logo
Robert Kraft reveals greatest moment in Patriots history

Robert Kraft reveals greatest moment in Patriots history

USA Today26-06-2025
There have been numerous memorable moments for the New England Patriots throughout the franchise's history. When you think of all of the Super Bowl titles, epic playoff games and major divisional victories, it's hard to pick just one moment as the best.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft couldn't name his favorite Super Bowl because they're all special in their own right, but he did offer up his greatest moment with the team. That moment was at Super Bowl XXXVI when the underdog Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams and "The Greatest Show on Turf."
It was February 3, 2002. The Patriots went head-to-head with a stalwart Rams team that included the likes of quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk and wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. Offensively, the Rams were a juggernaut, averaging 31.4 points per game and 418.1 yards per game. They recorded 503 total points and 6,930 offensive yards.
'Well, there's one thing about when you dream of owning a team, and then you want to win," Kraft told ESPN's Adam Schefter on The Adam Schefter Podcast. "When we went to the Super Bowl in the 2001 season, four months after 9/11, and the country was so messed up, and we were the largest underdog against 'The Greatest Show on Turf', the St. Louis Rams. I'll never forget seeing the clock tick down as Adam Vinatieri makes the kick as time runs out, and we win the Super Bowl. It was just unbelievable."
The Patriots upsetting the Rams was a magical moment because it kick-started the greatest dynasty in NFL history. It was also the first Super Bowl win for legendary quarterback Tom Brady and kicker Adam Vinatieri.
That moment was extra special because it signaled that Kraft and the Patriots had finally made it. They became a championship team.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rams are 2nd-most valuable franchise in NFL: See the complete top 5
Rams are 2nd-most valuable franchise in NFL: See the complete top 5

USA Today

time12 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Rams are 2nd-most valuable franchise in NFL: See the complete top 5

Since moving to Los Angeles in 2016 and hiring Sean McVay one year later, the Rams have become one of the most exciting and interesting teams in the NFL. From big trades to a Super Bowl win, they've provided a football spark in L.A. They're also among the league's most valuable teams, too. Sportico released the latest franchise valuations across the NFL on Wednesday and the Rams ranked second on the list. They're worth $10.43 billion, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys, who are worth $12.8 billion. The Rams are one of only three teams worth at least $10 billion, with the others being the Cowboys and New York Giants. The Patriots are fourth ($8.76 billion) and the 49ers are fifth ($8.6 billion). It's a sizable jump in overall valuation for the Rams since last year when they were worth $7.79 billion, also second in the NFL. The top five from last year remains the same, in that exact order. The Athletic shared the complete list of every NFL franchise's valuation, from the Cowboys at No. 1 to the Bengals ($5.5 billion) at No. 32. The Cardinals are the only NFC West team outside the top 15; they're worth $5.66 billion as of now. The Rams' value really spiked after SoFi Stadium opened in 2020 and then the team won the Super Bowl a year later. Stan Kroenke may not be the most popular owner but when it comes to business and making money, he's done an undeniably great job increasing the value of the Rams. He became the majority owner of the team in 2010 when he purchased the Rams for $750 million, which is only a fraction of what the franchise is worth now 15 years later.

After Statistical Downturn, Is Patrick Mahomes No Longer the NFL's QB1?
After Statistical Downturn, Is Patrick Mahomes No Longer the NFL's QB1?

Fox Sports

time12 minutes ago

  • Fox Sports

After Statistical Downturn, Is Patrick Mahomes No Longer the NFL's QB1?

National Football League After Statistical Downturn, Is Patrick Mahomes No Longer the NFL's QB1? Published Aug. 13, 2025 10:47 a.m. ET share facebook x reddit link Take a peak around the Internet and you'll see a clear consensus: Patrick Mahomes is the No. 1 quarterback in the NFL. I'm here to tell you that picking the NFL's best QB is not so simple. I understand that sounds like clickbait. I promise this will be a nuanced examination. Bear with me, OK? Because when you consider that Mahomes has played in the past three Super Bowls, he has a clear-cut case for being No. 1. Not to mention that, back in 2022, he threw for more than 5,200 yards and, back in 2018, he threw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. And still, if you look at who was playing quarterback at the highest level last season, it's fair to point to … someone else. To be clear, I ranked Mahomes No. 1 in my QB rankings this offseason. That was more of a projection, though, with the thought that his past two years have been outliers. And that, with the addition of a strong left tackle and an improved pass-catching core, Mahomes could reclaim the throne. But based upon his recent play? His recent stats? His recent film? The case for Mahomes gets more complicated. Mahomes himself admits that he didn't play up to his own standards last season. "There's plays on the football field that I didn't make last year that I've made in previous years," Mahomes told USA Today. "At the end of the day, I'm going to do whatever it takes to win, whether that's passing for a lot of yards, not passing for a lot of yards. But I think if I play better, that's going to make it better for the team." There was no talk of Mahomes in the MVP discussion last year. That was a neck-and-neck race between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. Joe Burrow was in the mix, too, but he fell out because his Bengals couldn't make the playoffs (due to one of the league's worst defenses). ADVERTISEMENT If you want the league's most dynamic dual threat, it's Jackson. If you want the strongest arm, it's Allen. If you want the league's best passer, it's Burrow. Even the Madden ratings have shifted. In Madden 26, Allen and Jackson got their usual 99s. Burrow checks in at 97, up from 93 in Madden 25. But after six straight years in the "99 Club," Mahomes dropped to a 95 rating this year. Over the past two years, the case for Mahomes as the league's QB1 rests upon three things: 1) Super Bowl appearances; 2) career winning percentage (79.5%; second all time); and 3) clutch performances. We often use championships to measure the greatest. (Think: Tom Brady.) And we often use counting stats to measure the best. (Think: Peyton Manning.) There's no question that Mahomes is the greatest QB of his generation. But there's nuance to the discussion of who is currently the NFL's best quarterback. It's fair to question whether Mahomes is still the league's QB1. His counting stats have regressed in the past three years. I mentioned his incredible 2022 season: 5,250 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions. In 2023, however, those numbers fell off a cliff. Those watching closely saw that Mahomes had a way of managing games that wasn't exactly elegant or eye-popping . But it got the job done. In 2024, it was more of the same. The Kansas City Chiefs went 15-2 during the regular season and made it to the Super Bowl. But Mahomes' 2022 season was in an entirely different league from his performance last season. His total EPA (expected points added) was 213.2 in 2022 but only 78 in 2024, per Next Gen Stats. He posted a success percentage of 53.3 in 2022 and 49.9% in 2024. His completion percentage over expected was -.2% in 2022 and -1.8% in 2024. His sack percentage was up to 6.2% in 2024 from 3.5% in 2022. Mahomes said it. The stats confirm it: He isn't converting the same number of game-changing plays as in past years. In the case of EPA and EPA/dropback, these last two seasons were the worst of his career. And it's not just a slump by Mahomes' standards. In 2024, Jackson (173), Allen (153.3) and Burrow (82.7) posted better EPA totals. Heck, so did Jared Goff (140.8), Baker Mayfield (99.6) and Jayden Daniels (98.2). Mahomes wasn't dominant last season, not like we're accustomed to seeing from him. And not like his peers. That's why he wasn't in the MVP conversation, not just because of voter fatigue. It's also because he wasn't lifting his team in the same way as Allen or Jackson lifted theirs. So here's the next question: Does EPA tell enough of the story? Because the counterpoint — that, likely, many Chiefs fans are wishing they could convey to me — is that Mahomes didn't need any additional points in all but two games in which he played: the loss to the Bills in the regular season and the loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. And the Chiefs beat the Bills in the playoffs so, really, it was just the Super Bowl where Mahomes needed the higher EPA. In that case, it might seem like nitpicking to criticize Mahomes' low EPA. Last year, the Chiefs won an incredible 17 games, with 10 one-possession wins. But those 10 one-possession games have become a Rorschach test, where the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Mahomes' detractors would argue that, had he played better, the Chiefs wouldn't have had to be cardiac kids. It didn't need to come down to a blocked field goal in Week 10 against the Broncos. It didn't need to come down to an off-the-upright field goal by Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright in Week 14. Mahomes should have been better — and not left it up to the special teams. There's some truth to that. Mahomes' camp will contend that he got just enough points — and through clutch play, not luck. And further to that point, in terms of clutch moments during the regular season and postseason last year, Mahomes is third in the NFL in total EPA (54) on third and fourth downs — and he's also third in total EPA (23) in third and fourth downs in the fourth quarter. That's what you see on film: a guy who steps up in the biggest moments. "In the biggest moments, you can depend on him the most. That's clear," Brady said of Mahomes on "The Joel Klatt Show" podcast. Mahomes remains elite in just about every advanced statistical category, just like the other three QBs that everyone has come to respect: Allen, Jackson and Burrow. And it helps Mahomes that he seems to beat those guys in every meaningful game. Burrow is the only one of the three with a postseason win over Mahomes. And that might be the category that matters most to everyone at this point. When ranking Mahomes over the other three, it's really that the other three can't seem to beat Mahomes. And what else matters, if not head-to-head wins in playoff games? For a long time, a QB's wins-and-losses record was atop his résumé. Recently, QB evaluation has grown more complicated, with the formula fluctuating around wins, film, counting stats and advanced stats. Each variable's value rises and falls based on groupthink. Quarterback wins, for example, went completely out of vogue about two years ago. But now, given Mahomes' befuddling incongruities, people seem to be valuing wins more. Because Mahomes did not win the Super Bowl last season, and because he was not in the mix for MVP — because he did not elevate his team in undeniable fashion — I'm not sure he's the league's best QB. I'll rank him there because he's trustworthy. Because he's as likely as any of the others to turn back into that guy. The Guy. But if we're looking at last season in a vacuum, I see better cases for Jackson or Allen or even Jalen Hurts. Hurts, after all, reminded everyone that Mahomes and the Chiefs are beatable. In the biggest moments. In the biggest game. Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes shake hands after Philadelphia beat Kansas City 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. (Photo by) And perhaps that's what makes the 2025 season so compelling for Mahomes. It could be the year when he loses that QB1 label. He's as vulnerable as ever, especially if — for example — Allen, Jackson or Burrow wins a Super Bowl. Will Mahomes prove people right — that he's still QB1? At what point will he stop being the safe bet? Might we see another year of good-but-not-best play? Mahomes does seem to have a strong left tackle again. Rookie Josh Simmons appears to have won the starting job based on his incredible play during training camp. The picture at the pass-catcher spot isn't totally clear. Xavier Worthy looked strong at the end of last season, but there are big questions about the others. Travis Kelce is aging, Hollywood Brown is oft-injured, Rashee Rice is returning from injury and likely to serve a four-to-six-game suspension, and Jalen Royals is a rookie. Still, there's reason for optimism. Mahomes is the most successful quarterback we've seen since Brady. But even Brady experienced years when his play dipped. That's what seems to be happening with Mahomes, even with his team making three Super Bowls in a row. The Chiefs might have been as dangerous as ever, but I'm just not sure Mahomes has been. Before joining FOX Sports as an NFL reporter and columnist, Henry McKenna spent seven years covering the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! share

2025 Big Bets Report: Bettor Turns $10 into $30k via 13-Leg Parlay
2025 Big Bets Report: Bettor Turns $10 into $30k via 13-Leg Parlay

Fox Sports

time12 minutes ago

  • Fox Sports

2025 Big Bets Report: Bettor Turns $10 into $30k via 13-Leg Parlay

National Football League 2025 Big Bets Report: Bettor Turns $10 into $30k via 13-Leg Parlay Updated Aug. 13, 2025 10:50 a.m. ET share facebook x reddit link Plenty of people question why anyone would bet on NFL preseason odds. But sharp bettors who do their research often find edges that don't exist in the regular season. And for the public betting masses, let's be honest: They can't get enough of the NFL, no matter the time of year. With that, a Caesars Sportsbook customer was in midseason parlay form with NFL preseason Week 2 odds, and it paid off handsomely. Read on for more on that customer's wager and other notable bets on NFL and College Football Playoff odds. Moneyline Madness There were three preseason games last Thursday, leaving 13 to go on the Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule. And at some point on Friday, a bettor decided to get in on all 13 of those games at once. The customer placed a $10, 13-leg moneyline parlay bet, meaning every team chosen — including several underdogs — had to win outright. Obviously, there's a lot of luck involved in winning these lottery-ticket types of wagers. Even more so with this one. Friday's Lions-Falcons game was called with 6:31 remaining in the fourth quarter, after a potentially serious injury suffered by Lions safety Morice Norris. Thankfully, after staying overnight in an Atlanta hospital, Norris flew back to Detroit on Saturday and is doing well in concussion protocol. As for the game outcome, most sportsbooks' house rules require 55 minutes of game time in order for a betting result to be official. The Lions-Falcons game was suspended after 53:29, with Detroit leading 17-10. ADVERTISEMENT The bettor had Atlanta moneyline as one leg, but that was voided due to the game not meeting the time requirement. However, the wager was still live, now as a 12-leg parlay. Then on Sunday, the Dolphins and Bears played to a 24-24 tie. The bettor had the Dolphins moneyline, but in the event of a tie, that result is discarded, too. So the parlay dropped to 11 legs. And as fate would have it, the remaining 11 legs hit. The only semi-sweat: The Cardinals got a field goal with 3:47 remaining, as the final points in a 20-17 victory over the Chiefs. So even though the parlay dropped from 13 legs to 11 legs, that 10 bucks still turned into a whopping $30,978. You can't argue with that kind of ROI. Super Bowl Dreams The Bills and Ravens are +600 co-favorites in DraftKings Sportsbook's Super Bowl odds. Close behind are the defending champion Eagles (+700) and the Chiefs (+850), with the popular Lions the +1100 fifth choice. Those teams are all seeing plenty of action to lift the Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 8. But as mentioned last week, at this time of year, fans of the worst teams have high hopes, too. That includes a New York Jets backer with a somewhat curiously sized bet. The DraftKings customer put $3,196.96 — yep, 96 cents too — on Jets +25000 to win the Super Bowl. In easier-to-digest numbers, that's 250/1 odds, putting New York 30th among the 32 NFL teams. If somehow Justin Fields & Co. do the unthinkable, then the bettor wins a massive $799,240 (total payout $802,436.96). Running Men A Caesars Sports customer is hoping the Packers have their rushing attack in good order this season. The bettor put $200 on the Packers recording at least one rushing touchdown in every regular-season game. The odds of doing so are a sizable +6000. So, if Green Bay manages to do it, then the bettor profits $12,000. Caesars also took another notable bet tied to running backs, and this one is a much longer shot. A customer put $500 on Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty winning the NFL MVP award, at odds of +25000 (250/1). It's highly unlikely, but the payout is a healthy $62,500 if Jeanty has a rookie season for the ages. I Like Big Bets and I Cannot Lie A BetMGM customer in Arizona has got some serious interest in who wins the College Football Playoff. And the customer has three options to cash out for a lot of money. In late June, the bettor showed up at BetMGM's sportsbook adjacent to the Arizona Cardinals' stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The customer proceeded to make three major wagers: $300,000 Texas +500 to win the CFP $200,000 Penn State +750 to win the CFP $115,000 Clemson +1300 to win the CFP At the moment, Texas is the +475 favorite in BetMGM's college football national championship odds. Penn State is the +700 fourth choice, and Clemson has climbed to the +900 co-fifth choice, joined by Oregon. The bettor's total investment is $615,000. The potential profit on Texas and Penn State titles is exactly the same, at $1.5 million. A Clemson title is ostensibly the same, with a profit of $1.495 million. It's gonna be a long haul to the Jan. 19 championship game. Perennial title contenders Georgia and Alabama, among others, will have a say in who goes out on top. All I can say is good luck, and remind the rest of you that these big bets often come from high-roller types who can afford them. Keep it reasonable. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Patrick Everson is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and senior reporter for He is a distinguished journalist in the national sports betting space. He's based in Las Vegas, where he enjoys golfing in 110-degree heat. Follow him on X: @PatrickE_Vegas. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! share

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store