Since then, they've played 19 playoff games (excluding SBs)

17 at home, only 2 on the road (both losses at Denver). Gillette Stadium has hosted 21 playoff games in 17 seasons of existence. Their previous stadium (Schaefer/Sullivan/Foxboro) hosted only 5 in 31 seasons (4 in its final 6).

As sick to death as I am of the Patriots, at least next week will place them -- and the entire league -- in a new venue for a championship game. The NFC venue will be unfamiliar too -- New Orleans has hosted the title game only once (2009), and the Rams have hosted it in LA only twice in the last 63 seasons (1975 and 1978).