New England Patriots logo. Photo credit: Patriots.com
In terms of achievement and fanbase size, the New England Patriots are one of the big guns in the NFL. Commonly known as “The Pats,” the team has journeyed through years of triumph, heartbreaks, and everything in between. But speaking of triumph, six Super Bowls, 11 Conference Championships, and 22 Division Championships is no small feat—so yes, the Pats have enjoyed true success. In this article, we’ll explore the Patriots’ incredible history and what has made them one of the league’s most successful teams.
The Boston Patriots
For the Patriots, it all began in 1959, when the Boston businessman Billy Sullivan secured the franchise for the upstart AFL. After acquiring the franchise, Sullivan allowed locals to submit ideas for the Boston football team’s official name. From the submissions, The winning name was the Boston Patriots. It was chosen to honor the American colonists who fought for independence from Britain in 1776.
Hopping between stadiums during that first decade, the Patriots struggled to find a home base. They played at several fields, including Boston University Field, Fenway Park, Alumni Stadium, and Harvard Stadium. The name change to “New England Patriots” came in 1971 when they moved 25 miles south of Boston to finally settle in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
But in the midst of the unsettling situations, the Patriots had established a strong identity in the league, becoming frequent AFL title contenders.
Post Merger
The Patriots struggled to find their footing after the AFL-NFL merger, losing four out of the first five seasons. In 1976, however, they finally pulled off an impressive 11-3 season, earning a place in the playoffs. Although defeated by the Oakland Raiders in the first game of the playoffs, the dawn of hope had returned to New England.
Raymond Berry took over as head coach in 1984 and guided the team to their first AFC Championship and first Super Bowl appearance. The Super Bowl game marked the final dance for legendary guard John Hannah. A Super Bowl win would have been a poetic way to bow out but destiny had other plans as the Patriots lost to the Chicago Bears by a 46-10 scoreline. Hannah later became the first Hall of Famer in Patriots’ history as he was inducted in 1991.
Power changed hands in 1994 after Robert Kraft gained ownership. Bill Parcells was appointed as head coach in 1993 and immediately started stockpiling talents through the NFL Draft. Parcells and his talent-studded team worked their way into the franchise’s second AFC Championship title, earning their trip to a second Super Bowl.
Brady-Belichick Era
Bill Belichick took over the coaching reins in 2000 and perhaps his most significant first achievement was the drafting of Tom Brady. Well, at the time, it definitely didn’t feel like an achievement. A sixth-round 199th compensatory pick was used to select Brady. Belichick knew of his quality, but it was simply a situation of “let’s see how it goes.” In the draft press conference, Belichick’s exact words were, “We’ll just put him out there with everybody else and let him compete and see what happens.”
By the following season, Brady had surprisingly become a star quarterback, helping the Patriots complete what they tag a “miracle season.” It was a miracle season indeed as no one expected a team with a 5-5 start to the season to make it to the Super Bowl. But their journey to Super Bowl XXXVI was quite memorable, especially the divisional playoffs game against the Raiders.
The Tuck Rule Game and Super Bowl Breakthrough
The game is commonly called the “Tuck Rule Game” in Oakland and the “Snow Bowl” in New England. The snow took nothing out of the heat of the game. Things became even more interesting when Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson sacked Brady forcing what looked like a game-ending fumble recovery by Oakland. However, the officials reviewed the play and according to the Tuck Rule, overturned it for an incomplete pass. Adam Vinatieri‘s clutch 45-yard kick sent the game into overtime, and another moment of brilliance from the placekicker won the game for the Patriots. It was the final game ever played at Foxboro Stadium, adding an extra layer of significance to an already unforgettable showdown.
The Patriots went on to win Super Bowl XXXVI, defeating the St. Louis Rams 20-17 in one of the biggest upsets in NFL history. The league named Brady MVP, and he continued to deliver for the Patriots. Two seasons later, they were at it again. This time, the Brady-led Patriots cut down the Carolina Panthers in a 32-29 Super Bowl XXXVIII thriller.
In the form of their lives, the Patriots moved into the next season with even hotter fire. Even the 15-1 Pittsburgh Steelers were no match as the Patriots completely humiliated them in the AFC Championship Game. The scoreline 41-27, however, doesn’t do justice to how one-sided the game was. In Super Bowl XXXIX, the Patriots cemented their 2000s dynasty, winning their third Super Bowl in four seasons. Locked in a 14-14 battle entering the fourth quarter, New England surged ahead with Corey Dillon’s touchdown and Vinatieri’s clutch kick. The defense also stepped up, forcing four turnovers, while Deion Branch torched the Philadelphia Eagles with 133 yards and 11 catches to earn MVP honors.
Perfect Season for a Perfect Team
From 2000 to 2018, the Patriots enjoyed a series of wonderful seasons, winning six Super Bowls and solidifying their place as one of the greatest dynasties in the league’s history. But the 2007 regular season was nothing like ever seen in the franchise’s history as they recorded a perfect 16-0 season, many thanks to the incredible combination of Brady and Randy Moss.
In the following seasons, the Patriots continued their winning streak, eventually adding three more Super Bowl titles to their collection. However, after Brady’s move to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they have struggled to reclaim their former glory. Yet, their legacy remains untouchable, and the history books continue to tell the tales of an era of true excellence.
Team Achievements
| Titles | Number of Times Won |
| Super Bowl Championship | 6 |
| AFC Conference Championship | 11 |
| Division Championship | 22 (one AFL East and 21 AFC East) |
Related Content: NFL HOF Spotlight: Kurt Warner
