The New England Patriots played the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi Stadium on Thursday. Both teams came in with hopes of the postseason. The Rams are looking to win the NFC West. The Patriots were hoping to find their way to an AFC Wild-Card berth.
Instead, New England fell to 6-7, with the 24-3 loss. Got us to thinking: What was going on the last time the Patriots lost seven games in a regular season?
The year was 2002
New England started 3-0 and lost four in a row. It did eventually get to 8-5 but the Pats came into the season finale with the Miami Dolphins needing a win — or a tie — to avoid a .500 season. Adam Vinatieri kicked a field goal with less than two minutes left then another one in overtime to give New England a 9-7 season. Oh, these were the defending Super Bowl champs.