we have an opportunity to do.”

The Patriots have only won two of the previous five AFC title games, losing twice on the road in Denver and once at home against Baltimore. They are 5-1 at home in AFC championship games. Sunday’s game will be at Gillette Stadium at 6:40 p.m., against the Chiefs or Steelers.

LUCKY 13? This is New England’s 13th trip to the AFC championship game, third most by any franchise. The Patriots are 8-4 in those games.

In Tom Brady’s 15 years as the Patriots’ starting quarter (not including 2008, when he missed all but one quarter because of a knee injury), the Patriots have advanced to 11 AFC championship games. Belichick holds the NFL record for most postseason wins (24) by a head coach – four more than Tom Landry. He was 1-1 with Cleveland and is 23-9 with the Patriots.

RUTGERS HAT TRICK: The three second-half interceptions by the Patriots on Saturday were all made by former Rutgers University players. Devin McCourty was drafted in the first round in 2010. Logan Ryan and Harmon were each drafted in the third round in 2013.

McCourty made a phenomenal play for his interception, dropping into deep coverage while reading Houston quarterback Brock Osweiler’s eyes and then breaking for the pass intended for DeAndre Hopkins. Ryan got his interception off a ball that tipped off Hopkins’ hands. Harmon got his on a ball that was overthrown.

“It was a big day for Rutgers, just how we planned it,” said Ryan.

Harmon said once the other two got their interceptions, he knew he couldn’t be left out.

“The whole sideline, I told them I was going to finish it off,” he said. “I couldn’t let Logan and Dev get one and not me. I told them I was going to get one. And it happened.”

VINCE WILFORK, the outstanding and popular nose tackle who played his first 11 seasons with the Patriots and the last two with the Texans, said after the game that “I think I have played my last NFL game.”

He added that he will take some time to sit back and decide if he really wants to retire. “I will see,” he said. “It doesn’t change the fact that I enjoyed every bit of my career.”

The Patriots showed Wilfork on their giant videoboards at the end of the game and the crowd responded with loud cheers.

After the game, Brady and his wife, Gisele, were seen talking to Wilfork’s wife, Bianca, in the tunnel under the stadium.

Copy the Story Link