Editing New England Patriots (section)

==History==
{{Main article|History of the New England Patriots}}
{{See also|Brady–Belichick era}}
[[File:Billy Sullivan (American football) 1985.jpg|thumb|left|170px|[[Billy Sullivan (businessman)|Billy Sullivan]], a [[Massachusetts]] native, brought professional football back to the state after a nearly eleven-year absence by founding the Patriots in 1959. His 27-year tenure of ownership did not come without controversy, however.]]
[[File:Minuteman statue 2 - Old North Bridge.jpg|thumb|upright|The Patriots were named after the [[Patriot (American Revolution)|colonists]] who rebelled against British control during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], which was locally relevant due to the [[Thirteen Colonies|colony]] of [[Province of Massachusetts Bay|Massachusetts]] playing a pivotal role in American independence. (Image: ''Minute Man'' statue in [[Concord, Massachusetts]])]]
On November 16, 1959, [[Boston]] business executive [[Billy Sullivan (businessman)|Billy Sullivan]] was awarded the eighth and final franchise of the developing [[American Football League]] (AFL).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Megliola |first=Lenny |date=August 20, 2009 |title=Jim Nance, Billy Sullivan were mainstays in the good old days |url=https://www.enterprisenews.com/article/20090820/NEWS/308209629 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428033103/https://www.enterprisenews.com/article/20090820/NEWS/308209629 |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |website=The Enterprise, Brockton, MA |language=en}}</ref> The following winter, locals were allowed to submit ideas for the Boston football team's official name.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 10, 1960 |title=Seek Nickname For Boston's New Pro Team |url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/659573366/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428033104/https://www.newspapers.com/image/659573366/ |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |website=The Times Argus|via=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> The most popular choice – and the one that Sullivan selected – was the "Boston Patriots",<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 17, 1960 |title=Boston Patriots Selected as Name |url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/545334415/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414200445/http://www.newspapers.com/image/545334415/ |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |website= The North Adams Transcript|via=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Holbrook |first=Bob |date=February 17, 1960 |title=Oneth Get Name, Twoeth By Land Pro Club Named Patriots; Practice On Bunker Hill? |url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/428827566/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428033110/https://www.newspapers.com/image/428827566/ |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |website=The Boston Globe|via=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> with "[[Patriot (American Revolution)|Patriots]]" referring to the colonists of the [[Thirteen Colonies]] who rebelled against [[British Empire|British]] control during the [[American Revolution]] and in July 1776 [[United States Declaration of Independence|declared]] the United States of America an independent nation, which heavily involved the then–[[Province of Massachusetts Bay|colony of Massachusetts]]. Immediately thereafter, artist Phil Bissell of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' developed the "[[Pat Patriot]]" logo.<ref>{{cite web|title=HISTORY: 1960 – 1969|url=https://www.patriots.com/press-room/history-1960s|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=Patriots.com|access-date=August 16, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=August 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816222006/https://www.patriots.com/press-room/history-1960s}}</ref>

The Patriots never had a regular home stadium in the AFL. [[Nickerson Field|Boston University Field]], [[Harvard Stadium]], [[Fenway Park]] (shared with baseball's [[Boston Red Sox]]), and [[Boston College]]'s [[Alumni Stadium]] all served as home fields during their time in the American Football League. The [[1963 AFL season|1963 season]] saw the franchise's first playoff win over Buffalo to clinch the division. They subsequently lost the [[American Football League playoffs|AFL championship game]] to the [[History of the San Diego Chargers|San Diego Chargers]] [[1963 American Football League Championship Game|51–10]]. They did not appear again in an AFL or NFL [[NFL playoffs|post-season]] game for another 13 years.<ref name="PatsHistory1970s">{{cite web|title=HISTORY: 1970–1979|url=https://www.patriots.com/press-room/history-1970s|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=Patriots.com|access-date=August 16, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=August 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816222005/https://www.patriots.com/press-room/history-1970s}}</ref>

When the NFL and AFL [[AFL–NFL merger|merged in 1970]], the Patriots were placed in the [[American Football Conference]] (AFC) [[AFC East|East]] division, where they still play.<ref name="PatsHistory1970s" /> The following year, the Patriots moved to a [[Foxboro Stadium|new stadium]] in [[Foxborough, Massachusetts]], which would serve as their home for the next 30 years. As a result of the move, they announced they would change their name from the Boston Patriots to the '''Bay State Patriots''', after the state of [[Massachusetts]].<ref name="PatsTrivia">{{cite news|last=Palma|first=Briana|title=How much do you know about the Patriots?|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/how-much-do-you-know-about-the-patriots-227521|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=Patriots.com|date=April 22, 2015|access-date=August 16, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816222252/https://www.patriots.com/news/how-much-do-you-know-about-the-patriots-227521}}</ref> The name was rejected by the NFL and on March 22, 1971, the team officially announced they would change its geographic name to [[New England]].<ref name="PatsHistory1970s" />

During the 1970s, the Patriots had some success under head coach [[Chuck Fairbanks]], earning a berth to the playoffs in 1976 – as a [[wild card (sports)|wild card]] team – and in 1978 – as AFC East champions. They lost in the first round both times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1976 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/1976.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1978 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/1978.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Under his successor, [[Ron Erhardt]], the team finished one game out of the playoffs his first two years. The next coach, [[Ron Meyer]], led the team to the playoffs in the strike-shortened 1982 season, and despite not having a losing record during his career, he was fired in 1984 due to poor relationships with players and management. Hall-of-Fame player [[Raymond Berry]] was hired as his replacement, and in [[1985 New England Patriots season|1985]], he brought the team to its first AFC Championship and a berth in [[Super Bowl XX]], which they lost to the [[Chicago Bears]] 46–10. Following their Super Bowl loss, they returned to the playoffs in 1986 but lost in the first round. Berry left the team following a disappointing 1989 season, and his replacement [[Rod Rust]] only lasted one season, 1990, during which the Patriots went 1–15. During the late 1980s and early 1990s they changed ownership several times, being purchased from the Sullivan family first by [[Victor Kiam]] in 1988, who sold the team to [[James Orthwein]] in 1992. Though Orthwein's period as owner was short and controversial, he did oversee major changes to the team, first with the hiring of former [[New York Giants]] coach [[Bill Parcells]] in 1993. Orthwein and his marketing team then defied Patriots fans' overwhelming preference and commissioned the NFL to develop a new visual identity and logo, and changed their primary colors from the traditional red, white and blue to blue and silver for the team uniforms.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jan-20-sp-plaschke20-story.html |first=Bill |last=Plaschke |author-link=Bill Plaschke |title=For this dandy doodle, designer was more like a 30-minute man |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 20, 2008 |access-date=January 21, 2015 |archive-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120184550/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jan/20/sports/sp-plaschke20 |url-status=live }}</ref> Orthwein intended to move the team to his native [[St. Louis]] (where it would have been renamed as the [[St. Louis Stallions]]), but instead sold the team in 1994 for $175{{nbsp}}million to Boston paper magnate [[Robert Kraft]], who had bought the Patriots' then-home, [[Foxboro Stadium]], out of bankruptcy in 1988.<ref name="PatsHistory1990s">{{cite web|title=HISTORY: 1990 – 1999|url=https://www.patriots.com/press-room/history-1990s|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=Patriots.com|access-date=August 16, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=August 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816222003/https://www.patriots.com/press-room/history-1990s}}</ref>

Continuing on as head coach under Kraft's ownership, Parcells would bring the Patriots to two playoff appearances, including [[Super Bowl XXXI]] (following the [[1996 New England Patriots season|1996 season]]), which they lost to the [[1996 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] by a score of 35–21.<ref name="f393">{{cite web | last=Eskenazi | first=Gerald | title=Parcells's Worst Fears Come True For Patriots | website=The New York Times | date=1997-01-27 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/27/sports/parcells-s-worst-fears-come-true-for-patriots.html | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> [[Pete Carroll]], Parcells's successor, would also take the team to the playoffs twice in 1997 and 1998 before being dismissed as head coach after the 1999 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1997 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/1997.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/1998.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="c151">{{cite web | title=Patriots fire Pete Carroll | website=The Sun Chronicle | date=2000-01-03 | url=https://www.thesunchronicle.com/patriots-fire-pete-carroll/article_11bcf44b-7fd4-5f64-b0d7-930eb7de79d5.html | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref>

[[File:Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.jpg|thumb|left|170px|Quarterback [[Tom Brady]] and head coach [[Bill Belichick]] were the pillars of the [[Brady–Belichick era|Patriots dynasty]] throughout the 2000s and 2010s. During that period (2001–2019), they led the Patriots to nine [[Super Bowl]] appearances, winning six. They are widely regarded as the greatest QB-HC tandem of all time.]]
[[File:Rob Gronkowski.JPG|thumbnail|upright|170px|Tight end [[Rob Gronkowski]], nicknamed "Gronk", is widely regarded as one of the greatest TEs of all time. He was a staple of the 2010s offenses.]]

In 2000, the Patriots hired head coach [[Bill Belichick]], who had served as defensive coordinator under Parcells including during Super Bowl XXXI.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Battista |first=Judy |date=2000-01-28 |title=PRO FOOTBALL; Patriots Hire Belichick, and Everyone's Happy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/28/sports/pro-football-patriots-hire-belichick-and-everyone-s-happy.html |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Their new home field, [[Gillette Stadium]], opened in [[2002 NFL season|2002]] to replace the aging Foxboro Stadium. Long-time starting [[quarterback]] [[Drew Bledsoe]], who was the franchise's star throughout the 1990s, went down with a sheared blood vessel in his chest in a week two match-up in [[2001 New England Patriots season|2001]] against the rival [[New York Jets]]. Backup quarterback [[Tom Brady]], drafted by the Patriots in sixth round of the [[2000 NFL draft]], became the starting quarterback. Brady's successful play led to Bledsoe never getting his job back as a starter, and would serve as the franchise's starting quarterback for the next 18 years.<ref name="t738">{{cite web | last=Wickersham | first=Seth | title=The hit that changed Tom Brady, Drew Bledsoe and the course of NFL history | website=ESPN.com | date=2021-09-22 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/32257032/the-hit-changed-tom-brady-drew-bledsoe-course-nfl-history | access-date=2024-07-31}}</ref> Under Belichick and Brady, the Patriots became one of the most consistently dominant teams in the NFL, with many describing the team as a "[[Brady–Belichick era|dynasty]]". Within the first few seasons of the 21st century, the team won three Super Bowls in four seasons ([[Super Bowl XXXVI|2001]], [[Super Bowl XXXVIII|2003]], and [[Super Bowl XXXIX|2004]]), over the [[St. Louis Rams]], [[Carolina Panthers]], and [[Philadelphia Eagles]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl History |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/super-bowl/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In the 2005 season, the Patriots went 10–6 and won the division.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2005.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Patriots defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round before falling to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots - January 7th, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200601070nwe.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - New England Patriots at Denver Broncos - January 14th, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200601140den.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In the 2006 season, the Patriots went 12–4 and won the division.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2006 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2006.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> After defeating the Jets and the Chargers, the Patriots lost in the AFC Championship to the Colts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - New York Jets at New England Patriots - January 7th, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200701070nwe.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers - January 14th, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200701140sdg.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts - January 21st, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200701210clt.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Patriots finished the [[2007 NFL season|2007 regular season]] with a perfect 16–0 record, becoming only the fourth team in league history to go undefeated in the regular season, and the only one since the league expanded its [[regular season (NFL)|regular season]] schedule to 16 games.<ref>{{cite web|title=HISTORY: 2000–2009|url=https://www.patriots.com/press-room/history-2000s|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=Patriots.com|access-date=August 16, 2021|quote=|url-status=live|archive-date=August 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816222008/https://www.patriots.com/press-room/history-2000s}}</ref> After advancing to [[Super Bowl XLII]], the team's fourth Super Bowl in seven years, the Patriots were upset by the [[2007 New York Giants season|Giants]] to end their bid for a 19–0 season.<ref name="j189">{{cite web | last=Battista | first=Judy | title=Giants Stun Patriots in Super Bowl XLII | website=The New York Times | date=2008-02-04 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/sports/football/04game.html#:~:text=But%20with%20their%20defense%20battering,undefeated%20Patriots%2C%2017%2D14. | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> With the loss, the Patriots ended the year at 18–1, becoming only one of three teams to go 18–1 along with the [[1984 San Francisco 49ers season|1984 San Francisco 49ers]] and the [[1985 Chicago Bears season|1985 Chicago Bears]]. However, both the Bears and 49ers lost their only game during the regular season, and both would win their respective Super Bowl.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reineking |first=Jim |date=September 6, 2017 |title=13 NFL teams that came closest to unbeaten regular seasons |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2017/09/06/patriots-nfl-teams-near-unbeaten-regular-seasons/619391001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130171059/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2017/09/06/patriots-nfl-teams-near-unbeaten-regular-seasons/619391001/ |archive-date=January 30, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2019 |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> In the first game of the 2008 season, Brady suffered a torn ACL against the Chiefs.<ref name="p267">{{cite web | title=Brady to have season-ending knee surgery, will be placed on IR | website=NFL.com | date=2008-09-09 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/brady-to-have-season-ending-knee-surgery-will-be-placed-on-ir-09000d5d80a95089 | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> Matt Cassell stepped in for the rest of the season and the team finished 11–5 but missed the postseason.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2008 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2008.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In the 2009 season, Brady returned from his injury and led the team to a 10–6 record and a division title.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2009.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The team's season in the Wild Card Round with a 33–14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.<ref name="u671">{{cite web | last=Battista | first=Judy | title=Ravens Knock Patriots Out of Playoffs With Dominating Win | website=The New York Times | date=2010-01-11 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/11/sports/football/11patriots.html | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> The Patriots went 14–2 and won the division in the 2010 season but were one-and-done in the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the New York Jets in a 28–21 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2010 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2010.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="f004">{{cite web | last=Underhill | first=Nick | title=Jets end the Patriots' season with a 28-21 win in Divisional playoffs | website=masslive | date=2011-01-17 | url=https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2011/01/jets_end_the_patriots_season_w.html | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref>

The Patriots returned to the Super Bowl [[Super Bowl XLVI|in 2011]] but lost again to the [[2011 New York Giants season|Giants]], 21–17.<ref name="c088">{{cite web | agency=Associated Press| title=Super Bowl: New York Giants beat New England Patriots 21-17 | website=East Bay Times | date=2012-02-05 | url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2012/02/05/super-bowl-new-york-giants-beat-new-england-patriots-21-17/ | access-date=2024-07-31}}</ref> In the 2012 season, the Patriots won the AFC East with a 12–4 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2012.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The team defeated the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round before falling to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Houston Texans at New England Patriots - January 13th, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201301130nwe.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - January 20th, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201301200nwe.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In the 2013 season, the Patriots went 12–4 and won the division.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2013 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2013.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 43–22 in the Divisional Round before falling to the Denver Broncos 26–16 in the AFC Championship.<ref name="n728">{{cite web | last=Marot | first=Michael | title=New Colts players get crash course in rivalry with Patriots | website=AP News | date=2015-04-22 | url=https://apnews.com/new-colts-players-get-crash-course-in-rivalry-with-patriots-8a65075ce487456fa1188ee1b2734bf8 | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref><ref name="d809">{{cite web | title=Broncos to meet Seahawks in Super Bowl | website=AP News | date=2014-01-20 | url=https://apnews.com/broncos-to-meet-seahawks-in-super-bowl-e614b37891a24696a86f749f07564df7 | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> In 2014, the Patriots won the division with a 12–4 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2014.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round and the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship.<ref name="o337">{{cite web | title=Brady throws 3 TD passes, Patriots beat Ravens 35-31 | website=AP News | date=2015-01-11 | url=https://apnews.com/article/fd1262ae44ef446fa7dd10dea740d00a | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref><ref name="s663">{{cite web | last=Golen | first=Jimmy | title=Patriots beat Colts 45-7, will play Seattle in Super Bowl | website=AP News | date=2015-01-19 | url=https://apnews.com/patriots-beat-colts-45-7-will-play-seattle-in-super-bowl-0a55bdc669a54983b3899ed57d343f97 | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> The Patriots reached a record-tying eighth Super Bowl, where they defeated the defending champion [[2014 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] by a score of 28–24 to win [[Super Bowl XLIX]] for their fourth title.<ref name="a259">{{cite web | last=Farmer | first=Sam | title=New England Patriots beat Seattle Seahawks, 28-24, in Super Bowl XLIX | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2015-02-01 | url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-super-bowl-live-patriots-seahawks-updates-20150201-story.html | access-date=2024-07-31}}</ref> After Seattle had driven the ball to New England's 1-yard line with under a minute to go, New England rookie cornerback [[Malcolm Butler]] made a critical [[interception]] on Seattle's final offensive play that helped to seal the victory.<ref name="p606">{{cite web | last=Buchmasser | first=Bernd | title=Patriots Super Bowl history: Malcolm Butler's goal-line interception seals New England's fourth title | website=Pats Pulpit | date=2019-02-01 | url=https://www.patspulpit.com/2019/2/1/18206386/new-england-patriots-super-bowl-history-malcolm-butler-goal-line-interception-seattle-seahawks | access-date=2024-07-31}}</ref> In the 2015 season, the Patriots won the division with a 12–4 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2015.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The team defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round before falling to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship.<ref name="d452">{{cite web | title=Patriots to 5th straight AFC title game, beat Chiefs 27-20 | website=AP News | date=2016-01-17 | url=https://apnews.com/9b2db706229b4639b65dcdacee8119b7 | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref><ref name="i240">{{cite web | title=Denver Broncos Hang On, Defeat New England Patriots 20-18 In AFC Title Game | website=CBS News - Philadelphia| date=2016-01-24 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/denver-broncos-hang-on-defeat-new-england-patriots-20-18-in-afc-title-game/ | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> [[File:Tom Brady with Vince Lombardi trophy.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|[[Tom Brady]] is seen celebrating the team's dramatic comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons in [[Super Bowl LI]]]]New England became the first team to reach nine Super Bowls in the [[2016–17 NFL playoffs|2016–17 playoffs]] and faced the [[Atlanta Falcons]] in [[Super Bowl LI]].<ref>{{cite web|title=AFC Championship instant analysis: Patriots pound Steelers to reach another Super Bowll|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/patriots-super-bowl-51-afc-title-game-steelers-012217|website=Fox Sports|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202092921/http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/patriots-super-bowl-51-afc-title-game-steelers-012217|url-status=live}}</ref> Trailing 28–3 midway through the third quarter, the Patriots scored 25 unanswered points to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation. In the first [[overtime (American football)|overtime]] in Super Bowl history, the Patriots won the coin toss and scored a touchdown to claim their fifth Super Bowl victory.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/05/sports/super-bowl-score-patriots-falcons.html|title=Here's How the Patriots Won Their Fifth Super Bowl|last=Hoffman|first=Benjamin|date=February 5, 2017|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=February 7, 2017|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206170233/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/05/sports/super-bowl-score-patriots-falcons.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Patriots extended their record to ten Super Bowl appearances in the [[2017–18 NFL playoffs|2017–18 playoffs]] but lost to the [[2017 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] in [[Super Bowl LII]].<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/01/22/eagles-patriots-super-bowl-52-nick-foles-tom-brady-peter-king-mmqb|title=Peter King's Monday Morning QB: SB52—Pats v Eagles|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=February 6, 2019|archive-date=April 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408045442/https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/01/22/eagles-patriots-super-bowl-52-nick-foles-tom-brady-peter-king-mmqb|url-status=live}}</ref> The Patriots returned to the championship game for a third consecutive season in [[Super Bowl LIII]], where they defeated the [[Los Angeles Rams]] 13–3 to win their sixth Super Bowl, tying them with the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] for most [[Super Bowl]] victories in NFL history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201902030ram.htm |title=Super Bowl LIII – Los Angeles Rams vs. New England Patriots – February 3rd, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=February 8, 2019 |archive-date=February 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204231138/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201902030ram.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bouchette |first=Ed |date=February 3, 2019 |title=Patriots tie Steelers with 6th Super Bowl win |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/02/03/Patriots-tie-Steelers-with-sixth-Super-Bowl-victory/stories/201902030209 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124121/https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/02/03/Patriots-tie-Steelers-with-sixth-Super-Bowl-victory/stories/201902030209 |archive-date=February 9, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2019 |website=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]}}</ref>

Following a disappointing 2019 season, in which the team lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Tennessee Titans,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2019.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots - January 4th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202001040nwe.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> and in which the long-time Brady–Belichick partnership was strained due to Brady wanting to have more input in organizational decisions,<ref>{{cite web |last1=McKenna |first1=Henry |title=7 things we learned from Patriots tell-all book, 'It's Better to be Feared' |url=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/lists/new-england-patriots-book-better-to-be-feared-learned/ |website=Patriots Wire |access-date=November 16, 2021 |date=September 29, 2021 |archive-date=November 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116184645/https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/lists/new-england-patriots-book-better-to-be-feared-learned/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Brady departed the Patriots after 20 seasons for free agency, signing with the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laine |first=Jenna |date=2020-03-20 |title='Hungry' Tom Brady officially signs with Buccaneers |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28930366/tom-brady-says-signing-buccaneers |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> To replace him, the Patriots signed veteran quarterback [[Cam Newton]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Jelani |date=June 28, 2020 |title=Former MVP QB Cam Newton agrees to 1-year deal with Patriots |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/it-s-official-cam-newton-signs-1-year-deal-to-join-patriots |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2020, the team missed the playoffs with their first losing record, 7–9, in two decades.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heyen |first=Billy |date=2020-12-28 |title=When is the last time Patriots missed playoffs, had losing season? |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/patriots-missed-playoffs-last-losing-season/1foeicfzjaf0l13ef2vxk2ac7k |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Sporting News |language=en-us}}</ref> The team drafted [[Mac Jones]] in the first round of the [[2021 NFL draft]], and released Newton after naming Jones the starting quarterback prior to the team's first game of the 2021 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Michael David |date=August 31, 2021 |title=Patriot cut Cam Newton |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/08/31/patriot-cut-cam-newton-as-mac-jones-wins-starting-quarterback-battle/ |access-date=November 16, 2021 |website=ProFootballTalk |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203214412/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/08/31/patriot-cut-cam-newton-as-mac-jones-wins-starting-quarterback-battle/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jones led the team to their first playoff berth without Brady since 1998, but they would lose 47–17 to the division rival Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=Tyler |last2=Dubin |first2=Jared |date=January 16, 2022 |title=Bills vs. Patriots score: Josh Allen tosses five touchdowns on historic night as Buffalo blows out New England |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bills-vs-patriots-score-josh-allen-tosses-five-touchdowns-on-historic-night-as-buffalo-blows-out-new-england/live/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117094207/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bills-vs-patriots-score-josh-allen-tosses-five-touchdowns-on-historic-night-as-buffalo-blows-out-new-england/live/ |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |access-date=February 5, 2022 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> The Patriots finished with a 8–9 record and missed the postseason in the 2022 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2022.htm |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

After a gloomy 4–13 record in the 2023 season, the Patriots mutually parted ways with Bill Belichick after 24 years on January 11, 2024, notably due to a series of poor decisions in his final years as general manager regarding offensive personnel, which culminated in a sharp decline of offensive production following the 2021 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Conor |date=January 11, 2024 |title=8 moves that led to Bill Belichick's exit in New England |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2024/01/11/bill-belichick-firing-reasons-new-england-patriots-roster/?amp=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502010553/https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2024/01/11/bill-belichick-firing-reasons-new-england-patriots-roster/?amp=1 |archive-date=May 2, 2024 |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=Boston.com}}</ref> One day later, the Patriots promoted the pair of [[Jerod Mayo]], then-current linebackers coach and former player, and [[Eliot Wolf]], director of scouting and son of Pro Football Hall of Fame general manager [[Ron Wolf]], as first-time head coach and first-time ''de facto'' general manager to each succeed Belichick's duties.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Patriots coach Jerod Mayo's new staff a mix of youth, vets, and connections to executive Eliot Wolf |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2024/02/21/patriots-coach-jerod-mayos-new-staff-a-mix-of-youth-vets-and-connections-to-executive-eliot-wolf/?amp=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502010553/https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2024/02/21/patriots-coach-jerod-mayos-new-staff-a-mix-of-youth-vets-and-connections-to-executive-eliot-wolf/?amp=1 |archive-date=May 2, 2024 |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=Boston.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Mac Jones, after three seasons as the incumbent starter, was traded in the 2024 offseason due to his insufficient play.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baca |first=Michael |date=March 10, 2024 |title=Patriots trading QB Mac Jones to Jaguars for sixth-round pick |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-trading-qb-mac-jones-to-jaguars-for-late-round-draft-pick |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The post-Belichick era was kickstarted during the [[2024 NFL draft]], with the franchise selecting [[Drake Maye]] third overall, the highest draft pick held by the Patriots in 31 years up to that point.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=2024-04-30 |title=How the Patriots decided QB Drake Maye was their future |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40052147/how-new-england-patriots-decided-qb-drake-maye-future-no-3-2024-nfl-draft |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> On the day of the final game of the 2024 season, the Patriots fired Jerod Mayo after repeating the prior year's 4–13 record in his debut campaign as a head coach, due to multiple factors, including limited experience, which was eventually described by Robert Kraft as being put in an "untenable situation".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-05 |title=Why the Patriots fired coach Jerod Mayo after one season |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43300411/why-patriots-fired-coach-jerod-mayo-first-season |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=2025-01-05 |title=Patriots owner wants to move quickly to hire new head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43311838/patriots-owner-wants-move-quickly-hire-new-head-coach |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Mike Vrabel was named head coach following Mayo's dismissal.<ref name="q336">{{cite web | last=Hightower | first=Kyle | title=New England hires former Patriots Super Bowl champ Mike Vrabel as coach | website=AP News | date=2025-01-12 | url=https://apnews.com/article/patriots-mike-vrabel-hired-a83dcbd75e0c9ef41e222db1bbc06ca6 | access-date=2025-01-31}}</ref>