As the New England Patriots prepare for their 12th appearance in the Super Bowl, New England is once again settling into a familiar rhythm: the countdown, the nerves, the memories.
Few teams have defined the Super Bowl quite like the Patriots, delivering moments that live forever in highlight reels — and in the lives of the fans who watched them unfold.
There was the franchise’s very first championship in 2002, sealed by Adam Vinatieri’s 48-yard field goal to win the game that announced the start of a dynasty. There was Malcolm Butler’s final-seconds interception that clinched the win from the Seattle Seahawks.