Tom Brady insists the “odds were stacked against the Patriots” after clinching a ninth Super Bowl appearance in a dramatic 37-31 overtime victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The AFC championship game produced a thriller at Arrowhead with Patrick Mahomes eventually dancing in the pocket enough to heat up the engine of one of the NFL’s most potent offenses in subzero temperatures.

Despite two interceptions, Brady drove the Patriots down the field to grab the lead for what appeared one final time as Rex Burkhead burst into the endzone for a three-point lead with a minute and 24 seconds remaining.

But Mahomes responded to justify the script before kick-off suggesting a passing of the guard, positioning Harrison Butker to drill a 39-yard field goal with just eight seconds remaining.

The Pats then won the coin toss ahead of overtime with Arrowhead seemingly resigned to their fate; Brady plotting his team’s way 75 yards downfield for Burkhead to ram home the two-yard dagger and secure a third-straight Super Bowl appearance in Atlanta.

2018 NFL season in pictures Show all 35 1 /35 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season The 2018 NFL season was full of fireworks as ever AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Tom Brady guided New England into the play-offs once again USA TODAY Sports 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season JJ Watt enjoyed another fine year for the Texans AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Matt Ryan couldn't save the Falcons' season AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Saquon Barkley was sensational in his first season in New York USA TODAY Sports 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Denver failed to make the play-offs AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Rookie Baker Mayfield shone for Cleveland AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Larry Fitzgerald continued to roll back the years AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Chicago showcased a new-look offense AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season James Conner deputised for LeVeon Bell in fine style in Pittsburgh AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Jon Gruden had a season to forget in Oakland USA TODAY Sports 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season The Seahawks earned a wild card in the NFC West AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season The Steelers missed out on the postseason at the very last USA TODAY Sports 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season George Kittle shattered records in San Francisco AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season The Seahawks couldn't beat the Cowboys in the Wild Card round USA TODAY Sports 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Ezekiel Elliott was outstanding once again for Dallas USA TODAY Sports 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season The Ravens roared into the play-offs EPA 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Lamar Jackson became Baltimore's quarterback of the future EPA 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Cody Parkey's missed field goal cost the Bears dear AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Andrew Luck couldn't beat the Chiefs AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Patrick Mahomes authored one of the best seasons in history EPA 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season The Chiefs earned the best record in the AFC USA TODAY Sports 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Todd Gurley led the Rams to the play-offs USA TODAY Sports 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season New England once again played host to a play-off game EPA 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Philip Rivers helped the Chargers back to the postseason AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Brady turned on the old magic to help the Pats beat the Bolts AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Michael Thomas was a force for the Saints EPA 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Drew Brees ended the Nick Foles fairytale in NOLA USA TODAY Sports 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Jared Goff saw off the Saints in the NFC title game Getty Images 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season The Rams were helped by a late blown call AP 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Greg Zuerlein hit the winning field goal in overtime Getty Images 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Sean McVay is the youngest head coach in Super Bowl history Getty Images 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Tom Brady was at his very best against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game Getty Images 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Rex Burkhead scored the winning TD in overtime Getty Images 2018 NFL season in pictures 2018 NFL season Brady earned a spot in his ninth Super Bowl Getty Images

“The odds were stacked against us,” Brady said after securing his 57th career game-winning drive. “It hasn’t been that way for us for a while. It certainly was this year. We started off so slow.

“Overtime, on the road against a great team. They had no quit. Neither did we. We played our best football at the end. I don’t know, man, I’m tired. That was a hell of a game.”

Red Burkhead scores the game-winning touchdown (USA TODAY Sports)

Facing the Patriots in Atlanta will be the Rams after a 26-23 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC title game.

The game will forever be clouded by controversy though, after Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman committed a blatant interference penalty with a helmet-to-helmet hit on Tommylee Lewis before the pass arrived inside the five, thus forcing the Saints to settle for a field goal.

The Rams celebrate after defeating the Saints (Getty) (Getty Images)

The Rams, down just 23-20 with 1:41 left in regulation remaining, extended the game into overtime before Greg Zuerlein’s 57-yard field goal clinched a 26-23 victory, with both road teams advancing to the Super Bowl, snapping a seven-year streak of home teams triumphing in championship games.