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The Boston Patriots played in the first-ever
game in the American Football League, against the Denver Broncos
on September 9, 1960. Although the team made only two AFL
playoff appearances, it had numerous stars. In 1963, eleven
Patriots made the AFL All-star team, including Gino Cappelletti,
Nick Buoniconti, and Babe Parilli. In the late 1960's, fullback
Jim Nance became a powerful offensive weapon for the Patriots,
gaining 1,458 yards in 1966 and 1,216 in 1967, when he was
the American Football League's MVP.
In
1970 the Patriots became a member of the NFL pursuant to the
merger of the AFL and NFL that had been agreed to three years
earlier, but their first experience therein was anything but
pleasant as they finished 2-12 and in sole possession of the
newly-merged league's worst record. The following season,
after bouncing around between four different stadiums in their
first 11 years, Foxboro Stadium (originally called Schaefer
Stadium) opened. Since it was located several miles outside
Boston, the team was renamed the New England Patriots. Also
new in 1971 was a new quarterback, first-round pick Jim Plunkett,
taken with the draft's first overall selection, which the
Patriots received for having finished worst overall in 1970.
Super Bowl XXXVIII was one of the closest championship games
ever played. After a defensive battle for most of the first
half, the teams traded touchdowns late in the second quarter,
then more quick strikes by both teams made the score 14-10
Patriots at halftime. The third quarter was scoreless, but
Antowain Smith scored on the first play of the fourth quarter
to make it 21-10. Carolina scored two more touchdowns (neither
of which were converted) to make it 22-21. A trick pass to
linebacker Mike Vrabel in the end zone with just over 2:00
to play put the Patriots back in the lead, but Ricky Proehl
tied it up with another touchdown to tie it 29-29. Brady then
repeated his role from two years ago, moving the Patriots
quickly downfield to force another Adam Vinatieri field goal
with four seconds left. The Patriots won their second Super
Bowl in three years, 32-29; and Brady was named MVP again.
The victory also made the 2003 Patriots the first team ever
to win - or for that matter, even reach - the Super Bowl after
having been shut out on opening day.
2004 season
The Patriots made more big moves in the 2003 offseason to
make sure a repeat of the disappointing 2002 season did not
happen. Their biggest move was obtaining superstar running
back Corey Dillon from the Cincinnati Bengals. These moves
paid off, as the Patriots finished the regular season at 14-2.
On October 10 they set the record for the number of consecutive
wins (regular and post-season) in NFL history, at 19, after
beating the 0-4 Miami Dolphins 24-10. On October 24 they broke
the record for the most consecutive regular season victories
at 18 after beating the New York Jets 13-7. They also extended
their overall winning streak to 21. The streak finally came
to an end on October 31 when the Patriots were beaten by the
Pittsburgh Steelers 34-20. On December 12, the Patriots clinched
the AFC East division championship for the third time in the
past four years. On January 16, 2005, the Patriots advanced
to the AFC Conference Championship game by beating the Indianapolis
Colts, 20-3. In the Conference Championship on January 23,
they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 41-27, advancing to Super
Bowl XXXIX to face the Philadelphia Eagles.
Founded: 1960, as a charter
American Football League member. Joined the NFL in the 1970
merger.
Formerly known as: Boston Patriots (1960-1970)
Head coach: Bill Belichick (since 2000)
Home stadium: Gillette Stadium (since 2002)
Former stadiums: Foxboro Stadium (1971-2001),
Harvard Stadium (1970), Alumni Stadium (1969), Fenway Park
(1963-1968), Nickerson Field (1960-1962)
Uniform colors: Blue, White, Red, and Silver
Helmet design: A man's face in silhouette,
wearing a red-white-and-blue tricorn hat. The man's sideburns
and stylized hat led to the nickname "Flying Elvis".
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Arizona
Cardinals 
