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Quiz about The Dark Days of the NE Patriots

The Dark Days of the N.E. Patriots Quiz

The New England Patriot's dreary seasons when they would pursue the "Big Show" Super Bowl only to see a dark gloomy end. However, some attempts were doomed from the start of the season.

A multiple-choice quiz by SLAPSHOT4. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
SLAPSHOT4

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
359,886

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
207

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which team defeated the New England Patriots by shuffling through them 46-10 on 26 January 1986 in Super Bowl XX? Hint

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Chicago Bears

Washington Redskins

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What dark gloomy colored NFL team defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI 35-21 in January 1997? Hint

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Redskins

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Which tall NFL team overcame the New England Patriots with the luckiest helmet catch and would eventually score 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII in February 2008? Hint

St. Louis Rams

New York Giants

Carolina Panthers

Philadelphia Eagles

4. In February 2012 the New England Patriots had a chance of redemption to beat this team they had previously met in an earlier championship matchup by getting to Super Bowl XLVI but lost 17-21 to what team? Hint

New York Giants

New Orleans Saints

Washington Redskins

San Francisco 49ers

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. What head coach was hired in 1993 that led the New England Patriots to two playoff appearances and a Super Bowl appearance but did not win the Lombardi Trophy? Hint

Bill Parcells

Bill Belichick

Bill Cowher

Bill Walsh

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who was the Patriots head coach that led them to playoff appearances in 1997 and 1998, however would not make it to the "Big Show" Super Bowl? Hint

Pete Carroll

Dick MacPherson

Bill Belichick

Rod Rust

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Which Patriots head coach won the AFC Championship and UPI Coach of the Year in 1985 despite not winning the Super Bowl? Hint

Raymond Berry

Ron Erhardt

Ron Meyer

Rod Rust

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. This person coached the renamed team known as the New England Patriots from 1970-1972. He took over the position due previous individual resigning, however, he would do the same after being shutout 52-0 by the Miami Dolphins. Who was this head coach? Hint

Clive Rush

Lou Saban

Mike Holovak

John Mazur

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Who was the interim head coach of the New England Patriots for five games in 1972 (he finshed with a 1-4 record)? Hint

Ron Meyer

Chuck Fairbanks

Phil Bengtson

Ron Erhardt

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Who replaced Lou Saban in 1961 as "the man who would be able to use the talent to the extent that it was capable of performing"? Hint

Rod Rust

Billy Sullivan

Mike Holovak

Phil Bengtson

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which team defeated the New England Patriots by shuffling through them 46-10 on 26 January 1986 in Super Bowl XX?

Answer: Chicago Bears

The Patriots were a cinderella team despite having a 11-5 record. They won the wild card spot and advanced to Super Bowl XX. This Super Bowl featured two teams that both made their debut appearance in a championship game.

2. What dark gloomy colored NFL team defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI 35-21 in January 1997?

Answer: Green Bay Packers

The nail in the coffin was set, when a 99 yard kickoff return touchdown was scored by Desmond Howard who would later be the first ever special teams player to win Super Bowl MVP.

3. Which tall NFL team overcame the New England Patriots with the luckiest helmet catch and would eventually score 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII in February 2008?

Answer: New York Giants

Receiver David Tyree would catch the football to his helmet that would extend the Giants final drive resulting in a touchdown within the last minute of the game.

Answer: New York Giants

The Giants squeaked into the playoffs with a 9-7 record. They would again prevail in the last minute of the game in which Eli Manning would be named Super Bowl MVP.
The Patriots lost 17-14 four years earlier to the Giants.

5. What head coach was hired in 1993 that led the New England Patriots to two playoff appearances and a Super Bowl appearance but did not win the Lombardi Trophy?

Answer: Bill Parcells

Bill Parcells coached the Patriots from 1993-1996 (the two play-offs were 1994 and 1996). Owner Robert Kraft vetoed Bill Parcell's defensive player draft pick to take 1996 first round draft selection of wide receiver Terry Glenn. These disagreements would prompt Parcells to look into coaching a different team.

It eventually caused NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to broker a deal with the New York Jets. If the Patriots would release Parcells contractual obligations to the Jets, they would receive a third and fourth round pick in 1997, a second round pick in 1998, and a first round draft pick in 1999.

6. Who was the Patriots head coach that led them to playoff appearances in 1997 and 1998, however would not make it to the "Big Show" Super Bowl?

Answer: Pete Carroll

Pete Carroll coached from 1997-1999. Rod Rust coached a dismal 1990 season for the Patriots with a record of 1-15 season. Dick MacPherson would not do much better coaching two seasons (1991 and 1992) with a 8-24 record. Bill Belichick was hired in 2000, and turned the franchise around with multiple Super Bowl appearances and AFC Championships.

7. Which Patriots head coach won the AFC Championship and UPI Coach of the Year in 1985 despite not winning the Super Bowl?

Answer: Raymond Berry

Raymond Berry coached the Patriots from 1984-1989 and established a 48-39 record. Ron Meyer coached from 1982-1984. Ron Erhardt coached from 1979-1981. Rod Rust coached one season in 1990.

Answer: John Mazur

John Mazur was responsible for selecting first round draft pick quarterback Jim Plunkett for the Patriots. Clive Rush would resign from coaching due to health concerns which led to Mazur taking over for him. Mike Holovak and Lou Saban were coaches of the previous team name Boston Patriots.

9. Who was the interim head coach of the New England Patriots for five games in 1972 (he finshed with a 1-4 record)?

Answer: Phil Bengtson

Though Phil Bengtson coached under Vince Lombardi his low key approach produced mediocre results for the Patriots. He was reassigned as Director of Pro Scouting for the Patriots until 1974. Chuck Fairbanks coached from 1973-1978 achieving UPI NFL Coach of the Year, and Sporting News NFL Coach of the Year in 1976. Ron Erhart coached from 1979-1981 and Ron Meyer from 1982-1984.

10. Who replaced Lou Saban in 1961 as "the man who would be able to use the talent to the extent that it was capable of performing"?

Answer: Mike Holovak

Patriots owner Billy Sullivan fired Lou Saban because he felt that "the talent on the team had not been used to the extent that it was capable of performing." The team board of directors decided by majority vote to replace Lou Saban with Mike Holovak.

The decision proved to be successful as Holovak would earn the UPI AFL Coach of the Year in 1966. Phil Bengtson and Rod Rust were ineffective head coaches as they did not hold that position for more than one season (1972 and 1990 respectively).

Source: Author SLAPSHOT4

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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