1996 New England Patriots season
| 1996 New England Patriots season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Robert Kraft |
| Head coach | Bill Parcells |
| Home stadium | Foxboro Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 11–5 |
| Division place | 1st AFC East |
| Playoffs | Won Divisional Playoffs (vs. Steelers) 28–3 Won AFC Championship (vs. Jaguars) 20–6 Lost Super Bowl XXXI (vs. Packers) 21–35 |
| All-Pros | T Bruce Armstrong (2nd team) KR Dave Meggett (2nd team) |
| Pro Bowlers | T Bruce Armstrong QB Drew Bledsoe TE Ben Coates RB Curtis Martin DE Willie McGinest KR Dave Meggett |
The 1996 New England Patriots season was the franchise's 27th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 37th overall. The Patriots finished with a record of 11–5 and finished first in the AFC East division. After a disappointing 1995 season, Drew Bledsoe bounced back with 4,086 passing yards and threw 27 touchdown passes to 15 interceptions while Curtis Martin had another Pro Bowl season. The team's two playoff wins came by double-digit margins: first in the divisional playoff game and then in the AFC Championship Game, which was the franchise's first in 11 years. The Patriots would go on to lose Super Bowl XXXI to the Green Bay Packers 35–21.