The Patriots have emerged over the last 18 years as the Evil Empire of the NFL. That's what happens when you qualify for exactly half of your league's championship games over an 18-year span. And through every trip to the Super Bowl, there have been two constants. This article is about the one who out on the field, undoubtedly the best quarterback to ever play the game.
The Patriots haven't had a lack of controversy, and you'd have no trouble finding plenty of fans who still hold their past scandals (see: Deflategate, Spygate, Whatever-else-you-can-think-of-gate) against them. But there's also no denying that head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady have set a new -- and ridiculous -- standard when it comes to consistently clutch performances. At age 41, in fact, Brady himself has now secured more Super Bowl appearances than every single team in the NFL outside of his own Patriots.
Super Bowl LIII is Sunday, Feb. 3, in Atlanta and it will air on CBS and streamed here on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App for free on most connected devices.
Tom Brady now has more Super Bowl appearances than every team in the NFL (except for the Patriots). pic.twitter.com/zmY3adf8nm
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) January 21, 2019
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So if it seems like the Patriots are always in the Super Bowl with Brady and Belichick, well, who are we kidding? It's because they are always in the Super Bowl! Love them or hate them, you have to respect them. And just in case you've forgotten all the times Brady and company have hoisted -- or at least attempted to hoist -- the Lombardi Trophy in the last two decades, we've got a rundown right here for you. Brady was named MVP it all but one of those (Deion Branch after the 2004 season). It can be easy to lose track when there are so many title-game trips to keep track of, you know, so keep this list handy as the Brady Bunch goes for ring No. 6 against the Rams:
| Season | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
2001 | St. Louis Rams | W, 20-17 (Brady MVP) |
2003 | W, 32-29 (Brady MVP) | |
2004 | W, 24-21 | |
2007 | L, 17-14 | |
2011 | New York Giants | L, 21-17 |
2014 | W, 28-24 (Brady MVP) | |
2016 | W, 34-28, OT (Brady MVP) | |
2017 | Philadelphia Eagles | L, 41-33 |
2018 | Los Angeles Rams | TBD |
All in all, what's the takeaway? Well, if it's not that Brady and Belichick are this generation's greatest dynasty, then what is it? It's obvious that NFC East opponents, including those pesky, underdog Nick Foles-led Eagles of 2017, have never been the Patriots' most favorable opponents on Super Sunday. But other than that, New England has reigned supreme over just about all of the NFL.
From Gladys Knight's anthem to who will score first to Maroon 5 to the Super Bowl MVP, get everything you need to make the right picks for Sunday in our Ultimate Super Bowl Props guide.
Here are Brady and Belichick's numbers once more, just for impact's sake:
Total Super Bowl appearances: 9
Super Bowl record: 5-3
If you still haven't marked your calendar for the Super Bowl, the game will be kicking off from Atlanta on Feb. 3 and will be televised by CBS and you can stream it right here. If you're thinking about buying a new TV for the big game, CNET has you covered. They shared their best picks for every budget.
