What Year Did the Patriots Go 18-1?
Ah, the 2007 New England Patriots... The year they came so, so close to perfection, only to fall just short when it mattered most. If you’re a football fan (and let’s face it, even if you’re not), the 18-1 season of the Patriots is one of those moments in NFL history that still gets talked about today.
But what exactly happened that year, and why does it still sting for so many Patriots fans?
A Historic Regular Season
Let’s rewind a bit. The Patriots were absolutely unstoppable during the 2007 regular season. They finished with a perfect 16-0 record, becoming the first team in NFL history to do so since the league expanded to a 16-game schedule. This was a team that scored at will, with quarterback Tom Brady throwing touchdown passes like he was handing out candy on Halloween. They had Randy Moss on the receiving end, breaking records with 23 touchdown receptions that season.
It was a football fan’s dream—watching this high-octane offense tear through defenses week after week. And honestly, it wasn’t just the offense; the defense was strong too, holding opponents to a respectable number of points. The team was practically a juggernaut, with everyone starting to wonder if they could actually finish the season undefeated.
The Road to Super Bowl XLII
By the time the playoffs rolled around, there was only one question on everyone’s mind: Can they keep it going? And for a while, it seemed like they could. They cruised through the AFC playoffs, beating the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Round and then taking care of business against the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship Game.
Super Bowl XLII was set up to be one of the most exciting games in NFL history. The Patriots, 18-0, up against the New York Giants, who were the underdogs by all accounts. It seemed almost certain that New England was going to cap off their historic season with a championship. But, of course, football isn’t played on paper.
Super Bowl XLII: The End of Perfection
And then came the fateful night in February 2008. Super Bowl XLII. The Giants had a defense that was able to pressure Brady and disrupt the Patriots’ rhythm. But, perhaps more importantly, the Giants had Eli Manning, who put together one of the most improbable game-winning drives in NFL history, capped off by the unforgettable "Helmet Catch" from David Tyree.
The Giants’ defense stepped up in a big way, and despite the Patriots’ 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, New York pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, winning 17-14.
And just like that, the Patriots’ dream of a perfect season was gone. 18-1. They didn’t go 19-0 like they had hoped, but they certainly went down as one of the best teams in NFL history to lose in the big game.
The Aftermath: What Does 18-1 Mean?
For Patriots fans, the 2007 season is still bittersweet. On one hand, it was an incredible achievement—the first perfect regular season in NFL history. But on the other hand, there’s that one loss. The "what if" that will forever linger. Could they have completed the perfect season if not for a couple of missed opportunities in the Super Bowl?
It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially given how dominant the Patriots were that year. The team was stacked with talent, and Brady was playing at a level that few quarterbacks have ever reached. To come so close to glory, only to lose in the final seconds, is a gut-wrenching feeling.
Some fans still argue that this team should be considered the best in NFL history, regardless of the Super Bowl loss. After all, who else had such a dominant regular season? Who else could match their firepower on offense and their resilience on defense?
But, in the end, the Giants’ victory meant that New England’s perfect season didn’t get the ending it deserved. It’s one of those rare sports stories that will forever be debated—should we give more weight to a perfect season or to the championship itself?
The Legacy of the 2007 Patriots
Even though the Patriots' 18-1 record will always be remembered for that Super Bowl loss, the legacy of the 2007 team lives on in many ways. Brady went on to win more Super Bowls, cementing his place as the greatest quarterback of all time. The team continued to be a powerhouse for years, and their success during the 2000s and 2010s is unrivaled in NFL history.
But, man, that 18-1 season. It’s one of those moments where you can’t help but wonder, "What if?" What if they had just held on for a few more minutes? What if they had been able to overcome the Giants’ defense and complete their perfect run?
At the end of the day, though, the Patriots’ 2007 season is a reminder of just how difficult it is to win in the NFL—and how quickly things can change, no matter how dominant a team seems. The Giants were the better team on that night, and they earned their Super Bowl victory. But for Patriots fans, 18-1 will always feel like a bit of unfinished business.
Final Thoughts
The 2007 New England Patriots went 18-1, and while that perfect regular season is historic, it’s the Super Bowl loss that ultimately defines their legacy. The team’s performance that year was nothing short of extraordinary, but it all came to a heartbreaking end in Super Bowl XLII. It’s a season that will always be talked about—and remembered—as one of the best, yet most painful, seasons in NFL history.
So, the next time you see someone wearing a Patriots jersey with “18-1” on it, you’ll know exactly what it means. And, for many, that story still stings a little.
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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
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Can you grow between 16 and 18?
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Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.