2004 New England Patriots

You can't find a more impressive team in the NFL than the New England Patriots. The reigning Super Bowl champions, fresh off a 32-29 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII, show no sign of weakening in 2004. Tom Brady is back at quarterback, so there is no reason to expect less than another championship season. If you want tickets, you had better get them soon.

The Boston Patriots joined the American Football League (AFL) as a charter member in 1960. In its second season the team compiled a winning record. Eleven Patriots played in the 1963 AFL All-Star Game as head coach Mike Holovak steered Boston to a tie for the Eastern Division title.

The club joined the NFL in 1970, establishing its home in Foxboro. Because the team played its games outside of Boston, the franchise was renamed in 1971 as the New England Patriots to appeal to a greater number of fans. The Patriots had a slow start in the NFL, winning no more than seven games in a season from 1970 to 1975.

The Patriots fielded several strong teams during the 1970s and 1980s, reaching the playoffs five times from 1976 to 1986. Coached by Raymond Berry, the Patriots made back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time in franchise history in 1985 and 1986. A wildcard team in 1985, New England won three hard-fought AFC playoff games to reach Super Bowl XX, where they lost to the Chicago Bears, 46-10.

The Patriots floundered from 1987 to 1993, bottoming out in 1990 with a 1-15 record. The team rebounded in 1994 behind second-year quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who led the NFL in passing yards. Coach Bill Parcells coached the Patriots to two more playoff appearances in 1995 and 1996. Powered by Bledsoe and running back Curtis Martin, New England captured the AFC championship in 1996 before losing in the Super Bowl to the Green Bay Packers, 35-21. After the loss, Parcells resigned and former San Francisco 49ers defensive coodinator Pete Carroll was hired to replace him.

After their Super Bowl victory in 2001, the Patriots entered 2002 with a chip on their shoulders, looking to prove that they really were the best team in the NFL. That quest got off to a convincing start, as QB Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick led New England to a quick jump out of the gate with three straight wins -- thanks to its new high-powered offense (over 100 points in those three wins).

Note: The Patriots are commonly referred to as the Pats by their adoring fans!

• 1986 Super Bowl XX Lost to Chicago Bears, 46-10
• 1997 Super Bowl XXXI Lost to Green Bay Packers, 35-21
• 2002 Super Bowl XXXVI Defeated St. Louis Rams, 20-17
• 2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII Defeated Carolina Panthers, 32-29