5 stats that illustrate Tom Brady's toughness, durability

Quarterbacks aren’t usually thought of as tough, but don’t tell that to Bill Belichick.

In the wake of Tom Brady taking some savage shots over the first five weeks of the season, Belichick left no doubt about where he stands when it comes to his quarterback.

"Tom is as physically and mentally tough as any player I've coached," Belichick said Wednesday morning. "No doubt about that."

Here are five stats that offer proof of Brady’s durability and toughness.


34: Brady has played in 34 career playoff games. That’s the most career starts in NFL playoff history, and it’s not even close, especially when you consider position players. That represents more an extra two regular seasons. (By way of comparison, ex-teammate Vince Wilfork played in 24 postseason games, while current teammate Stephen Gostkowski has 22 career playoff games under his belt.)

100: According to Elias Sports Bureau, Brady is the first quarterback in NFL history to have two different streaks of 100 consecutive regular-season starts. His first streak started in 2001, and ended when he suffered his knee injury at the start of the 2008 season. He picked up back in in 2009, starting another streak that ended with his Deflategate ban at the start of the 2016 campaign.

240: He’s started 240 regular-season games over the course of his career. He’s currently the all-time leader among active players, and 14th overall. If he starts every regular season game the rest of the year, he’d make his way into the Top 10 all-time. (By way of comparison, Brett Favre is the all-time leader at 298.)

242: His 242 games played is a franchise record. Former offensive lineman Bruce Armstrong (212) is second.

365: At the age of 40, he’s played 365 offensive snaps this year, making him one of just four players on the roster who has played every snap through the first five games of the season. (Shaq Mason, Joe Thuney and David Andrews are the other three.)