Patriots’ 1985 Legends Share Untold Stories from Their Iconic Super Bowl Journey
Before the era of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, the New England Patriots were a different team, one defined by the grit and determination of the 1985 squad. Coming off a tumultuous season that included firing their head coach mid-year and a mediocre 9-7 record, this team made history by becoming the first in NFL lore to secure three consecutive road victories on their path to the Super Bowl. Though their championship game ended in a crushing 46-10 defeat to the Chicago Bears, the Patriots’ remarkable journey marked a pivotal moment for professional football in New England, igniting hope in a once-sleepy football market.
Building Camaraderie and Resilience
Art Plunkett, a former offensive tackle for the Patriots, reflected on the spirit that united the team. “We all got along and had a fun time playing together,” he recalled. “There were no egos; we did everything as a unit.” This camaraderie was crucial as the season began with a shaky start, marked by losses to the Raiders and the Browns, leaving the Patriots with a 2-3 record before facing the Buffalo Bills.
A turning point came with a decisive 14-2 victory over Buffalo, which ignited a six-game winning streak. The duo of quarterback Steve Grogan and wide receivers Stanley Morgan and Irving Fryar emerged as a formidable force. However, it was the running game that truly defined the season, highlighted by a total of 2,331 rushing yards. Craig James, a running back for the team, emphasized this point: “You’d be hard-pressed to find a great team that can’t run the football. Raymond Berry understood the importance of physicality, and that mindset permeated every aspect of our game.”
A Change in Leadership
The hiring of Raymond Berry as the interim head coach was a pivotal moment. After the dismissal of Ron Meyer, who had faced challenges during his tenure, Berry stepped in during the midseason, having previously served as the team’s wide receivers coach. His leadership laid the foundation for the Patriots’ subsequent success. Plunkett noted, “Coach Berry treated us all the same and expected us to adhere to the rules. His mantra of ‘Be five minutes early to be on time’ still resonates with me today.”
A Gutsy Finish to the Regular Season
The path to the playoffs was solidified in dramatic fashion during the final game of the regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals. On fourth down, backup running back Robert Weathers made a pivotal 42-yard touchdown run, sealing the Patriots’ spot in the postseason as the last AFC team. Their first playoff match-up saw them face the New York Jets, where the Patriots capitalized on five forced turnovers, including a key scoop-and-score on a kickoff return by Johnny Rembert, leading to a 26-14 victory.
With Grogan sidelined due to a broken leg earlier in the season, Tony Eason stepped up as the starting quarterback, guiding the team into what had previously been a daunting venue—the Los Angeles Raiders’ home. The Patriots had suffered a heart-wrenching loss in this same stadium just a decade prior due to a controversial call. This time, however, they flipped the script, forcing six turnovers and securing a 27-20 win.
Breaking the Orange Bowl Jinx
The AFC Championship game brought the Patriots to Miami, a city where they had not tasted victory in 19 consecutive outings. “We wanted redemption,” Plunkett said. To prepare for the game, owner Billy Sullivan arranged for the team to fly to Miami early, allowing them to practice in warmer weather. “It was about breaking that losing streak,” he added.
Against the heavily favored Miami Dolphins, led by Dan Marino, the Patriots executed a ground-heavy strategy, throwing the ball only sparingly. Hall of Fame guard John Hannah recalled, “The plan was to control the game on the ground and keep the ball away from Marino.” The result was a masterclass in defensive and offensive synergy, culminating in a 31-14 victory that not only propelled them to the Super Bowl but also erased the stigma of losing in Miami.
The Journey to Super Bowl XX
The road to the Super Bowl was historic, with the Patriots becoming the first team to win three straight playoff games on the road. Their victory over the Dolphins was a testament to the focus and preparation instilled by Coach Berry. Craig James illustrated this mindset with a memorable analogy about aiming for the bullseye: “We aimed for the center of the bullseye, and that focus in our preparations paid off. When we were on the road, we were locked in on our game plan.”
Though the Super Bowl itself ended in disappointment, with the Patriots falling to the Bears, the legacy of the 1985 team was cemented in the hearts of New England fans. They transformed from the “Patsies” into a team that exemplified resilience and courage, forever becoming folk heroes in the region. The impact of their journey continues to resonate, reminding fans of a time when hope first took root in Patriots football.
