At a Glance
- The New England Patriots are set to play the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, marking the franchise’s 12th appearance in the championship game.
- The team finished the regular season 14-3, winning the AFC East and earning the No. 2 seed.
- They defeated the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos in the playoffs before reaching the Super Bowl.
- Why it matters: It is the most Super Bowl appearances by any NFL team, underscoring the Patriots’ sustained success.
The New England Patriots are returning to a familiar stage – the Super Bowl. Led by first-year head coach Mike Vrabel and second-year quarterback Drake Maye, New England had an improbable turnaround this season. Coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons, the Patriots went 14-3 to win the AFC East and earn the conference’s No. 2 seed. They defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 and Houston Texans 28-16 at home to open the playoffs, then held off the Denver Broncos 10-7 to win the AFC title on the road.
Franchise History
The Patriots’ journey to the big game has been marked by dramatic seasons and coaching changes. Mike Vrabel, a former Patriots defensive coordinator, took over as head coach in his first year and guided the team to a playoff berth. Quarterback Drake Maye, in his second season, led the offense to a record-tying 14-3 finish.
Super Bowl Appearances
New England’s 12th Super Bowl appearance extends the NFL record for most trips to the championship game. Previous trips occurred during the 1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons.
| Year | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Chicago Bears | 10-46 |
| 1997 | Green Bay Packers | 21-35 |
| 2002 | St. Louis Rams | 20-17 |
| 2004 | Carolina Panthers | 32-29 |
| 2005 | Philadelphia Eagles | 24-21 |
| 2008 | New York Giants | 14-17 |
| 2012 | New York Giants | 17-21 |
| 2015 | Seattle Seahawks | 28-24 |
| 2017 | Atlanta Falcons | 34-28 |
| 2018 | Philadelphia Eagles | 33-41 |
| 2019 | Los Angeles Rams | 13-3 |
Wins
All six of the Patriots’ Super Bowl victories were achieved with quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick.
- 2002 (XXVI) – 20-17 over the Rams, featuring a 48-yard field-goal by Adam Vinatieri at the buzzer.
- 2004 (XXVIII) – 32-29 over the Panthers, again decided by a 41-yard field-goal at the end.
- 2005 (XXXVI) – 24-21 over the Eagles, highlighted by a late interception by Rodney Harrison.
- 2015 (XLIX) – 28-24 over the Seahawks, with Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception sealing the win.
- 2017 (LI) – 34-28 over the Falcons, a comeback from 28-3 down that finished with a James White touchdown.
- 2019 (LIII) – 13-3 over the Rams, a defensive battle that kept a high-scoring offense in check.
Losses
The Patriots have also endured several heartbreaking defeats in the Super Bowl.
- 1986 (XXVI) – Lost 10-46 to the Bears.
- 1997 (XXXI) – Lost 21-35 to the Packers.
- 2008 (XLII) – Lost 14-17 to the Giants.
- 2012 (XLVI) – Lost 17-21 to the Giants.
- 2018 (LII) – Lost 33-41 to the Eagles.
- 2020 (LIII) – Lost 13-3 to the Rams.
Each loss had its own dramatic moments, from a 99-yard kickoff return by Desmond Howard in 1997 to a 17-14 defeat by the Giants in 2008.
Looking Ahead
Seattle’s top-ranked defense will face Drake Maye’s offense in a historic rematch of Super Bowl XLIX. The Patriots’ record of 12 appearances underscores their resilience, while the Seahawks’ defensive reputation adds a new dynamic to the matchup.
The game will be a test of whether the Patriots can repeat the comeback spirit that has defined many of their past victories or whether the Seahawks’ defense can maintain its edge.
Key Takeaways
- The Patriots’ 12th Super Bowl appearance sets a league record.
- The team’s 14-3 regular-season record earned them the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
- All six wins came under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, while losses highlight dramatic moments.
- The upcoming game will pit a historic offense against a top-ranked defense.
