One of my all-time favorite seasons, one where I finally got see Brady in person both in the opener vs. Buffalo and the huge upset in San Diego which remains the best fan experience of my life. They weren’t the most talented Pats team but they certainly had heart.
-KICKOFF COVERAGE’S: HISTORY OF THE 32 IN 32-
-NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS-
2006
PATRIOTS WIN THEIR FOURTH STRAIGHT AFC EAST TITLE, LOSE TO THE COLTS IN THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP:
The Patriots entered the 2006 season without their two starting wide receivers from 2005; David Givens left in free agency, while Deion Branch held out for a new contract before being traded to Seattle in early September. Eventually replacing them were Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney, who was signed as a street free agent in October. Back-to-back losses in November ended the team’s streak of 57 games without consecutive losses, three games shy of the NFL record. With a 12–4 record and their fourth straight division title, the Patriots entered the playoffs as the #4 seed, defeating the New York Jets 37-16 in the Wild Card Playoffs. A close 24-21 win over the top-seeded San Diego Chargers on the road set the Patriots up to face their rival, the Indianapolis Colts, in the AFC Championship. Despite opening up a 21–3 lead in the 2nd quarter, the Patriots stumbled down the stretch at the RCA Dome, and the Colts emerged with a 38–34 victory.