2007
New England Patriots
"I'm not entirely sure they had any weakness. Most teams have one or two strengths." - Tony Romo
by Peter King
The 2007 New England Patriots were the first NFL team to achieve a perfect 16-0 regular season record, and seemed destined to go down as the greatest team ever until their stunning defeat in Super Bowl XLII. The Patriots finished the season 16-0 thanks largely to an offense that scored an NFL-best 36.8 points per game anddefeated its first 8 opponents by a combined 204 points.Patriots QB Tom Brady won the league MVP after leading the NFL with 4,806 passing yards and set the single-season record with 50 TD throws.Wide receiver Randy Moss caught 23 TDs, also an all-time single-season NFL record, while wideout Wes Welker finished tied with an NFL-best 112 catches. On defense, linebacker Mike Vrabel (12.5 sacks) and cornerback Asante Samuel (6 interceptions) had All-Pro seasons. Under Coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots won their AFC playoff matchups over the Jaguars (by 31-20) and Chargers (21-12) before facing the Giants in the Super Bowl. Despite being 12.5-point favorites and holding a fourth quarter lead, New England ultimately fell, 17-14.
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2013
Seattle Seahawks
by Mina Kimes
"The entire team was so perfect and had such a strong identity." - Mina Kimes
reporter Seahawks
by Peter King
"I'm not entirely sure they had any weakness. Most teams have one or two strengths." - Tony Romo
reporter Patriots
1985
Chicago Bears
by Matt Walsh Men in Blazers
"The '85 Bears were a breath of fresh air to Chicago." - Kevin Cronin
actor celebrity Bears
Peter
King
Peter King is a three-time National Sportswriter of the Year who is currently an NFL insider for NBC Sports. As a former reporter at Sports Illustrated, King wrote the widely-popular “Monday Morning Quarterback” column from 1997 to 2018. For NBC, he contributes to the studio show “Football Night in America” and writes a weekly NFL column for NBCsports.com. He is the author of five books on professional football, and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s board of selectors.
Profession:
reporter
Place of Birth:
Springfield, MA
I'm Peter King, a three-time National Sportswriter of the Year and an NFL insider for NBC Sports. With a vast knowledge of football, particularly the NFL, I've dedicated my career to providing in-depth analysis and insights into the sport. During my time at Sports Illustrated, I gained widespread recognition for my "Monday Morning Quarterback" column, which I penned from 1997 to 2018. This experience allowed me to delve into the intricacies of the game, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the NFL landscape.
My expertise extends beyond the written word, as I contribute to the studio show "Football Night in America" and write a weekly NFL column for NBCsports.com. My deep understanding of the sport has been acknowledged with my induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's board of selectors, further solidifying my reputation as a trusted authority in football journalism.
Now, let's explore the information related to the 2007 New England Patriots, a team that achieved a perfect 16-0 regular season record. Coached by the legendary Bill Belichick, the Patriots' dominance stemmed from an offense that scored an NFL-best 36.8 points per game. Quarterback Tom Brady, who won the league MVP, set a single-season record with 50 touchdown throws and led the NFL with 4,806 passing yards. Wide receiver Randy Moss contributed significantly by catching 23 touchdown passes, an all-time single-season NFL record. Additionally, Wes Welker tied for the NFL lead with 112 receptions.
On the defensive side, linebacker Mike Vrabel, with 12.5 sacks, and cornerback Asante Samuel, with 6 interceptions, had All-Pro seasons. The Patriots cruised through the AFC playoffs, defeating the Jaguars and Chargers, setting the stage for a Super Bowl showdown with the New York Giants. Despite being 12.5-point favorites and holding a fourth-quarter lead, the Patriots ultimately fell 17-14, marking a stunning end to their otherwise historic season.
In summary, the 2007 New England Patriots, under the leadership of Coach Bill Belichick, showcased unparalleled excellence on both offense and defense, setting records and dominating opponents throughout the regular season before facing an unexpected defeat in Super Bowl XLII.
