NFL History: Ranking the 30 best wild card teams in NFL history

Ranking the 30 best wild card teams in NFL history: 12. ’85 New England Patriots

It’s hard to believe now, but the New England Patriots were once the loveable losers of the NFL. The first time they made the Super Bowl was in 1985, and they made it as the Wild Card. They went on an insane run to get to the Super Bowl, but we’ll ignore what actually happened in that game.

The Patriots made the Big Game despite never playing in Massachusetts after Week 17. In the first game of the playoffs, they rode four Tony Franklin field goals and a fumble return for a touchdown to a win over the rival New York Jets. What a strange game, but a win is a win.

Against the Los Angeles Raiders, the two teams went back and forth in the first half. It ended up being 20-17 Raiders going into halftime. The Patriots played the game not to lose, and surprise surprise, a fumble recovery for a touchdown ended up winning the game for them.

Finally, the Patriots needed to pass the Miami Dolphins to make its first Super Bowl franchise history. Unlike every other team on this list so far, the Patriots actually won the conference championship game. Tony Eason was crazy clutch, throwing for just 71 yards passing but still getting three touchdowns. The coaching staff made things super safe, and they rode that idea all the way to Super Bowl.

Unfortunately, that strategy would not work against Mike Ditka’s Chicago Bears. They Super Bowl Shuffled all over the Patriots’ hopes and dreams, but it was the best run in this team’s history until a guy named Tom Terrific would get drafted in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.