The New England Patriots are becoming the team that everyone loves to hate.  Even New Englanders have a love/hate relationship with them, especially those in Connecticut who can’t blame the New York Giants this year for putting an abrupt end to the Patriots’ dreams.  Just as you thought the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady machine would do it again, the Patriots get outperformed and outclassed at their own stadium by the Baltimore Ravens with their young quarterback Joe Flacco and veteran Linebacker Ray Lewis.  The Baltimore Ravens will meet the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII at New Orleans. You can read the latest Super Bowl action at the Sportsbook Review – top Sports Books.

History

In 1959, the Boston Patriots became the 8th and final franchise of the American Football League.  The league merged with the National Football League in 1970 and during that time-span, Boston appeared in one AFL championship game losing 51-10 to the San Diego Chargers.

The Patriots fared better in the newly formed league.  They moved to a new stadium outside of Boston and changed their name to the Bay State Patriots, however, the NFL rejected that name and it was officially changed to the New England Patriots.

During the decades of the ’80s and ’90s, the Patriots would make it to the Super Bowl twice, losing both times.  Once to the Chicago Bears, 46-10 in Super Bowl XX and once to the Green Bay Packers 35-21,  in Super Bowl XXXI.

21st Century Patriots

The New England Patriot dynasty started in the year 2000 when the killer ‘B’s where brought on board. Present-day coach Bill Belichick was hired and Quarterback Tom Brady was drafted in the 6th round. Together, they would lead the Patriots to 5 Super Bowl appearances, 3 Super Bowl victories and 10-time Division champions to date.

The only thorn in the Patriots side has been Eli Manning and the New York Giants.  The ‘giant-killer’ Giants smothered Brady’s hopes of being 5 for 5 in Super Bowl victories by winning Super Bowls XLII and XLVI in 2007 and 2011.  In Super Bowl XLII, the Patriots had a perfect season going in at 18-0 and could have made football history only to be disappointed by a fired-up Giants team and the unforgettable Manning to David Tyree “Helmet Catch“.

Now in 2013, it’s a fired-up Baltimore Ravens team that has shaken the foundations of the Patriot empire which may be on the verge of collapse.  Could this be the end of times for Tom Brady?

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

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