The New England Patriots last went to the Super Bowl on February 3, 2019. They defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl LIII.
This was their sixth championship. It marked the end of Tom Brady’s era with the franchise. The game became the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in NFL history.
Seven years have passed since that victory. The Patriots haven’t appeared in another Super Bowl until now. They’re returning to Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, to face the Seattle Seahawks.
Patriots Super Bowl Complete Record
| Super Bowl | Year | Opponent | Result | Score |
| XXXVI | 2001 | St. Louis Rams | W | 20-17 |
| XXXVIII | 2003 | Carolina Panthers | W | 32-29 |
| XXXIX | 2004 | Philadelphia Eagles | W | 24-21 |
| XXXVIII | 2007 | New York Giants | L | 17-14 |
| XXXIX | 2011 | New York Giants | L | 21-17 |
| XLIX | 2014 | Seattle Seahawks | W | 28-24 |
| XLIX | 2016 | Atlanta Falcons | W | 34-28 |
| LIII | 2018 | Los Angeles Rams | W | 13-3 |
| LX | 2026 | Seattle Seahawks | TBA | TBA |
The Brady-Belichick Dynasty Era
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick created an 18-year dynasty. From 2001 to 2019, they appeared in 11 Super Bowls together.
They won six championships during this span. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers match their total wins. The Patriots also won 17 consecutive AFC East titles.
Nobody could stop them consistently. Opponents knew the Patriots’ schemes. Yet the Patriots still found ways to win.
They won in domes. They won in snow and freezing temperatures. They beat elite offenses in shootouts and dominated defensive battles.
Belichick’s system valued flexibility and adaptation. Brady’s intelligence allowed him to dissect defenses before the snap. Together they were unstoppable.
The 2018 season ended perfectly for them. Super Bowl LIII showcased what made them special. A defensive masterclass. A low-scoring victory.
Brady threw one touchdown pass in that game. The defense held the Rams to just three points. They proved you don’t need 40 points to win championships.
Super Bowl LIII Breakdown
The Patriots faced the Los Angeles Rams on February 3, 2019. Both teams had elite offenses on paper.
The Rams scored over 30 points multiple times that season. Their quarterback Jared Goff was considered one of the league’s best.
The Patriots’ defense had other ideas. They held Goff to 229 yards and an interception.
Brady managed the game expertly. He went 24-33 for 262 yards and one touchdown pass.
Stephen Gostkowski kicked three field goals. The Patriots relied on field position and kicking.
The final score was 13-3. No team had combined for fewer than 16 points in a Super Bowl before this.
For Patriots fans, it was perfect execution. For neutral viewers, it was either brilliant or boring. The game defined their entire philosophy.
Defense wins championships. Field position matters. Control the clock. Don’t make mistakes.
They executed that blueprint flawlessly. Brady completed 73 percent of his passes. The running game was effective but not flashy.
Sean McVay, the Rams’ creative head coach, couldn’t find answers. His schemes didn’t work against Belichick’s adjustments.
It was the sixth championship for the Patriots. It was Brady’s final Super Bowl with New England.
The Six-Year Gap: Why Patriots Disappeared
Tom Brady left after that February victory. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers weeks later.
Bill Belichick had to rebuild. The quarterback position became the critical problem.
Jarrett Stidham was supposed to be the heir. He never developed into a consistent starter.
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Cam Newton arrived as a proven veteran. He couldn’t regain his MVP form.
Mac Jones was drafted in 2021 with high hopes. Multiple injuries derailed his development.
The AFC East landscape changed dramatically. The Buffalo Bills emerged as the new power under Josh Allen.
The Miami Dolphins added elite talent. Competition intensified in the division.
The Patriots made the playoffs several times during this stretch. But they couldn’t advance past the Wild Card or Divisional rounds.
One playoff loss after another knocked them out. They never reached the conference championship.
Missing one Super Bowl is normal. Missing six straight indicates a dynasty’s end.
Fans accustomed to yearly championship games faced disappointment. January after January passed without deep playoff runs.
The organization tried different approaches. More aggressive drafting didn’t help. New offensive coordinators didn’t solve it. Defensive adjustments weren’t enough.
Nothing produced the same results as the Brady years. Even with Belichick still coaching, the formula that worked for 18 years failed.
Patriots Return to Super Bowl LX
The Patriots earned their return to the Super Bowl in January 2026. They defeated the Denver Broncos 10-7 in the AFC Championship game.
Drake Maye, their rookie quarterback, managed the game effectively. The elite defense made crucial stops.
This return validates the organization’s direction. They proved they weren’t a one-player franchise.
The defensive culture that Belichick built remains strong. Player development systems still function.
Young talent like Drake Maye is being developed into competent leaders. The Patriots aren’t finished competing.
Super Bowl LX will be played on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
They face the Seattle Seahawks, the same team they beat 28-24 in Super Bowl XLIX back in 2015.
It’s a rematch with narrative weight. The famous “throw at the one yard line” moment still resonates.
For the organization, this represents the first Super Bowl in the post-Brady era. It’s validation that patient rebuilding works.
When was the last time Patriots went to the Super Bowl and won? That would be 2019. Now they’re back to prove they can win again.
Complete Super Bowl Record Details
The Patriots hold the NFL record for Super Bowl appearances with 12 total through 2026. They’ve won six championships and lost five.
Only the Pittsburgh Steelers also have six championships. The Patriots and Steelers stand at the top of the NFL hierarchy.
Their first appearance came after the 1985 season. They lost to the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX.
Eleven years passed before they returned. They lost to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXI.
Then came the Brady-Belichick era. Everything changed after that.
From 2001 to 2019, they appeared in 11 Super Bowls. They won six and lost five during this incredible run.
Notable losses include two defeats to the New York Giants. These came in 2007 and 2011.
They also lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. That game was high-scoring and competitive.
The Atlanta Falcons beat them in the greatest Super Bowl comeback ever. The Patriots led 28-3 before the Falcons mounted their historic rally.
The first Seattle Seahawks matchup saw the Patriots win 28-24. That 2014 victory was incredibly close.
This 25-year span transformed the franchise. They went from occasional playoff contenders to a dynasty.
The winning culture established by Belichick persists. Even without Brady, the organization competes at the highest level.
FAQs
What Happened in Super Bowl LIII?
The Patriots and Rams played on February 3, 2019. The Patriots won 13-3 in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever. Both teams featured elite offenses, but defenses dominated throughout. The Rams’ Jared Goff was limited to 229 yards and one interception. The Patriots controlled field position and won through kicking.
How Many Super Bowls Have Patriots Won?
The Patriots have won six Super Bowls total. They won in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, and 2018. Only Pittsburgh Steelers match their championship total. The Patriots achieved this dominance across nearly two decades. This places them among the greatest franchises in NFL history.
When Is Patriots’ Next Super Bowl Game?
The Patriots play in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. The location is Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Their opponent is the Seattle Seahawks. They earned this appearance by defeating Denver 10-7. Drake Maye led them to victory in the AFC Championship game.
Who Did Patriots Last Play in Super Bowl?
The Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl LIII. This game occurred on February 3, 2019. It was their sixth championship victory. Tom Brady threw one touchdown pass in that game. The Patriots’ defense was the star, holding the Rams’ offense to just three points.
Why Did Patriots Miss Super Bowl for Six Years?
Tom Brady left the franchise after Super Bowl LIII in 2019. The Patriots struggled finding a quality starting quarterback after his departure. They cycled through multiple options without success. The AFC East became more competitive with Buffalo and Miami improving. The Patriots finally returned when Drake Maye proved capable as a rookie.
How Many Total Super Bowls Have Patriots Appeared In?
The Patriots have appeared in 12 Super Bowls through 2026. They hold the NFL record for most appearances. Their first appearance was after the 1985 season. They didn’t return until after the 1996 season. The Brady-Belichick era saw them appear in 11 Super Bowls between 2001 and 2019.
What Is Patriots’ Super Bowl Win-Loss Record?
The Patriots have won six Super Bowls and lost five. Their record is 6-6 through their upcoming 2026 matchup. They share the record for most championships with Pittsburgh Steelers. Their wins came in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, and 2018. Their losses came to the Giants twice, Eagles, Falcons, and Seahawks previously.
When Was Patriots’ First Super Bowl Appearance?
The Patriots first appeared in Super Bowl XX after the 1985 season. They faced the Chicago Bears in that game. The Bears dominated that Super Bowl matchup. It would be 11 years before the Patriots returned to the Super Bowl. They returned to face the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXI.
