The NFL Belt · reign 442
New England Patriots
Took the belt from New York Jets, 17–16, on December 2, 2001. Lost it to San Diego Chargers, 21–14, on September 29, 2002.
10Defenses
301Days
12thReign for the franchise
+3Closest call · Sep 22, 2002
12.2Average winning margin
36thLongest of 609 reigns, by days
10thMost defenses of 609 reigns
Defended against
Steelers ×2BrownsBillsDolphinsPanthersOakland RaidersSt. Louis RamsJetsChiefs
The seasons
- 2001: New England Patriots finished 11–5–0, 6th of 31 by record; they won the NFL title while holding the belt; 8 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 5 times that season.
- 2002: Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the best record (12–4–0); Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFL title; 4 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 8 times that season.
Reign leaders
Most yards for New England Patriots across the 12 belt games of this reign with a box score.
| Player | YDS | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Brady | 2,934 | 12 |
| 2 | Antowain Smith | 993 | 12 |
| 3 | Troy Brown | 868 | 11 |
| 4 | David Patten | 741 | 11 |
| 5 | Deion Branch | 313 | 4 |
Every game of the reign
margins from New England Patriots’ side| Belt game | Date | Result | Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,194 | Dec 2, 2001 | New England Patriots beat New York Jets 17–16 Game → | +1 | Title change |
| 1,195 | Dec 9, 2001 | New England Patriots beat Cleveland Browns 27–16 | +11 | Defense |
| 1,196 | Dec 16, 2001 | New England Patriots beat Buffalo Bills 12–9 | +3 | Defense |
| 1,197 | Dec 22, 2001 | New England Patriots beat Miami Dolphins 20–13 | +7 | Defense |
| 1,198 | Jan 6, 2002 | New England Patriots beat Carolina Panthers 38–6 | +32 | Defense |
| 1,199 | Jan 19, 2002 | New England Patriots beat Oakland Raiders 16–13 Playoffs | +3 | Defense |
| 1,200 | Jan 27, 2002 | New England Patriots beat Pittsburgh Steelers 24–17 Playoffs | +7 | Defense |
| 1,201 | Feb 3, 2002 | New England Patriots beat St. Louis Rams 20–17 Playoffs | +3 | Defense |
| 1,202 | Sep 9, 2002 | New England Patriots beat Pittsburgh Steelers 30–14 | +16 | Defense |
| 1,203 | Sep 15, 2002 | New England Patriots beat New York Jets 44–7 | +37 | Defense |
| 1,204 | Sep 22, 2002 | New England Patriots beat Kansas City Chiefs 41–38 | +3 | Defense |
| 1,205 | Sep 29, 2002 | San Diego Chargers beat New England Patriots 21–14 Game → | −7 | Title change |