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New England Patriots

New England Patriots

New England Patriots Schedule - NFL 2012

Overview of the New England Patriots

The New England Patriots were a founding member of the American Football League in 1960. The Patriots play their home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts and are based in the Greater Boston area. The most successful period in franchise history was the 2000's. The franchise won the AFC East eight times, the AFC conference five times and the Super Bowl three times in this period.

Statistics Overview of the New England Patriots

The New England Patriots were established in 1959. The Patriots have been the most successful franchise of the last decade, winning the Super Bowl on three occasions. They have been AFC Conference Champions seven times and won their division on fourteen occasions. The Patriots have a regular season record of 414-365-9. The franchise has qualified for the playoffs on nineteen occasions and has a playoffs record of 23-16. Their rivalry with the New York Jets is the fiercest in the NFL.

Conference: AFC
Established: 1959
Stadium: Gillette Stadium (2002- Present)
Super Bowl Championships: 3 (2001, 2003, 2004)
Conference Championships: 7 (1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011)
Division Championships: 14(1963, 1978, 1986, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011)
Playoff Appearances:: 19 (1963, 1976, 1978, 1982 1985, 1986, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011)
Overall Record: 414-365-9
Playoff Record: 23-16
Biggest Rivals: New York Jets
Head Coach: Bill Belichick
Legenday Players: Tom Brady, Sam Cunningham, Stanley Morgan, Andre Tippett

New England Patriots: Star Players for 2012

Quarterback: Tom Brady

Tom Brady was selected with the 199th pick of the 2000 NFL draft. Despite his low draft pick, Brady has gone on to become one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Brady has led the Patriots to three Super Bowl championships as well as five AFC Conference titles. He was the NFL MVP in 2007 and 2010 and has been selected for the Pro Bowl on seven occasions. Brady had a standout season in 2007, throwing an incredible fifty touchdown passes and finished the season with a passer rating of 117.2. Brady is getting better with age and led the Patriots to another Super Bowl as well as throwing for a career high 5235 yards in 2012. As long as Brady is at the Patriots they will one of the favorites for the Super Bowl.

Offensive Star: Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski was selected with the 42nd pick of the 2010 NFL draft. Gronkowski had a strong rookie season becoming the youngest player to have three touchdown receptions in a game. Gronkowski had an ever better season in 2011 and, along with Jimmy Graham, completely changed the way that tight ends in the NFL play. He broke several NFL season records including: most touchdown receptions by a tight end, most receiving yards by a tight end and became the first tight end in NFL history to lead the league in receiving touchdowns. Gronkowski's potential is unlimited and with Tom Brady throwing him the ball has the potential to be the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

Defensive Star: Patrick Chung

Patrick Chung was the 34th pick of the 2009 NFL draft. The safety played only one game in his rookie season but was promoted to the starting role in 2010. Chung had a strong season that was highlighted by his performance against the Miami Dolphins in week four, when he blocked a punt and a field goal. Chung was the standout performer on the Patriots defense that generally struggled in 2011. He was their best defensive player in the loss to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, making six tackles and several key pass defenses. Chung will be hoping to lead the Patriots defense to a better season in 2012.

Head Coach: Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick is one of the most experienced coaches in the NFL. His NFL coaching career started way back in 1975 as an assistant for the Baltimore Colts. He spent time at: the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos and New York Giants before being named head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 1991. Belichick's stay at Cleveland was disappointing, with the side qualifying for the playoffs just once under Belichick. He returned to head coaching with the Patriots in 2000. Since then, Belichick has led the Patriots to three Super Bowl titles as well as five AFC Conference Championships. He is a three time NFL coach of the year winner and was named coach of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. Belichick had another strong coaching year in 2011, leading the Patriots to another Super Bowl despite the defense struggling for most of the season. Belichick is one of the most influential men in the NFL and one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.