Where Do Patriots’ Wins Rank in Super Bowl History?
Bill Belichick hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Tom Brady rising to immortality. Confetti reigning down over the New England Patriots.
This scene that happened six times in 17 years - but it now feels so long ago, as New England is still licking its wounds after a 4-13 season, the franchise's worst mark since going 2-14 in 1992.
With the Super Bowl just over one week away, the Patriots' two decades of postseason dominance returns to the mind's forefront - but where do New England's championship-winning seasons rank in league history?
ESPN assembled a list that slotted each Super Bowl winner from 1-57 ... and the Patriots largely didn't fare favorably.
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after beating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium.
Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The team New England fielded to win its first title, which came in 2001, was rated as the third-worst Super Bowl-winning squad in league history.
"The Patriots were far from a great team at the start of the dynasty, finishing just 11th in both offensive and defensive DVOA that season," ESPN writes. "They ranked 29th in the NFL in schedule strength.
"All three of their playoff victories came by just one score, and of course the divisional round win over Oakland required overtime, a lot of snow and a couple of legendary field goals."
Similarly, the Patriots' final ring of the era - the 2018 season, during which they went 14-5 - was listed at No. 48 overall, or 10th-worst.
New England secured a first-round playoff bye, defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime in the AFC Championship and took a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever.
"This was not the best regular season for the Tom Brady-led Patriots, with a couple of big losses including 26-10 to the Lions and 34-10 to the Titans," ESPN writes. "The Patriots also lost to Miami on the "Miami Miracle" touchdown in Week 14.
"They finished the season just seventh in total DVOA, very average in defense and special teams to go with a good offense."
With its first and last Super Bowl winners receiving the lowest rankings, the middle of New England's dynasty featured its better teams - at least numerically.
The Patriots' second title, coming in 2003, capped a 17-2 season ... but was tabbed at No. 45 overall due to small margins of victories, including the Super Bowl victory over a Carolina Panthers team that ranked No. 17 in DVOA that season.
"This is probably a controversially low ranking considering that the Patriots went 14-2 in the regular season and won their final 15 games in a row," ESPN writes. "However, the Patriots ranked 12th in both offensive DVOA and points scored.
"Their point differential suggested a team with 11.4 wins, not 14, in part because of the 31-0 loss to the Bills that started the season."
At No. 41 is New England's 2014 squad, which etched its name into the history books after cornerback Malcolm Butler's goal line interception of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
There was also drama, as Deflategate arose during the Patriots' postseason run.
Nonetheless, New England secured its first crown in a decade - but still failed to garner much respect on a broader scale.
"The 2014 Patriots ranked fourth in regular-season DVOA," ESPN writes. "They didn't really stand out anywhere, ranking sixth on offense, 12th on defense and fifth on special teams. However, they were 10-1 from Week 5 to Week 16 before sitting starters against the Bills in the final game of the regular season."
New England's second-best Super Bowl team went 17-2, won its first two playoff games by three possessions and erased a 28-3 second half deficit in the Super Bowl against the Atlanta Falcons.
And still, the Patriots clocked in at No. 37.
"Despite going 14-2 in the regular season -- including 3-1 during Brady's Deflategate suspension -- the Patriots finished second in DVOA behind the Falcons because they played the easiest schedule in the league," ESPN writes. "This was a balanced Patriots team, ranking in the top 10 for all three phases and first in the league in run defense."
In essence, five of New England's six Super Bowl teams were rated in the bottom 21 title squads of all time.
There is, however, one team ranked highly: the 2004 Patriots, who finished 17-2 despite playing one of the five hardest schedules by any Super Bowl champion.
New England finished No. 7, spearheaded by dominant postseason victories over Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers before defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.
"By DVOA, this was clearly the best of the six championship Patriots teams," ESPN writes. "This was the first season that Brady was Tom Brady, ranking fifth in pass DVOA after ranking outside the top 10 in his first three seasons as the starter.
"The Patriots also ranked third in rushing and fourth on defense, although they were abnormally average on special teams."
The 1991 Washington Commanders were rated as the all-time best Super Bowl winner, followed by the 1985 Chicago Bears, 1989 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Green Bay Packers and 1992 Dallas Cowboys.
Super Bowl LVIII between the 49ers (14-5) and Chiefs (14-6) will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
