The New England Patriots are going to appear in their 10th overall Super Bowl, and they’re going for win number 6. Here, we rank the first 9 appearances.
The New England Patriots and their fans have high expectations. It’s almost always Super Bowl or bust. In the Brady-Belichick era, that has become the norm, but the Patriots weren’t always the dynasty that they are now.
New England has, so far, appeared in 9 Super Bowl games. One game came in the 80’s, one came in the 90’s, and the other 7 have come in the new millennium. Ahead of the Patriots 10th Super Bowl, on February 4th against the Philadelphia Eagles, I thought it would be fun to rank those games for New England fans.
9. Super Bowl XX
Chicago Bears 46, New England Patriots 10
The New England Patriots made their first appearance in a Super Bowl in 1985. Against yes, the ’85 Bears. The Patriots were huge underdogs, and as the game played out it was clear why. Chicago absolutely destroyed New England in Super Bowl 20, and this is one that older fans would love to forget. Quite honestly, it’s amazing that the Patriots even put up 10 points.
8. Super Bowl XLII
New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14
This is arguably the worst loss in New England Patriots history. The Patriots were 18-0 after an incredible 2007 season, and they were heavy favorites with good reason. The New York Giants spoiled the undefeated season though with a surprising 17-14 win.
New York’s defense swarmed Tom Brady and shut down New England’s offense for most of the night. Then there was the Helmet Catch from David Tyree. Giants QB Eli Manning was miraculously able to escape pressure and he launched a ball up that Tyree somehow caught with the top of his head. Later on the drive, the Giants won the game with a touchdown to Plaxico Burress.
Patriots fans across the world were stunned when the clock hit 0:00 and the confetti wasn’t falling for New England. It was the greatest upset in NFL history.
7. Super Bowl XLVI
New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17
Just 4 years after they beat the undefeated Patriots, the Giants did it again. It was another case of the New York defense being too much for Brady and the Patriots. 17 points was a usual halftime point total for this team, but they couldn’t score anymore during an entire game. Eli Manning again did just enough to get his team into a position to win, and they took the Patriots down 21-17.
6. Super Bowl XXXI
Green Bay Packers 35, New England Patriots 21
Super Bowl XXXI is very much forgotten in New England. Drew Bledsoe took the Patriots down to New Orleans to face Brett Favre and the Packers. The Patriots actually grabbed a 14-10 lead in the first quarter thanks to touchdown receptions from Keith Byars and Ben Coates. The Packers turned things on in the second quarter though.
17 unanswered points before the half gave Green Bay the lead for good. Favre threw a TD to Antonio Freeman and he ran one in himself. A field goal made it a 27-14 game at the half.
In the third quarter, New England gave some fans hope as Curtis Martin made it a 21-27 game with an 18-yard rush. The Patriots were within a score, but Bledsoe could not lead them to victory. Instead, Desmond Howard put the icing on the cake with a 99-yard return for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff.
5. Super Bowl XXXIX
New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21
Of New England’s 5 Super Bowl wins, this one seems to be the least favorite. Perhaps it’s because it is the only one to not come down to an Adam Vinatieri field goal or a crazy comeback.
This was the Patriots third Super Bowl win in four seasons, but it was a really close game for the entirety. The Eagles actually gained the lead first, as L.J. Smith hauled in a TD pass from Donovan McNabb. The Patriots responded though, and they never looked back. David Givens had New England’s first score of the day, and he famously flapped his wing like an eagle to celebrate.
In the second half, New England grabbed their first lead of the game as linebacker Mike Vrabel caught a 2-yard pass from Tom Brady for a score (the second TD reception for Vrabel in a Super Bowl). Brian Westbrook evened things back up at 14, but Patriots running back Corey Dillon had his own plans. He punched the ball over the goal line early in the fourth quarter to put New England up 21-14. Vinatieri added a field goal to make it a 10-point game.
Philly scored again, but it wasn’t enough. With less than a minute to play, McNabb threw his third interception of the game to seal the Patriots win.
4. Super Bowl XXXVIII
New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29
When the Patriots won the Super Bowl in 2001, some thought it was a fluke. When they returned two seasons later, they proved it wasn’t.
Like Super Bowl XXXVI, this one came down to the wire. Jake Delhomme was great for the Panthers with touchdown passes to Steve Smith, Muhsin Muhammad, and Ricky Proehl. Tom Brady matched him with three touchdown passes of his own. Deion Branch, David Givens, and linebacker Mike Vrabel all caught one.
The touchdown to Ricky Proehl for Carolina tied the game at 29, but they left 1:08 on the clock. That was plenty of time for Brady to put together a game-winning drive. New England drove down the field and put Adam Vinatieri in position for a 41-yard field goal. He nailed it, and the Patriots won their second Super Bowl in franchise history.
3. Super Bowl XLIX
New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24
The New England Patriots looked like they were going to lose this game, allowing the Seahawks to become a dynasty. Things change very quickly though.
The first quarter was scoreless, and New England opened the scoring in the second quarter with an 11-yard pass to Brandon LaFell. Seven minutes later, Marshawn Lynch found the end zone for Seattle to tie the game at 7. The fun really got started right before halftime though. The Patriots drove and Brady found Rob Gronkowski for 22-yards and a score with just 0:38 seconds left to play. Somehow, that was long enough for Seattle as the New England defense fell apart and allowed a touchdown from Russell Wilson to Chris Matthews with 0:02 seconds left before the half. So, the game went into the break tied at 14.
The Seahawks owned the third quarter. New England was held scoreless while Seattle added 10 points of their own. The Patriots trailed 24-14 as the final quarter began. It remained that way until about midway through the quarter. The Patriots were finally able to get past the Seahawks defense with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola. They still trailed 24-21. Then, Brady led them on another scoring drive. On the goal line, Brady and Edelman failed to connect on a wide open play. New England immediately ran the same play, and Edelman got into the end zone to put the Patriots up 28-24.
There was still time for Seattle though. They had 2:02 to work with. It was looking reminiscent of Super Bowl 42 against the Giants when Wilson connected deep downfield with Jevon Kearse. Rookie corner Malcolm Butler had gotten a hand on the ball, but it bounced up and around and off Kearse’s foot and back into his hands. The Seahawks were on the Patriots 5-yard line with just over a minute left to play. The Seahawks gave the ball to Marshawn Lynch but he was stopped at the 1 by Dont’a Hightower. The clock ran down to :26 seconds, and then Seattle ran a pass play. Ricardo Lockette was Russell Wilson’s intended target, but Malcolm Butler spoiled their plans with the greatest Patriots interception of all-time.
New England took over at their own 1-yard line. Tom Brady forced Seattle to jump offsides, and on the next play, he took a knee to secure the win. It was an improbable comeback and an amazing turnover forced by Butler to give the Patriots their 4th title.
2. Super Bowl XXXVI
New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
The first Super Bowl win for a franchise is always so, so sweet. In most cases, it’s the best one, but New England has had so many great games. Still, this is the game that started the dynasty. The Patriots were underdogs against the high-flying Rams, but the physical defense was a factor. New England jammed wide receivers and running back Marshall Faulk all night long. St, Louis failed to get into a good rhythm, and that gave Brady and co. a chance.
The Rams only mustered a field goal in the first half, but the Patriots scored 14 of their own. Ty Law picked off Kurt Warner and returned it 47-yards for a score midway through the second quarter, and later Tom Brady found David Patten for a touchdown as well.
In the second half, the Rams comeback began. After an Adam Vinatieri field goal made it 17-3 New England, St. Louis scored two straight touchdowns. Both came in the fourth quarter as Kurt Warner ran one in and threw one to Ricky Proehl. It looked like the Patriots were fading away. Instead, they did what most thought was impossible.
Tom Brady got the ball back with little time left, and instead of playing for overtime he went out to win the game. He drove New England’s offense down the field and clocked the ball in time for Vinatieri to attempt a 48-yard game-winning field goal. He nailed it, right down the middle, and the Patriots were Super Bowl champions for the very first time. The rest is history.
1. Super Bowl LI
New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28 (OT)
Yes, the latest New England Patriots win is the sweetest. After falling behind 28-3, it seemed like a given that the Falcons would win this game, upsetting Brady and co. Not so fast my friend!
The Patriots defense suddenly came alive, and the offense found some rhythm. James White was on fire, scoring the game-tying touchdown, a 2-point conversion, and the game-winner. Brady was the game MVP though with his second-half drives down the field to give the Patriots a chance to win. This was also the first overtime game in Super Bowl history, so it truly was extra special. Managing to come back from a 25-point deficit in the second half is absolutely ridiculous, but they did it! There has never been a better win in New England Patriots history.
Agree that this was the best Patriots Super Bowl? Think another game should have been at #1? Vote now!
Before we get to #SuperBowl what #Patriots Super Bowl win was the best one? #NotDone
— Chowder & Champions (@CandCFanSided) January 24, 2018
The Patriots have a chance to make history by becoming the only team to ever win 3 Super Bowls in 4 seasons twice. They have to get past the Eagles once again though.
Next: Enjoy the Patriots success while it lasts
Super Bowl LII will be played on February 4th in Minneapolis, Minn. at U.S. Bank Stadium. Chowder and Champions will have all of your Patriots coverage leading up to the game. Make sure you come back each day for the latest news and updates!