How Many Super Bowls Have the New England Patriots Won
The New England Patriots have won 6 Super Bowl championships in franchise history. These titles were earned across two distinct eras under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, producing one of the most sustained runs of excellence in professional sports. The championships include three in the 2000s (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) and three in the 2010s (XLIX, LI, LIII). Below is a concise summary of each appearance and victory.
| Season | Super Bowl | MVP | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | XXXVI | Tom Brady | St. Louis Rams | 20–17 |
| 2003 | XXXVIII | Tom Brady | Carolina Panthers | 32–29 |
| 2004 | XXXIX | Deion Branch | Philadelphia Eagles | 24–21 |
| 2014 | XLIX | Tom Brady | Seattle Seahawks | 28–24 |
| 2016 | LI | Tom Brady | Atlanta Falcons | 34–28 (OT) |
| 2018 | LIII | Julian Edelman | Los Angeles Rams | 13–3 |
Notable Patterns Among the Six Championships
Across these six Super Bowl wins, the Patriots scored 20 or more points in every game, demonstrating consistent offensive execution. Tom Brady is the only player to appear in all six victories and was named Super Bowl MVP three times. The franchise also reached an additional two Super Bowls without winning (XLII, XLVI), extending their streak of consecutive Super Bowl appearances to eight (2002–2009). No other franchise has reached as many Super Bowls or won as many championships in the 21st century.
2001 Season: Super Bowl XXXVI
Entering the 2001 season as an 11–5 team in their second year with Tom Brady under center, the Patriots rallied to reach Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams. The game remained close until Brady led a decisive final drive, capped by a touchdown pass to David Patten with under two minutes remaining. The 20–17 victory marked New England’s first Super Bowl title and initiated the franchise’s sustained competitive window.
Key Details, Super Bowl XXXVI
- Date: February 3, 2002
- MVP: Tom Brady
- Opponent: St. Louis Rams (The Greatest Show on Turf)
- Score: Patriots 20, Rams 17
2003 Season: Super Bowl XXXVIII
Two seasons later, the Patriots entered Super Bowl XXXVIII as 10–6 favorites against the Carolina Panthers. The game featured multiple lead changes and a controversial no-call on a potential game-ending field goal attempt. Brady connected on crucial third-down throws, and the Patriots secured a 32–29 win, extending the dynasty into a second consecutive championship.
Key Details, Super Bowl XXXVIII
- Date: February 1, 2004
- MVP: Tom Brady
- Opponent: Carolina Panthers
- Score: Patriots 32, Panthers 29
2004 Season: Super Bowl XXXIX
In what became the final chapter of the initial three-peat, the Patriots faced the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. The game remained low scoring, with New England’s defense limiting Philadelphia’s high-powered offense. A clutch touchdown reception by Deion Branch sealed a 24–21 victory, completing the franchise’s second straight championship run.
Key Details, Super Bowl XXXIX
- Date: February 6, 2005
- MVP: Deion Branch
- Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
- Score: Patriots 24, Eagles 21
2014 Season: Super Bowl XLIX
After a brief championship drought, the Patriots returned with one of the most dramatic finishes in Super Bowl history. Facing the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, New England trailed late before driving for a game-winning touchdown with 20 seconds remaining. Brady was named MVP for his performance, which included a pivotal fourth-down conversion near the goal line.
Key Details, Super Bowl XLIX
- Date: February 1, 2015
- MVP: Tom Brady
- Opponent: Seattle Seahawks
- Score: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24
2016 Season: Super Bowl LI
Super Bowl LI remains the only overtime game in Super Bowl history. The Patriots overcame a 28–3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons, scoring 31 unanswered points to force overtime. Brady’s composure and a standout performance by running back James White culminated in a 34–28 victory, giving New England a record-tying fifth franchise championship.
Key Details, Super Bowl LI
- Date: February 5, 2017
- MVP: Tom Brady
- Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
- Score: Patriots 34, Falcons 28 (OT)
2018 Season: Super Bowl LIII
In a low-scoring defensive battle against the Los Angeles Rams, the Patriots relied on ball control and a stifling pass rush. Julian Edelman, playing through a season-ending injury shortly before the game, was named MVP after a clutch 55-yard touchdown reception. The 13–3 victory gave New England a sixth championship and further solidified their status as one of the most successful franchises of the Super Bowl era.
Key Details, Super Bowl LIII
- Date: February 3, 2019
- MVP: Julian Edelman
- Opponent: Los Angeles Rams
- Score: Patriots 13, Rams 3
Context and Legacy
With 6 Super Bowl victories, the Patriots rank first among all NFL franchises in championship count since the AFL–NFL merger. Their 8 Super Bowl appearances also represent the most of any team. The dynastic run under Belichick and Brady reshaped roster construction, preparation habits, and in-game strategy across the league. Although the core eventually aged and entered a transitional phase, the foundation built in New England remains influential in modern NFL operations.
Records at a Glance
| Record Type | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Super Bowl Championships | 6 | Most since the merger |
| Super Bowl Appearances | 8 | Most all-time |
| Consecutive Super Bowl Appearances | 8 (2002–2009) | Franchise record |
| Super Bowl MVPs (team) | 3 (Tom Brady) | Brady also holds NFL career MVP records |
| Winning head coach | Bill Belichick | 6 titles; most by any coach |