The 1986 New England Patriots season was the franchise's 17th season in the National Football League and 27th overall. The Patriots matched their 11–5 record from the previous season, but this time they finished first in the AFC East, thus winning the division title. This would be the last AFC East Division title the Patriots would win until 1996 and their last playoff appearance until 1994. In the divisional round of the playoffs the Denver Broncos defeated the New England Patriots 22–17.

Staff New England Patriots 1986 staff Front office President – Billy Sullivan Executive vice president – Chuck Sullivan Vice-president – Bucko Kilroy General manager – Patrick Sullivan Director of player development – Dick Steinberg Director of college scouting – Joe Mendes Director of pro scouting – Bill McPeak Special assistant to the head coach – John Polonchek

Head coaches Head coach – Raymond Berry

Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/offensive line – Rod Humenuik Quarterbacks/receivers – Les Steckel Offensive backfield/running game coordinator – Bobby Grier Receivers – Harold Jackson Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Rod Rust Defensive line – Eddie Khayat Assistant defensive line – Ray Hamilton Linebackers – Don Shinnick Defensive backfield – Jim Carr

Special teams coaches Special teams/tight ends – Dante Scarnecchia

Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Dean Brittenham

Roster

Regular season

Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 7 Indianapolis Colts W 33–3 1–0 Sullivan Stadium 55,208 2 at New York Jets W 20–6 2–0 Giants Stadium 72,422 3 September 21 Seattle Seahawks L 31–38 2–1 Sullivan Stadium 58,977 4 September 28 at Denver Broncos L 20–27 2–2 Mile High Stadium 75,804 5 October 5 Miami Dolphins W 34–7 3–2 Sullivan Stadium 60,689 6 October 12 New York Jets L 24–31 3–3 Sullivan Stadium 60,342 7 October 19 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 34–0 4–3 Three Rivers Stadium 54,743 8 October 26 at Buffalo Bills W 23–3 5–3 Rich Stadium 77,808 9 November 2 Atlanta Falcons W 25–17 6–3 Sullivan Stadium 60,597 10 November 9 at Indianapolis Colts W 30–21 7–3 Hoosier Dome 56,890 11 November 16 at Los Angeles Rams W 30–28 8–3 Anaheim Stadium 64,339 12 November 23 Buffalo Bills W 22–19 9–3 Sullivan Stadium 60,455 13 November 30 at New Orleans Saints W 21–20 10–3 Superdome 58,259 14 December 7 Cincinnati Bengals L 7–31 10–4 Sullivan Stadium 60,633 15 December 14 San Francisco 49ers L 24–29 10–5 Sullivan Stadium 60,787 16 December 21 at Miami Dolphins W 34–27 11–5 Orange Bowl 74,516 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Attendance Divisional January 4, 1987 at Denver Broncos (2) L 17–22 0–1 Mile High Stadium 76,105

Game summaries

Week 8

Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Nov-16.

Standings

See also New England Patriots seasons

References