Titletown: Ranking Boston’s Championship Teams Since 2001

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2014-15 New England Patriots

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts after an interception in the closing seconds of the game against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This is the team that shook a gorilla off the franchise’s back. After Tom Brady started his career 3-0 in Super Bowls, the Patriots suffered two devastating losses in the title game, both at the hands of the New York Giants. The first, in 2008, left New England 18-1, one miraculous helmet catch by David Tyree separating them from the greatest season in NFL history.

Then somehow, in 2012, the Patriots found themselves facing the Giants yet again, with an improbable chance at revenge. Instead they fell for a second time, dropping Brady to 3-2 in Super Bowls. Many worried that he’d never get another shot, that a career that started so strong would end with bitter disappointment.

Three years later, however, Brady led his team back to the Super Bowl for a sixth time to face the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. After a solid 12-4 regular season, the Patriots slugged it out with the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round and then annihilated the Indianapolis Colts  45-7 in the AFC Championship.

That game has become infamous in the aftermath of Deflategate, but it takes nothing away from the Super Bowl victory. The Patriots put up 28 points against one of the greatest defenses in history and held on to beat Seattle 28-24. Brady got his fourth ring, finally matching his boyhood idol Joe Montana.

Next: No. 5 - World, Meet Mr. Brady