NFL New England Patriots

10 Things You Need to Know About Tom Brady Heading Into Super Bowl XLIX

10 Things You Need to Know About Tom Brady Heading Into Super Bowl XLIX

Tom Brady New England Patriots
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

As Super Bowl XLIX nears, we take a deeper look at New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Already listed among the greatest to ever play the position, Brady has a chance to firmly cement himself as perhaps the greatest to ever play two Sundays from now. But until that Sunday, Feb. 1, we can only discuss what makes Brady so elite. Here are 10 things you need to know about Tom Brady heading into Super Bowl XLIX.

10. Brady Holds a Multitude of Playoff Records

Tom Brady New England Patriots
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

10. Brady Holds a Multitude of Playoff Records

Tom Brady New England Patriots
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Among his many records are: most career starts for a QB (28), most career wins for a QB (20), most career conference championship games for a QB (nine), most career conference game wins/Super Bowl appearances for a QB (six), most career passing yards (7,017) and most touchdown passes (49).

9. Brady is 1-1 Against Seattle All-Time

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

9. Brady is 1-1 Against Seattle All-Time

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Since taking over the helm in New England in 2001, Brady has faced Seattle only twice, with one win and loss each. In those games, he’s thrown for 626 yards, with three TDs and INTs apiece, for a 62.5 completion percentage. He has a combined passer rating of 81.0 in the two games -- and he has a worse passer rating against only three teams.

8. Against Russell Wilson, Brady is 0-1

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

8. Against Russell Wilson, Brady is 0-1

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

In his lone matchup against Wilson (in 2012), Brady and the Pats lost 24-23. While Brady threw for nearly 400 yards, he threw two TDs and two INTs. However, his ground game was able to muster up only 87 yards. Wilson threw the game-winning TD to Sidney Rice with 1:18 remaining. Brady had a final shot to win the game, starting at his 20 with 74 seconds remaining, but couldn’t get the drive going.

7. Brady is Brothers-in-Law with former Red Sox 3B, Kevin Youkilis

Kevin Youkilis Boston Red Sox
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

7. Brady is Brothers-in-Law with former Red Sox 3B, Kevin Youkilis

Kevin Youkilis Boston Red Sox
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

In 2012, Youkilis married Brady’s sister, Julie, bringing the two Boston stars into the same family. Brady and Youkilis shared Boston from 2004 through 2012, when Youkilis was traded from the Red Sox to the Chicago White Sox.

6. New England was the Last Team to Win Consecutive Super Bowls

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

6. New England was the Last Team to Win Consecutive Super Bowls

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

As Seattle attempts to win their second consecutive Super Bowl, it’s fitting that they must defeat the last team to accomplish the feat. Brady led the Patriots to a 32-29 victory over the Carolina Panthers in 2003 and a 24-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004. Exactly a decade later and Brady looks to defend his honor against Wilson and the Seahawks.

5. Brady and Bill Belichick Haven’t Won a SB since SpyGate

Tom Brady Bill Belichick
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

5. Brady and Bill Belichick Haven’t Won a SB since SpyGate

Tom Brady Bill Belichick
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

As we all know by now, SpyGate was the 2007 incident when the Patriots filmed New York Jets signals from the sideline of a game. The coach and team were penalized heavily and, related or not, the Patriots haven’t won a Super Bowl since. Although they have played in two Super Bowls, they lost both against the New York Giants.

4. Plenty of Controversy Surrounds Brady

Tom Brady Bill Belichick
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

4. Plenty of Controversy Surrounds Brady

Tom Brady Bill Belichick
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Whether it’s SpyGate, DeflateGate or numerous other instances, which include the tuck rule and their use of odd-but-legal formations against the Baltimore Ravens two weeks ago. While most of the blame could be given to Belichick, the two are eternally linked, making Brady at least partially to blame for any tampering (let’s say) with the rules – or footballs. His success certainly outweighs any controversy, but the media and fans will remember.

3. Brady has a Career 93.8 passer rating in the Super Bowl

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

3. Brady has a Career 93.8 passer rating in the Super Bowl

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

With five games played, and 1,277 passing yards, nine TDs and only two INTs, Brady has accumulated a 93.8 passer rating in the big game. He’s completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 6.48 yards per attempt. In addition, Brady has four rushing attempts for 14 yards.

2. He is 1-1 Lifetime in Glendale, AZ

University of Phoenix Stadium
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2. He is 1-1 Lifetime in Glendale, AZ

University of Phoenix Stadium
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Brady has played one regular season game in Arizona against the Cardinals and won handily, 47-7. However, his other appearance in the stadium was in Super Bowl XLII against the Giants, where he lost 17-14. The loss prevented him and New England from completing their perfect season, and is seen as one of the greatest upsets of all-time.

1. Brady can Tie Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana for Most SB Wins

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

1. Brady can Tie Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana for Most SB Wins

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Both Bradshaw and Montana have four Super Bowl wins. Brady has three. A win against the Seattle Seahawks will propel Brady into the discussions as not only one of the great QBs of all-time, but maybe the greatest QB of all-time. He already owns many of the important postseason records, but this one is the most important.

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