Love ‘em or hate ‘em (and let’s be honest, it’s mostly hate), the New England Patriots have been the NFL’s ultimate villain for decades.
Whether it’s their endless winning, their alleged cheating, or just their general smugness, the Pats have managed to rub just about every fanbase the wrong way. So, let’s break down the top 10 reasons why NFL fans can’t stand them—because, frankly, it’s kind of fun.
1. They Won… A Lot
Nothing breeds resentment quite like dominance, and the Patriots spent two decades treating the rest of the league like their personal punching bag. Six Super Bowls, countless division titles, and an air of inevitability that made the AFC East a joke. Winning is cool—winning that much is just plain rude.
2. Tom Brady’s Existence
The man, the myth, the avocado ice cream enthusiast. Tom Brady went from unassuming sixth-round pick to the most insufferably successful quarterback in NFL history. He was always there, always winning, always somehow getting better with age. It was annoying. And even after he left for Tampa, Patriots hate remained alive and well.
3. Bill Belichick’s Press Conferences
If you’ve ever had the misfortune of watching a Bill Belichick press conference, you know that they’re about as exciting as watching paint dry—on a wall that’s already painted. His signature monotone delivery and complete disdain for answering questions made him the ultimate villainous mastermind. “We’re on to Cincinnati.” OK, Bill.
4. The Spygate Scandal
Ah yes, the infamous incident where the Patriots were caught filming the New York Jets’ sideline in 2007. Did they really need to cheat to beat the Jets of all teams? (Spoiler: no, they did not.) But the scandal only fueled the idea that New England was always up to something shady.
5. The Tuck Rule Game
The play that launched a dynasty—and destroyed the hopes and dreams of Raiders fans everywhere. In a snowy 2001 playoff game, a fumble by Tom Brady miraculously turned into an incomplete pass thanks to a bizarre rule that nobody had ever heard of. Raiders fans are still furious.
6. Deflategate (a.k.a. Tom Brady vs. Science)
Football fans love a good controversy, and in 2015, the Patriots delivered with Deflategate. Brady and company were accused of deflating footballs to gain an unfair advantage, leading to suspensions, legal battles, and more debates than anyone ever wanted about air pressure. The whole thing was ridiculous, but it cemented the idea that the Patriots were willing to bend the rules—again.
7. The AFC East Was a Joke for 20 Years
Jets, Dolphins, Bills fans—how are we doing? Oh right, miserable for two decades while New England waltzed to the playoffs year after year. Watching your team play for second place every single season was soul-crushing.
8. The “Patriot Way” Smugness
Patriots fans and players love to talk about the “Patriot Way,” as if it’s some mystical secret to success. In reality, it mostly meant Bill Belichick being a robot, cutting players before their contracts got expensive, and doing just enough sketchy stuff to keep fans suspicious.
9. They Crushed Your Team’s Dreams—Repeatedly
Whether you were a Falcons fan who watched a 28-3 lead vanish into oblivion or a Seahawks fan still screaming about throwing the ball at the 1-yard line, chances are the Patriots ruined your season at some point. And they did it with that infuriating smirk.
Related: Ranking the 30 Worst Draft Picks in NFL History
10. Boston Sports Fans (Enough Said)
Boston sports fans are, um, passionate—which is a nice way of saying they are utterly insufferable when their teams are winning. And guess what? The Patriots gave them plenty to brag about. Hearing them gloat year after year was more than most fans could handle.
Related: Ranking Every NFL Team From Worst to Best: 24-25 Season
