The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in Foxborough, Massachusetts. They compete in the American Football Conference (AFC) East division of the National Football League (NFL). The Patriots are one of the most successful teams in NFL history, having won six Super Bowls, the most by any team since the 1970 merger.
Early years
The Patriots were founded in 1959 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL). The team’s early years were marked by mediocrity, with only one winning season in their first 10 years.
The Parcells era
In 1979, the Patriots hired Bill Parcells as head coach. Parcells quickly turned the Patriots into a winning team, leading them to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1985. The Patriots lost to the Chicago Bears in that game, but they continued to be a playoff contender throughout the 1980s.
Bill Parcells, head coach of the New England Patriots
The Belichick era
In 2000, the Patriots hired Bill Belichick as head coach. Belichick quickly established himself as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, leading the Patriots to six Super Bowl championships.
The Brady era
Tom Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Brady quickly became the Patriots’ starting quarterback and led the team to their first Super Bowl victory in 2001. Brady and Belichick have since gone on to win five more Super Bowls together, making them the most successful quarterback-coach duo in NFL history.
Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots
Super Bowl wins
The Patriots have won six Super Bowls, more than any other team since the 1970 merger.
- Super Bowl XXXVI: New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17 (2001)
- Super Bowl XXXVIII: New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29 (2003)
- Super Bowl XXXIX: New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21 (2004)
- Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14 (2008)
- Super Bowl XLVI: New England Patriots 21, New York Giants 17 (2011)
- Super Bowl LI: New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28 (2017)
Super Bowl MVP awards
Tom Brady has won five Super Bowl MVP awards, more than any other player in NFL history.
- Super Bowl XXXVI: Tom Brady
- Super Bowl XXXVIII: Tom Brady
- Super Bowl XXXIX: Tom Brady
- Super Bowl LI: Tom Brady
- Super Bowl LIII: Tom Brady
The Patriots are one of the most successful teams in NFL history. They have won six Super Bowls, more than any other team since the 1970 merger. The team is led by Bill Belichick, one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, and Tom Brady, one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. The Patriots are sure to continue to be a contender for years to come.
