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From 2001 to 2018, the New England Patriots were defined by 13 appearances in the AFC Championship Game, including one in each of the last eight seasons during that span.
After six seasons of failing to return to the title game and a period of near-bottoming, the Patriots are back at what feels like home.
The Patriots, with Bo Nix injured, are the favorites to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since the post-Tom Brady era, which is impressive in itself.
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Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots talks with Drake Maye #10 during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
However, no one could have predicted such a situation after what has happened in recent years.
In the first three seasons after Brady left, the Pats went 7-9, 10-7 (they made the playoffs with rookie Mac Jones), and 8-9. But the 2023 and 2024 seasons both ended with records of 4–13.
The first of these was under Bill Belichick in his final season with the team after 24 years. After Belichick left, Jerod Mayo was given the job, but he didn’t find success.
Mayo received the short end of the stick and was released after one season, a decision which caused much controversy. However, it seems worth it.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel discusses the team’s recent free agent additions with the media at Gillette Stadium on March 13, 2025. (Eric Canha-Imagn Images)
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The Pats then brought in Mike Vrabel, who entered the coaching of the year conversation after previous success with the Tennessee Titans.
The “1” in 4-13 was moved several places to the left as the Pats went 14-3, their highest win total since 2016, which was a Super Bowl-winning campaign.
Only four teams have won the Super Bowl in a single season after finishing in last place in their division: the St. Louis Rams in 1999, the Patriots in 2001, the New Orleans Saints in 2009 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017.
These Rams are also the only team to go from four wins one season to winning the Lombardi Trophy the next. However, having only played a 16-game season, the Pats could become the first team to lose 13 games and follow up with a Super Bowl victory.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye passes the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England opened as a 5.5-point favorite with Jarrett Stidham taking over for Nix, who fractured his ankle in their 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills last week.
