The 1987 New England Patriots season was the franchise's 18th season in the National Football League and 28th overall. They failed to improve on their 11–5 record from 1986, in the strike-shortened season, finishing 8–7, tied for second in the AFC East Division, and missing the playoffs for the first time since 1984.
Despite a players' strike, a revolving door at quarterback, and uncertainty over the team's ownership, the team managed to commit only 63 penalties in 1987, fewer than half of the 135 penalties that the Packer and Jet squads each committed.https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/nfl-penalties-by-team-1987
Offseason NFL draft
Personnel Staff New England Patriots 1987 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 Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator – Rod Humenuik
Offensive coaches Quarterbacks/passing game coordinator – 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
NFL replacement players After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:
1987 New England Patriots replacement rosterQuarterbacks Bob Bleier Todd Whitten
Running backs Ted Stoneburner Bruce Hanson Michael LeBlanc Frank Bianchini Chuck McSwain Tony Collins Carl Woods
Wide receivers Larry Linne Brian Carey Dennis Gadbois Wayne Coffey Mike Benson Bill LaFreniere
Tight ends Todd Frain Arnold Franklin Mike Siragusa Offensive linemen John Benzinger George Colton Greg Robinson Mark Roddy Todd Sandham Brian Saranovitz Eric Stokes Bill Turner Darren Twombly Craig Vittum
Defensive linemen John Guzik Steve O'Malley Ben Reed Tom Porell Frank Romano Steve Wilburn Murray WchardLinebackers Rogers Alexander Rico Corsetti Mel Black Jerry McCabe Joe McHale Greg Moore Tony Reider Frank Sacco Randy Sealby
Defensive backs Ricky Atkinson Duffy Cobbs Maurice Gravely Joe Peterson Jon Sawyer Ron Shegog Perry Williams
Special teams Al Herline K/P Eric Schubert
Roster
Regular season Schedule Week Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 Miami Dolphins W 28–21 1–0 Sullivan Stadium 54,642 2 at New York Jets L 24–43 1–1 Giants Stadium 70,847 – at Washington Redskins canceled 1–1 RFK Stadium 3 Cleveland Browns L 10–20 1–2 Sullivan Stadium 14,830 4 Buffalo Bills W 14–7 2–2 Sullivan Stadium 11,878 5 at Houston Oilers W 21–7 3–2 Astrodome 26,294 6 at Indianapolis Colts L 16–30 3–3 Hoosier Dome 48,850 7 Los Angeles Raiders W 26–23 4–3 Sullivan Stadium 60,664 8 at New York Giants L 10–17 4–4 Giants Stadium 73,817 9 Dallas Cowboys L 17–23 4–5 Sullivan Stadium 60,567 10 Indianapolis Colts W 24–0 5–5 Sullivan Stadium 56,906 11 Philadelphia Eagles L 31–34 5–6 Sullivan Stadium 54,198 12 at Denver Broncos L 20–31 5–7 Mile High Stadium 75,795 13 New York Jets W 42–20 6–7 Sullivan Stadium 60,617 14 at Buffalo Bills W 13–7 7–7 Rich Stadium 74,945 15 at Miami Dolphins W 24–10 8–7 Joe Robbie Stadium 61,192 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Season summary
Week 1
Miami Dolphins punter Reggie Roby injured in the game, forcing Don Strock to punt in the emergency situation. Additionally, with 2:22 left in the game Dan Marino was injured forcing Strock to fill in at the quarterback position as well, nearly mounting a winning comeback drive.
Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-Mar-22.
Standings
See also List of New England Patriots seasons
References