New England Patriots History
The New England Patriots Were Not Always Undefeated
The long lean years of Patriot history followed by recent success as Super Bowl Champions.
The Boston Patriots’ professional football history began on Independence Day, July 4, 1960, when the organization’s first training camp opened. It has been a history of really good teams and of really bad teams. For example, in the inaugural season of the “mickey mouse” league of the AFL, the hapless Pats finished 5-9 and last place among the 4 teams in the AFL Eastern Division.
Trends for Patriots teams that would be consistent until the turn of the century began in the early years. Following the first disappointing season, the Patriots strung together a couple of respectable seasons but could not advance in the playoffs. In 1963 the Pats were the resident underdogs and stunned many teams to reach the AFL Championship game. The Patriots were there thoroughly trounced by the San Diego Chargers, 51-10.
After being a championship contender in 1963, the lean times followed. Terrible teams followed including the 1970 season in which the Patriots were last in offense and defense and committed 41 turnovers. A couple of playoff appearances ended in bitter disappointment for the Patriots and its fans.
Twenty-two seasons after reaching a championship, the Patriots had another opportunity to be champions. Miraculously the Pats won games on the road against the Jets, Raiders and Dolphins, including snapping a 19 year losing streak at the Orange Bowl, to advance to Super Bowl XX. Yet again, the championship was a disaster for the Patriots as they lost a humiliating game 46-10 to the Chicago Bears. The loss seemed to send the Patriots into a tale spin including a 1-15 record in 1990, a 2-14 record in 1992 and 5-11 in 1993.
The Patriots feasted again, in 1996, when they captured the AFC championship and again traveled to the Superdome for Super Bowl XXXI against the Green Bay Packers. But it was not to be yet again, but at least the Patriots kept the game close until a game breaking kick off return by Desmond Howard. Packers 35 Patriots 21.
The new millennium began for the Patriots much like the prior 40 years of its history, with a 5-11 record and last place in the AFC East. 2001 saw two straight losses including a 0-2 loss to the New York Jets. After a serious injury to the Patriot’s quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, an unknown named Tom Brady stepped into that role. Nothing had worked in the Patriots’ frustrating, humiliating forty year history, but all of that changed on a Saturday night in a blizzard against the Oakland Raiders. The Patriots won in overtime 16-13 at Foxboro Stadium’s last game. They then cruised over the Pittsburgh Steelers and headed to Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams, again at the Superdome. Again the Patriots were huge underdogs.
Refusing to be introduced as individuals, the Patriots stormed the field and entered the fourth quarter leading 17-3. The Rams “greatest show on turf” rallied to tie the game at 17-17 with 1:30 left in regulation, the Patriots finally would not be denied. Tom Brady drove the team down the field and Adam Vinatieri kicked the game winning field goal as time expired. The Patriots had finally found a way to win and have been feasting ever since. The New England Patriots are now 3 time Super Bowl Champions and one of the best teams in the NFL.
