Ranking the 10 best New England Patriots teams of all time

6. 2001 (11-5) 

The opener to the Brady-Belichick dynasty had a much different focus at the start of the pair’s run together than it did at the end. In the Brayd’s rookie season, New England would go on to win 11 games, fueled by the team’s defense that was led by the likes of Willie McGinest, Lawyer Milloy and Ty Law. The team’s uphill journey to the Super Bowl took wins over the favored Pittsburgh Steelers and the historically-dynamic St. Louis Rams. Belichick’s standout defensive unit helped keep the “Greatest Show on Turf” in check as Adam Vinatieri nailed his iconic last-second field goal in Super Bowl XXXVI.