1976 New England Patriots season: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Season of National Football League team the New England Patriots}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}} |
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}} |
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{{Infobox NFL season |
{{Infobox NFL team season |
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| team = New England Patriots |
| team = New England Patriots |
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| year = 1976 |
| year = 1976 |
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| owner = [[Billy Sullivan (American football)|Billy Sullivan]] |
| owner = [[Billy Sullivan (American football)|Billy Sullivan]] |
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| stadium = [[Schaefer Stadium]] |
| stadium = [[Schaefer Stadium]] |
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| playoffs = Lost [[NFL playoffs |
| playoffs = Lost [[1976–77 NFL playoffs|Divisional Playoffs]]<br>(at [[1976 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]]) 21–24 |
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| pro bowlers = TE [[Russ Francis]]<br>T [[Leon Gray]]<br>G [[John Hannah (American football)|John Hannah]]<br>CB [[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|Mike Haynes]] |
| pro bowlers = TE [[Russ Francis]]<br>T [[Leon Gray]]<br>G [[John Hannah (American football)|John Hannah]]<br>CB [[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|Mike Haynes]] |
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| AP All-pros = G [[John Hannah (American football)|John Hannah]] ''<small>(1st team)</small>'' <br> TE [[Russ Francis]] ''<small>(2nd team)</small>'' <br> CB [[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|Mike Haynes]] ''<small>(2nd team)</small>'' |
| AP All-pros = G [[John Hannah (American football)|John Hannah]] ''<small>(1st team)</small>'' <br> TE [[Russ Francis]] ''<small>(2nd team)</small>'' <br> CB [[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|Mike Haynes]] ''<small>(2nd team)</small>'' |
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}} |
}} |
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The ''' |
The '''1976 New England Patriots season''' was the franchise's 7th season in the [[National Football League]] and 17th overall. |
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After a nine-year stretch in which they posted just one [[1974 New England Patriots season|non-losing season]] amid eight losing years, the Patriots turned around their fortunes, going 11–3. The team had gone just 3–11 the previous season, and was considered a "[[Cinderella team]]" in 1976.<ref>[Neft, David S.; Cohen, Richard M.; and Korch, Rich [http://www.abebooks.com/book-search/isbn/0312110731/soft-cover/ The Sports Encyclopedia: Pro Football, 12th Edition], p.306, Martin's Press, August 1994, ISBN |
After a nine-year stretch in which they posted just one [[1974 New England Patriots season|non-losing season]] amid eight losing years, the Patriots turned around their fortunes, going 11–3. It marked their first winning season as an NFL team (their last winning season came in 1966 when the team was still in the [[American Football League|AFL]]). The team had gone just 3–11 the previous season, and was considered a "[[Cinderella team]]" in 1976.<ref>[Neft, David S.; Cohen, Richard M.; and Korch, Rich [http://www.abebooks.com/book-search/isbn/0312110731/soft-cover/ The Sports Encyclopedia: Pro Football, 12th Edition], p.306, Martin's Press, August 1994, {{ISBN|0-312-11073-1}}</ref> Coach [[Chuck Fairbanks]] was named [[NFL Coach of the Year]], and [[cornerback]] [[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|Mike Haynes]] was named [[NFL Rookie of the Year]]. |
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The 1976 Patriots rushed for a total of 2,957 yards (averaging five yards per carry) and scored 376 points, both second-best in the league. The 2,957 yards rushing were the fifth-highest total in NFL history at the time.<ref>The total is still 6th in NFL history for a 14-game season, [http://pfref.com/tiny/mJTcD Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 1977, in the regular season, sorted by descending Rushing Yds.]</ref> The team's 5.0 yards per carry was the best in the NFL and remains higher than all [[Super Bowl]] champions except the [[1973 Miami Dolphins season|1973 Miami Dolphins whose own run game was 5.0 yards per carry]]. |
The 1976 Patriots rushed for a total of 2,957 yards (averaging five yards per carry) and scored 376 points, both second-best in the league. The 2,957 yards rushing were the fifth-highest total in NFL history at the time.<ref>The total is still 6th in NFL history for a 14-game season, [http://pfref.com/tiny/mJTcD Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 1977, in the regular season, sorted by descending Rushing Yds.]</ref> The team's 5.0 yards per carry was the best in the NFL and remains higher than all [[Super Bowl]] champions except the [[1973 Miami Dolphins season|1973 Miami Dolphins whose own run game was 5.0 yards per carry]]. The Patriots also led the league in takeaways at 50; the Patriots finished third in the league in turnover differential at plus-14. |
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The Patriots made only their second playoff appearance in their history and first since [[1963 Boston Patriots season|1963]], but lost to the eventual [[Super Bowl XI|Super Bowl]] champion [[1976 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] in the first round of the [[1976–77 NFL playoffs|playoffs]]. |
The Patriots made only their second playoff appearance in their history and first since [[1963 Boston Patriots season|1963]], but lost to the eventual [[Super Bowl XI|Super Bowl]] champion [[1976 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] 24–21 in the first round of the [[1976–77 NFL playoffs|playoffs]]. The Patriots held a 4-point lead in the 4th quarter. But a controversial roughing the passer penalty on [[Ray Hamilton]] on a Raiders drive late in the playoff game dimmed their hopes of defeating the Raiders again. |
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Earlier in the season, the Patriots handed the Raiders their only loss of the season with a final score of 48–17. |
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Despite the playoff loss, the team has been considered one of the most talented in Patriots history;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=generalnewsdetail&pid=24095&pcid=0|title=Spirit of '76|work=Patriots.com|first=Glen|last=Farley|date=February 9, 2007|accessdate=June 15, 2009}}</ref> in [[2004 New England Patriots season|2004]], Patriots head coach [[Bill Belichick]], who was an assistant coach for the [[1976 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] in 1976, called this Patriots team "loaded", a "who's who team."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/index.cfm?ac=audionewsdetail&pcid=85&pid=9898|title=Bill Belichick Press Conference|work=Patriots.com|date=December 1, 2004|accessdate=June 15, 2009}}</ref> |
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Despite the playoff loss, the team has been considered one of the most talented in Patriots history;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=generalnewsdetail&pid=24095&pcid=0|title=Spirit of '76|work=Patriots.com|first=Glen|last=Farley|date=February 9, 2007|access-date=June 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519131320/http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=generalnewsdetail&pid=24095&pcid=0|archive-date=May 19, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> in [[2004 New England Patriots season|2004]], Patriots head coach [[Bill Belichick]], who was an assistant coach for the [[1976 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] in 1976, called this Patriots team "loaded", a "who's who team."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/index.cfm?ac=audionewsdetail&pcid=85&pid=9898|title=Bill Belichick Press Conference|work=Patriots.com|date=December 1, 2004|access-date=June 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050312105349/http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/index.cfm?ac=AudioNewsDetail&pid=9898&pcid=85|archive-date=March 12, 2005|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>[http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/12/19/catch-rough-injustice-the-1976-new-england-patriots-on-98-5-the-sports-hub WBZ-FM Radio retrospective on 1976 Patriots]</ref> |
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==Staff== |
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{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;" |
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|- |
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! colspan="7" style="background-color: #d82e39; color: white; text-align: center;"|'''New England Patriots 1976 staff''' |
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|- |
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| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Front Office''' |
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* President – [[Billy Sullivan (American football)|Billy Sullivan]] |
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*Executive Vice President – [[Chuck Sullivan]] |
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*Assistant General Manager – [[Jim Valek]] |
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*Director of Player Personnel – [[Bucko Kilroy]] |
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*Assistant Personnel Director – [[Mike Hickey]] |
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After the season, offensive line coach [[Red Miller]] was hired as head coach of the [[1977 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]].<ref name=rqprb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EiEiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vHMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1308%2C91045 |work=The Day |location=(New London, Connecticut) |agency=Associated Press |last=Mossman |first=John |title=Ralston quits Broncs, Miller seen stepping in |date=February 1, 1977 |page=18}}</ref><ref name=rwoppg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mUwNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UG0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3664%2C61726 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press |title=Ralston walks out on Broncos |date=February 1, 1977 |page=13}}</ref><ref name=ralquden >{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tztOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=te0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6837%2C82211 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Following best year, Ralston quits Denver |date=February 1, 1977 |page=17}}</ref> In his first season, he led them to the AFC's best record (12–2), their first-ever [[1977–78 NFL playoffs|postseason]] appearance, and the [[Super Bowl XII|Super Bowl]]. |
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'''Head Coaches''' |
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*Head Coach/General Manager – [[Chuck Fairbanks]] |
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== Offseason == |
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'''Offensive Coaches''' |
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=== NFL draft === |
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*Quarterbacks/Special Assistant to the Head Coach – [[John Polonchek]] |
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{{See also|1976 NFL Draft}} |
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*Offensive Backfield – [[Ron Erhardt]] |
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{{NFL team draft start |
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| year = 1976 |
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| teamname = New England Patriots |
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}} |
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{{NFL team draft entry |
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| round = 1 |
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| pick = 5 |
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| player = [[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|Mike Haynes]] |
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| position = [[Cornerback]] |
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| college = [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State]] |
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| notes = |
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| maderoster = yes |
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| hof = yes |
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| probowl = yes |
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}} |
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{{NFL team draft entry |
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| round = 1 |
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| pick = 12 |
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| player = [[Pete Brock (American football)|Pete Brock]] |
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| position = [[Center (gridiron football)|Center]] |
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| college = [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado]] |
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| notes = |
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| maderoster = yes |
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| hof = |
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| probowl = |
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}} |
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{{NFL team draft entry |
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| round = 1 |
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| pick = 21 |
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| player = [[Tim Fox (American football)|Tim Fox]] |
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| position = [[Safety (gridiron football position)|Safety]] |
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| college = [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]] |
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| notes = |
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| maderoster = yes |
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| hof = |
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| probowl = yes |
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}} |
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{{NFL team draft entry |
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| round = 2 |
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| pick = 35 |
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| player = [[Ike Forte]] |
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| position = [[Running back]] |
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| college = [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]] |
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| notes = |
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| maderoster = yes |
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| hof = |
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| probowl = |
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}} |
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{{NFL team draft end}} |
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== Staff == |
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{{NFL final staff |
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|Year=1976 |
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|TeamName=New England Patriots |
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|Front Office= |
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* President – [[Billy Sullivan (American football)|Billy Sullivan]] |
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*Executive vice president – [[Chuck Sullivan]] |
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*Assistant general manager – [[Jim Valek]] |
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*Director of player personnel – [[Bucko Kilroy]] |
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*Assistant personnel director – Mike Hickey |
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|Head Coaches= |
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*Head coach/general manager – [[Chuck Fairbanks]] |
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|Offensive Coaches= |
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*Quarterbacks/special assistant to the head coach – [[John Polonchek]] |
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*Offensive backfield – [[Ron Erhardt]] |
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*Receivers – [[Ray Perkins (wide receiver)|Ray Perkins]] |
*Receivers – [[Ray Perkins (wide receiver)|Ray Perkins]] |
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*Offensive |
*Offensive line – [[Red Miller]] |
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*Offensive |
*Offensive assistant – [[Ernie Adams (American football)|Ernie Adams]] |
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|Defensive Coaches= |
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|width="35"| |
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*Defensive line – [[Hank Bullough]] |
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|valign="top"| |
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*Outside linebackers – [[Rollie Dotsch]] |
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| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | |
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*Linebackers/secondary – [[Charlie Sumner]] |
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'''Defensive Coaches''' |
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*Defensive |
*Defensive backfield – [[Larry Weaver]] |
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|Special Teams Coaches= |
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*Outside Linebackers – [[Rollie Dotsch]] |
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* |
*Special teams/offensive backfield – [[Tom Yewcic]] |
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}} |
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*Defensive Backfield – [[Larry Weaver]] |
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== Roster == |
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'''Special Teams Coaches''' |
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{{NFL season roster |
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*Special Teams/Offensive Backfield – [[Tom Yewcic]] |
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| year = 1976 |
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|} |
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| team = New England Patriots |
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| quarterbacks = |
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{{NFLplayer|14|Steve Grogan}} |
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{{NFLplayer|17|Tom Owen|d=American football}} |
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| running_backs = |
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{{NFLplayer|44|Don Calhoun}} |
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{{NFLplayer|21|Allen Carter}} |
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{{NFLplayer|39|Sam Cunningham}} |
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{{NFLplayer|38|Ike Forte|rookie=y}} |
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{{NFLplayer|32|Andy Johnson|d=American football}} |
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{{NFLplayer|35|Jess Phillips|d=American football}} |
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| wide_receivers = |
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{{NFLplayer|88|Marlin Briscoe}} |
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{{NFLplayer|82|Steve Burks}} |
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{{NFLplayer|83|Ricky Feacher|rookie=y}} |
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{{NFLplayer|84|Darryl Stingley}} |
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{{NFLplayer|18|Randy Vataha}} |
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| tight_ends = |
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{{NFLplayer|87|Al Chandler}} |
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{{NFLplayer|81|Russ Francis}} |
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| offensive_linemen = |
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{{NFLplayer|61|Sam Adams Sr.|G}} |
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{{NFLplayer|58|Pete Brock|d=American football|rookie=y|C}} |
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{{NFLplayer|70|Leon Gray|T}} |
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{{NFLplayer|73|John Hannah|d=American football|G}} |
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{{NFLplayer|74|Shelby Jordan|T}} |
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{{NFLplayer|67|Bill Lenkaitis|C}} |
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{{NFLplayer|66|Bob McKay|T}} |
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{{NFLplayer|77|Tom Neville|d=offensive tackle|T}} |
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{{NFLplayer|63|Fred Sturt|G}} |
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| defensive_linemen = |
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{{NFLplayer|85|Julius Adams|DE}} |
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{{NFLplayer|64|Richard Bishop|d=gridiron football|rookie=y|DE}} |
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{{NFLplayer|71|Ray Hamilton|DT}} |
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{{NFLplayer|72|Mel Lunsford|DE}} |
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{{NFLplayer|74|Ladell Lydic|DT}} |
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{{NFLplayer|78|Tony McGee|DE}} |
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{{NFLplayer|75|Arthur Moore|d=American football|NT}} |
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{{NFLplayer|60|David Tipton|d=defensive tackle|NT}} |
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| linebackers = |
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{{NFLplayer|59|Pete Barnes}} |
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{{NFLplayer|50|Sam Hunt|d=American football}} |
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{{NFLplayer|52|Steve King|d=American football}} |
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{{NFLplayer|57|Steve Nelson|d=American football}} |
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{{NFLplayer|53|Jim Romaniszyn}} |
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{{NFLplayer|51|Donnie Thomas|d=American football|rookie=y}} |
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{{NFLplayer|90|George Webster|d=American football}} |
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{{NFLplayer|54|Steve Zabel}} |
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| defensive_backs = |
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{{NFLplayer|27|Doug Beaudoin|rookie=y|SS}} |
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{{NFLplayer|21|Joe Blahak|FS}} |
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{{NFLplayer|22|Dick Conn|FS}} |
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{{NFLplayer|48|Tim Fox|d=American football|rookie=y|FS}} |
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{{NFLplayer|29|Willie Germany|SS}} |
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{{NFLplayer|40|Mike Haynes|d=cornerback|rookie=y|CB}} |
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{{NFLplayer|24|Bob Howard|d=American football|CB}} |
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{{NFLplayer|34|Prentice McCray|SS}} |
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{{NFLplayer|25|Deac Sanders|CB}} |
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| special_teams = |
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{{NFLplayer| 2|Mike Patrick|d=American football|P}} |
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{{NFLplayer| 1|John Smith|d=placekicker|K}} |
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| reserve_lists = |
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{{NFLplayer|65|Greg Boyd|d=American football|rookie=y|DE|IR}} |
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| practice_squad = *''Vacant - None'' |
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}} |
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==Preseason== |
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
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|- |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Week |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Date |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Opponent |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Result |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Record |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Venue |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Attendance |
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|-style="background:#cfc" |
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! 1 |
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| August 1 |
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| [[1976 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] |
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| '''W''' 13–7 {{Small|(OT)}} |
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| 1–0 |
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| [[Foxboro Stadium|Schaefer Stadium]] |
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| 30,032 |
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|-style="background:#fcc" |
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! 2 |
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| {{dow tooltip|August 6, 1976}} |
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| vs. [[1976 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] |
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| '''L''' 17–26 |
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| 1–1 |
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| [[Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium|Oklahoma Memorial Stadium]] |
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| 23,800 |
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|-style="background:#cfc" |
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! 3 |
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| August 15 |
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| [[1976 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] |
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| '''L''' 14–16 |
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| 1–2 |
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| Schaefer Stadium |
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| 30,552 |
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|-style="background:#cfc" |
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! 4 |
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| {{dow tooltip|August 21, 1976}} |
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| at [[1976 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]] |
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| '''W''' 28–17 |
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| 2–2 |
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| [[Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium]] |
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| 23,495 |
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|-style="background:#fcc" |
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! 5 |
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| {{dow tooltip|August 29, 1976}} |
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| at [[1976 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] |
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| '''L''' 27–30 |
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| 2–3 |
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| [[Cleveland Municipal Stadium]] |
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| 36,016 |
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|-style="background:#cfc" |
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! 6 |
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| September 5 |
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| [[1976 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] |
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| '''W''' 20–7 |
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| 3–3 |
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| Schaefer Stadium |
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| 32,254 |
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|}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1976nflne.html|title=1976 New England Patriots (NFL)|publisher=Pro Football Archives|access-date=October 22, 2023}}</ref> |
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==Schedule== |
== Schedule == |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
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|- |
|- |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Week |
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! Week |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Date |
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! Date |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Opponent |
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! Opponent |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Result |
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! Result |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Record |
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! Stadium |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Venue |
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! Record |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Attendance |
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! Attendance |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Game Recap |
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|-bgcolor="#ffdddd" |
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|-style="background:#fcc" |
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| 1 |
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! 1 |
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| September 12 |
| September 12 |
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| [[1976 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]] |
| '''[[1976 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]]''' |
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| L 13–27 |
| '''L''' 13–27 |
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| 0–1 |
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| [[Schaefer Stadium]] |
| [[Schaefer Stadium]] |
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| |
| 43,512 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197609120nwe.htm Recap] |
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| <center>43,512</center> |
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|-style="background:#cfc" |
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|-bgcolor="#ddffdd" |
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! 2 |
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| September 19 |
| September 19 |
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| [[1976 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] |
| '''[[1976 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]''' |
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| W 30–14 |
| '''W''' 30–14 |
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| [[Schaefer Stadium]] |
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| 1–1 |
| 1–1 |
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| Schaefer Stadium |
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| <center>46,053</center> |
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| 46,053 |
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|-bgcolor="#ddffdd" |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197609190nwe.htm Recap] |
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| 3 |
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|-style="background:#cfc" |
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! 3 |
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| September 26 |
| September 26 |
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| at [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] |
| at [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] |
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| W 30–27 |
| '''W''' 30–27 |
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| 2–1 |
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| [[Three Rivers Stadium]] |
| [[Three Rivers Stadium]] |
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| |
| 47,379 |
||
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197609260pit.htm Recap] |
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| <center>47,379</center> |
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|-style="background:#cfc" |
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|-bgcolor="#ddffdd" |
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! 4 |
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| October 3 |
| October 3 |
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| [[1976 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] |
| [[1976 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] |
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| W 48–17 |
| '''W''' 48–17 |
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| [[Schaefer Stadium]] |
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| 3–1 |
| 3–1 |
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| Schaefer Stadium |
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| <center>61,068</center> |
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| 61,068 |
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|-bgcolor="#ffdddd" |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197610030nwe.htm Recap] |
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| 5 |
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|-style="background:#fcc" |
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! 5 |
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| October 10 |
| October 10 |
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| at [[1976 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] |
| at [[1976 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] |
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| L 10–30 |
| '''L''' 10–30 |
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| 3–2 |
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| [[Pontiac Silverdome]] |
| [[Pontiac Silverdome]] |
||
| |
| 60,174 |
||
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197610100det.htm Recap] |
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| <center>60,174</center> |
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|-style="background:#cfc" |
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|-bgcolor="#ddffdd" |
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! 6 |
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| October 18 |
| October 18 |
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| [[1976 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] |
| '''[[1976 New York Jets season|New York Jets]]''' |
||
| W 41–7 |
| '''W''' 41–7 |
||
| [[Schaefer Stadium]] |
|||
| 4–2 |
| 4–2 |
||
| Schaefer Stadium |
|||
| <center>50,883</center> |
|||
| 50,883 |
|||
|-bgcolor="#ddffdd" |
|||
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197610180nwe.htm Recap] |
|||
| 7 |
|||
|-style="background:#cfc" |
|||
! 7 |
|||
| October 24 |
| October 24 |
||
| at [[1976 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] |
| at '''[[1976 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]''' |
||
| W 26–22 |
| '''W''' 26–22 |
||
| 5–2 |
|||
| [[Rich Stadium]] |
| [[Rich Stadium]] |
||
| |
| 45,144 |
||
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197610240buf.htm Recap] |
|||
| <center>45,144</center> |
|||
|-style="background:#fcc" |
|||
|-bgcolor="#ffdddd" |
|||
! 8 |
|||
| October 31 |
| October 31 |
||
| at Miami Dolphins |
| at '''[[1976 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]''' |
||
| L 3–10 |
| '''L''' 3–10 |
||
| 5–3 |
|||
| [[Miami Orange Bowl]] |
| [[Miami Orange Bowl]] |
||
| |
| 52,863 |
||
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197610310mia.htm Recap] |
|||
| <center>52,863</center> |
|||
|-style="background:#cfc" |
|||
|-bgcolor="#ddffdd" |
|||
! 9 |
|||
| November 7 |
| November 7 |
||
| Buffalo Bills |
| '''[[1976 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]''' |
||
| W 20–10 |
| '''W''' 20–10 |
||
| [[Schaefer Stadium]] |
|||
| 6–3 |
| 6–3 |
||
| Schaefer Stadium |
|||
| <center>61,157</center> |
|||
| 61,157 |
|||
|-bgcolor="#ddffdd" |
|||
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197611070nwe.htm Recap] |
|||
| 10 |
|||
|-style="background:#cfc" |
|||
! 10 |
|||
| November 14 |
| November 14 |
||
| at Baltimore Colts |
| at '''[[1976 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]]''' |
||
| W 21–14 |
| '''W''' 21–14 |
||
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]] |
|||
| 7–3 |
| 7–3 |
||
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]] |
|||
| <center>58,226</center> |
|||
| 58,226 |
|||
|-bgcolor="#ddffdd" |
|||
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197611140clt.htm Recap] |
|||
| 11 |
|||
|-style="background:#cfc" |
|||
! 11 |
|||
| November 21 |
| November 21 |
||
| at New York Jets |
| at '''[[1976 New York Jets season|New York Jets]]''' |
||
| W 38–24 |
| '''W''' 38–24 |
||
| 8–3 |
|||
| [[Shea Stadium]] |
| [[Shea Stadium]] |
||
| |
| 49,983 |
||
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197611210nyj.htm Recap] |
|||
| <center>49,983</center> |
|||
|-style="background:#cfc" |
|||
|-bgcolor="#ddffdd" |
|||
! 12 |
|||
| November 28 |
| November 28 |
||
| [[1976 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] |
| [[1976 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] |
||
| W 38–14 |
| '''W''' 38–14 |
||
| [[Schaefer Stadium]] |
|||
| 9–3 |
| 9–3 |
||
| Schaefer Stadium |
|||
| <center>61,128</center> |
|||
| 61,128 |
|||
|-bgcolor="#ddffdd" |
|||
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197611280nwe.htm Recap] |
|||
| 13 |
|||
|-style="background:#cfc" |
|||
! 13 |
|||
| December 5 |
| December 5 |
||
| [[1976 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]] |
| [[1976 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]] |
||
| W 27–6 |
| '''W''' 27–6 |
||
| [[Schaefer Stadium]] |
|||
| 10–3 |
| 10–3 |
||
| Schaefer Stadium |
|||
| <center>53,592</center> |
|||
| 53,592 |
|||
|-bgcolor="#ddffdd" |
|||
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197612050nwe.htm Recap] |
|||
| 14 |
|||
|-style="background:#cfc" |
|||
! 14 |
|||
| December 12 |
| December 12 |
||
| at [[1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] |
| at [[1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] |
||
| W 31–14 |
| '''W''' 31–14 |
||
| [[Tampa Stadium]] |
|||
| 11–3 |
| 11–3 |
||
| [[Tampa Stadium]] |
|||
| <center>41,517</center> |
|||
| 41,517 |
|||
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197612120tam.htm Recap] |
|||
|-style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}" |
|||
|colspan="8"| '''Note:''' Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text. |
|||
|} |
|||
=== Post-season schedule === |
|||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Round |
|||
| Playoffs |
|||
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Date |
|||
| |
|||
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Opponent (seed) |
|||
|-bgcolor="#ffdddd" |
|||
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Result |
|||
| Divisional |
|||
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Record |
|||
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Venue |
|||
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Attendance |
|||
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}"| Game recap |
|||
|-style="background:#fcc" |
|||
! [[1976–77 NFL playoffs|Divisional]] |
|||
| December 18 |
| December 18 |
||
| |
| [[1976 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] (1) |
||
| L 21–24 |
| '''L''' 21–24 |
||
| [[Oakland Coliseum]] |
|||
| 0–1 |
| 0–1 |
||
| [[Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum]] |
|||
| <center>53,045</center> |
|||
| 53,045 |
|||
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197612180rai.htm Recap] |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
==Game |
== Game summaries == |
||
*August 30 ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' (preseason) at [[1976 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]]: |
* August 30 ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' (preseason) at [[1976 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]]: |
||
The Patriots fell |
The Patriots fell 30–27 in a Monday Night preseason game; rookie cornerback [[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|Michael Haynes]] ran back a punt but began celebrating at the five-yard line and was hit and fumbled; [[Darryl Stingley]] grabbed the fumble and scored. Entering the season the Patriots had never scored on a punt return in any game. The loss was the third of the six-game preseason. |
||
*September 12 vs. [[1976 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]]: |
* September 12 vs. [[1976 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]]: |
||
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. |
Four Steve Grogan interceptions and a fumble doomed the Patriots as the “Shake & Bake” 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. |
||
*September 19 vs. [[1976 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]: |
* September 19 vs. [[1976 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]: |
||
The Pats rebounded with 278 rushing yards and four touchdowns (two rushing scores by [[Andy Johnson (American football)|Andy Johnson]], a Grogan rushing score, and a four-yard toss to [[Russ Francis]]) in a 30–14 rout of Miami. |
The Pats rebounded with 278 rushing yards and four touchdowns (two rushing scores by [[Andy Johnson (American football)|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 interceptions. |
||
*September 26 at [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]: |
* September 26 at [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]: |
||
Forcing six Steeler fumbles, 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. |
Forcing six Steeler fumbles in heavy rain, 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. [[Don Calhoun]]'s fumble in the final four minutes led to a Bradshaw touchdown, and after forcing another punt with 1:29 to go Bradshaw nearly fumbled away the ball but converted two first downs requiring 25 or more yards. With three seconds to go [[Roy Gerela]] missed a field goal and the Patriots had an upset 30–27 win. |
||
*October 3 vs. [[1976 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] |
* October 3 vs. [[1976 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] |
||
{{Americanfootballbox |
|||
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 (American football)|Andy Johnson]] and [[Jess Phillips (American football)|Jess Phillips]] rushed in additional touchdowns. During the third quarter a Raiders touchdown was twice wiped out on penalties and the drive ended in a Stabler sack on third-and-26. |
|||
|bg= |
|||
|bg2= |
|||
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|New England Patriots|year=1976|border=2}}; text-align:center |
|||
|state=collapsed |
|||
|title=Oakland Raiders (2–1) at New England Patriots (2–1) |
|||
|date=October 3 |
|||
|time=1:00 p.m. EDT |
|||
|road=Raiders |
|||
|R1=0 |R2=10 |R3=0 |R4=7 |
|||
|home=Patriots |
|||
|H1=7 |H2=14 |H3=14 |H4=13 |
|||
|stadium=[[Schaefer Stadium]] • [[Foxboro, Massachusetts]] |
|||
|attendance= |
|||
|weather={{Convert|60|F|C}} • Wind 10 |
|||
|referee= |
|||
|TV= |
|||
|TVAnnouncers= |
|||
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197610030nwe.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com] |
|||
<!--|scoring=see below--> |
|||
|stats= |
|||
{{Col-begin}} |
|||
{{Col-2}} |
|||
;Raiders |
|||
*[[Ken Stabler]]<br>20/35, 225 Yds, TD, INT |
|||
*[[Mark van Eeghen]]<br>8 Rush, 34 Yds |
|||
*[[Dave Casper]]<br>12 Rec, 136 Yds |
|||
{{Col-2}} |
|||
;Patriots |
|||
*[[Steve Grogan]]<br>10/14, 165 Yds, 3 TD, INT |
|||
*[[Sam Cunningham]]<br>21 Rush, 101 Yds<br>5 Rec, 94 Yds |
|||
{{Col-end}} |
|||
}} |
|||
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 (American football)|Andy Johnson]] and [[Jess Phillips (American football)|Jess Phillips]] rushed in additional touchdowns. During the third quarter a Raiders touchdown was twice wiped out on penalties and the drive ended in a Stabler sack on third-and-26. |
|||
*October 10 at [[1976 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]: |
|||
The Patriots never got on track as Grogan threw five picks and the Lions, led by running back [[Horace King (American football)|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. |
|||
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=OAK|HomeName=NE|state=collapsed}} |
|||
*October 18 ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' vs. [[1976 New York Jets season|NY Jets]]: |
|||
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |
|||
The Patriots despite ten penalties exploded to 330 rushing yards (103 of them with a touchdown by [[Steve Grogan]]) as they annihilated the Jets 41-7. [[Alex Karras]] (whose grandnephew would be drafted by the Patriots in [[2016 New England Patriots season|2016]]) was working the [[ABC Sports]] booth and read aloud Jets coach [[Lou Holtz]]'s fight song for the team, a reworked version of the [[US Army]]'s original march [[The Army Goes Rolling Along|The Caissons Go Rolling Along]]. |
|||
| Quarter=1 |
|||
| Time= |
|||
| Team=Patriots |
|||
| DrivePlays= |
|||
| DriveLength= |
|||
| DriveTime= |
|||
| Type=RushTD |
|||
| Runner=[[Andy Johnson (American football)|Johnson]] |
|||
| yards=2 |
|||
| kickresult=good |
|||
| Kicker=[[John Smith (placekicker)|Smith]] |
|||
| 2pt type=run/pass |
|||
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete |
|||
| Visitor=0 |
|||
| Home=7 |
|||
}} |
|||
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |
|||
| Quarter=2 |
|||
| Time= |
|||
| Team=Patriots |
|||
| DrivePlays= |
|||
| DriveLength= |
|||
| DriveTime= |
|||
| Type=RecTD |
|||
| Receiver=[[Darryl Stingley|Stingley]] |
|||
| QB=[[Steve Grogan|Grogan]] |
|||
| yards=21 |
|||
| kickresult= good |
|||
| Kicker=Smith |
|||
| 2pt type=run/pass |
|||
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete |
|||
| Visitor=0 |
|||
| Home=14 |
|||
}} |
|||
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |
|||
| Quarter=2 |
|||
| Time= |
|||
| Team=Raiders |
|||
| DrivePlays= |
|||
| DriveLength= |
|||
| DriveTime= |
|||
| Type=RecTD |
|||
| Receiver=[[Fred Biletnikoff|Biletnikoff]] |
|||
| QB=[[Ken Stabler|Stabler]] |
|||
| yards=15 |
|||
| kickresult= good |
|||
| Kicker=[[Fred Steinfort|Steinfort]] |
|||
| 2pt type=run/pass |
|||
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete |
|||
| Visitor=7 |
|||
| Home=14 |
|||
}} |
|||
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |
|||
| Quarter=2 |
|||
| Time= |
|||
| Team=Patriots |
|||
| DrivePlays= |
|||
| DriveLength= |
|||
| DriveTime= |
|||
| Type=RecTD |
|||
| Receiver=[[Marlin Briscoe|Briscoe]] |
|||
| QB=Grogan |
|||
| yards=16 |
|||
| kickresult= good |
|||
| Kicker=Smith |
|||
| 2pt type=run/pass |
|||
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete |
|||
| Visitor=7 |
|||
| Home=21 |
|||
}} |
|||
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |
|||
| Quarter=2 |
|||
| Time= |
|||
| Team=Raiders |
|||
| DrivePlays= |
|||
| DriveLength= |
|||
| DriveTime= |
|||
| Type=FG |
|||
| yards=44 |
|||
| Kicker=Steinfort |
|||
| Visitor=10 |
|||
| Home=21 |
|||
}} |
|||
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |
|||
| Quarter=3 |
|||
| Time= |
|||
| Team=Patriots |
|||
| DrivePlays= |
|||
| DriveLength= |
|||
| DriveTime= |
|||
| Type=RecTD |
|||
| Receiver=Stingley |
|||
| QB=Grogan |
|||
| yards=15 |
|||
| kickresult= good |
|||
| Kicker=Smith |
|||
| 2pt type=run/pass |
|||
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete |
|||
| Visitor=10 |
|||
| Home=28 |
|||
}} |
|||
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |
|||
| Quarter=3 |
|||
| Time= |
|||
| Team=Patriots |
|||
| DrivePlays= |
|||
| DriveLength= |
|||
| DriveTime= |
|||
| Type=RushTD |
|||
| Runner=Grogan |
|||
| yards=2 |
|||
| kickresult= good |
|||
| Kicker=Smith |
|||
| 2pt type=run/pass |
|||
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete |
|||
| Visitor=10 |
|||
| Home=35 |
|||
}} |
|||
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |
|||
| Quarter=4 |
|||
| Time= |
|||
| Team=Patriots |
|||
| DrivePlays= |
|||
| DriveLength= |
|||
| DriveTime= |
|||
| Type=RushTD |
|||
| Runner=Grogan |
|||
| yards=10 |
|||
| kickresult= good |
|||
| Kicker=Smith |
|||
| 2pt type=run/pass |
|||
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete |
|||
| Visitor=10 |
|||
| Home=42 |
|||
}} |
|||
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |
|||
| Quarter=4 |
|||
| Time= |
|||
| Team=Patriots |
|||
| DrivePlays= |
|||
| DriveLength= |
|||
| DriveTime= |
|||
| Type=RushTD |
|||
| Runner=[[Jess Phillips (American football)|Phillips]] |
|||
| yards=11 |
|||
| kickresult=no good |
|||
| Kicker=Smith |
|||
| 2pt type=run/pass |
|||
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete |
|||
| Visitor=10 |
|||
| Home=48 |
|||
}} |
|||
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |
|||
| Quarter=4 |
|||
| Time= |
|||
| Team=Raiders |
|||
| DrivePlays= |
|||
| DriveLength= |
|||
| DriveTime= |
|||
| Type=RushTD |
|||
| Runner=[[Mike Rae|Rae]] |
|||
| yards=1 |
|||
| kickresult= good |
|||
| Kicker=Steinfort |
|||
| 2pt type=run/pass |
|||
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete |
|||
| Visitor=17 |
|||
| Home=48 |
|||
}} |
|||
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=17|Home=48}} |
|||
* October 10 at [[1976 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]: |
|||
The Patriots never got on track as Grogan threw five picks and the Lions, led by running back [[Horace King (American football)|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. |
|||
*October |
* October 18 ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' vs. [[1976 New York Jets season|NY Jets]]: |
||
The Patriots despite ten penalties exploded to 330 rushing yards (103 of them with a touchdown by [[Steve Grogan]]; Grogan said years later the score came after botching what was supposed to be a hand off to [[Sam Cunningham]]) as they annihilated the Jets 41–7. [[Alex Karras]] (whose grandnephew Ted would be drafted by the Patriots in [[2016 New England Patriots season|2016]]) was working the [[ABC Sports]] booth and read aloud Jets coach [[Lou Holtz]]'s fight song for the team, a reworked version of the [[US Army]]'s original march [[The Army Goes Rolling Along|The Caissons Go Rolling Along]]. |
|||
The Patriots posted their first win over the Bills since 1971 as the two teams combined for nine turnovers, 125 yards in penalties, and 586 yards of offense in the 26-22 New England win. [[Sam Cunningham]] and [[OJ Simpson]] combined for 229 rushing yards. |
|||
* |
* October 24 @ [[Ralph Wilson Stadium|Buffalo Bills]]: |
||
The Patriots posted their first win over the Bills since 1971 as the two teams combined for nine turnovers, 125 yards in penalties, and 586 yards of offense in the 26-22 New England win. [[Sam Cunningham]] and [[O. J. Simpson]] combined for 229 rushing yards. |
|||
Despite 130 rushing yards from five Patriots backs New England fell at Miami 10-3; all scoring took place in the second quarter as [[Jim Mandich]] accounted for the game's only touchdown. The Patriots were also penalized eleven times for 80 yards. |
|||
* [[Halloween]] @ [[Miami Orange Bowl|Miami Dolphins]]: |
|||
*November 7 vs. [[1976 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]: |
|||
Despite 130 rushing yards from five Patriots backs New England fell at Miami 10–3; all scoring took place in the second quarter as [[Jim Mandich]] accounted for the game's only touchdown. The Patriots were also penalized eleven times for 80 yards. |
|||
[[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|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; the Bills also fumbled four times while the Patriots coughed up the ball fives times (three fumbles and two INTs). [[O. J. Simpson]] threw a punch at [[Mel Lunsford]] and both players were ejected after the ensuing fight. |
|||
*November |
* November 7 vs. [[1976 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]: |
||
[[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|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; the Bills also fumbled four times while the Patriots coughed up five turnovers (three fumbles and two INTs). [[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 (cornerback)|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. |
|||
*November |
* November 14 at [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Baltimore Colts]]: |
||
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 (cornerback)|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 (American football)|Pat Leahy]] field goal and a [[Greg Buttle]] fumble-return score, but the Patriots behind [[Steve Grogan]] throws to [[Andy Johnson (American football)|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 (cornerback)|Mike Haynes]] grabbed three and [[Tim Fox (American football)|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 (American football)|Richard Todd]] took over; he threw a touchdown to [[Clark Gaines]] but was later picked off by [[Bob Howard (American football)|Bob Howard]]. Grogan threw for just 83 yards and three scores as the Patriots routed the Jets 38–24. |
|||
*November |
* November 21 at [[1976 New York Jets season|New York Jets]]: |
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The Jets hosted the Patriots at [[Shea Stadium]] and raced to a 10–0 lead in the first quarter behind a [[Pat Leahy (American football)|Pat Leahy]] field goal and a [[Greg Buttle]] fumble-return score, but the Patriots behind [[Steve Grogan]] throws to [[Andy Johnson (American football)|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 (cornerback)|Mike Haynes]] grabbed three and [[Tim Fox (American football)|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 (American football)|Richard Todd]] took over; he threw a touchdown to [[Clark Gaines]] but was later picked off by [[Bob Howard (American football)|Bob Howard]]. Grogan threw for just 83 yards and three scores as the Patriots routed the Jets 38–24. |
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The Patriots amassed their highest rushing yardage of the year as [[Don Calhoun]] (177 yards), [[Andy Johnson (American football)|Andy Johnson]], and [[Ike Forte]] ground up 332 yards on the ground. [[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|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. |
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* |
* November 28 vs. [[1976 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]: |
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The Patriots amassed their highest rushing yardage of the year as [[Don Calhoun]] (177 yards), [[Andy Johnson (American football)|Andy Johnson]], and [[Ike Forte]] ground up 332 yards on the ground. [[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|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. |
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With [[Archie Manning]] out for the year the Saints wound up using two quarterbacks (including ex-Bear [[Bobby Douglass]]) but managed only 236 total yards vs. 220 rushing yards from the Patriots led by [[Don Calhoun]]'s 113 yards. In winning 27-6 [[Steve Grogan]] completed only nine of 23 passes but two of them were touchdowns, one to [[Al Chandler]], subbing for injured [[Russ Francis]]. The win was the 100th career victory in the franchise's history. |
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*December |
* December 5 vs. [[1976 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]: |
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With [[Archie Manning]] out for the year the Saints wound up using two quarterbacks (including ex-Bear [[Bobby Douglass]]) but managed only 236 total yards vs. 220 rushing yards from the Patriots led by [[Don Calhoun]]'s 113 yards. In winning 27-6 [[Steve Grogan]] completed only nine of 23 passes but two of them were touchdowns, one to [[Al Chandler]], subbing for injured [[Russ Francis]]. The win was the 100th career victory in the franchise's history. |
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[[Steve Grogan]] had his worst passing day of the season with just 40 yards in the air and a pick amid just four completions in 14 attempts. Six Patriots backs led by [[Andy Johnson (American football)|Andy Johnson]] rushed for 260 yards and three touchdowns while [[Sam Hunt (American football)|Sam Hunt]] picked off [[Steve Spurrier]] and ran back 68-yard touchdown. The game ended Tampa's winless first ever season. |
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*December |
* December 12 @ [[1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]: |
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[[Steve Grogan]] had his worst passing day of the season with just 40 yards in the air and a pick amid just four completions in 14 attempts. Six Patriots backs led by [[Andy Johnson (American football)|Andy Johnson]] rushed for 260 yards and three touchdowns while [[Sam Hunt (American football)|Sam Hunt]] picked off [[Steve Spurrier]] and ran back 68-yard touchdown. The game ended Tampa's winless first ever season. |
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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 (American football)|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 (American football)|John Hannah]] claimed the sideline official moved the first down marker just before Cunningham went out of bounds, denying him a first down.<ref>Felger, Michael (2004). ''Tales from the Patriots Sideline''. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58261-525-7. p. 42</ref> 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 the Raiders were barking out dummy snap counts themselves<ref>John Hannah with Tom Hale (2013), ''OFFENSIVE CONDUCT: My Life On The Line'' (Triumph Books: Chicago, Illinois), p. 128</ref> and Hannah, [[Leon Gray]], and [[Pete Brock (American football)|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."<ref>Felger, ''Patriots Sideline'', p. 39</ref> The Patriots missed the ensuing field goal attempt and the Raiders took possession. In the final minute of the fourth quarter [[Ray Hamilton|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. The Patriots stopped the Raiders on 3rd and 1 near the goal line but another personal foul penalty (this one on [[Prentice McCray]]) extended the Raiders drive, and on second and goal 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. |
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* December 18 at [[Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum|Oakland Raiders]]: |
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===Standings=== |
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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 (safety)|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 (American football)|John Hannah]] claimed the sideline official moved the first down marker just before Cunningham went out of bounds, denying him a first down.<ref>Felger, Michael (2004). ''Tales from the Patriots Sideline''. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing. {{ISBN|978-1-58261-525-7}}. p. 42</ref> 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 the Raiders were barking out dummy snap counts themselves<ref>John Hannah with Tom Hale (2013), ''OFFENSIVE CONDUCT: My Life On The Line'' (Triumph Books: Chicago, Illinois), p. 128</ref> and Hannah, [[Leon Gray]], and [[Pete Brock (American football)|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."<ref>Felger, ''Patriots Sideline'', p. 39</ref> The Patriots missed the ensuing field goal attempt and the Raiders took possession. In the final minute of the fourth quarter [[Ray Hamilton|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. The Patriots stopped the Raiders on 3rd and 1 near the goal line but another personal foul penalty (this one on [[Prentice McCray]]) extended the Raiders drive, and on second and goal 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 1980. |
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=== Standings === |
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{{1976 AFC East standings}} |
{{1976 AFC East standings}} |
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== |
== References == |
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{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;" |
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|- |
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! colspan="9" style="background-color: #d82e39; color: white; text-align: center;"|'''New England Patriots 1976 roster''' |
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|- |
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| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Quarterbacks''' |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">14</span> [[Steve Grogan]] |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">17</span> [[Tom Owen (American football)|Tom Owen]] |
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'''Running Backs''' |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">44</span> [[Don Calhoun]] FB |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">21</span> [[Allen Carter]] |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">39</span> [[Sam Cunningham]] FB |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">38</span> [[Ike Forte]] |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">32</span> [[Andy Johnson (American football)|Andy Johnson]] |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">35</span> [[Jess Phillips (American football)|Jess Phillips]] |
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'''Wide Receivers''' |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">88</span> [[Marlin Briscoe]] |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">82</span> [[Steve Burks]] |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">83</span> [[Ricky Feacher]] |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">84</span> [[Darryl Stingley]] |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">18</span> [[Randy Vataha]] |
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'''Tight Ends''' |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">87</span> [[Al Chandler]] |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">81</span> [[Russ Francis]] |
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| style="width: 25px;" | |
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| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" |'''Offensive Linemen''' |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">61</span> [[Sam Adams, Sr.|Sam Adams]] G |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">58</span> [[Pete Brock (American football)|Pete Brock]] C/G |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">70</span> [[Leon Gray]] T |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">73</span> [[John Hannah (American football)|John Hannah]] G |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">67</span> [[Bill Lenkaitis]] C |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">66</span> [[Bob McKay]] T |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">77</span> [[Tom Neville (offensive tackle)|Tom Neville]] T |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">63</span> [[Fred Sturt]] G |
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'''Defensive Linemen''' |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">85</span> [[Julius Adams]] DE |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">64</span> [[Richard Bishop (American football)|Richard Bishop]] NT |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">71</span> [[Ray Hamilton]] NT |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">72</span> [[Mel Lunsford]] DE |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">78</span> [[Tony McGee]] DE |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">75</span> [[Arthur Moore (American football)|Arthur Moore]] NT |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">60</span> [[David Tipton (defensive tackle)|David Tipton]] NT |
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| style="width: 25px;" | |
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| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" |'''Linebackers''' |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">59</span> [[Pete Barnes]] OLB |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">50</span> [[Sam Hunt (American football)|Sam Hunt]] ILB |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">52</span> [[Steve King (American football)|Steve King]] OLB |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">57</span> [[Steve Nelson (American football)|Steve Nelson]] ILB |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">53</span> [[Jim Romaniszyn]] ILB |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">51</span> [[Donnie Thomas (American football)|Donnie Thomas]] ILB |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">90</span> [[George Webster (American football)|George Webster]] ILB |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">54</span> [[Steve Zabel]] OLB |
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'''Defensive Backs''' |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">27</span> [[Doug Beaudoin]] SS |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">21</span> [[Joe Blahak]] FS |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">22</span> [[Dick Conn]] FS |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">48</span> [[Tim Fox (American football)|Tim Fox]] FS |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">29</span> [[Willie Germany]] SS |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">40</span> [[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|Mike Haynes]] CB |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">24</span> [[Bob Howard (American football)|Bob Howard]] CB |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">34</span> [[Prentice McCray]] SS |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;">25</span> [[Deac Sanders]] CB |
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'''Special Teams''' |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;"> 2</span> [[Mike Patrick (American football)|Mike Patrick]] P |
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* <span style="font-family: Courier New;"> 1</span> [[John Smith (American football)|John Smith]] K |
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|} |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
{{reflist|30em}} |
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[[Category:1976 National Football League season by team|New England Patriots]] |
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[[Category:New England Patriots seasons]] |
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[[Category:1976 in sports in Massachusetts|New England Patriots]] |
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[[Category:Sports competitions in Foxborough, Massachusetts]] |
Revision as of 13:15, 27 April 2024
1976 New England Patriots season | |
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Owner | Billy Sullivan |
General manager | Chuck Fairbanks |
Head coach | Chuck Fairbanks |
Home field | Schaefer Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 11–3 |
Division place | 2nd AFC East |
Playoff finish | Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Raiders) 21–24 |
Pro Bowlers | TE Russ Francis T Leon Gray G John Hannah CB Mike Haynes |
AP All-Pros | G John Hannah (1st team) TE Russ Francis (2nd team) CB Mike Haynes (2nd team) |
The 1976 New England Patriots season was the franchise's 7th season in the National Football League and 17th overall.
After a nine-year stretch in which they posted just one non-losing season amid eight losing years, the Patriots turned around their fortunes, going 11–3. It marked their first winning season as an NFL team (their last winning season came in 1966 when the team was still in the AFL). The team had gone just 3–11 the previous season, and was considered a "Cinderella team" in 1976.[1] Coach Chuck Fairbanks was named NFL Coach of the Year, and cornerback Mike Haynes was named NFL Rookie of the Year.
The 1976 Patriots rushed for a total of 2,957 yards (averaging five yards per carry) and scored 376 points, both second-best in the league. The 2,957 yards rushing were the fifth-highest total in NFL history at the time.[2] The team's 5.0 yards per carry was the best in the NFL and remains higher than all Super Bowl champions except the 1973 Miami Dolphins whose own run game was 5.0 yards per carry. The Patriots also led the league in takeaways at 50; the Patriots finished third in the league in turnover differential at plus-14.
The Patriots made only their second playoff appearance in their history and first since 1963, but lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Oakland Raiders 24–21 in the first round of the playoffs. The Patriots held a 4-point lead in the 4th quarter. But a controversial roughing the passer penalty on Ray Hamilton on a Raiders drive late in the playoff game dimmed their hopes of defeating the Raiders again.
Earlier in the season, the Patriots handed the Raiders their only loss of the season with a final score of 48–17.
Despite the playoff loss, the team has been considered one of the most talented in Patriots history;[3] 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."[4][5]
After the season, offensive line coach Red Miller was hired as head coach of the Denver Broncos.[6][7][8] In his first season, he led them to the AFC's best record (12–2), their first-ever postseason appearance, and the Super Bowl.
Offseason
NFL draft
1976 New England Patriots draft | |||||
Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
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1 | 5 | Mike Haynes * † | Cornerback | Arizona State | |
1 | 12 | Pete Brock | Zentrum | Colorado | |
1 | 21 | Tim Fox * | Safety | Ohio State | |
2 | 35 | Ike Forte | Running back | Arkansas | |
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career |
Staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
|
Roster
Preseason
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
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1 | August 1 | New York Giants | W 13–7 (OT) | 1–0 | Schaefer Stadium | 30,032 |
2 | August 6 | vs. San Diego Chargers | L 17–26 | 1–1 | Oklahoma Memorial Stadium | 23,800 |
3 | August 15 | Green Bay Packers | L 14–16 | 1–2 | Schaefer Stadium | 30,552 |
4 | August 21 | at Atlanta Falcons | W 28–17 | 2–2 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 23,495 |
5 | August 29 | at Cleveland Browns | L 27–30 | 2–3 | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 36,016 |
6 | September 5 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 20–7 | 3–3 | Schaefer Stadium | 32,254 |
Zeitplan
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Game Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 12 | Baltimore Colts | L 13–27 | 0–1 | Schaefer Stadium | 43,512 | Recap |
2 | September 19 | Miami Dolphins | W 30–14 | 1–1 | Schaefer Stadium | 46,053 | Recap |
3 | September 26 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | W 30–27 | 2–1 | Three Rivers Stadium | 47,379 | Recap |
4 | October 3 | Oakland Raiders | W 48–17 | 3–1 | Schaefer Stadium | 61,068 | Recap |
5 | October 10 | at Detroit Lions | L 10–30 | 3–2 | Pontiac Silverdome | 60,174 | Recap |
6 | October 18 | New York Jets | W 41–7 | 4–2 | Schaefer Stadium | 50,883 | Recap |
7 | October 24 | at Buffalo Bills | W 26–22 | 5–2 | Rich Stadium | 45,144 | Recap |
8 | October 31 | at Miami Dolphins | L 3–10 | 5–3 | Miami Orange Bowl | 52,863 | Recap |
9 | November 7 | Buffalo Bills | W 20–10 | 6–3 | Schaefer Stadium | 61,157 | Recap |
10 | November 14 | at Baltimore Colts | W 21–14 | 7–3 | Memorial Stadium | 58,226 | Recap |
11 | November 21 | at New York Jets | W 38–24 | 8–3 | Shea Stadium | 49,983 | Recap |
12 | November 28 | Denver Broncos | W 38–14 | 9–3 | Schaefer Stadium | 61,128 | Recap |
13 | December 5 | New Orleans Saints | W 27–6 | 10–3 | Schaefer Stadium | 53,592 | Recap |
14 | December 12 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 31–14 | 11–3 | Tampa Stadium | 41,517 | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. |
Post-season schedule
Round | Date | Opponent (seed) | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Game recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Divisional | December 18 | Oakland Raiders (1) | L 21–24 | 0–1 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 53,045 | Recap |
Game summaries
- August 30 Monday Night Football (preseason) at Cleveland Browns:
The Patriots fell 30–27 in a Monday Night preseason game; rookie cornerback Michael Haynes ran back a punt but began celebrating at the five-yard line and was hit and fumbled; Darryl Stingley grabbed the fumble and scored. Entering the season the Patriots had never scored on a punt return in any game. The loss was the third of the six-game preseason.
- September 12 vs. Baltimore Colts:
Four Steve Grogan interceptions and a fumble doomed the Patriots as the “Shake & Bake” 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.
- September 19 vs. Miami Dolphins:
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 interceptions.
- September 26 at Pittsburgh Steelers:
Forcing six Steeler fumbles in heavy rain, 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. Don Calhoun's fumble in the final four minutes led to a Bradshaw touchdown, and after forcing another punt with 1:29 to go Bradshaw nearly fumbled away the ball but converted two first downs requiring 25 or more yards. With three seconds to go Roy Gerela missed a field goal and the Patriots had an upset 30–27 win.
- October 3 vs. Oakland Raiders
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raiders | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
Patriots | 7 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 48 |
at Schaefer Stadium • Foxboro, Massachusetts
- Date: October 3
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C) • Wind 10
- Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information | ||
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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. During the third quarter a Raiders touchdown was twice wiped out on penalties and the drive ended in a Stabler sack on third-and-26.
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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- October 10 at Detroit Lions:
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.
- October 18 Monday Night Football vs. NY Jets:
The Patriots despite ten penalties exploded to 330 rushing yards (103 of them with a touchdown by Steve Grogan; Grogan said years later the score came after botching what was supposed to be a hand off to Sam Cunningham) as they annihilated the Jets 41–7. Alex Karras (whose grandnephew Ted would be drafted by the Patriots in 2016) was working the ABC Sports booth and read aloud Jets coach Lou Holtz's fight song for the team, a reworked version of the US Army's original march The Caissons Go Rolling Along.
- October 24 @ Buffalo Bills:
The Patriots posted their first win over the Bills since 1971 as the two teams combined for nine turnovers, 125 yards in penalties, and 586 yards of offense in the 26-22 New England win. Sam Cunningham and O. J. Simpson combined for 229 rushing yards.
Despite 130 rushing yards from five Patriots backs New England fell at Miami 10–3; all scoring took place in the second quarter as Jim Mandich accounted for the game's only touchdown. The Patriots were also penalized eleven times for 80 yards.
- November 7 vs. Buffalo Bills:
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; the Bills also fumbled four times while the Patriots coughed up five turnovers (three fumbles and two INTs). O. J. Simpson threw a punch at Mel Lunsford and both players were ejected after the ensuing fight.
- November 14 at Baltimore Colts:
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.
- November 21 at New York Jets:
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 fumble-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.
- November 28 vs. Denver Broncos:
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.
- December 5 vs. New Orleans Saints:
With Archie Manning out for the year the Saints wound up using two quarterbacks (including ex-Bear Bobby Douglass) but managed only 236 total yards vs. 220 rushing yards from the Patriots led by Don Calhoun's 113 yards. In winning 27-6 Steve Grogan completed only nine of 23 passes but two of them were touchdowns, one to Al Chandler, subbing for injured Russ Francis. The win was the 100th career victory in the franchise's history.
- December 12 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Steve Grogan had his worst passing day of the season with just 40 yards in the air and a pick amid just four completions in 14 attempts. Six Patriots backs led by Andy Johnson rushed for 260 yards and three touchdowns while Sam Hunt picked off Steve Spurrier and ran back 68-yard touchdown. The game ended Tampa's winless first ever season.
- December 18 at Oakland Raiders:
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.[10] 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 the Raiders were barking out dummy snap counts themselves[11] and 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."[12] 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. The Patriots stopped the Raiders on 3rd and 1 near the goal line but another personal foul penalty (this one on Prentice McCray) extended the Raiders drive, and on second and goal 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 1980.
Standings
AFC East | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
Baltimore Colts(2) | 11 | 3 | 0 | .786 | 7–1 | 11–1 | 417 | 246 | W1 |
New England Patriots(4) | 11 | 3 | 0 | .786 | 6–2 | 10–2 | 376 | 236 | W6 |
Miami Dolphins | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | 5–3 | 6–6 | 263 | 264 | L1 |
New York Jets | 3 | 11 | 0 | .214 | 2–6 | 3–9 | 169 | 383 | L4 |
Buffalo Bills | 2 | 12 | 0 | .143 | 0–8 | 2–10 | 245 | 363 | L10 |
References
- ^ [Neft, David S.; Cohen, Richard M.; and Korch, Rich The Sports Encyclopedia: Pro Football, 12th Edition, p.306, Martin's Press, August 1994, ISBN 0-312-11073-1
- ^ The total is still 6th in NFL history for a 14-game season, Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 1977, in the regular season, sorted by descending Rushing Yds.
- ^ Farley, Glen (February 9, 2007). "Spirit of '76". Patriots.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
- ^ "Bill Belichick Press Conference". Patriots.com. December 1, 2004. Archived from the original on March 12, 2005. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
- ^ WBZ-FM Radio retrospective on 1976 Patriots
- ^ Mossman, John (February 1, 1977). "Ralston quits Broncs, Miller seen stepping in". The Day. (New London, Connecticut). Associated Press. p. 18.
- ^ "Ralston walks out on Broncos". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. February 1, 1977. p. 13.
- ^ "Following best year, Ralston quits Denver". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. February 1, 1977. p. 17.
- ^ "1976 New England Patriots (NFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ Felger, Michael (2004). Tales from the Patriots Sideline. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58261-525-7. p. 42
- ^ John Hannah with Tom Hale (2013), OFFENSIVE CONDUCT: My Life On The Line (Triumph Books: Chicago, Illinois), p. 128
- ^ Felger, Patriots Sideline, p. 39