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Super Bowl LX: the New England Patriots’ complete game-by-game run
After finishing 14-3 and defeating all comers in the playoffs, the New England Patriots arrive at Super Bowl LX this evening just one win from a record-setting seventh Vince Lombardi Trophy.
The season-defining games that proved pivotal and the star players whose performances inspired such a historic campaign provide one of the season's most intriguing storylines.
As they prepare to lock horns with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, here’s a closer look at the moments that defined the Patriots’ season, the players who excelled, and the legacy that hangs over Drake Maye and co.
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The story of the Patriots’ season
Week 1, Las Vegas Raiders 20 - 13 New England Patriots
This game marked the beginning of a new season, a new staff led by former Patriots' legend Mike Vrabel, and a home opener against a team whose minority owner was Tom Brady, a former New England legend. What a way to kick off the year.
In one of the more surprising results of the campaign, Maye put up yards and wideout Kayshon Boutte eclipsed 100 receiving yards, but Geno Smith helped the Raiders put the game away late.
The Patriots passed the ball 46 times and ran it only 18, clearly a point their new coach was unhappy with.
"We have to be more balanced," said a disappointed but reflective Vrabel post-game.
Week 2, New England Patriots 33 - 27 Miami Dolphins
New England bounced back in quick order, spearheaded by an ultra-efficient performance from Maye, who completed 82.6% of his pass attempts.
It wasn't a perfect performance, and the Patriots' defense was punished by Tyreek Hill and DeVon Achane through the air, but New England outlasted Miami to come out on top.
Week 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 21 - 14 New England Patriots
The Patriots turned over the ball five times and were punished when Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown in the dying minutes.
"We don’t need to lose a football game to know that turnovers are very hard to overcome. They erase all the good things that you do," said Vrabel after the game.
Hunter Henry had a big outing, but it was little consolation in a losing effort. The Patriots, clearly still finding their feet, stood at 1-2 to start the year.
Week 4, New England Patriots 42 - 13 Carolina Panthers
New England fell behind early, but they forced their way back into it with a Marcus Jones punt return for a touchdown, and they never looked back the rest of the way.
Maye was incredibly accurate, and Stefon Diggs awoke from his slumber to surpass 100 receiving yards.
"We had some different scheme kind of plays that kind of gave the defense some misdirection that I thought we hit right on the head and turned into explosive plays," Maye said.
Week 5, New England Patriots 23 - 20 Buffalo Bills
After an uneven 2-2 start to the season, this win, against a team many thought would be Super Bowl contenders, felt like the real turning point.
Diggs dominated against his former team, and Rhamondre Stevenson capped off drives with two short touchdown runs.
"It was electrifying. I knew it was going to be a test for us," Diggs admitted.
"Coming back here, first game, prime time, you could see it all week. He just loves football," Maye said of Diggs.
The win seemed to instil confidence in New England, and from there, the wins kept coming.
Weeks 6 to 13: eight straight victories
- Week 6: A road win in New Orleans moved them to 4-2
- Week 7: Tennessee were handled comfortably
- Week 8: The Browns were put away in one of the team’s most complete performances
- Week 9: Michael Penix and Drake London pushed them hard, but New England held on
- Week 10: A road win in Tampa Bay where rookie TreVeyon Henderson excelled
- Week 11: Three touchdowns from Henderson helped the Pats to defeat the Jets
- Week 12: Hunter Henry comes up big against the Bengals to secure double-digit victories and a 10-2 record
- Week 13: Maye's two touchdowns helped New England to become the first team to 11 wins
Maye was consistently great during this run. He spread the ball to multiple pass-catchers, with Diggs, Boutte, Mack Hollins, Henry and others contributing.
In Henderson, the Patriots had found a lightning-quick, game-breaking tailback capable of causing damage on the ground or through the air.
Everything was clicking, and the Patriots sat at 11-2.
Week 15: Buffalo Bills 35 - 31 New England Patriots
This one hurt. The Patriots raced into a 24-7 lead at halftime, with Henderson punishing the Bills' soft run defense.
Then the Patriots let the game slip. Buffalo stormed back, James Cook made them pay, and New England’s 10-game winning streak came to an end.
"We just have to be better when we’re up,” Maye admitted. “I didn’t feel like we relaxed; we just didn’t make enough plays."
Week 16 to 18: Closing out the season in style
The loss to the Bills could have led to a late-season collapse. Instead, it galvanised Vrabel's side, who finished the regular season with three victories, slamming the door shut on the Bills' chances of chasing them down in the division.
- Week 16: Maye threw for 380, overcoming an 11-point deficit to earn a crucial 28-24 victory over the Ravens
- Week 17: Swept aside the Jets with ease.
- Week 18: Dominated the Dolphins.
One of the most impressive plays during this run was this incredible catch from rookie wideout Kyle Williams against Baltimore.
New England finished the year with a 14-3 record, sitting atop the AFC East, and the coveted No. 1 seed, meaning a first-round bye and homefield advantage, was theirs.
Wild Card Round, New England Patriots 16 - 3 Los Angeles Chargers
Maye did damage with his legs, but he wasn't perfect through the air. That said, this strike to Henry, who was going up against his former team, was a highlight.
Defensively, the Patriots dominated, taking full advantage of the Bolts' makeshift offensive line, sacking Justin Herbert six times. Defensive tackle Milton Williams, who led the way with two takedowns, was fired up.
"It's on us, what we do. I've been saying that all season," he said post-game. "We can control the game. If we do what we need to do up front, we're going to win."
Vrabel concurred, saying, "The big dogs come out in January."
Divisional Round, New England Patriots 28 - 16 Houston Texans
The Patriots had been criticised by some for having a soft schedule. Enter the Texans, who, powered by their formidable defense, had won 10 straight, including knocking off the Steelers in the Wild Card.
Both sides braved the elements in a game marked by an incredible amount of turnovers.
Maye threw for three touchdowns, Stevenson rumbled for 70 hard-earned yards, and ultimately, the Pats prevailed.
AFC Championship Game, New England Patriots 10 - 7 Denver Broncos
This was a cold, slow, defensive slugfest. The Broncos had to lean on Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix's injury, and couldn't muster much on offense against the stifling Patriots' D.
New England's offense struggled, too, but Maye's legs proved to be the difference.
Patriots’ management team and coaching staff
Head coach Vrabel has set the tone for an incredible turnaround. His straight-talking, no-nonsense approach has him in contention for the Coach of the Year award.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels deserves plenty of credit for creating a scheme in which his second-year quarterback has thrived.
Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams created the framework and plan for the defense, which linebackers coach and interim DC Zak Kuhr has executed to perfection.
What great news, by the way, that Williams has been declared cancer-free and will be rejoining the team in San Francisco.
And special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer has done wonders with his unit, where Marcus Jones has become a star returner.
Now, Super Bowl LX, and a looming legacy
Every Patriots team that ever gets this far will be measured against the standard set by Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and a two-decade run that redefined what dominance looks like in the NFL.
Six Super Bowl wins in nine appearances have a way of making life difficult for all who follow in the shadow of the men behind that incredible run.
Maye, and this new-look Patriots group, know exactly what they’re being compared to. Vrabel, who won three rings as a player during New England's dominant spell in the noughties, was an integral part of it.
Now, as the modern-day New England side looks toward Sunday, who better to bridge the gap between the two eras than the man who bridged the gap between the two sides?
Winning Super Bowl LX wouldn’t crown a new dynasty overnight, but it would be a start. It would, perhaps, be the clearest indicator that not only are the Patriots back, but capable of shaping the league again for years to come.
The stage is set. All that's left between now and the opportunity to create franchise history is the imposing Seahawks. Tune in to watch the action unfold, live on DAZN with your Game Pass subscription.
