Tom Brady is old. You probably knew that if you follow the New England Patriots. It has been the preeminent story of the 2018 season, as Brady's somewhat declining performance and open remarks about a potential retirement have left many wondering just how long any quarterback can play at an elite level. The 41-year-old passer was the best player on the Patriots roster this season, but he was also by far its oldest.

Age is one of the few things he shares with the quarterback he is playing against on Sunday. Philip Rivers is 37-years-old and likely near the end of his own illustrious NFL career. They could both be playing their final playoff games on Sunday, but even if they do, they are already making NFL history. Barring something unforeseen changing the starter at quarterback for either side on Sunday, the combination of Brady and Rivers will be the oldest pair of starting quarterbacks in a playoff game in NFL history according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. They combine to be 78-years-old. In the same weekend, Jared Goff and Dak Prescott, who combine to be 49-years-old, will also play.

Brady previously held the record alongside Peyton Manning in the 2015 AFC Championship Game. He was actually the younger passer in that game, as he was 38 when it was played. Manning was 39, so they combined to be 77. As Smith notes, 37-year-old Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts played 43-year-old George Blanda and his Oakland Raiders in the 1970 playoffs, but Blanda didn't start that game. Daryle Lamonica did. So 80 is still the bar for two quarterbacks playing in a playoff game, but Brady and Rivers will have the record for starters.

Of course, Brady could breakBlanda and Unitas' record in these very playoffs. Drew Brees is 39-years-old and will turn 40 next Tuesday. That means if he and his New Orleans Saints, who are heavily favored to win the NFC, reach the Super Bowl and play against the Patriots, that game would presumably have two starting quarterbacks who combine to be 81-years-old. It would also guarantee that the winner would be the oldest Super Bowl-winning quarterback of all time, as the record is currently held by Manning, who won Super Bowl 50 at 39. If Brady and Brees played, the winner would become the first passer to win a championship in his 40's.

Brees, coincidentally enough, is Rivers' predecessor as the starting quarterback for the Chargers. Rivers took Brees' job in 2006, and in a few weeks, Brees could take Rivers' record. He would need Brady's help to do so, though, and that means two wins for both the Patriots and Saints over the next two weeks. If they did break that record, short of another future Super Bowl matchup, their mark would likely stand for the rest of NFL history.