Question: when was the last time the patriots missed the playoffs

title: 2008 New England Patriots season
text: With the ball to begin the second half as the result of their opening coin toss deferral , the Patriots extended their lead to 38 -- 0 on the first play , a screen pass to Moss that went for a 76 - yard touchdown . The Cardinals again went three - and - out , and a 28 - yard reception by Evans put the Patriots in Cardinals territory on one play . Nine plays later , on a 3rd - and - 5 from the Cardinals ' 5 - yard line , Cassel was sacked by linebacker Karlos Dansby , setting up a 35 - yard Gostkowski field goal that increased the Patriots ' lead to 41 -- 0 . Yet another Cardinals three - and - out meant the Patriots began their next drive from the Cardinals ' 49 - yard line . An 11 - play , 44 - yard drive followed , and ended in a 24 - yard Gostkowski field goal that put the Patriots ' lead at 44 -- 0 . The field goal was Gostkowski 's 33rd of the season , breaking Tony Franklin 's record of 32 field goals in 1986 . On their ensuing possession , the Cardinals converted a first down , but quarterback Matt Leinart , playing in place of Warner , was sacked for a loss of four yards , fumbling ; the Cardinals recovered at their own 27 - yard line . Two plays later , Leinart was strip - sacked by a blitzing Meriweather for a loss of 12 yards , but this time defensive lineman Jarvis Green recovered the ball for the Patriots at the Cardinals ' 15 - yard line . The Patriots would be unable to score , forcing Gostkowski to kick a 30 - yard field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter , giving the Patriots a 47 -- 0 lead .