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NFL Power Rankings: Top-five Patriots season openers since 2000 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots open their 2024 NFL season on Sunday when they travel on the road to play the Cincinnati Bengals.
The last time the Patriots opened a season in Cincinnati was 2001. The Pats lost 23-17, and a week later the franchise changed forever when Tom Brady took over for an injured Drew Bledsoe and ultimately led New England to its first Super Bowl title.
The 2024 campaign isn’t likely to have a storybook ending like that, but it is fun to look back on some of the most memorable season openers in Patriots history.
There have been many of them, including rivalry games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins.
Tom Brady went 15-3 in season openers as the Patriots’ starting quarterback from 2002 through 2019. Overall, the Patriots are 16-8 in season openers this century, including three straight defeats. Their last win came in 2020 at home versus the Dolphins with Cam Newton at quarterback.
Check out our ranking of the top five Patriots season openers since 2000.
Final score: 38-14 Patriots
This opener was unforgettable in more ways than one. It’s often remembered as the game that led to the infamous Spygate controversy, but it also was the beginning of a historic season that nearly ended in perfection.
Randy Moss and Wes Welker made their debuts with the Patriots, and it was electric. Moss, in particular, torched the Jets for nine catches, 183 yards and a touchdown. Welker finished with six receptions for 63 yards and the game’s first touchdown. Brady completed 22 of 28 pass attempts for 297 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
The Patriots outscored the Jets 24-7 in the second half.
New England eventually completed the first 16-0 regular season before losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.
4. 2019 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Final score: 33-3 Patriots
The Patriots unveiled their sixth Super Bowl banner…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-top-five-184237650.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-09-05 18:42:37
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