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[[Image:Ptc.jpg|thumb|300px|The New England players at the 2005 [[Patriots Training Camp]].]]

[[Image:Ptc.jpg|thumb|300px|The New England players at the 2005 [[Patriots Training Camp]].]]

The '''New England Patriots''' are a [[National Football League]] franchise team. The Patriots, also known to their fans as the "Pats", are based in [[Foxboro (Massachusetts)|Foxboro]], [[Massachusetts]]. Since they are located in the eastern region of the United States the Patriots belong to the Eastern Division of [[American Football Conference]] (AFC). Originally known as the Boston Patriots the franchise changed its name in 1971 to the New England Patriots to better reflect its representation of the entire [[New England]] region.

The '''New England Patriots''' are a [[National Football League]] franchise team. The Patriots, also known as the "Pats", are based in [[Foxboro (Massachusetts)|Foxboro]], [[Massachusetts]]. Since they are located in the eastern region of the United States the Patriots belong to the Eastern Division of [[American Football Conference]] (AFC). Originally known as the Boston Patriots, in 1971 the franchise changed its name to the New England Patriots to better reflect its representation of the entire [[New England]] region.

The Patriots have gone to five [[Super Bowl]]s and have won three. Their first Super Bowl trip was in 1985 against the [[Chicago Bears]], which they lost 42 - 10. In 1995 the Patriots made their second Super Bowl trip but fell short against the [[Green Bay Packers]] in a 35 - 21 loss. The Patriots' 2001 season ended in the teams first [[Super Bowl]] triumph when they defeated the heavily favored [[St. Louis Rams]] in a dramatic 21-17 victory. In 2003 and 2004, the Patriots once again were NFL Champions with Super Bowl victory's over the [[Carolina Panthers]] and [[Philadelphia Eagles]].

The Patriots have gone to five [[Super Bowl]]s and have won three. Their first Super Bowl trip was in 1985 against the [[Chicago Bears]], which they lost 42 - 10. In 1995 the Patriots made their second Super Bowl trip but fell short against the [[Green Bay Packers]] in a 35 - 21 loss. The Patriots' 2001 season ended in the teams first [[Super Bowl]] triumph when they defeated the heavily favored [[St. Louis Rams]] in a dramatic 21-17 victory. In 2003 and 2004, the Patriots once again were NFL Champions with Super Bowl victories over the [[Carolina Panthers]] and [[Philadelphia Eagles]].

In 2008 the Patriots had the chance to become the first team to go 19-0 and the second team to go undefeated in a regular and post season. However, their run came to an end at 18-0 when they lost 17-14 to the [[New York Giants]] in [[Super Bowl XLII]].

In 2008 the Patriots had the chance to become the first team to go 19-0 and the second team to go undefeated in a regular and post season. However, their run came to an end at 18-0 when they lost 17-14 to the [[New York Giants]] in [[Super Bowl XLII]].

== Team ==

== Team ==

{{NewEnglandPatriots}}

{{NewEnglandPatriots}}

==Team History==

==Team History==

[[Image:Threetimesuperbowlwinners.gif|thumb|210px|The Patriots have won three [[Super Bowl]]s in the last six years.]]

[[Image:Threetimesuperbowlwinners.gif|thumb|210px|The Patriots have won three [[Super Bowl]]s in the last six years.]]

In the Patriots history as a team they have experienced both sides of being an [[National Football League]] team - the losing - and the winning. In their early history as a team, the Patriots struggled just to get a winning record. Between the years 1960 and 1984 the team only made the playoffs four of those years; and only won one playoff game. The winds of fortunes seemed to be turning for the Patriots in 1985 though when for the first time in the teams history the Patriots won a AFC Championship Game and played in [[Super Bowl XX]] vs the [[Chicago Bears]]. The Patriots lost the game though and for the next eight years without a solid reliable quarterback, the team regressed into their pre-1985 form.  

In the Patriots history as a team they have experienced both sides of being an [[National Football League]] team - the losing - and the winning. In their early history as a team, the Patriots struggled just to get a winning record. Between the years 1960 and 1984 the team only made the playoffs four times, and only won one playoff game. The winds of fortunes seemed to be turning for the Patriots in 1985 though when for the first time in the teams history the Patriots won a AFC Championship Game and played in [[Super Bowl XX]] vs the [[Chicago Bears]]. The Patriots lost the game though and for the next eight years, without a solid, reliable quarterback, the team regressed into their pre-1985 form.  

In 1993, the Patriots drafted with the first pick of the [[1993 NFL Draft]], [[University of Washington]] star quarterback, [[Drew Bledsoe]]. With Bledsoe now leading the team, the Patriots improved significantly and in 1996 the Patriots returned to the Super Bowl ([[Super Bowl XXXI]] vs the [[Green Bay Packers]]). Once again the Patriots lost but they didn't fall apart as a team and they continued to be a playoff contender throughout the late 1990's.  

In 1993, the Patriots drafted with the first pick of the [[1993 NFL Draft]], [[University of Washington]] star quarterback, [[Drew Bledsoe]]. With Bledsoe now leading the team, the Patriots improved significantly and in 1996 the Patriots returned to the Super Bowl ([[Super Bowl XXXI]] vs the [[Green Bay Packers]]). Once again the Patriots lost but they didn't fall apart as a team and they continued to be a playoff contender throughout the late 1990's.