The Patriots' Perfect Season

The New England Patriots are now a part of history. They achieved something that - aside from the Miami Dolphins - no team in the NFL has ever done by going undefeated in the regular season. Since the season started, it looked like something special was brewing in New England. After the tough loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the Conference Championship, the Patriots looked to strengthen an already strong team with a few; which turned out to be crucial, additions.

The biggest additions were, Linebacker who previously played for the Baltimore Ravens Adalius Thomas; big play wide receiver from the Oakland Raiders Randy Moss, and then unknown, but big potential receiver Wes Welker among others. . Even though in the pre season these players did not get much action, in the first game they seemed to gel quickly. A questionable Randy Moss lit up the Jets' defense and raising eyebrows throughout the league.

After the first game, which will be forever known as the 'Camera gate Scandal', a member of the Patriots' staff was caught filming opposing coaches' signals, and the film was confiscated. There was a big fine, and speculation about this tainting the legacy of the organization, and how much of an edge this had given the team. But after the fine and another win, the team routed the Chargers and set out, for the time being, the critics about camera gate.

After dispatching of the first five teams, the biggest challenge came when the Patriots had to travel to Dallas to face the then 5-0 Cowboys. In that game, the Patriots experienced their first deficit in the second half when they trailed 24-21. But after that, there was no going back, and the game was won easily. That game showed how explosive the Patriots passing offense was, and that might have been the first time the suggestion that the team might go undefeated.

Their next challenge was, which that game was being referred to as Super Bowl 41 and a half, their playoff rival Indianapolis Colts. In that game, they trailed by 10 early in the 4th quarter. But after two big touchdown drives, and a key strip by Jarvis Green late in the fourth, the team propelled to 9-0 going into the bye week.