New England Patriots · Franchise era 5 of 7
The near-perfect reinvention: the New England Patriots story
Franchise era
2007—2013
The near-perfect reinvention
New England Patriots
The story in one sentence
The 2007 Patriots went 16–0 before a Super Bowl upset, then the roster reloaded around two young tight ends and returned to the championship game.
An explosive offense chases another title
Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Rob Gronkowski gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for the second dynasty.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2007
What came before
Brady replaced an injured Bledsoe and Belichick's adaptable teams won three Super Bowls in four seasons.
April 29, 2007
The fourth-round trade that unleashed Randy Moss and Tom Brady
The Patriots bet that winning and Tom Brady could revive one of football's greatest talents. Oakland accepted minimal value to end an unhappy partnership.
14Superstar reclamationApril 29, 2007NE⇄OAKRandy Moss to New EnglandNew England acquired Randy Moss from Oakland for a fourth-round selection after two disappointing Raiders seasons.2 assets · 1 outcomes＋
The original receipt
New England Patriots received
- • Randy Moss
Oakland Raiders received
- • 2007 fourth · No. 110
Moss caught a record 23 touchdowns, Brady won his first MVP and New England produced the first 16–0 regular season, all for the price of pick No. 110.
Open full trade tree →2008-02-03
Super Bowl: New York Giants vs New England Patriots
2012-01-22
Conference Championship: Baltimore Ravens vs New England Patriots
2012-02-05
Super Bowl: New York Giants vs New England Patriots
After 2013
What came next
New England won three Super Bowls in five seasons through goal-line defense, the largest comeback in Super Bowl history and another dominant defensive plan.
The core