The New England Patriots’ past championships don’t hold them back — they’re part of the franchise’s identity. This Sunday marks their 12th Super Bowl appearance and, across eras, they’ve collected six Lombardi Trophies in games that included upsets, improbable comebacks, and defensive slugfests. When asked to pick a favorite ring, Tom Brady famously quipped that his favorite was “the next one.” But if Brady, the team, or owner Robert Kraft were to rank New England’s Super Bowl victories, where would each title land — and where would a win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX fit?
For a stretch, the Patriots reached the AFC title game as a near-annual occurrence and Super Bowl trips were familiar. Still, few expected New England to be back on the big stage this season; if they win, the result would be rated highly because of how unlikely the run has been. Below is a reordered look at the franchise’s Super Bowl wins and where a 2026 victory would slot in.
1) Super Bowl XXXVI — Patriots 20, Rams 17 (2002)
This championship feels like the origin point of the modern Patriots era. Coming off a five-win season two years earlier, New England had a rookie head coach in his second year (Bill Belichick) and a young quarterback who’d been a late draft pick and still had to prove himself on football’s biggest stage. The St. Louis Rams, helmed by MVP Kurt Warner and nicknamed “The Greatest Show on Turf,” were 14-point favorites and far more experienced. With the game tied late, Belichick and his staff eschewed conservative advice and went for a chance to win; Adam Vinatieri’s 48-yard field goal as time expired sealed the upset. Beyond the scoreline, this game launched the Brady–Belichick partnership, delivered the franchise’s first title, and helped shape the team’s identity — even changing how teams were presented during pregame introductions.
2) Super Bowl LI — Patriots 34, Falcons 28 (OT) (2017)
This one ranks near the top because of the scale of the comeback. The Patriots began the season with Brady serving a four-game suspension; backup quarterbacks guided the team through those weeks, and when Brady returned he led them back to the Super Bowl. Facing a Falcons team that led 28–3 in the third quarter, New England staged the most dramatic rally in Super Bowl history, forcing overtime for the first time in the game’s history. Key plays — including clutch catches, a critical turnover on Matt Ryan, and James White’s overtime touchdown — completed a comeback that felt impossible and delivered another Lombardi.
3) Super Bowl LX — Patriots vs. Seahawks (2026) — (If New England wins)
Had the Patriots beat Seattle, this hypothetical title would land at No. 3 on the list. That ranking reflects what such a victory would represent: reclaiming championships without the Brady–Belichick duo, ending a long drought for fans who’d never seen a Patriots title, and doing it as substantial underdogs. This season’s Patriots improved under a new coach and with rookie quarterback Drake Maye, but preseason expectations were modest. A Super Bowl victory would be a major upset — New England finished 17–3, Mike Vrabel would join a short list of coaches who won a title in their first season with a new team, and Maye would become the youngest starting QB to win a Super Bowl — achievements that would revive the franchise’s national standing.
(Aside: a former Patriots teammate publicly criticized Tom Brady for not choosing to represent New England in Super Bowl LX, calling that decision “bullshit,” according to Zachary Perez.)
4) Super Bowl XXXIX — Patriots 24, Eagles 21 (2005)
This championship capped the Patriots’ run that produced three titles in four seasons, cementing their spot among modern dynasties alongside the Cowboys. By this point Brady and Belichick were firmly established as elite, and this win added important momentum to their legacy. The defense made game-changing plays with multiple turnovers, while Brady’s performance added to his growing Super Bowl résumé, further fueling the GOAT debate.
5) Super Bowl XLIX — Patriots 28, Seahawks 24 (2015)
Famously remembered for Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception, this game instantly became a highlight — and heartbreak — of modern Super Bowl lore. The Seahawks looked poised to score from the 1-yard line in the closing minute, but New England’s preparation and Butler’s presence in coverage stopped the play and preserved the title. It also marked the Patriots’ first championship in a decade and reinforced their knack for making defining moments when it mattered most.
6) Super Bowl LIII — Patriots 13, Rams 3 (2019)
A low-scoring affair that some labeled dull, this game still carried historical weight. It matched the franchise with the Steelers for the most Super Bowl titles, and it was the final championship of the Brady–Belichick era together. Brady became the first quarterback to win a title in his 40s, and the win underscored the duo’s longevity even if the scoreboard didn’t provide fireworks.
7) Super Bowl XXXVIII — Patriots 32, Panthers 29 (2004)
A thrilling back-and-forth contest that featured a late flurry of scoring, this game is remembered for its excitement more than for changing the Patriots’ broader narrative. It was New England’s second Super Bowl win and another example of clutch kicking — Adam Vinatieri booted a 41-yard field goal with four seconds left — and Brady earned his second Super Bowl MVP for a performance that delivered another title.
Fan Take:
This ranking matters because it highlights how the Patriots’ championships defined different eras — from shock upset to historic comebacks to dynastic dominance — and shows how a new title would reshape perceptions of the post-Brady/Belichick era. For NFL fans, a Patriots win now would remind everyone that coaching, preparation, and young talent can resurrect a franchise and keep parity and unpredictability alive in the league.
