The modern NFL championship game, the Super 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 made the 1963 AFL Championship Game, but struggled severely in the early years of the united league, not making the postseason until 1976. After a stretch of only one losing season in 13 years, including a Super Bowl appearance against a champion Bears outfit, the Patriots reached a nadir between 1989 and 1993 when they won only 19 of 80 games.
The Patriots have won six Super Bowl championships (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, and LIII). They also played in and lost Super Bowls XX, XXXI, XLII, XLVI, and LII. During the 2007 regular season, the Patriots became the only NFL team in history to win 16 games, and the first since the 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 the Dallas Cowboys from 1993 to 1996).[9]
Overall, the Patriots have made 27 playoff appearances, one of which was before the merger. Since the merger, they have played fifteen AFC 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 the Dallas Cowboys' record of 20.[12]
a The 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.
b Beginning 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]
c The 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]
d The NFL expanded from a 14-game regular season schedule to 16 beginning in 1978.[33]
e The 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]
f The 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]
g The 1987 NFL season was shortened from 16 regular season games to 15 due to a players' strike.[35]
h The 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]
i The 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]
j The 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]
k The 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]
l Years 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.
^Shaughnessy, Dan (September 13, 2009). "Boston: Home of the Patriots once again". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on September 24, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
^Marrapese-Burrell, Nancy (February 1, 2008). "Booth took him along for ride". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
^"Pats' Haynes Defensive Rookie". The Ledger. Lakeland, Florida: The New York Times Company. December 29, 1976. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
^Chuck Fairbanks was suspended for the last game of the 1978 regular season. Hank Bullough and Ron Erhardt replaced 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. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
^Wilner, Barry (December 30, 1994). "Parcels Coach of Year". The Daily Gazette. Schenectady, New York: The Daily Gazette Company. p. C1. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
^"Martin Gets Rookie Prize". The Victoria Advocate. Victoria, Texas: Victoria Advocate Publishing Company. December 29, 1995. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved February 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 from the original on February 5, 2004. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
^Cobb, Mike (February 7, 2005). "Branch Catches MVP Honor". The Ledger. Lakeland, Florida: The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
^Greenburg, Alan (January 6, 2006). "Surprising Comeback: Bruschi shares with Smith". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut: Tribune Company. p. C4.
^Manza Young, Shalise (February 1, 2011). "Brady Wins AP Offensive Player of Year". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
