TheNew England Patriotsare a professionalAmerican footballteam based in theGreater Bostontown ofFoxborough, Massachusetts.They play in theNational Football League(NFL) as a member club of the league'sAmerican Football Conference(AFC)Eastdivision. Originally called the Boston Patriots, the team was founded as one of eight charter members of theAmerican Football League(AFL) in 1960 under the ownership ofBilly Sullivan.[1]The team became part of the NFL when the two leaguesmerged in 1970.The following year, they moved fromBostonto nearby Foxborough, and changed their name to the New England Patriots.[2]
The modern NFL championship game, theSuper Bowl,was founded in the 1966 season; the first four were contested between the champions of the AFL and the NFL.[3]After the merger, the Super Bowl became the united league's championship. The Patriots madethe 1963 AFL Championship Game,but struggled severely in the early years of the united league, not making the postseason until1976.After a stretch of only one losing season in 13 years, includinga Super Bowl appearanceagainsta champion Bears outfit,the Patriots reached a nadir between 1989 and 1993 when they won only 19 of 80 games.
DuringBill Belichick'stenure asthe team's head coachfrom 2000 to 2023, the Patriots won six Super Bowls, nineAFC Championship Games,and sixteen AFC East titles, earning an overall regular season record of 266–121.[4]Tom Brady,who was the team'squarterbackfrom 2000 until 2019, was awarded theNFL Most Valuable Player(MVP)[5][6]three times, and theSuper Bowl Most Valuable Playerfour times (he later won another Super Bowl MVP with the Buccaneers); he is one of only five players named Super Bowl MVP more than once, and the only one named more than three times.[7]
The Patriots have won six Super Bowl championships (XXXVI,XXXVIII,XXXIX,XLIX,LI,andLIII). They also played in and lost Super BowlsXX,XXXI,XLII,XLVI,andLII.During the2007 regular season,the Patriots became the only NFL team in history to win 16 games, and the first sincethe 1972 Miami Dolphins(in a 14-game season) to complete the regular campaign undefeated.[8]Belichick's Patriots are one of only two teams to win three Super Bowls in four years (the other being theDallas Cowboysfrom 1993 to 1996).[9]
Overall, the Patriots have made 27playoffappearances, one of which was before the merger. Since the merger, they have played fifteenAFC Championship Games,winning eleven of them to advance to the Super Bowl.[10]In the Patriots' 58-year history, they have an overall regular season record of 500 wins, 391 losses, and 9 ties, plus an overall postseason record of 37 wins and 20 losses. In the 2018 NFL season, the Patriots reached their 11th Super Bowl, breaking their own record for most Super Bowl appearances by any organization of all time.[11]The Patriots had 19 consecutive winning seasons from 2001 to 2019, the 2nd-longest streak in NFL history, behind theDallas Cowboys' record of 20.[12]
Seasons
edit| AFL champions(1960–1969) | Super Bowl champions(1966–present) | Conference champions | Division champions | Wild Card berth | One-Game Playoff Berth |
| Season[a] | Team[a] | League | Conference | Division | Regular season[a] | Postseasonresults | Awards[Key] | Head coaches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | W | L | T | ||||||||
| Boston Patriots | |||||||||||
| 1960 | 1960 | AFL | — | Eastern | 4th | 5 | 9 | 0 | Lou Saban | ||
| 1961 | 1961 | AFL | — | Eastern | 2nd | 9 | 4 | 1 | Lou Saban (2–3) Mike Holovak(7–1–1) | ||
| 1962 | 1962 | AFL | — | Eastern | 2nd | 9 | 4 | 1 | Mike Holovak | ||
| 1963 | 1963 | AFL | — | Eastern | 1st | 7 | 6 | 1 | WonDivisional playoffs(atBills) 26–8 LostAFL Championship(atChargers) 10–51 |
||
| 1964 | 1964 | AFL | — | Eastern | 2nd | 10 | 3 | 1 | Gino Cappelletti(MVP)[13] | ||
| 1965 | 1965 | AFL | — | Eastern | 3rd | 4 | 8 | 2 | |||
| 1966 | 1966 | AFL | — | Eastern | 2nd | 8 | 4 | 2 | Jim Nance(MVP)[14] | ||
| 1967 | 1967 | AFL | — | Eastern | 5th | 3 | 10 | 1 | |||
| 1968 | 1968 | AFL | — | Eastern | 4th | 4 | 10 | 0 | |||
| 1969 | 1969 | AFL | — | Eastern | 3rd | 4 | 10 | 0 | Clive Rush | ||
| 1970 | 1970 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 2 | 12 | 0 | Clive Rush (1–6) John Mazur(1–6) | ||
| New England Patriots | |||||||||||
| 1971 | 1971 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 6 | 8 | 0 | John Mazur | ||
| 1972 | 1972 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 3 | 11 | 0 | John Mazur (2–7) Phil Bengtson(1–4) | ||
| 1973 | 1973 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 5 | 9 | 0 | Chuck Fairbanks | ||
| 1974 | 1974 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 7 | 7 | 0[b] | |||
| 1975 | 1975 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 3 | 11 | 0 | |||
| 1976 | 1976 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd[c] | 11 | 3 | 0 | LostDivisional playoffs(atRaiders) 21–24 | Mike Haynes(DROY)[15] | |
| 1977 | 1977 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 9 | 5 | 0 | |||
| 1978[d] | 1978 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st[e] | 11 | 5 | 0 | LostDivisional playoffs(Oilers) 14–31[16] | ||
| 1979 | 1979 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd | 9 | 7 | 0 | Ron Erhardt | ||
| 1980 | 1980 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd | 10 | 6 | 0 | |||
| 1981 | 1981 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 2 | 14 | 0 | |||
| 1982 | 1982 | NFL | AFC | [f] | 7th | 5 | 4 | 0 | LostFirst Round playoffs(atDolphins) 13–28 | Ron Meyer | |
| 1983 | 1983 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd | 8 | 8 | 0 | |||
| 1984 | 1984 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd | 9 | 7 | 0 | Ron Meyer (5–3) Raymond Berry(4–4) | ||
| 1985 | 1985 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 11 | 5 | 0 | WonWild Card playoffs(atJets) 26–14 WonDivisional playoffs(atRaiders) 27–20 WonAFC Championship(atDolphins) 31–14 LostSuper Bowl XX(vs.Bears) 10–46 |
Raymond Berry | |
| 1986 | 1986 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 11 | 5 | 0 | LostDivisional playoffs(atBroncos) 17–22 | ||
| 1987[g] | 1987 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd | 8 | 7 | 0 | |||
| 1988 | 1988 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 9 | 7 | 0 | John Stephens(OROY)[17] | ||
| 1989 | 1989 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 5 | 11 | 0 | |||
| 1990 | 1990 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 1 | 15 | 0 | Rod Rust | ||
| 1991 | 1991 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 6 | 10 | 0 | Leonard Russell(OROY)[18] | Dick MacPherson | |
| 1992 | 1992 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 2 | 14 | 0 | |||
| 1993 | 1993 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 5 | 11 | 0 | Bill Parcells | ||
| 1994 | 1994 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd[h] | 10 | 6 | 0 | LostWild Card playoffs(atBrowns) 13–20 | Bill Parcells(COY)[19] | |
| 1995 | 1995 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 6 | 10 | 0 | Curtis Martin(OROY)[20] | ||
| 1996 | 1996 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 11 | 5 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Steelers) 28–3 WonAFC Championship(Jaguars) 20–6 LostSuper Bowl XXXI(vs.Packers) 21–35 |
||
| 1997 | 1997 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 10 | 6 | 0 | WonWild Card playoffs(Dolphins) 17–3 LostDivisional playoffs(atSteelers) 6–7 |
Pete Carroll | |
| 1998 | 1998 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 9 | 7 | 0 | LostWild Card playoffs(atJaguars) 10–25 | ||
| 1999 | 1999 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 8 | 8 | 0 | |||
| 2000 | 2000 | NFL | AFC | East | 5th | 5 | 11 | 0 | Bill Belichick | ||
| 2001 | 2001 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st[i] | 11 | 5 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Raiders)16–13(OT) WonAFC Championship(atSteelers) 24–17 WonSuper Bowl XXXVI(1)(vs.Rams) 20–17 |
Tom Brady(SB MVP)[21] | |
| 2002 | 2002 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd[j] | 9 | 7 | 0 | |||
| 2003 | 2003 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 14 | 2 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Titans) 17–14 WonAFC Championship(Colts) 24–14 WonSuper Bowl XXXVIII(2)(vs.Panthers) 32–29 |
Tom Brady(SB MVP)[22] Bill Belichick(COY)[23] | |
| 2004 | 2004 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 14 | 2 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Colts) 20–3 WonAFC Championship(atSteelers) 41–27 WonSuper Bowl XXXIX(3)(vs.Eagles) 24–21 |
Deion Branch(SB MVP)[24] | |
| 2005 | 2005 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 10 | 6 | 0 | WonWild Card playoffs(Jaguars) 28–3 LostDivisional playoffs(atBroncos) 13–27 |
Tedy Bruschi(CBPOY)[25] | |
| 2006 | 2006 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 12 | 4 | 0 | WonWild Card playoffs(Jets) 37–16 WonDivisional playoffs(atChargers) 24–21 LostAFC Championship(atColts) 34–38 |
||
| 2007 | 2007 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 16 | 0 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Jaguars) 31–20 WonAFC Championship(Chargers) 21–12 LostSuper Bowl XLII(vs.Giants) 14–17 |
Tom Brady(MVP,OPOY)[5][26] Bill Belichick(COY)[23] | |
| 2008 | 2008 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd[k] | 11 | 5 | 0 | Jerod Mayo(DROY)[27] | ||
| 2009 | 2009 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 10 | 6 | 0 | LostWild Card playoffs(Ravens) 14–33 | Tom Brady(CBPOY)[28] | |
| 2010 | 2010 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 14 | 2 | 0 | LostDivisional playoffs(Jets) 21–28 | Tom Brady(MVP,OPOY)[6][29] Bill Belichick(COY)[23] | |
| 2011 | 2011 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 13 | 3 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Broncos) 45–10 WonAFC Championship(Ravens) 23–20 LostSuper Bowl XLVI(vs.Giants) 17–21 |
||
| 2012 | 2012 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 12 | 4 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Texans) 41–28 LostAFC Championship(Ravens) 13–28 |
||
| 2013 | 2013 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 12 | 4 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Colts) 43–22 LostAFC Championship(atBroncos) 16–26 |
||
| 2014 | 2014 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 12 | 4 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Ravens) 35–31 WonAFC Championship(Colts)45–7 WonSuper Bowl XLIX(4)(vs.Seahawks) 28–24 |
Rob Gronkowski(CBPOY) Tom Brady(SB MVP)[30] | |
| 2015 | 2015 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 12 | 4 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Chiefs) 27–20 LostAFC Championship(atBroncos) 18–20 |
||
| 2016 | 2016 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 14 | 2 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Texans) 34–16 WonAFC Championship(Steelers) 36–17 WonSuper Bowl LI(5)(vs.Falcons) 34–28(OT) |
Tom Brady(SB MVP) | |
| 2017 | 2017 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 13 | 3 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Titans) 35–14 WonAFC Championship(Jaguars) 24–20 LostSuper Bowl LII(vs.Eagles) 33–41 |
Tom Brady(MVP) | |
| 2018 | 2018 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 11 | 5 | 0 | WonDivisional playoffs(Chargers) 41–28 WonAFC Championship(atChiefs) 37–31(OT) WonSuper Bowl LIII(6)(vs.Rams) 13–3 |
Julian Edelman(SB MVP) | |
| 2019 | 2019 | NFL | AFC | East | 1st | 12 | 4 | 0 | LostWild Card playoffs(Titans) 13–20 | Stephon Gilmore(DPOY) | |
| 2020 | 2020 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 7 | 9 | 0 | |||
| 2021 | 2021 | NFL | AFC | East | 2nd | 10 | 7 | 0 | LostWild Card playoffs(atBills) 17–47 | ||
| 2022 | 2022 | NFL | AFC | East | 3rd | 8 | 9 | 0 | |||
| 2023 | 2023 | NFL | AFC | East | 4th | 4 | 13 | 0 | |||
| Total | 541 | 433 | 9 | All-time regular season record (1960–2023) | |||||||
| 37 | 22 | — | All-time postseason record (1960–2023) | ||||||||
| 578 | 455 | 9 | All-time regular & postseason record (1960–2023) | ||||||||
See also
editNotes
edit- aThe season column links to an article about each season in the league (AFL for 1960–1969; NFL for 1970–present). The Team column links to an article about the Patriots' season that year. The Finish, Won, Lost, and Ties columns list regular season results and exclude any postseason play. Regular season and postseason results are combined only at the bottom of the list. In the Finish column, a "T-" indicates a tie for that position.
- bBeginning in 1974, the NFL began playing a 15-minute sudden-death overtime period if a regular season game finished regulation tied. Since this change,ties have been rarer.[31]
- cThe Patriots and the Baltimore Colts finished tied. However, the Colts finished ahead of New England based on a better division record (7–1 to Patriots' 6–2).[32]
- dThe NFL expanded from a 14-game regular season schedule to 16 beginning in 1978.[33]
- eThe Patriots and Miami Dolphins finished the 1978 season with the same record. However, the Patriots were awarded the Division Championship based on a better division record (6–2 to the Dolphins' 5–3).[32]
- fThe 1982 NFL season was shortened from 16 regular seasons games to nine due to a players' strike. For playoff seedings, division standings were ignored and eight teams from each conference were seeded one through eight based on their regular season records.[34]
- gThe 1987 NFL season was shortened from 16 regular season games to 15 due to a players' strike.[35]
- hThe Patriots and Dolphins finished the 1994 season tied. As the Dolphins had defeated the Patriots in both regular season meetings, the Dolphins were named division champions and the Patriots received a Wild Card berth in the playoffs.[36]
- iThe Patriots and the Dolphins finished the 2001 season with the same record. However, the Patriots were named Division Champions based on a better division record (6–2 to the Dolphins' 5–3).[37]
- jThe Patriots, Dolphins, and New York Jets finished the season with 9–7 records in 2002. For having the best record against common opponents, the Jets were awarded the division championship. Neither the Patriots nor the Dolphins qualified for the playoffs.[38]
- kThe Patriots, Dolphins, and Baltimore Ravens (AFC North) finished the 2008 season tied with identical 11–5 records. As the Dolphins and Ravens had 8–4 records within the AFC, and the Patriots a 7–5 AFC record, the Dolphins were awarded the AFC East title, and the Ravens were given a Wild Card berth in the playoffs. The Patriots did not qualify for the playoffs.[39]
- lYears here refer to the year in which the season was played. Playoff games are commonly played in the January and February of the following year.
References
edit- General
- "New England Patriots: History".CBS Sports.Archivedfrom the original on October 18, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 23,2011.
- "New England Patriots Franchise Encyclopedia".Pro Football Reference. Archived fromthe originalon August 20, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 23,2011.
- Bibliography
- 2000 National Football League Record & Fact Book.New York City: Workman Publishing Company. 2000.ISBN978-0-7611-1982-1.
- 2002 National Football League Record & Fact Book.New York City: Workman Publishing Company. 2002.ISBN978-0-7611-2643-0.
- Specific
- ^Litsky, Billy (February 24, 1998)."Billy Sullivan, 86, Founder Of Football Patriots, Dies".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 23,2011.
- ^Shaughnessy, Dan (September 13, 2009)."Boston: Home of the Patriots once again".The Boston Globe.The New York Times Company.Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 23,2011.
- ^Cross, B. Duane (January 22, 2001)."The AFL: A Football Legacy".CNN Sports Illustrated. Archived fromthe originalon June 4, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 26,2011.
- ^"Bill Belichick Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks".Pro Football Reference.Archivedfrom the original on February 10, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 23,2010.
- ^ab"Brady romps to MVP after record season".Toronto Star.Torstar. January 6, 2008.Archivedfrom the original on October 23, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 21,2011.
- ^abFarmer, Sam (February 6, 2011)."Patriots' Tom Brady selected NFL MVP".Los Angeles Times.Archived fromthe originalon April 25, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 16,2011.
- ^"Super Bowl History".National Football League. Archived fromthe originalon February 23, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 23,2011.
- ^"Patriots Beat Giants 38–35 to Become First Undefeated NFL Team in 35 Years".FOX News. December 30, 2007.Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 23,2011.
- ^"Patriots Win Third Super Bowl in Four Years".FOX News. February 7, 2005.Archivedfrom the original on January 30, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 23,2011.
- ^"2006 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics".Pro Football Reference.Archivedfrom the original on February 8, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 25,2010.
- ^"Super Bowl Standings".Pro Football Reference.Archivedfrom the original on January 21, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 23,2010.
- ^Patriots Stumble Keeps Cowboys Record Intact,Dallas Cowboys, January 12, 2021,archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2024,retrievedFebruary 29,2024
- ^Marrapese-Burrell, Nancy (February 1, 2008)."Booth took him along for ride".The Boston Globe.The New York Times Company.Archivedfrom the original on June 28, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 21,2011.
- ^Manza Young, Shalise (June 10, 2009)."Patriots journal: Nance elected to Patriots Hall of Fame".The Providence Journal.A. H. Belo Corporation.Archivedfrom the original on June 28, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 21,2011.
- ^"Pats' Haynes Defensive Rookie".The Ledger.Lakeland, Florida: The New York Times Company. December 29, 1976.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 22,2011.
- ^Chuck Fairbanks was suspended for the last game of the 1978 regular season.Hank BulloughandRon Erhardtreplaced his duty as co-coach. He was reinstated for the playoffs, and lost in the first round.
- ^Mascaro, Chris (September 3, 2009)."Former Pats RB killed".Newsday.Melville, New York: Cablevision.Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 22,2011.
- ^"Leonard Russell, Mark Croel named top rookies of the year".The Vindicator.Youngstown, Ohio: Vindicator Printing Company. December 27, 1991. p. C4.Archivedfrom the original on August 3, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 22,2011.
- ^Wilner, Barry (December 30, 1994)."Parcels Coach of Year".The Daily Gazette.Schenectady, New York: The Daily Gazette Company. p. C1.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 22,2011.
- ^"Martin Gets Rookie Prize".The Victoria Advocate.Victoria, Texas: Victoria Advocate Publishing Company. December 29, 1995.Archivedfrom the original on August 3, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 22,2011.
- ^Murphy, Mark (February 4, 2002). "Super Bowl XXXVI; Bledsoe Classy Til End".Boston Herald.Herald Media Inc. p. 88.
- ^Farinella, Mark (February 3, 2004)."MVP Brady on the go".The Sun Chronicle.Attleboro, Massachusetts: United Communications Corporation. Archived fromthe originalon February 5, 2004.RetrievedFebruary 28,2011.
- ^abc"Belichick wins 3rd Coach of Year honor".The Associated Press. February 2, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 16,2011.[dead link]
- ^Cobb, Mike (February 7, 2005)."Branch Catches MVP Honor".The Ledger.Lakeland, Florida: The New York Times Company.Archivedfrom the original on July 17, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 21,2011.
- ^Greenburg, Alan (January 6, 2006). "Surprising Comeback: Bruschi shares with Smith".Hartford Courant.Hartford, Connecticut: Tribune Company. p. C4.
- ^"Tom Brady adds AP Offensive Player of Year to MVP".KXMB-TV.Bismarck, North Dakota: Reiten Television, Inc. January 8, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon July 13, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 21,2011.
- ^"Mayo is AP's top defensive rookie".ESPN.com.The Walt Disney Company. January 1, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 16,2011.
- ^Kilgore, Adam (January 6, 2010)."Brady Wins Comeback Player of the Year".The Boston Globe.The New York Times Company.Archivedfrom the original on June 28, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 16,2011.
- ^Manza Young, Shalise (February 1, 2011)."Brady Wins AP Offensive Player of Year".The Boston Globe.The New York Times Company.Archivedfrom the original on June 28, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 16,2011.
- ^"Tom Brady wins Super Bowl XLIX MVP award".NFL.com.Archivedfrom the original on February 2, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 2,2015.
- ^2002 National Football League Record & Fact Book,p. 394–395.
- ^ab2000 National Football League Record & Fact Book,p. 293.
- ^Pasquarelli, Len (May 18, 2009)."Schedule expansion gaining momentum".ESPN.com.The Walt Disney Company.Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2011.RetrievedAugust 10,2009.
- ^2002 National Football League Record & Fact Book,p. 413.
- ^2000 National Football League Record & Fact Book,p. 291.
- ^2000 National Football League Record & Fact Book,p. 289.
- ^2002 National Football League Record & Fact Book,p. 404.
- ^Golen, Jimmy (December 30, 2002)."New England 27, Miami 24, OT".Yahoo! Sports.Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 23,2011.
- ^Gosselin, Rick (December 29, 2008)."Even without Patriots, AFC looks dominant in playoffs".Denton Record-Chronicle.Denton, Texas: A. H. Belo Corporation. Archived fromthe originalon July 9, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 23,2011.