The New England Patriots' Super Bowl legacy was almost exclusively written with Bill Belichick as head coach and Tom Brady operating under center. On Feb. 8, Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye will look to write a new chapter in the history books with the first appearance in "The Big Game" without Belichick or TB12.
Before the Pats clash with the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, though, it's worth looking at the heroes of yesteryear. The Patriots were the most dominant team of the aughts and 2010s, seeing their dominance end with the dawn of the not-so-roaring 20s (until now).
Ahead of New England's potential restoration, here are the top 10 Super Bowl performances in the Patriots' illustrious history:
No. 10: Adam Vinatieri Hits Game-Winning FG in Super Bowl XXXVIII
Great games aren't often associated with the kickers as much as legendary kicks are. Super Bowl XXXVIII was defined by Adam Vinatieri knocking down a second-straight game-winning kick as time expired against the Carolina Panthers.
This was the lesser of the two game-winners in distance and gravity. The novelty of a first-time franchise win wasn't there. Also, Vinatieri missed a 31-yard field goal and had a 36-yard attempt blocked in the first half.
Still, Vinatieri's leg won a second title, his legacy was sealed, and his reputation as a big-time kicker got another highlight reel boot.
No. 9: Adam Vinatieri Hits Game-Winning FG in Super Bowl XXXVI
Vinatieri's 48-yard game-winning field goal in Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams was his introduction to stardom. He was already on the cusp when he hit the game-winning field goal in overtime during the "Tuck Rule" AFC Championship Game with the Oakland Raiders.
Vinatieri also missed a 38-yard field goal attempt in the first half against the Rams. Even during his legendary performances, Vinatieri was distinctly not perfect.
And yet, he'll go down as the best Super Bowl performer at the PK position until someone else hits the dramatic and consequential kicks Vinatieri did.
No. 8: Julian Edelman Earns MVP Award in Super Bowl LIII
Most fans will remember how brutal Super Bowl LIII was as a form of entertainment. However, what mattered in the end was the 13-3 Pats win, which saw Julian Edelman amass 141 yards and 10 catches en route to MVP honors. Edelman didn't score himself, but he was a key part of nearly every scoring drive.
He didn't have a legendary touchdown catch or a legendary catch at all. But the Patriots don't win in 2019 without Edelman constantly finding ways to get open out of the slot.
No. 7: Tom Brady Wins Second Super Bowl MVP in 2004
Brady had his second-highest QB rating in a Super Bowl win during the Patriots' 2004 matchup with the Panthers. He had an Interception, unlike his first Super Bowl appearance, but threw for over 200 more yards.
Winning a second title in three years and earning his first definitive MVP Award, one that didn't have a Ty Law asterisk, put Brady on the scene. Obviously, he'd end up staying there for the duration of his career, which went on another 19 years.
No. 6: Ty Law Picks off Kurt Warner in Super Bowl XXXVI
Law's 47-yard interception return for a touchdown on Kurt Warner in Super Bowl XXXVI was the defining moment of his career, and certainly the game-changing play that permanently shifted the momentum in New England's favor.
It was the most memorable defensive scoring play the Pats ever witnessed, though not the all-time defensive play in Patriots history.
No. 5: Deion Branch Wins Super Bowl XXXIX MVP Award
Brady was outplayed by Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb in Super Bowl XXXIX. However, it was Deion Branch who won the MVP award after amassing 11 receptions and 133 receiving yards in the 28-24 win.
Until 2017, Branch had the greatest receiving performance in Patriots history. While he lost his records, history will never forget the third Super Bowl win in four years for New England in the mid-aughts.
No. 4: Tom Brady Wins Third Super Bowl MVP in 2015
While Brady played better during the Pats' 41-33 loss to the Eagles and in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' COVID-19 season victory in 2021, his Super Bowl XLIX performance came up against a legendary "Legion of Boom" Seattle defense.
Brady still threw for 328 yards and four touchdown passes, while also getting picked off twice. Not his best, but it'd be the best game in over 95 percent of NFL QBs' careers.
No. 3: Malcolm Butler Nabs Game-Winning INT in Super Bowl XLIX
There is no defensive play with as much weight as Malcolm Butler's game-winning interception against the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. Hopefully, Seattle is still thinking about this play, and the ghost of Russell Wilson is still haunting the halls at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The rookie corner showed up at the most unlikely time, forever giving play-callers pause about throwing a slant route at the goal line.
When you instill anxiety in opposing offenses moving forward, you have one of the greatest defensive plays in Super Bowl history.
No. 2: James White Breaks Receiving Records in Super Bowl LI
Running back James White holds the most impressive performance ever from a pass-catcher in a Super Bowl. He was on the other side of 110 of Brady's 468 passing yards, but more impressively, 14 of Brady's 43 completions.
White holds the record for most receptions from the Patriots' unforgettable 2017 playoff run. By nature, only one player has had a more legendary performance in "The Big Game."
No. 1: Tom Brady Leads Patriots Back from Down 28-3 to Defeat Falcons
28-3 is one of the most easily remembered scores in sports history, and it wasn't even the final score of Super Bowl LI. It was 34-28, but no one will ever forget the 25-point comeback the Patriots made to deliver the most memorable win in NFL history.
This was the game Brady became the undisputed G.O.A.T. at the QB position. Sure, it was an important title for ring count, but Brady had his back against the wall for over half an hour, delivering clutch play after clutch play, to bring home the victory.
The Falcons never recovered from the heartbreak, while the Pats were champions again two years later. This was the most consequential game swing of all time for the Patriots and the Dirty Birds' trajectories.
It's also Brady and New England's Mona Lisa. And it's not necessarily close.