The undefeated season that ended in a single, historic upset
In short: In 2007, the New England Patriots achieved something nearly impossible: a perfect 16-0 regular season. Led by record-breaking offensive numbers and a legendary duo, they looked invincible. But a single fourth-quarter drive by the New York Giants would shatter the dream of the first perfect Super Bowl champion since 1972.
The 2007 New England Patriots season stands as a statistical anomaly in NFL history. Under head coach Bill Belichick, the team achieved a 16-0 regular season record, the first such feat in the 16-game era since the league expanded its schedule in 1978. This run included a massive +315 point differential, the highest ever recorded in the league. The offense was particularly devastating, scoring 589 points—shattering the previous seasonal record by 3 and 33 points—and leading the league in both total touchdowns (75) and passing yards (4,859).
The engine of this dominance was the connection between quarterback Tom Brady and newly acquired wide receiver Randy Moss. Brady earned his first NFL MVP award after throwing a then-record 50 touchdown passes. Moss, arriving via a trade from the Oakland Raiders, set a new NFL single-season record with 23 receiving touchdowns. This duo helped the Patriots win 12 games by 30 points or more, including a 56-point blowout against the Buffalo Bills.
However, the quest for a perfect 19-0 season ended in heartbreak during Super Bowl XLII. Entering the game as heavy favorites, the Patriots held a four-point lead late in the fourth quarter. A dramatic drive by the New York Giants, punctuated by an Eli Manning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress with only 35 seconds remaining, resulted in a 17-14 loss. While the loss prevented them from becoming the first undefeated and untied team to win a Super Bowl since the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the 2007 squad remains widely regarded as one of the greatest teams to ever play the game.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2007 New England Patriots season
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