The New England Patriots, a name that sparks excitement and pride, were born in 1959. From their roots in the Greater Boston area, they've grown into one of the most dominant teams in NFL history. But it wasn't always this way. It took decades of perseverance, vision, and a little bit of magic to create the powerhouse that the Patriots are today. Thanks to owner Robert Kraft, former head coach Bill Belichick and former QB Tom Brady in major.
With over 7 million global fan base, this team is surely considered as the NFL’s star team that has etched its name in the league’s history book. The team owns navy blue, red, and silver color jerseys and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts as their identity. They are part of the AFC East division in the NFL and continue to amaze their fans with their strong performance. However, last year it failed drastically under the legendary head coach, Bill Belichick, with just 4 wins in 2023, leading to his exit and a new build-up.
The story of the New England Patriots is one of perseverance, loyalty, and heart. Imagine a team that started in 1959 as the “Boston Patriots” in the AFL, struggling to find its footing, then completely transforming into a football dynasty that the world respects today. After the AFL-NFL merger, in 1971, they took on a new identity, becoming the “New England Patriots,” and the stage was set for something bigger than anyone could have imagined. The real turning point came in 1994 when a passionate fan, Robert Kraft, stepped in and bought the team for $172 million. Kraft wasn't just any owner ”“ he had been a fan since the '60s, and his love for the team was palpable. The magic started from that moment.
Kraft didn't just want to own a team ”“ he wanted to build a legacy. In his first year as the owner, the Patriots made it to the playoffs, after an eight-year drought. And that was just the beginning. His biggest move came in 2000 when he hired Bill Belichick, a no-nonsense coach with a mind for strategy that would forever change the team's destiny. Just when people thought they knew what to expect from the Patriots, Belichick pulled off what would become the greatest NFL draft steal of all time-Tom Brady. Brady, a sixth-round pick, defied all odds and led the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories, creating a dynasty that every team wished for.
With “I'm Shipping Up to Boston” echoing through Gillette Stadium, fans knew they were part of something extraordinary. But it wasn't just about Brady and Belichick. The Patriots earned fierce nicknames like “The Evil Empire” for their dominance, and “The Boston TE Party” during their tight end golden era from 2010 to 2012. Six Super Bowl championships, ten appearances this is a franchise that rewrote the rules of what it meant to be a champion. Now valued at a whopping $7 billion, they're proof to what happens when passion meets opportunity.
Super Bowl Titles: 6 (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII).
AFC Championships: 11 titles (2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2011, 2007, 2004, 2003, 2001, 1996, 1985)
Division Titles: 22 titles.
Dynasty Period: Most successful period under head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, especially from 2001-2019.
New England Patriots vs New York Jets: Long-standing rivalry, intensified by personnel moves and playoff clashes. Both belong to the AFC East division, but that’s not the only reason behind their rivalry. The clash between Pats and Jets started on Sept. 17, 1960, when the two met each other for the first time.
In that game, during the fourth quarter, “the ball got away from Jets (known as Titans that time) punter Rick Sapienza, and the Patriots recovered and ran it back for a TD. The Jets argued the ball was kicked, an illegal motion, but the call stood. The Patriots won 28-24.” Additionally, side switching of coach Bill Parcels from New England to New York made after the 1997 Super Bowl, intensified the rivalry. Till now, they both have met 130 times with Patriots winning 74 games and the Jets winning 55 games.
New England Patriots vs Indianapolis Colts: Became prominent in the 2000s, especially during the Tom Brady-Peyton Manning era. Both the quarterbacks are considered as the greatest and legendary QBs in the league giving each other an equal competition. Besides this, because they are from two different divisions, they don’t play every year. However, whenever they meet i.e. once every three years, this rivalry continues. Till now they have played 84 times against each other. The Pats have an edge in this record by winning 53 games and Colts winning 31 only.
New England Patriots vs Baltimore Ravens: Known for physical, competitive games, particularly in the playoffs. These two teams have not liked each other since their first meeting which took place on October 6, 1996, where the Patriots won 46-38. Despite being from two different teams, their postseason battles have intensified this rivalry. They have played 4 times in postseasons in which they tied 2-2. Additionally, the Patriots and the Ravens have met each other 16 times in total, in which the Ravens have won 5 while the Foxborough team has 11 game advantage.
$257,420,862 / 32nd | |
$40,914,115 / 2nd | |
$2,882,086 / 11th | |
$39,086,590 / 12th |
This year the Patriots are led by their new head coach, Jerod Mayo. However, the QB 1 role is still under scrutiny as either Drake Maye or Jacoby Brissett can take on the role. As per latest update, Brissett is still taking all the first-team reps, whereas Maye is “getting better,” making a push to win the job. Apart from them, these players will be starting in their respective positions:
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
WR Kendrick Bourne
WR DeMario Douglas
WR Ja'Lynn Polk
TE Hunter Henry
LT Chukwuma Okorafor
LG Cole Strange
C David Andrews
RG Sidy Sow
RT Mike Onwenu
LDE Keion White
NT Davon Godchaux
RDE Christian Barmore
WLB Anfernee Jennings
LILB Ja'Whaun Bentley
RILB Jahlani Tavai
SLB Joshua Uche
LCB Jonathan Jones
SS Kyle Dugger
FS Jabrill Peppers
RCB Christian Gonzalez
NB Marcus Jones
PK Chad Ryland
P Bryce Baringer
H Bryce Baringer
PR Marcus Jones
KR Marcus Jones
LS Joe Cardona
Bill Belichick: Belichick was the head coach of the Patriots from 2000 to 2023, and is regarded as one of the greatest NFL coaches. He “has the most playoff coaching wins all-time with 31 and ranks third in regular season coaching wins in the NFL with 333.” Under him, the Patriots have won six Super Bowls. In total, he has eight Super Bowls (the other two were when he was an assistant coach with the Giants.)
Tom Brady: He is considered as the GOAT of the NFL. During his season from 2000 to 2019; he played a pivotal role in leading the Patriots to their six Super Bowl victories.
Both this coach and quarterback are inducted as the Hall of Famers. Apart from them, 11 other individuals have been inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They are: Darrelle Revis, Richard Seymour, Ty Law, Randy Moss, Junior Seau, Curtis Martin , Andre Tippett , Nick Buoniconti, Mike Haynes, and John Hannah.
WK | DATE | OPPONENT | TIME |
1 | Sun, 8 Sep | @Cincinnati | 10:30 PM |
2 | Sun, 15 Sep | vsSeattle | 10:30 PM |
3 | Fri, 20 Sep | @New York | 5:45 AM |
4 | Mon, 30 Sep | @San Francisco | 1:35 AM |
5 | Sun, 6 Oct | vsMiami | 10:30 PM |
6 | Sun, 13 Oct | vsHouston | 10:30 PM |
7 | Sun, 20 Oct | vsJacksonville * | 7:00 PM |
8 | Sun, 27 Oct | vsNew York | 10:30 PM |
9 | Sun, 3 Nov | @Tennessee | 11:30 PM |
10 | Sun, 10 Nov | @Chicago | 11:30 PM |
11 | Sun, 17 Nov | vsLos Angeles | 11:30 PM |
12 | Sun, 24 Nov | @Miami | 11:30 PM |
13 | Sun, 1 Dec | vsIndianapolis | 11:30 PM |
14 | BYE WEEK | ||
15 | Mon, 16 Dec | @Arizona | 2:55 AM |
16 | Sun, 22 Dec | @Buffalo | 11:30 PM |
17 | Sun, 29 Dec | vsLos Angeles | TBD |
18 | Sun, 5 Jan | vsBuffalo | TBD |