NFL Team History: The New England Patriots

The New England Patriots, originally identified as the Boston Patriots, was founded by William H. Sullivan, and became a charter member of the American Football League in 1960.

The city of Boston, Massachusetts had previously lost two National Football League teams over the past two decades, the Boston Braves/Redskins and Boston Yanks.

The Patriots played the Denver Broncos in the first AFL game. Despite playing on their home turf, the Patriots marginally lost to the Broncos 13-10. A week later, they would score their first franchise victory over the New York Titans, now Jets.

The introductory season for the Patriots resulted in a sub-par record of 5-9.

In 1961 and 1962, the Patriots improved to 9-4-1 in each of the two seasons; however, they had yet to compete in the AFL post-season.

In 1963, an 8-6-1 record led to their first AFL Championship advent. Consequently, they were pounded by the San Diego Chargers by a score of 51-10

For the remainder of the decade, the Patriots failed to reach the post-season and only achieved two winning seasons.

In 1970, the NFL absorbed the AFL and the Patriots were placed in the AFC East Division along with the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Colts, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins. In their first year in the NFL, they posted a dreadful record of 2-12, worst of all teams among the NFL.

In 1971, the Patriots relocated from Boston to Foxboro, Massachusetts. In direct correlation with the move, the team name was changed to the New England Patriots, as now they represented the entire New England region as opposed to just the Boston community. Their home games were now played in Shaffer Stadium.

However, their first season with the new identity only resulted in an unexceptional 6-8 regular season record.

It was not until 1976 when the Patriots would produce their first winning record since 1966 and their first post-season appearance since 1963. Their 11-3 regular season record was enough to clinch a Wild Card berth.

They faced the Oakland Raiders in their Wild Card match-up, and led for the majority of the game; however, the Raiders secured the 24-21 victory with a late touchdown pass.

Two years later, the Patriots clinched the AFC East Division title with an 11-5 record. This was their first division crown in fifteen years. Nonetheless, their playoff run was spoiled by the Houston Oilers and a 31-14 loss. The season was clouded by controversy surrounding head coach Chuck Fairbanks and rumors of him leaving the team for a head coaching job at the University of Colorado. Eventually, Fairbanks was released and Ron Erhardt assumed the head coach duties.

The Patriots would reach the playoffs in 1982; however, their season ended with a 28-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

In 1985, the New England franchise posted an 11-5 record, earning them their second Wild Card appearance of the decade. As they traveled to the Meadowland, home of the New York Jets, the Patriots were searching for that first post-season win in 22 years. Despite the underdog label, they would hand the Jets a 26-14 loss. A week later, the Patriots were perceived to have little hope as they traveled to Oakland, California to face the Oakland Raiders. Once again, the Patriots were not to be denied as they upset the Raiders 27-20.

In the AFC Championship showdown, the Patriots traveled to the Orange Bowl, home of the Miami Dolphins, a place where they have not win in 19 seasons. The jinx was broken as the Patriots stunned the Dolphins with an overwhelming 31-14 triumph.

For the first time, the Patriots would compete in the NFL's biggest game, the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XX, they would face the Chicago Bears, the NFL's top team of 1985. For the fourth week in a row, the Patriots would have to pull off an improbable upset. This time, however, they were not even on the radar as the Bears walloped the Patriots 46-10.

In 1986, the Patriots duplicated their 11-5 season, but this time, it was good enough to clinch the AFC East Division title. A second consecutive Super Bowl appearance was denied by the Denver Broncos with a 22-17 loss.

In 1987, the Patriots 8-7 regular season record was their fourth consecutive winning season; nevertheless, they would not appear in the post-season.

Following the 1988 season, one in which the Patriots failed to make the playoffs for the second successive season, the Sullivan family sold the franchise to businessman Victor Kiam. Additionally, well-known entrepreneur Robert Kraft acquired the Sullivan's Stadium. In a rather eccentric arrangement, Kraft owned the stadium and Kiam owned the New England Patriots.

In 1989, the Patriots 5-11 record was their first losing record since 1981.

From 1990 to 1993, the Patriots became the bottom-feeders of the AFC as they won only 14 games versus 50 losses in the time frame.

During the taxing period, James Orthwein purchased the team from Kiam in 1992. In 1993, former New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells was hired to lead the team. Parcells had earned two Super Bowl rings while coaching the Giants. Following the 1993 season, whispers of relocation were becoming shrill. Orthwein expressed interest in possibly moving the team to St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1994, stadium-owner Robert Kraft purchased sole ownership of the New England Patriots, refuting any notion of relocation to St. Louis. That season, the Patriots won 10 games versus 6 losses, which became their first winning season since 1988, and their first playoff berth since 1986.

Their return to the post-season was short-lived as they would lose 20-13 to the Cleveland Browns.

Two years later, the Patriots clinched the AFC East Division title with an 11-5 record. It was their first division crown since 1986. In the post-season, victories over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars led to their second Super Bowl trip.

In Super Bowl XXXI, the Patriots were to face the heavily favored Green Bay Packers. Throughout the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, rumors of an impending departure by head coach Bill Parcells served as a distraction. Parcells was being courted by the New York Jets. Despite the speculation, the Patriots took to the field against the Packers, only to lose 35-21. They were now 0 for 2 in their Super Bowl appearances.

Parcells left the Patriots following the loss and accepted the head coach position with the Jets. Pete Carroll replaced Parcells.

In 1997, the Patriots clinched their second consecutive AFC East Division crown with a 10-6 record. In the post-season, they would shut down the Miami Dolphins 17-3; however, a week later, they were shut down by the Pittsburgh Steelers 7-6.

Following a mediocre season in 1999, Pete Carroll was released from his head coach position and replaced with Bill Belichick. The hiring of Belichick was rather bizarre as he had accepted an offer by the New York Jets to replace Bill Parcells as head coach. After 24 hours as Jets head coach, Belichick astonishingly resigned, leaving the Jets in limbo.

The Belichick era began with a substandard 5-11 record in 2000. However, a year later, the franchise rebounded with an 11-5 season, and another AFC East crown. But the season started off rather wobbly. After a 0-2 start, the Patriots lost their Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Bledsoe due to injuries. Belichick turned to former sixth round draft pick Tom Brady to supplant the popular Bledsoe.

As the 2001 playoffs commenced, the Patriots were still not considered to be a threat to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. They hosted the Oakland Raiders in the divisional playoff match-up, and earned a 16-13 win in overtime. Raiders fans will debate to this very day that they were robbed. With less than two minutes remaining in the contest and trailing 13-10, Tom Brady fumbled the ball; however, the officials reviewed the play and ruled it as a tuck. The game was sent into overtime and the Patriots delivered the final blow. A week later, they knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-17 and were headed to their third Super Bowl.

For the third time, the Patriots were facing the best team in the NFL for the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XXXVI, they lined up against the St. Louis Rams. The Rams had consistently owned one of the premier offensive units for three years in a row and were expected to steamroll past the Patriots. However, the New England team built a comfortable 17-3 lead in the third quarter. As expected, Rams quarterback Kurt Warner engineered a fourth quarter rally, tying the game at 17. With seconds remaining in the game, kicker Adam Viniateri kicked the game-winning field goal. The Patriots shocked the entire sports world with one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.

In 2002, the Patriots moved to Gillette Stadium. That was really the only noteworthy achievement for the Patriots as they missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record.

Following the 2002 season, Belichick opted to make Tom Brady the long-term quarterback as Drew Bledsoe signed with the Buffalo Bills. A 14-2 regular season quickly established the Patriots as the team to beat heading into the AFC playoffs. After defeating the Tennessee Titans, the Patriots eliminated the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game 24-14, earning their fourth Super Bowl trip.

In Super Bowl XXXVIII, the Patriots faced the surprising Carolina Panthers. Two years prior, the Patriots were 'David' facing the Rams who were 'Goliath'. This time, roles were reversed as the Patriots were heavy favorites to beat the Panthers. With the game tied at 29, kicker Adam Viniatieri once again kicked the Super Bowl winning field goal, erasing any hopes of a colossal upset by the Panthers.

After defeating the Miami Dolphins in 2004, the Patriots winning streak reached 18 games, an NFL record. The streak was eventually broken by the Pittsburgh Steelers. They would complete their second straight 14-2 season, and roll past the Indianapolis Colts 20-3 to earn antoher AFC Championship match-up. In Pittsburgh, the Patriots dismantled the Steelers 41-27, earning their third Super Bowl trip in four years

In Super Bowl XXXIX, the Philadelphia Eagles awaited the Patriots. However, the Patriots put an exclamation point on their dynasty with a 24-21 win. Each of their three Super Bowl victories were won by a mere three points.

In 2005, the Patriots captured the AFC East Division for the fourth time in five years with a 10-6 record. Nevertheless, their endeavor to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls came to a screeching halt with a 27-13 loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional playoffs.

In 2006, the Patriots won their fifth AFC East Division title of the decade with a 12-4 record. They faced the 14-2 San Diego Chargers in the divisional round of the post-season, and pulled off the upset with a 24-21 triumph. Many Chargers players were disgruntled with the officials and the Patriots players as they haughtily danced on the Chargers logo. A week later, the Patriots and Indianapolis Colts faced off for the AFC Championship. The Patriots were looking to earn their fourth Super Bowl appearance of the decade and things appeared to be going their way as they stormed to a 21-3 lead in the second quarter. Consequently, the Colts rallied and ultimately defeated the Patriots 38-34, ending their season.

Following the devastating loss to the Colts, the Patriots began to beef up their receiving core by adding wide receivers Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Donte Stallworth.

The 2007 season began with controversy as the Patriots were cited for video taping the New York Jets play calling signals. Belichick was publicly scrutinized and fined $500,000 dollars by the NFL. The New England Patriots franchise was fined $250,000 and stripped of first-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. The fiasco which brought the integrity of the franchise into question has been labeled 'Spygate'.

As of December 14, 2007, the Patriots are on their way to a record-breaking season. They are currently 13-0, and appear to be on their way to the first undefeated season since the 1972 Miami Dolphins. Additionally, quarterback Tom Brady has 45 touchdown passes, just four shy of Peyton Manning's record of 49 in a single season. Receiver Randy Moss currently has 19 touchdown catches.