PATRIOTS ARE THE NINTH TEAM TO GO FROM LAST PLACE TO THE SUPER BOWL
This season, New England became the ninth team to go from “worst to first” and make the Super Bowl in the same season, joining the 1981 Cincinnati Bengals, 1988 Cincinnati Bengals, 1999 St. Louis Rams, 2001 New England Patriots, 2003 Carolina Panthers, 2021 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 Philadelphia Eagles, and 2009 New Orleans Saints. Of that group, the Rams, Patriots, Eagles, and Saints won the Super Bowl.
SUPER BOWL REMATCH GUARANTEED
The Patriots are guaranteed to face a Super Bowl rematch with the winner of the NFC Championship game between the Seattle Seahawks and the L.A. Rams. The Patriots and Rams have met in two Super Bowls – Super Bowl XXVI and Super Bowl LIII. The Patriots and Seahawks met in Super Bowl XLIX. There have been nine Super Bowl rematches. The Patriots have been involved in three Super Bowl rematches, after facing the N.Y. Giants, St. Louis/L.A. Rams, and the Philadelphia Eagles twice. Dallas and Pittsburgh have played in three Super Bowls.
PATRIOTS WIN FIRST POSTSEASON GAME IN DENVER
The Patriots beat the Broncos in Denver in the postseason for the first time after losing four straight games, with two other AFC Championship Games in Denver. The Broncos’ four postseason wins are the most playoff wins by any team against the Patriots all-time (no other team has more than two).
PATRIOTS HAVE FIVE CURRENT PLAYERS ON THEIR TEAM WITH SUPER BOWL EXPERIENCE
The Patriots have five current players with Super Bowl experience.