With a 30-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the New England Patriots notched their 8th win on the season, guaranteeing the franchise’s 16th straight .500-or-better season. The Patriots are the 5th team in NFL history to accomplish the feat.
The 1965-85 Dallas Cowboys hold the NFL record with 21-straight .500-or-better seasons in a row, followed by the 1957-73 Cleveland Browns with 17 straight. The Patriots have tied the 1965-80 Oakland Raiders and the 1983-98 San Francisco 49ers.
The Patriots need one more victory to secure a winning record for the 16th straight year, which would tie the Raiders and 49ers, and trail the 1966-85 Cowboys at 20 straight. Two more victories would grant the Patriots 10 wins for the 14th consecutive season; the NFL record is the 1983-98 49ers with 16 straight. The 2002-10 Colts are the only other team to record 8+ seasons with double digit victories.
QB Tom Brady recorded his 199th career victory, including playoffs, which puts him in a tie with Falcons, Jets, and Vikings great QB Brett Favre. #199 is an important number for Brady, who was the 199th overall selection in the 2000 NFL Draft. Former Colts and Broncos QB Peyton Manning holds the NFL record with 200 career victories.
Brady and the Patriots face the New York Jets in week 12 with a chance to climb the ranks of history.