The New England Patriots have won 6 Super Bowls, tied for the most all-time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. All six championships came during one of sports’ greatest dynasties. The Tom Brady and Bill Belichick partnership created an unmatched winning culture.
The Patriots appeared in 11 total Super Bowls, more than any other NFL team. They won 6 of those appearances for a 54.5% win rate. This 19-year dominance fundamentally changed modern football.
The Brady-Belichick era lasted from 2001 to 2019. During this time, they won nearly every major Super Bowl record. They made 11 consecutive AFC East division titles at one point.
All 6 Patriots Super Bowl Victories Summary
| Super Bowl | Date | Opponent | Score | Location | Key Detail |
| XXXVI | Feb 3, 2002 | Rams | 20-17 | Louisiana Superdome | First title, late FG |
| XXXVIII | Feb 1, 2004 | Panthers | 32-29 | Reliant Stadium | Back-to-back champ |
| XXXIX | Feb 6, 2005 | Eagles | 24-21 | Alltel Stadium | Third in four years |
| XLIX | Feb 1, 2015 | Seahawks | 28-24 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Malcolm Butler INT |
| LI | Feb 5, 2017 | Falcons | 34-28 OT | NRG Stadium | 28-3 comeback |
| LIII | Feb 3, 2019 | Rams | 13-3 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Defensive battle |
The Early Dynasty: 2002-2005
The Patriots started their run in unexpected fashion. Tom Brady was a sixth-round draft pick with no experience. Bill Belichick had just been hired as head coach one season earlier.
Nobody predicted what would happen in Brady’s first year. Drew Bledsoe suffered a sheared blood vessel. The unknown backup got his chance and never let it go.
The First Three Super Bowl Victories:
- Super Bowl XXXVI (2002): Upset the St. Louis Rams 20-17 despite being heavily favored. Adam Vinatieri’s 48-yard FG with seconds remaining won the game. This launched the dynasty forward.
- Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004): Beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in a close game. The team repeated as champions with dominant defense. Vinatieri kicked another game-winner with 4 seconds left.
- Super Bowl XXXIX (2005): Defeated Philadelphia 24-21 to win their third in four years. The defense forced three interceptions from Donovan McNabb. Patriots became only the second team ever to win three titles in four seasons.
These early victories proved this wasn’t luck. Brady showed incredible poise for a young quarterback. The organization had built something sustainable and special.
Belichick’s defensive schemes were revolutionary for the era. He built a team with unknown free agents. The Patriots won with scheme and execution over star power.
The Eight-Year Championship Drought (2005-2014)
After winning three titles in four years, something unexpected happened. The Patriots couldn’t return to the Super Bowl for nine seasons. This shocked their passionate fanbase.
They made two Super Bowls during this period but lost both games. The New York Giants defeated them twice. These heartbreaking losses came against an unlikely opponent.
What Happened During This Difficult Stretch:
- Patriots reached multiple AFC Championship games but couldn’t break through
- Tom Brady evolved from game manager to elite quarterback during this time
- Bill Belichick adapted his defenses for new competition and rule changes
- Team still dominated the AFC East with consistent division titles
- Loss to Giants in Super Bowl XLII came after perfect 16-0 regular season
- David Tyree’s iconic “Helmet Catch” became one of football’s most famous plays
This drought could have ended the dynasty early. Instead, it motivated Brady and Belichick. Many wondered if their window had closed permanently.
But the Patriots had different plans.
The Second Dynasty: 2015-2019 Dominance
Brady returned to the Super Bowl in 2015 and won immediately. He won three more titles in the next five years. This second peak proved the first dynasty wasn’t a fluke.
Super Bowl XLIX against Seattle featured one of football’s most critical plays. The Patriots trailed with under a minute left. Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson’s slant pass at the goal line.
The Three Additional Championship Wins:
| Game | Opponent | Challenge | Result | Historic Element |
| XLIX | Seahawks | Down with 2 min left | 28-24 win | Goal-line INT by Butler |
| LI | Falcons | Down 28-3 in Q3 | 34-28 OT | Greatest SB comeback ever |
| LIII | Rams | Elite offense | 13-3 win | Defensive masterpiece |
Super Bowl LI stands as Brady’s greatest achievement. The Patriots trailed 28-3 with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter. The game appeared completely over by that point.
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Brady orchestrated four consecutive scoring drives. James White scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime. The Patriots had engineered the greatest Super Bowl comeback in history.
Brady threw for 466 yards and completed 43 of 62 passes. He displayed the clutch gene that defined his entire career. Falcons fans still remember this moment with pain.
Super Bowl LIII was the opposite type of victory. The Patriots held the Rams’ high-powered offense to just three points. This defensive battle set the record for lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever.
Neither team scored a touchdown through three quarters. The game ended 3-3 entering the fourth quarter. Patriots scored 10 straight points in the final quarter to win.
Brady and Belichick: The Greatest Partnership
Tom Brady won 6 Super Bowls during his 20 seasons with New England. He was named Super Bowl MVP four times with the Patriots. His individual performance drove these championships.
Bill Belichick coached all 6 Patriots Super Bowl victories. He also appeared in two other Super Bowls as defensive coordinator. His total of eight Super Bowl wins is the most in NFL history.
Brady and Belichick’s Combined Super Bowl Success:
- Won 6 championships together from 2001-2019
- Made 11 Super Bowl appearances as head coach-QB combo
- Only two people in history to win more than 3 Super Bowls
- Brady played in 9 of Belichick’s 11 Super Bowls
- Both became oldest players to win at their respective positions
- Created most dominant dynasty in modern NFL history
Brady left for Tampa Bay after the 2019 season. Belichick remained until 2024. Their separation ended the greatest partnership in football history.
Yet both proved they could win elsewhere. Brady won a seventh title with the Buccaneers in 2021. This proved their success transcended the Patriots organization.
The Losses That Define the Dynasty
The Patriots’ record was 6-5 in Super Bowls. This means they lost five championship games. Four of these losses came between 2008 and 2018.
Patriots’ Five Super Bowl Defeats:
- Super Bowl XLII (2008): Lost to Giants 17-14 after perfect 16-0 season
- Super Bowl XLVI (2012): Lost to Giants again 21-17 in close game
- Super Bowl XLII (2008): Same Giants team defeated them twice
- Super Bowl LII (2018): Lost to Eagles 41-33 in high-scoring matchup
- Super Bowl XXXL (2008): Wait, only 5 losses total including future ones
The Giants losses particularly frustrated Brady and Belichick. New York’s defenses had schemes specifically designed to confuse him. These were the only teams that solved the Patriots consistently.
The Eagles victory in Super Bowl LII ended any chance at back-to-back championships. Nick Foles had an incredible performance. The trick play “Philly Special” caught New England off guard.
Patriots Franchise Records and Achievements
Beyond the Super Bowl victories, the Patriots set numerous NFL records. Their sustained excellence was unprecedented in modern football.
Patriots’ Historic Records and Milestones:
- 11 Super Bowl appearances (most by any franchise)
- 6 Super Bowl victories (tied with Steelers)
- 19 consecutive winning seasons from 2001-2019
- 12 AFC Championship game appearances
- 23 division titles (second-most all-time)
- 40 playoff victories (tied with 49ers)
- First and only team to win 16 games in a season
The Patriots dominated their division for two decades. The AFC East was essentially a one-team league during this era. Other teams rarely challenged them in the playoffs.
Brady-Belichick era ended after 20 seasons. The Patriots struggled without Brady. After four losing seasons, they hired Mike Vrabel as head coach. New England returned to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2019.
FAQs
How many Super Bowls have the Patriots won?
The Patriots won 6 Super Bowls, tying them with Pittsburgh for most all-time. All victories came between 2002 and 2019 during Brady and Belichick’s historic partnership.
Did the Patriots ever win back-to-back Super Bowls?
Yes, they won consecutive championships after the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX were back-to-back victories. They’re one of only eight teams to accomplish this feat.
What was the greatest Patriots Super Bowl?
Super Bowl LI against the Falcons is widely considered their greatest. They overcame a 28-3 deficit for the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. Brady’s performance was legendary.
How many times did the Patriots lose in the Super Bowl?
The Patriots lost 5 Super Bowls total during their history. Four losses came during the 2008-2018 period. The Giants defeated them twice during this era.
When did Tom Brady leave the Patriots?
Tom Brady departed the Patriots after the 2019 season to join Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He signed a multi-year contract with the team. Brady won a seventh Super Bowl with Tampa in 2021.
How many Super Bowls did Bill Belichick coach in?
Bill Belichick appeared in 11 Super Bowls as Patriots head coach. He won 6 of those games. His overall Super Bowl record is 6-3.
What made the Patriots dynasty so successful?
The Patriots succeeded through organizational stability and strategic thinking. Belichick’s defensive schemes were innovative. Brady’s clutch performance in big games was unprecedented.
Did any other Patriots players win Super Bowl MVP?
Yes, several Patriots won Super Bowl MVP awards. Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, and others received the honor in different games. Brady won it four times with New England.
Why did the Patriots struggle after Brady left?
The organization faced challenges without Brady’s leadership and performance. They drafted poorly and had coaching changes. After four losing seasons, they returned to the playoffs in 2026.
Are the Patriots in Super Bowl LX?
Yes, the Patriots returned to the Super Bowl in 2026 after 6 years away. They defeated Denver in the AFC Championship game. They will face Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
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