FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The tie that binds them is now historic.
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Brady and Belichick.
Belichick came first to New England, a refugee from the dysfunctional Jets who was wooed by Patriots owner Robert Kraft and hired in 2000.
A short time into Belichick’s New England tenure, Brady arrived more quietly — as a low-profile sixth-round draft pick considered more of a project than a potential franchise quarterback.
Now, a dozen years later, the two share the proud distinction as the winningest head coach-quarterback duo in NFL postseason history.
The Patriots’ overwhelming 45-10 win over the Broncos in Saturday night’s AFC Divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium was the 15th postseason victory Belichick and Brady have shared, surpassing the 14 Pittsburgh’s Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw won together.
What a run it has been, and an unlikely one at that.
Brady became an accidental starter when Jets linebacker Mo Lewis changed the course of Patriots franchise history with his KO of then-starter Drew Bledsoe with a jarring sideline hit in 2001, forcing an inexperienced and untested Brady off the bench and into action.
That series of events turned Belichick from a one-time-loser head coach (in Cleveland) to an eventual three-time Super Bowl winning coach, one regularly mentioned in the same conversation as Vince Lombardi.
Saturday night’s win gave Belichick his 16th postseason victory, tying Noll for fourth most all-time, with only Tom Landry (20), Don Shula (19) and Joe Gibbs (17) in front of him.
The Patriots’ victory, which advanced them to Sunday’s AFC Championship against the Ravens, was their ninth in a row, a streak following a 24-20 home loss to the Giants on Nov. 6.
Based on what they showed Saturday night, which featured a return to their once-dominant playoff form, it’s difficult to imagine the Ravens keeping the Patriots from getting to their first Super Bowl since the 2007 season.
“The tone was set by our head coach from the moment he walked into practice during the week,’’ Patriots receiver Deion Branch said. “Even though we didn’t have a game, our playoffs began last week preparing for this game.’’
Broncos running back Willis McGahee paid Belichick the highest compliment when he said the Patriots “had us figured out from the beginning to the end.’’
The Patriots are traditionally difficult to beat at home. They are 8-2 at Gillette Stadium in the postseason, and since 2002 they own the NFL’s best overall record at home at 75-15 (including playoffs).
You got the sense watching the way the Patriots operated against the Broncos they are headed to the Super Bowl. You felt the same dominant vibe the Patriots used to exude before losing at home the last two Januarys. Those two losses now feel like ancient history.
Sure the Ravens, who held off the Texans yesterday in Baltimore, have a terrific defense, but they are not going to completely stop Brady. And offensively, the Ravens are inconsistent and vulnerable to a Belichick-coached defense.
Led by the right arm of Brady, who threw an NFL postseason record six touchdown passes in the game, the Patriots set a franchise playoff record for most points in a game.
Brady had a familiar look in his eyes Saturday night that followed the chip he carried on his shoulder all week before the Denver game while hearing whispers about the Patriots’ previous two one-and-done showings in the playoffs.
“Brady was as sharp as I’ve seen him,’’ Broncos coach John Fox said.
“He was on fire, man,’’ said New England’s unstoppable tight end Rob Gronkowski, who caught three TD passes.
“This was Tom and what he does,” Branch said. “I wouldn’t say it was his best game. There have been some others like this, but this was right up there with all the good ones.”
Same goes for Belichick. Brady and Belichick appear headed for their fifth Super Bowl together. They’re 4-1 in AFC title games and 3-1 once they get to the Super Bowl. Do the math. More history possibly awaits.