2009 New England Patriots

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Baltimore Ravens, who beat the Patriots 33 to 14 to advance to the AFC Divisional Playoffs in the 2010 NFL Playoffs, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the New England Patriots, winners of the AFC East Division, for the exciting season they had!

In the 2008-09 season, the New England Patriots proved they’re a force to be reckoned with even without MVP Tom Brady, finishing in 2nd place in the formidable AFC East. With Brady healthy, the Pats are starting the 2009-2010 season as the dominant team in their division and hopes are high for a return to the Super Bowl. Will they be able to repeat 2007’s stellar unbeaten regular season? Or top it with a Super Bowl win? Find out for yourself with tickets to Gillette Stadium to watch this dynamic team in action.

Some New England Patriots history: 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. 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 coordinator Pete Carroll was hired to replace him.

With Bill Belichick taking the coaching reins and Tom Brady as quarterback, the New England Patriots seemed to make winning the NFL Championship a habit, defeating the St. Louis Rams 20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI. They missed the Super Bowl in 2003 but came back in 2004 to defeat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 and again in 2005, beating the Philadelphia Eagles 20-17 in Super Bowl XXXIX.

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