Peyton, Brady and Big Ben have dominated the AFC for last 15 years
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning throws during the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver. (Mark Reis/Colorado Springs Gazette/TNS via Getty Images), FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots gestures after a play in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images), CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 13: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass during the third quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
Sunday's matchup between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots featured the 17th edition of Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning -- and possibly the last meeting between the two. Manning and the Broncos came out on top, of course, giving Peyton four trips to the Super Bowl in his career.
It still doesn't match Brady's six appearances, but it's a remarkable accomplishment nonetheless. What's even more incredible is the number of times Manning, Brady or Ben Roethlisberger has represented the AFC in the Super Bowl in the last 15 years.
In 13 of those 15 seasons, it's been one of the three playing for a ring in the big game.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The only outliers are Joe Flacco in 2013 with the Baltimore Ravens and Rich Gannon in 2003. Other than that, it's been Manning, Brady or Roethlisberger representing the AFC.
In seven of those 12 years, one quarterback in the trio has won a ring -- four from Brady, two from Roethlisberger and one from Manning. Peyton will look to tie Roethlisberger in two weeks when his Broncos take on Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.