List of New England Patriots seasons explained

The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston town of Foxborough, Massachusetts. They play in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. Originally called the Boston Patriots, the team was founded as one of eight charter members of the American Football League (AFL) in 1960 under the ownership of Billy Sullivan.^[1] The team became part of the NFL when the two leagues merged in 1970. The following year, they moved from Boston to nearby Foxborough, and changed their name to the New England Patriots.^[2]

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.

During Bill Belichick's tenure as the team's head coach from 2000 to 2023, the Patriots won six Super Bowls, nine AFC Championship Games, and sixteen AFC East titles, earning an overall regular season record of 266–121.^[4] Tom Brady, who was the team's quarterback from 2000 until 2019, was awarded the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times, and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player four times (he later won another Super Bowl MVP with the Buccaneers); he is one of only five players named Super Bowl MVP more than once, and the only one named more than three times.^[5]

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.^[6] 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).^[7]

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.^[8] 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.^[9] 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.

Seasons

AFL champions (1960–1969)

Super Bowl champions (1966–present)

Conference champions

Division champions

Wild Card berth

One-Game Playoff Berth

Season	Team	League	Conference	Division	Regular season				Postseason results	Awards	Head coaches
					Finish
Boston Patriots
1960	1960	AFL	—	Eastern	4th	5	9	0			Lou Saban
1961	1961	AFL	—	Eastern	2nd	9	4	1			Lou Saban (2–3) Mike Holovak (7–1–1)
	1962	AFL	—	Eastern	2nd	9	4	1			Mike Holovak
	1963	AFL	—	Eastern	1st	7	6	1	Won Divisional playoffs (at Bills) 26–8 Lost AFL Championship (at Chargers) 10–51
1964		AFL	—	Eastern	2nd	10	3	1		Gino Cappelletti (MVP)^[10]
1965		AFL	—	Eastern	3rd	4	8	2
1966		AFL	—	Eastern	2nd	8	4	2		Jim Nance (MVP)^[11]
1967		AFL	—	Eastern	5th	3	10	1
1968		AFL	—	Eastern	4th	4	10	0
1969		AFL	—	Eastern	3rd	4	10	0			Clive Rush
		NFL	AFC	East	5th	2	12	0			Clive Rush (1–6) John Mazur (1–6)
New England Patriots
	1971	NFL	AFC	East	3rd	6	8	0			John Mazur
		NFL	AFC	East	5th	3	11	0			John Mazur (2–7) Phil Bengtson (1–4)
		NFL	AFC	East	3rd	5	9	0			Chuck Fairbanks
		NFL	AFC	East	3rd	7	7	0
	1975	NFL	AFC	East	5th	3	11	0
		NFL	AFC	East	2nd	11	3	0	Lost Divisional playoffs (at Raiders) 21–24	Mike Haynes (DROY)^[12]
		NFL	AFC	East	3rd	9	5	0
		NFL	AFC	East	1st	11	5	0	Lost Divisional playoffs (Oilers) 14–31^[13]
		NFL	AFC	East	2nd	9	7	0			Ron Erhardt
		NFL	AFC	East	2nd	10	6	0
		NFL	AFC	East	5th	2	14	0
		NFL	AFC		7th	5	4	0	Lost First Round playoffs (at Dolphins) 13–28		Ron Meyer
		NFL	AFC	East	2nd	8	8	0
		NFL	AFC	East	2nd	9	7	0			Ron Meyer (5–3) Raymond Berry (4–4)
		NFL	AFC	East	3rd	11	5	0	Won Wild Card playoffs (at Jets) 26–14 Won Divisional playoffs (at Raiders) 27–20 Won AFC Championship (at Dolphins) 31–14 Lost Super Bowl XX (vs. Bears) 10–46		Raymond Berry
		NFL	AFC	East	1st	11	5	0	Lost Divisional playoffs (at Broncos) 17–22
		NFL	AFC	East	2nd	8	7	0
		NFL	AFC	East	3rd	9	7	0		John Stephens (OROY)^[14]
		NFL	AFC	East	4th	5	11	0
		NFL	AFC	East	5th	1	15	0			Rod Rust
		NFL	AFC	East	4th	6	10	0		Leonard Russell (OROY)^[15]	Dick MacPherson
		NFL	AFC	East	5th	2	14	0
		NFL	AFC	East	4th	5	11	0			Bill Parcells
		NFL	AFC	East	2nd	10	6	0	Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Browns) 13–20	Bill Parcells (COY)^[16]
		NFL	AFC	East	4th	6	10	0		Curtis Martin (OROY)^[17]
		NFL	AFC	East	1st	11	5	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Steelers) 28–3 Won AFC Championship (Jaguars) 20–6 Lost Super Bowl XXXI (vs. Packers) 21–35
		NFL	AFC	East	1st	10	6	0	Won Wild Card playoffs (Dolphins) 17–3 Lost Divisional playoffs (at Steelers) 6–7		Pete Carroll
		NFL	AFC	East	4th	9	7	0	Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Jaguars) 10–25
		NFL	AFC	East	5th	8	8	0
		NFL	AFC	East	5th	5	11	0			Bill Belichick
		NFL	AFC	East	1st	11	5	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Raiders) 16–13 (OT) Won AFC Championship (at Steelers) 24–17 Won Super Bowl XXXVI (1) (vs. Rams) 20–17	Tom Brady (SB MVP)^[18]
		NFL	AFC	East	2nd	9	7	0
		NFL	AFC	East	1st	14	2	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Titans) 17–14 Won AFC Championship (Colts) 24–14 Won Super Bowl XXXVIII (2) (vs. Panthers) 32–29	Tom Brady (SB MVP)^[19] Bill Belichick (COY)
		NFL	AFC	East	1st	14	2	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Colts) 20–3 Won AFC Championship (at Steelers) 41–27 Won Super Bowl XXXIX (3) (vs. Eagles) 24–21	Deion Branch (SB MVP)^[20]
		NFL	AFC	East	1st	10	6	0	Won Wild Card playoffs (Jaguars) 28–3 Lost Divisional playoffs (at Broncos) 13–27	Tedy Bruschi (CBPOY)^[21]
		NFL	AFC	East	1st	12	4	0	Won Wild Card playoffs (Jets) 37–16 Won Divisional playoffs (at Chargers) 24–21 Lost AFC Championship (at Colts) 34–38
2007	2007	NFL	AFC	East	1st	16	0	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Jaguars) 31–20 Won AFC Championship (Chargers) 21–12 Lost Super Bowl XLII (vs. Giants) 14–17	Tom Brady (MVP, OPOY)^[22] ^[23] Bill Belichick (COY)
		NFL	AFC	bgcolor=	East	bgcolor=	2nd	11	5	0			Jerod Mayo (DROY)^[24]
		NFL	AFC	East	1st	10	6	0	Lost Wild Card playoffs (Ravens) 14–33	Tom Brady (CBPOY)^[25]
	2010	NFL	AFC	East	1st	14	2	0	Lost Divisional playoffs (Jets) 21–28	Tom Brady (MVP, OPOY)^[26] ^[27] Bill Belichick (COY)^[28]
	2011	NFL	AFC	East	1st	13	3	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Broncos) 45–10 Won AFC Championship (Ravens) 23–20 Lost Super Bowl XLVI (vs. Giants) 17–21
	2012	NFL	AFC	East	1st	12	4	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Texans) 41–28 Lost AFC Championship (Ravens) 13–28
	2013	NFL	AFC	East	1st	12	4	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Colts) 43–22 Lost AFC Championship (at Broncos) 16–26
	2014	NFL	AFC	East	1st	12	4	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Ravens) 35–31 Won AFC Championship (Colts) 45–7 Won Super Bowl XLIX (4) (vs. Seahawks) 28–24	Rob Gronkowski (CBPOY) Tom Brady (SB MVP)^[29]
	2015	NFL	AFC	East	1st	12	4	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Chiefs) 27–20 Lost AFC Championship (at Broncos) 18–20
	2016	NFL	AFC	East	1st	14	2	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Texans) 34–16 Won AFC Championship (Steelers) 36–17 Won Super Bowl LI (5) (vs. Falcons) 34–28 (OT)	Tom Brady (SB MVP)
	2017	NFL	AFC	East	1st	13	3	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Titans) 35–14 Won AFC Championship (Jaguars) 24–20 Lost Super Bowl LII (vs. Eagles) 33–41	Tom Brady (MVP)
	2018	NFL	AFC	East	1st	11	5	0	Won Divisional playoffs (Chargers) 41–28 Won AFC Championship (at Chiefs) 37–31 Won Super Bowl LIII (6) (vs. Rams) 13–3	Julian Edelman (SB MVP)
	2019	NFL	AFC	East	1st	12	4	0	Lost Wild Card playoffs (Titans) 13–20	Stephon Gilmore (DPOY)
	2020	NFL	AFC	East	3rd	7	9	0
	2021	NFL	AFC	East	2nd	10	7	0	Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Bills) 17–47
	2022	NFL	AFC	East	3rd	8	9	0
	2023	NFL	AFC	East	4th	4	13	0
Total						541	433	9	All-time regular season record (1960–2023)
						37	22	—	All-time postseason record (1960–2023)
						578	455	9	All-time regular & postseason record (1960–2023)

Key for the "Awards" section

ASG MVP	American Football League All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award
CBPOY	National Football League Comeback Player of the Year Award
DROY	National Football League Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
OROY	National Football League Offensive Rookie of the Year Award
COY	National Football League Coach of the Year Award
OPOY	National Football League Offensive Player of the Year Award
DPOY	National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award
MVP	National Football League Most Valuable Player Award
SB MVP	Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award

See also

• History of the New England Patriots

Notes

• 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.
• 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.^[30]
• 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).^[31]
• The NFL expanded from a 14-game regular season schedule to 16 beginning in 1978.^[32]
• 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).^[31]
• 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.^[33]
• The 1987 NFL season was shortened from 16 regular season games to 15 due to a players' strike.^[34]
• 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.^[35]
• 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).^[36]
• 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.^[37]
• 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.^[38]
• 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.

References

General

• Web site: New England Patriots: History. CBS Sports. February 23, 2011. October 18, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111018084408/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/history/NE/new-england-patriots. live.
• Web site: New England Patriots Franchise Encyclopedia. Pro Football Reference. February 23, 2011. August 20, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150820074438/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/. dead.

Bibliography

• Book: 2000 National Football League Record & Fact Book. Workman Publishing Company. 2000. New York City. 978-0-7611-1982-1. registration.
• Book: 2002 National Football League Record & Fact Book. Workman Publishing Company. 2002. New York City. 978-0-7611-2643-0.

Specific

Notes and References

1. News: Billy Sullivan, 86, Founder Of Football Patriots, Dies. Litsky. Billy. February 24, 1998. The New York Times. February 23, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20111007040146/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/24/sports/billy-sullivan-86-founder-of-football-patriots-dies.html. October 7, 2011.
2. News: Boston: Home of the Patriots once again. Shaughnessy. Dan. September 13, 2009. The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. February 23, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100924201756/http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2009/09/13/for_a_few_games_patriots_given_name_will_be_given_back/. September 24, 2010.
3. Web site: The AFL: A Football Legacy. Cross. B. Duane. January 22, 2001. CNN Sports Illustrated. February 26, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110604102002/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2001/01/22/afl_history_2/. June 4, 2011.
4. Web site: Bill Belichick Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks . Pro Football Reference . February 23, 2010 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100210013820/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/BeliBi0.htm . February 10, 2010 .
5. Web site: Super Bowl History. National Football League. February 23, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110223141027/http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history. February 23, 2011.
6. Web site: Patriots Beat Giants 38–35 to Become First Undefeated NFL Team in 35 Years. December 30, 2007. FOX News. February 23, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110629062652/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,319005,00.html. June 29, 2011.
7. News: Patriots Win Third Super Bowl in Four Years. February 7, 2005. FOX News. February 23, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110130065057/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,146558,00.html. January 30, 2011.
8. Web site: 2006 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics . Pro Football Reference . February 25, 2010 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100208034036/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/ . February 8, 2010 .
9. Web site: Super Bowl Standings . Pro Football Reference . February 23, 2010 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100121042645/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/super-bowl/standings.htm . January 21, 2010 .
10. News: Booth took him along for ride. Marrapese-Burrell. Nancy. February 1, 2008. The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. February 21, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110628235905/http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/02/01/booth_took_him_along_for_ride/. June 28, 2011.
11. News: Patriots journal: Nance elected to Patriots Hall of Fame. Manza Young. Shalise. June 10, 2009. The Providence Journal. A. H. Belo Corporation. February 21, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184052/http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/projo_20090610_patriots_journal.6a3c34e0.html. June 28, 2011.
12. News: Pats' Haynes Defensive Rookie. December 29, 1976. The Ledger. The New York Times Company. February 22, 2011. Lakeland, Florida. November 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231120164040/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IqsuAAAAIBAJ&dq=mike%20haynes%20rookie%20of%20the%20year&pg=6460%2C8570835. live.
13. 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.
14. News: Former Pats RB killed. Mascaro. Chris. September 3, 2009. Newsday. Cablevision. February 22, 2011. Melville, New York. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110629202136/http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/glauber-s-nfl-hot-reads-1.811959/former-pats-rb-killed-1.1418461. June 29, 2011.
15. News: Leonard Russell, Mark Croel named top rookies of the year. December 27, 1991. The Vindicator. Vindicator Printing Company. C4. February 22, 2011. Youngstown, Ohio. August 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220803182949/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aydKAAAAIBAJ&dq=leonard%20russell%20offensive%20rookie%20of%20the%20year&pg=4048%2C4603785. live.
16. News: Parcels Coach of Year. Wilner. Barry. December 30, 1994. The Daily Gazette. The Daily Gazette Company. C1. February 22, 2011. Schenectady, New York. November 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231120164154/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7e8wAAAAIBAJ&dq=parcells%20coach%20of%20the%20year&pg=1738%2C7371050. live.
17. News: Martin Gets Rookie Prize. December 29, 1995. The Victoria Advocate. Victoria Advocate Publishing Company. February 22, 2011. Victoria, Texas. August 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220803182949/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GANZAAAAIBAJ&dq=curtis%20martin%20rookie%20of%20year&pg=2147%2C5975473. live.
18. News: Super Bowl XXXVI; Bledsoe Classy Til End. Murphy. Mark. February 4, 2002. Boston Herald. Herald Media Inc.. 88.
19. News: MVP Brady on the go. Farinella. Mark. February 3, 2004. The Sun Chronicle. United Communications Corporation. February 28, 2011. Attleboro, Massachusetts. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20040205190215/http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2004/02/03/sports/sports1.txt. February 5, 2004.
20. News: Branch Catches MVP Honor. Cobb. Mike. February 7, 2005. The Ledger. The New York Times Company. February 21, 2011. Lakeland, Florida. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717011547/http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20050207%2FNEWS%2F502070375%2F1002%2FSPORTS. July 17, 2011.
21. News: Surprising Comeback: Bruschi shares with Smith. Greenburg. Alan. January 6, 2006. Hartford Courant. Tribune Company. C4. Hartford, Connecticut.
22. News: Brady romps to MVP after record season. January 6, 2008. Toronto Star. Torstar. February 21, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121023162718/http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/291342. October 23, 2012.
23. News: Tom Brady adds AP Offensive Player of Year to MVP. January 8, 2008. KXMB-TV. Reiten Television, Inc.. February 21, 2011. Bismarck, North Dakota. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110713180219/http://www.kxnet.com/custom404.asp?404%3Bhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.kxnet.com%2FSports%2F196054.asp. July 13, 2011.
24. Web site: Mayo is AP's top defensive rookie. January 1, 2009. ESPN.com. The Walt Disney Company. February 16, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110629005319/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3801728. June 29, 2011.
25. News: Brady Wins Comeback Player of the Year. Kilgore. Adam. January 6, 2010. The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. February 16, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110628232645/http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2010/01/brady_wins_come.html. June 28, 2011.
26. News: Patriots' Tom Brady selected NFL MVP. Farmer. Sam. February 6, 2011. Los Angeles Times. February 16, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110425063916/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/06/sports/la-sp-newswire-20110207 . April 25, 2011.
27. News: Brady Wins AP Offensive Player of Year. Manza Young. Shalise. February 1, 2011. The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. February 16, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110628232557/http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2011/02/brady_wins_ap_o.html. June 28, 2011.
28. News: Belichick wins 3rd Coach of Year honor. February 2, 2011. The Associated Press. February 16, 2011.
29. Web site: Tom Brady wins Super Bowl XLIX MVP award. NFL.com. February 2, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150202054508/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000467491/article/tom-brady-wins-super-bowl-xlix-mvp-award. February 2, 2015.
30. 2002 National Football League Record & Fact Book, p. 394–395.
31. 2000 National Football League Record & Fact Book, p. 293.
32. Web site: Pasquarelli . Len . Schedule expansion gaining momentum . ESPN.com . The Walt Disney Company . May 18, 2009 . August 10, 2009 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110629022929/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=4173119 . June 29, 2011 .
33. 2002 National Football League Record & Fact Book, p. 413.
34. 2000 National Football League Record & Fact Book, p. 291.
35. 2000 National Football League Record & Fact Book, p. 289.
36. 2002 National Football League Record & Fact Book, p. 404.
37. News: New England 27, Miami 24, OT. Golen. Jimmy. December 30, 2002. Yahoo! Sports. February 23, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110629061431/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recaps/20021229/mianwe.html. June 29, 2011.
38. News: Even without Patriots, AFC looks dominant in playoffs. Gosselin. Rick. December 29, 2008. Denton Record-Chronicle. A. H. Belo Corporation. February 23, 2011. Denton, Texas. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110709013120/http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/122908dnspogosselin.37ea0dd.html. July 9, 2011.