1976 New England Patriots season
Encyclopedia
The 1976
New England Patriots
season was the seventh season for the team in the National Football League
and 17th season overall. After a nine-year stretch in which they posted just one .500 season (1974
) amid eight losing years, the Patriots turned around their fortunes, going 11–3 and rushing for 2,957 yards, then the fifth-highest total in NFL history. The Patriots made only their second playoff appearance in their history and first since 1963
, but lost to the eventual Super Bowl XI
champion Oakland Raiders
in the first round of the playoffs. Earlier in the season, the Patriots handed the Raiders their only loss of the season with a final score of 48–17, but a controversial rouging the passer penalty on Ray Hamilton
on a Raiders drive late in the playoff game dimmed the Patriots' hopes of defeating the Raiders again. Despite the loss, the team has been considered one of the most talented in Patriots history; in 2004
, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
, who was an assistant coach for the Detroit Lions
in 1976, called this Patriots team "loaded," a "who's who team."
Four Steve Grogan interceptions and a fumble doomed the Patriots as the Colts ran roughshod at Schaefer Stadium 27–13, this despite the sacking of Colts quarterback Bert Jones
for 40 yards and 179 rushing yards by the Patriots.
The Pats rebounded with 278 rushing yards and four touchdowns (two rushing scores by Andy Johnson, a Grogan rushing score, and a four-yard toss to Russ Francis
) in a 30–14 rout of Miami. Bob Griese
had one touchdown throw and three picks.
The Patriots wiped out a 20–9 third-quarter gap as Steve Grogan
threw to Russ Francis
and Darryl Stingley
and ran in a touchdown for 21 second-half points and a 30–27 win.
The Raiders suffered their only loss of the season in a 48–17 slaughter by the Patriots. Ken Stabler
had a touchdown throw to Fred Biletnikoff
but was sacked four times while Steve Grogan
ran wild with three touchdown throws (to Darryl Stingley
and Marlin Briscoe
) and two rushing scores; Andy Johnson and Jess Phillips
rushed in additional touchdowns.
The Patriots never got on track as Grogan threw five picks and the Lions, led by running back Horace King and quarterback Greg Landry
, stampeded the Patriots 30–10. One of the members of the Lions staff in this game was assistant special teams coach Bill Belichick
, who introduced a two tight-end set on Detroit's offense that was rare for the NFL at the time.
Mike Haynes became the first Patriot to ever return a punt for a touchdown as he fielded a second-quarter punt at his 11 and stormed to the Buffalo endzone. The Patriots won 20–10 as Sam Cunningham
rushed for 141 yards and a score while Joe Ferguson
of the Bills threw four picks. O. J. Simpson
threw a punch at Mel Lunsford
and both players were ejected after the ensuing fight.
Battling for the division lead, the Colts and Patriots combined for 35 first-half points. In the first quarter Roger Carr
caught a 22-yard pass from Bert Jones
for the Colts while Al Chandler caught a two-yarder from Steve Grogan
. Grogan ran in two second-quarter touchdowns and Don McCauley
ran in a score for a 21–14 Patriots lead at the half. The two defenses then shut each other out, as Jones was picked off twice by Mike Haynes and sacked five times in total; Lydell Mitchell
was limited to 52 rushing yards and the Patriots held on for the 21–14 win.
The Jets hosted the Patriots at Shea Stadium
and raced to a 10–0 lead in the first quarter behind a Pat Leahy field goal and a Greg Buttle
fuimble-return score, but the Patriots behind Steve Grogan
throws to Andy Johnson and Darryl Stingley
took a 14–10 lead entering the second quarter. From there the game collapsed for the 3–7 Jets as Joe Namath
threw six interceptions; Mike Haynes grabbed three and Tim Fox
had one, while Prentice McCray
ran in two (totalling 118 yards) for touchdowns. With Sam Cunningham
injured Don Calhoun
became the workhorse back for New England, rushing for 109 yards. Namath was benched in the fourth quarter and Richard Todd took over; he threw a touchdown to Clark Gaines
but was later picked off by Bob Howard. Grogan threw for just 83 yards and three scores as the Patriots routed the Jets 38–24.
The Patriots amassed their highest rushing yardage of the year as Don Calhoun
(177 yards), Andy Johnson, and Ike Forte
ground up 332 yards on the ground. Mike Haynes also returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown as the Patriots sacked Denver's quarterbacks nine times, led 31–0 at the half, and cruised to a 38–14 final.
The 1976 AFC Divisional Playoffs. This would become the infamous "Ben Dreith
Game" as officiating became a major controversy with numerous questionable penalties. Bill Lenkaitis
had not been flagged for holding all season yet was flagged three times in this game. No penalty was called when George Atkinson of the Raiders hammered Russ Francis
in the facemask and broke his nose; Steve Zabel
popped Francis' nose back into place. There was also controversy over a Sam Cunningham
run in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter where he went out of bounds; John Hannah claimed the sideline official moved the first down marker just before Cunningham went out of bounds, denying him a first down. On the play following this Cunningham run, on 3rd and 1 at the Raiders 28-yard line, Steve Grogan
changed the snap count to draw the Raiders offsides, but instead Hannah, Leon Gray
, and Pete Brock
all jumped offsides ("I should have known better," Grogan said afterward). On the next play (3rd and 6) Grogan threw to Russ Francis
but Francis could not raise his arms because of holding by the Raiders Phil Villapiano
, holding so blatant that according to Francis, "(he left) bruise marks on my arm....when I saw Phil at the Pro Bowl that year, he came right out and told me he had done it." The Patriots missed the ensuing field goal attempt and the Raiders took possession. In the final minute of the fourth quarter Raymond Hamilton
of the Patriots was flagged for roughing the passer against Ken Stabler
of the Raiders on a 3rd-and-18 play, even though replays showed no roughing; Dreith said the call was made because Hamilton had hit Stabler's helmet, but replays showed Stabler ducking away from Hamilton. Despite Patriot protests (Hamilton was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for his protests) the call stood, and at the Patriot 1-yard line Stabler ran in the game-winning touchdown with ten seconds left in a 24–21 Raiders win. Patriot protests over Dreith's call were such that Dreith was not assigned to work any games involving the Patriots until 1987.
1976 NFL season
The 1976 NFL season was the 57th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 28 teams with the addition of the Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
season was the seventh season for the team in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and 17th season overall. After a nine-year stretch in which they posted just one .500 season (1974
1974 New England Patriots season
The New England Patriots finished the National Football League's 1974 season with a record of seven wins and seven losses, and finished tied for third in the AFC East division.-Staff:-Regular season:...
) amid eight losing years, the Patriots turned around their fortunes, going 11–3 and rushing for 2,957 yards, then the fifth-highest total in NFL history. The Patriots made only their second playoff appearance in their history and first since 1963
1963 Boston Patriots season
The 1963 Boston Patriots season was the third season for the team in the American Football League. During their first season at Fenway Park, , the Patriots stood around the .500 mark all season, as they were able to clinch a spot in the playoffs, with a victory on their final game...
, but lost to the eventual Super Bowl XI
Super Bowl XI
Super Bowl XI was a football game played on January 9, 1977 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1976 regular season...
champion Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the first round of the playoffs. Earlier in the season, the Patriots handed the Raiders their only loss of the season with a final score of 48–17, but a controversial rouging the passer penalty on Ray Hamilton
Ray Hamilton
Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton is a former American football player from 1973 through 1981 for the New England Patriots, and the current defensive line coach for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons...
on a Raiders drive late in the playoff game dimmed the Patriots' hopes of defeating the Raiders again. Despite the loss, the team has been considered one of the most talented in Patriots history; in 2004
2004 New England Patriots season
The 2004 New England Patriots season was the 35th season for the team in the National Football League and 45th season overall. They finished with their second straight 14–2 record before advancing to and winning Super Bowl XXXIX, their third Super Bowl victory in four years.Following a Super Bowl...
, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
, who was an assistant coach for the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
in 1976, called this Patriots team "loaded," a "who's who team."
Staff
| New England Patriots 1976 staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
|
Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
|
|||||
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Stadium | Record | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 12 | Baltimore Colts Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... |
L 13–27 | Schaefer Stadium Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts... |
0–1 | |
| 2 | September 19 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 30–14 | Schaefer Stadium Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts... |
1–1 | |
| 3 | September 26 | at Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
W 30–27 | Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to... |
2–1 | |
| 4 | October 3 | Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 48–17 | Schaefer Stadium Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts... |
3–1 | |
| 5 | October 10 | at Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
L 10–30 | Pontiac Silverdome Silverdome The Silverdome is an indoor sporting and entertainment venue located in Launceston, Tasmania built in 1984. The Silverdome was built at an estimated cost of A$4 million, as the Tasmanian Government "proposed a world class facility" to replace the run down velodrome in the Launceston suburb of St... |
3–2 | |
| 6 | October 18 | New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 41–7 | Schaefer Stadium Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts... |
4–2 | |
| 7 | October 24 | at Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 26–22 | Rich Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
5–2 | |
| 8 | October 31 | at Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 3–10 | Miami Orange Bowl Miami Orange Bowl The Orange Bowl, formerly Burdine Stadium, was an outdoor athletic stadium in Miami, Florida, west of downtown in Little Havana. Considered a landmark, it was the home stadium for the Miami Hurricanes college football team... |
5–3 | |
| 9 | November 7 | Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 20–10 | Schaefer Stadium Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts... |
6–3 | |
| 10 | November 14 | at Baltimore Colts Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... |
W 21–14 | Memorial Stadium Memorial Stadium (Baltimore) Memorial Stadium was a sports stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, that formerly stood on 33rd Street on an over-sized block also bounded by Ellerslie Avenue , 36th Street , and Ednor Road... |
7–3 | |
| 11 | November 21 | at New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 38–24 | Shea Stadium Shea Stadium William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008... |
8–3 | |
| 12 | November 28 | Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 38–14 | Schaefer Stadium Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts... |
9–3 | |
| 13 | December 5 | New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... |
W 27–6 | Schaefer Stadium Foxboro Stadium Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts... |
10–3 | |
| 14 | December 12 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... |
W 31–14 | Tampa Stadium | 11–3 | |
| PLAYOFFS | ||||||
| Divisional | December 18 | at Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 21–24 | Oakland Coliseum | 0–1 | |
Notable games
- September 12 vs. Baltimore ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
:
Four Steve Grogan interceptions and a fumble doomed the Patriots as the Colts ran roughshod at Schaefer Stadium 27–13, this despite the sacking of Colts quarterback Bert Jones
Bert Jones
Bertram Hays "Bert" Jones is a former LSU and NFL quarterback who played for the then Baltimore Colts and, briefly, the Los Angeles Rams. At Ruston High School, he was given the nickname, "The Ruston Rifle"...
for 40 yards and 179 rushing yards by the Patriots.
- September 19 vs. Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
:
The Pats rebounded with 278 rushing yards and four touchdowns (two rushing scores by Andy Johnson, a Grogan rushing score, and a four-yard toss to Russ Francis
Russ Francis
Russell Ross Francis , is a former professional football player who was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1st round of the 1975 NFL Draft. He grew up in Hawaii. A 6'6", 242 lbs. tight end from the University of Oregon, Francis played in 13 NFL seasons. He retired temporarily in 1981, then...
) in a 30–14 rout of Miami. Bob Griese
Bob Griese
Robert Allen "Bob" Griese is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins...
had one touchdown throw and three picks.
- September 26 at Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
:
The Patriots wiped out a 20–9 third-quarter gap as Steve Grogan
Steve Grogan
Steve James Grogan is a former American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Grogan played for the Patriots for his entire NFL career, from 1975 to 1990.-High school and college:...
threw to Russ Francis
Russ Francis
Russell Ross Francis , is a former professional football player who was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1st round of the 1975 NFL Draft. He grew up in Hawaii. A 6'6", 242 lbs. tight end from the University of Oregon, Francis played in 13 NFL seasons. He retired temporarily in 1981, then...
and Darryl Stingley
Darryl Stingley
Darryl Floyd Stingley was an American professional football wide receiver whose career was cut short by an injury. He played his entire career with the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He died from heart disease and pneumonia complicated by quadriplegia.-Early life:Stingley...
and ran in a touchdown for 21 second-half points and a 30–27 win.
- October 3 vs. Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
:
The Raiders suffered their only loss of the season in a 48–17 slaughter by the Patriots. Ken Stabler
Ken Stabler
Kenneth "Kenny" Michael Stabler , is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders , the Houston Oilers , and the New Orleans Saints...
had a touchdown throw to Fred Biletnikoff
Fred Biletnikoff
Frederick S. "Fred" Biletnikoff is a former American football wide receiver and coach. He spent the majority of his professional playing and coaching days with the Oakland Raiders...
but was sacked four times while Steve Grogan
Steve Grogan
Steve James Grogan is a former American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Grogan played for the Patriots for his entire NFL career, from 1975 to 1990.-High school and college:...
ran wild with three touchdown throws (to Darryl Stingley
Darryl Stingley
Darryl Floyd Stingley was an American professional football wide receiver whose career was cut short by an injury. He played his entire career with the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He died from heart disease and pneumonia complicated by quadriplegia.-Early life:Stingley...
and Marlin Briscoe
Marlin Briscoe
Marlin Oliver Briscoe is a former American collegiate and Professional Football wide receiver/quarterback who played professionally for nine years...
) and two rushing scores; Andy Johnson and Jess Phillips
Jess Phillips
Jess Phillips is an American former professional football player who played running back for ten seasons in American Pro Football. He began his pro career with the American Football League's Cincinnati Bengals in 1968, and also played for the NFL Bengals, Saints, Raiders, and Patriots.-See...
rushed in additional touchdowns.
- October 10 at Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
:
The Patriots never got on track as Grogan threw five picks and the Lions, led by running back Horace King and quarterback Greg Landry
Greg Landry
Gregory Paul Landry is a former American football player and coach who played quarterback in the National Football League from 1968 to 1981 and again in 1984...
, stampeded the Patriots 30–10. One of the members of the Lions staff in this game was assistant special teams coach Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
, who introduced a two tight-end set on Detroit's offense that was rare for the NFL at the time.
- November 7 vs. Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
:
Mike Haynes became the first Patriot to ever return a punt for a touchdown as he fielded a second-quarter punt at his 11 and stormed to the Buffalo endzone. The Patriots won 20–10 as Sam Cunningham
Sam Cunningham
Samuel Lewis "Sam" Cunningham, Jr is a retired American football fullback. The media referred to him as Sam "Bam" Cunningham.-College career:...
rushed for 141 yards and a score while Joe Ferguson
Joe Ferguson
Joseph Carlton Ferguson, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the NFL. Ferguson played college football at the University of Arkansas, where he still holds the school's single game record for most completions and in that same season was named the Southwest Conference's Offensive...
of the Bills threw four picks. O. J. Simpson
O. J. Simpson
Orenthal James "O. J." Simpson , nicknamed "The Juice", is a retired American collegiate and professional football player, football broadcaster, and actor...
threw a punch at Mel Lunsford
Mel Lunsford
Melvin T. Lunsford is a former American football player from 1973 through 1980 for the New England Patriots. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the 1972 NFL Draft....
and both players were ejected after the ensuing fight.
- November 14 at Baltimore ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
:
Battling for the division lead, the Colts and Patriots combined for 35 first-half points. In the first quarter Roger Carr
Roger Carr
Roger Dale Carr is a former National Football League wide receiver who played mainly for the Baltimore Colts...
caught a 22-yard pass from Bert Jones
Bert Jones
Bertram Hays "Bert" Jones is a former LSU and NFL quarterback who played for the then Baltimore Colts and, briefly, the Los Angeles Rams. At Ruston High School, he was given the nickname, "The Ruston Rifle"...
for the Colts while Al Chandler caught a two-yarder from Steve Grogan
Steve Grogan
Steve James Grogan is a former American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Grogan played for the Patriots for his entire NFL career, from 1975 to 1990.-High school and college:...
. Grogan ran in two second-quarter touchdowns and Don McCauley
Don McCauley
Don McCauley was a tailback for the University of North Carolina from 1968 to 1970 and he attended the Garden City High School.He was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection and two-time Conference Player of the Year. He garnered the 1971 ACC Athlete of the Year award. He broke many rushing...
ran in a score for a 21–14 Patriots lead at the half. The two defenses then shut each other out, as Jones was picked off twice by Mike Haynes and sacked five times in total; Lydell Mitchell
Lydell Mitchell
Lydell Douglas Mitchell , is a former professional American football player. He played running back in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers and Los Angeles Rams spanning 1972-1980....
was limited to 52 rushing yards and the Patriots held on for the 21–14 win.
- November 21 at New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
:
The Jets hosted the Patriots at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
and raced to a 10–0 lead in the first quarter behind a Pat Leahy field goal and a Greg Buttle
Greg Buttle
Gregory Ellis Buttle is a retired American football linebacker for the New York Jets. He played college football at Penn State University. He was named a Consensus All-American in 1975. In 2005, he was inducted into the Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame.-High school:Buttle grew up in Linwood, New...
fuimble-return score, but the Patriots behind Steve Grogan
Steve Grogan
Steve James Grogan is a former American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Grogan played for the Patriots for his entire NFL career, from 1975 to 1990.-High school and college:...
throws to Andy Johnson and Darryl Stingley
Darryl Stingley
Darryl Floyd Stingley was an American professional football wide receiver whose career was cut short by an injury. He played his entire career with the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He died from heart disease and pneumonia complicated by quadriplegia.-Early life:Stingley...
took a 14–10 lead entering the second quarter. From there the game collapsed for the 3–7 Jets as Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
threw six interceptions; Mike Haynes grabbed three and Tim Fox
Tim Fox
Timothy Richard Fox is a former American Football safety who played for the New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1986....
had one, while Prentice McCray
Prentice McCray
Prentice Marcellus McCray, Jr. is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 8th round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State.McCray also played for the New England Patriots.-External links:*...
ran in two (totalling 118 yards) for touchdowns. With Sam Cunningham
Sam Cunningham
Samuel Lewis "Sam" Cunningham, Jr is a retired American football fullback. The media referred to him as Sam "Bam" Cunningham.-College career:...
injured Don Calhoun
Don Calhoun
Donald Clevester Calhoun is a former professional American football running back who played for nine seasons in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots, and the Philadelphia Eagles...
became the workhorse back for New England, rushing for 109 yards. Namath was benched in the fourth quarter and Richard Todd took over; he threw a touchdown to Clark Gaines
Clark Gaines
Clark Daniel Gaines is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He played for the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs over the course of his 7 year career.-Early years:...
but was later picked off by Bob Howard. Grogan threw for just 83 yards and three scores as the Patriots routed the Jets 38–24.
- November 28 vs. Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
:
The Patriots amassed their highest rushing yardage of the year as Don Calhoun
Don Calhoun
Donald Clevester Calhoun is a former professional American football running back who played for nine seasons in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots, and the Philadelphia Eagles...
(177 yards), Andy Johnson, and Ike Forte
Ike Forte
Donald Roy "Ike" Forte is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the New England Patriots, the Washington Redskins, and the New York Giants...
ground up 332 yards on the ground. Mike Haynes also returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown as the Patriots sacked Denver's quarterbacks nine times, led 31–0 at the half, and cruised to a 38–14 final.
- December 18 at Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
:
The 1976 AFC Divisional Playoffs. This would become the infamous "Ben Dreith
Ben Dreith
Ben Dreith is a former American professional football on-field official who worked from 1960 to 1969 in the American Football League and from 1970 to 1990 in the NFL. Prior to his teaching and officiating career, he was a three-sport athlete at the University of Northern Colorado.Dreith developed...
Game" as officiating became a major controversy with numerous questionable penalties. Bill Lenkaitis
Bill Lenkaitis
William Edward Lenkaitis is a former professional football player. He was a center and guard who played fourteen professional seasons. He played with the American Football League's San Diego Chargers in 1968 and 1969, and the with the National Football League's San Diego Chargers in 1970...
had not been flagged for holding all season yet was flagged three times in this game. No penalty was called when George Atkinson of the Raiders hammered Russ Francis
Russ Francis
Russell Ross Francis , is a former professional football player who was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1st round of the 1975 NFL Draft. He grew up in Hawaii. A 6'6", 242 lbs. tight end from the University of Oregon, Francis played in 13 NFL seasons. He retired temporarily in 1981, then...
in the facemask and broke his nose; Steve Zabel
Steve Zabel
Steven Gregory Zabel is a former American football linebacker and tight end in the National Football League. After playing college football at the University of Oklahoma, he was the first pick by the Eagles in the 1970 NFL Draft....
popped Francis' nose back into place. There was also controversy over a Sam Cunningham
Sam Cunningham
Samuel Lewis "Sam" Cunningham, Jr is a retired American football fullback. The media referred to him as Sam "Bam" Cunningham.-College career:...
run in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter where he went out of bounds; John Hannah claimed the sideline official moved the first down marker just before Cunningham went out of bounds, denying him a first down. On the play following this Cunningham run, on 3rd and 1 at the Raiders 28-yard line, Steve Grogan
Steve Grogan
Steve James Grogan is a former American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Grogan played for the Patriots for his entire NFL career, from 1975 to 1990.-High school and college:...
changed the snap count to draw the Raiders offsides, but instead Hannah, Leon Gray
Leon Gray
Leon Gray was an American football tackle in the National Football League for the New England Patriots, Houston Oilers, and the New Orleans Saints. Gray played college football at Jackson State University.-Early life:...
, and Pete Brock
Pete Brock (American football)
Peter Anthony Brock was a center and guard who played twelve professional seasons with the National Football League's New England Patriots. Brock attended the University of Colorado...
all jumped offsides ("I should have known better," Grogan said afterward). On the next play (3rd and 6) Grogan threw to Russ Francis
Russ Francis
Russell Ross Francis , is a former professional football player who was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1st round of the 1975 NFL Draft. He grew up in Hawaii. A 6'6", 242 lbs. tight end from the University of Oregon, Francis played in 13 NFL seasons. He retired temporarily in 1981, then...
but Francis could not raise his arms because of holding by the Raiders Phil Villapiano
Phil Villapiano
Philip James Villapiano is a former American football linebacker in the NFL. He played in four Pro Bowls and was a part of the Oakland Raiders Super Bowl XI winning team....
, holding so blatant that according to Francis, "(he left) bruise marks on my arm....when I saw Phil at the Pro Bowl that year, he came right out and told me he had done it." The Patriots missed the ensuing field goal attempt and the Raiders took possession. In the final minute of the fourth quarter Raymond Hamilton
Raymond Hamilton
Raymond Hamilton was a member of the notorious Barrow Gang during the early 1930s. By the time he was 21 years old he had accumulated a prison sentence of 362 years.-The Barrow Gang:...
of the Patriots was flagged for roughing the passer against Ken Stabler
Ken Stabler
Kenneth "Kenny" Michael Stabler , is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders , the Houston Oilers , and the New Orleans Saints...
of the Raiders on a 3rd-and-18 play, even though replays showed no roughing; Dreith said the call was made because Hamilton had hit Stabler's helmet, but replays showed Stabler ducking away from Hamilton. Despite Patriot protests (Hamilton was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for his protests) the call stood, and at the Patriot 1-yard line Stabler ran in the game-winning touchdown with ten seconds left in a 24–21 Raiders win. Patriot protests over Dreith's call were such that Dreith was not assigned to work any games involving the Patriots until 1987.
Standings
| AFC East AFC East The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets... |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| New England Patriots | 11 | 3 | 0 | .786 | 376 | 236 | W-6 |
| Baltimore Colts 1976 Baltimore Colts season The 1976 Baltimore Colts season was the 24th season for the team in the National Football League. The Baltimore Colts finished the National Football League's 1976 season with a record of 11 wins and 3 losses, and finished tied for first in the AFC East division with the New England Patriots... * |
11 | 3 | 0 | .786 | 417 | 246 | W-1 |
| Miami Dolphins 1976 Miami Dolphins season The 1976 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 11th as a member of the National Football League. The Dolphins failed to improve on their previous season's output of 10–4, winning only six games. One of these wins came over their new in-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – who proceeded to lose... |
6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | 263 | 264 | L-1 |
| New York Jets 1976 New York Jets season The 1976 New York Jets season was the 17th season for the team and the seventh in the National Football League. It began with the team trying to improve upon its 3–11 record from 1975 under new head coach Lou Holtz... |
3 | 11 | 0 | .214 | 169 | 383 | L-4 |
| Buffalo Bills 1976 Buffalo Bills season The 1976 Buffalo Bills season was the 17th season for the club and its 7th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-Awards and honors:... |
2 | 12 | 0 | .143 | 245 | 363 | L-10 |
| Baltimore won the AFC East title on tiebreakers | |||||||
Roster
| New England Patriots 1976 roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Pete Brock (American football) Peter Anthony Brock was a center and guard who played twelve professional seasons with the National Football League's New England Patriots. Brock attended the University of Colorado... C/G Leon Gray Leon Gray was an American football tackle in the National Football League for the New England Patriots, Houston Oilers, and the New Orleans Saints. Gray played college football at Jackson State University.-Early life:... T Bill Lenkaitis William Edward Lenkaitis is a former professional football player. He was a center and guard who played fourteen professional seasons. He played with the American Football League's San Diego Chargers in 1968 and 1969, and the with the National Football League's San Diego Chargers in 1970... C Bob McKay Robert Charles McKay was a National Football League offensive lineman from 1970 through 1978, playing with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots.... T Fred Sturt Frederick Neil Sturt is a former American football guard in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, the New England Patriots, and the New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Bowling Green State University and was Drafted in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the St... G Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Pete Barnes Peter G. Barnes is a former American football linebacker who played professionally in the American Football League and the National Football League . He played college football at Southern University. He played professionally in the AFL for the Houston Oilers in 1967 and 1968, and the San Diego... OLB Sam Hunt (American football) Sam Hunt is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 15th round of the 1974 NFL Draft. He played college football at Stephen F. Austin State University.Hunt also played for the Green Bay Packers... ILB Steve Zabel Steven Gregory Zabel is a former American football linebacker and tight end in the National Football League. After playing college football at the University of Oklahoma, he was the first pick by the Eagles in the 1970 NFL Draft.... OLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
||||||