Patriots' X-factor? Chris Hogan steps into spotlight with record night

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Patriots receiver Chris Hogan set a franchise playoff record Sunday in the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Not bad for a former lacrosse player from Penn State who played just one season of football at Monmouth University.

“It has been a long journey, but I’ve worked really hard to get to this point, and I just couldn’t be happier that I get to be a part of this team, this whole thing,” Hogan said.

Hogan caught nine of his 12 targets for 180 yards – an all-time postseason high for the franchise – and two touchdowns.

“They call him 7-11 because he’s always open,” tight end Martellus Bennett said. “S---, he clocked in today and he made sure the store stayed open.”

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Last week it was running back Dion Lewis who served as New England’s X-factor. Sunday it was Hogan. And when the Patriots play the Atlanta Falcons Feb. 5 in Super Bowl LI, Hogan’s big-play, deep-threat ability could be an essential wrinkle in New England’s offensive plan.

“He’s been incredible,” quarterback Tom Brady said. “I mean, to lead the league in average yards per catch is spectacular. He’s made big plays for us all season, he made big plays in the biggest game of the year for us.”

Hogan caught passes of 16, 26, 22, 34, 24, and 39 yards. His first score came on a play in which the Steelers left him uncovered in the back of the end zone, and his second was on a flea flicker.

“He had a great week of practice,” receiver Julian Edelman said. “He’s been playing well all year. All those things kind of collided and he had that day. It was an unbelievable day for him. Anytime you’ve got guys making those plays, it’s going to be great for the offense. He deserves it. He’s been working his tail off.”

It helped that the Steelers played zone coverage for most of the game and relied on their defensive front – which failed, for the most part – to pressure Brady.

Hogan was signed as a free agent this offseason after the Buffalo Bills declined to match New Engand’s offer sheet in March. Hogan responded by posting or matching career-highs in the regular season in yards (680), receiving touchdowns (four), and yards per catch (17.9).

“I’m just happy to take advantage of this opportunity, you know, to be a part of this team,” Hogan said. “This whole team has worked so hard starting in April in OTAs. We’ve grinded throughout this entire year, this is what we worked for and this is what we wanted to get to. It’s a special moment for all of these guys in this locker room. We’ll enjoy this and get back to work, because we’ve got one more.”

​Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter@LorenzoGReyes.

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