1987 New England Patriots season

Season of National Football League team the New England Patriots

1987 New England Patriots season

Owner| Billy Sullivan
General manager| Patrick Sullivan
Head coach| Raymond Berry
Home stadium| Sullivan Stadium
Results
Record| 8–7
Division place| T-2nd AFC East
Playoffs| Did not qualify
All-Pros| LB Andre Tippett (1st team)
Pro Bowlers| WR Stanley Morgan
LB Andre Tippett

* ← 1986
* Patriots seasons
* 1988 →

Running back Reggie Dupard playing for the Patriots, circa 1987.

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.

## Offseason

[edit]

### NFL draft

[edit]

See also: 1987 NFL draft

1987 New England Patriots draft

Round  | Pick  | Player  | Position  | College  | Notes
1  | 23  | Bruce Armstrong *  | T | Louisville |
3  | 79  | Bob Perryman  | FB | Michigan |
4  | 98  | Rich Gannon *  | QB | Delaware |
4  | 102  | Derrick Beasley  | DB | Winston-Salem State |
4  | 107  | Tim Jordan  | LB | Wisconsin |
5  | 113  | Danny Villa  | T | Arizona State |
5  | 116  | Tom Gibson  | DE | Northern Arizona |
6  | 163  | Gene Taylor  | WR | Fresno State |
11  | 302  | Carlos Reveiz  | K | Tennessee |
11  | 330  | Elgin Davis  | RB | UCF |
Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

## Personnel

[edit]

### Staff

[edit]

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

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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

[edit]

After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:

1987 New England Patriots replacement roster

Quarterbacks

*   * 10 Bob Bleier
*   * 15 Todd Whitten

Running backs

*   * 21 Ted Stoneburner
*   * 24 Bruce Hanson
*   * 27 Michael LeBlanc
*   * 30 Frank Bianchini
*   * 32 Chuck McSwain
*   * 33 Tony Collins
*   * 34 Carl Woods

Wide receivers

*   * 80 Larry Linne
*   * 81 Brian Carey
*   * 82 Dennis Gadbois
*   * 83 Wayne Coffey
*   * 86 Mike Benson
*   * 88 Bill LaFreniere

Tight ends

*   * 44 Todd Frain
*   * 87 Arnold Franklin
*   * 85 Mike Siragusa

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Offensive linemen

*   * 67 John Benzinger
*   * 63 George Colton
*   * 61 Greg Robinson
*   * 75 Mark Roddy
*   * 62 Todd Sandham
*   * 70 Brian Saranovitz
*   * 78 Eric Stokes
*   * 74 Bill Turner
*   * 64 Darren Twombly
*   * 66 Craig Vittum

Defensive linemen

*   * 97 John Guzik
*   * 96 Steve O'Malley
*   * 71 Ben Reed
*   * 65 Tom Porell
*   * 60 Frank Romano
*   * 99 Steve Wilburn
*   * 90 Murray Wchard

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Linebackers

*   * 91 Rogers Alexander
*   * 93 Rico Corsetti
*   * 51 Mel Black
*   * 52 Jerry McCabe
*   * 55 Joe McHale
*   * 54 Greg Moore
*   * 50 Tony Reider
*   * 95 Frank Sacco
*   * 59 Randy Sealby

Defensive backs

*   * 22 Ricky Atkinson
*   * 43 Duffy Cobbs
*   * 23 Maurice Gravely
*   * 41 Joe Peterson
*   * 31 Jon Sawyer
*   * 42 Ron Shegog
*   * 38 Perry Williams

Special teams

*   * 6 Al Herline K/P
*   * 1 Eric Schubert

### Roster

[edit]

1987 New England Patriots roster Quarterbacks (QB)

*  2 Doug Flutie
* 14 Steve Grogan
* 12 Tom Ramsey

Running backs (RB)

* 33 Tony Collins
* 40 Elgin Davis
* 21 Reggie Dupard
* 34 Bob Perryman
* 30 Mosi Tatupu

Wide receivers (WR)

* 80 Irving Fryar
* 48 Dennis Gadbois
* 83 Cedric Jones
* 86 Stanley Morgan
* 81 Stephen Starring
* 82 Derwin Williams

Tight ends (TE)

* 87 Lin Dawson
* 49 Russ Francis
* 88 Willie Scott

|  | Offensive linemen (OL)

* 78 Bruce Armstrong T
* 58 Pete Brock C
* 63 George Colton T
* 66 Paul Fairchild G/C
* 62 Sean Farrell G
* 64 Trevor Matich C
* 70 Art Plunkett T
* 73 Danny Villa T
* 61 Ron Wooten G

Defensive linemen (DL)

* 85 Julius Adams DE
* 97 Milford Hodge DE
* 65 Mike Ruth NT
* 77 Kenneth Sims DE
* 60 Garin Veris DE
* 96 Brent Williams DE
* 90 Toby Williams NT

|  | Linebackers (LB)

* 93 Tim Jordan OLB
* 50 Larry McGrew ILB
* 57 Steve Nelson ILB
* 52 Johnny Rembert ILB
* 95 Ed Reynolds ILB
* 56 Andre Tippett OLB
* 54 Ed Williams OLB

Defensive backs (DB)

* 28 Jim Bowman SS
* 43 Ernest Gibson CB
* 41 Darryl Holmes FS
* 38 Roland James SS
* 42 Ronnie Lippett CB
* 31 Fred Marion FS
* 23 Rod McSwain CB
* 22 Gene Profit CB

Special teams (ST)

*  3 Rich Camarillo P
*  1 Tony Franklin K

|  |

Reserve

* 25 Derrick Beasley S (IR)
* 55 Don Blackmon LB (IR)
* 26 Raymond Clayborn CB (IR)
* 11 Tony Eason QB (IR)
* 99 Tom Gibson DE (IR)
* 24 Bruce Hansen RB (IR)
* 32 Craig James RB (IR)
*  9 Walter Lewis QB (IR)
* \-- Larry Linne WR (IR)
* \-- Jerry McCabe LB (IR)
* 67 Steve Moore T (IR)
* 75 Guy Morriss C (IR)
* 59 Randy Sealby LB (IR)
* \-- Robert Weathers RB (PUP)

Rookies in italics

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## Regular season

[edit]

### Schedule

[edit]

Week  | Opponent  | Result  | Record  | Venue  | Attendance

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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

[edit]

### Week 1

[edit]

Team | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

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Dolphins | 7 | 14| 0| 0 | 21
• Patriots | 7 | 7| 14| 0 | 28

* Date: September 13, 1987
* Location: Schaefer Stadium
* Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 54,642
* Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C); wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn), rainy
* Referee: Tom Dooley
* TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy

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.

[1]

### Standings

[edit]

AFC East

* view
* talk
* edit

| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK
Indianapolis Colts(3) | 9  | 6  | 0  | .600  | 5–3  | 8–6  | 300  | 238  | W2
New England Patriots | 8  | 7  | 0  | .533  | 6–2  | 8–4  | 320  | 293  | W3
Miami Dolphins | 8  | 7  | 0  | .533  | 2–6  | 5–7  | 362  | 335  | L1
Buffalo Bills | 7  | 8  | 0  | .467  | 4–4  | 6–6  | 270  | 305  | L2
New York Jets | 6  | 9  | 0  | .400  | 3–5  | 6–5  | 334  | 360  | L4

## See also

[edit]

* List of New England Patriots seasons

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-Mar-22.

* v
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* e

New England Patriots

* Founded in 1960
* Formerly the Boston Patriots (1960–1970)
* Based and headquartered in Foxborough, Massachusetts

Franchise|

* Franchise
* History
* Brady–Belichick era
* Hall of Fame
* Patriot Place
* Seasons
* All-time roster
* Coaches
* First-round draft picks
* Starting quarterbacks
* Retired numbers
* Strategy
* Broadcasters

Stadiums|

* Nickerson Field
* Fenway Park
* Alumni Stadium
* Harvard Stadium
* Foxboro Stadium
* Gillette Stadium

Culture|

* Billy Sullivan
* Robert Kraft
* Jonathan Kraft
* Pat Patriot
* Cheerleaders
* "I'm Shipping Up to Boston"
* "Crazy Train"
* "Your Love"
* Patriot Reign
* Family Guy
* "Patriot Games"
* "3 Acts of God"
* "Gronkowsbees"
* "This Is Our House"
* "Stunning and Brave"
* "Turd Burglars"
* Tom vs Time
* Man in the Arena: Tom Brady
* 80 for Brady

Lore|

* Snowplow Game
* Lisa Olson
* St. Louis Stallions
* Tuck Rule Game
* 2006 playoff game vs. San Diego Chargers
* 16–0
* Spygate
* 2007 game vs. New York Giants
* Helmet Catch
* Butt Fumble
* Deflategate
* Malcolm Butler's interception
* Colts Catastrophe
* 28–3
* Philly Special
* Miami Miracle
* Brady's return
* Lunatic Lateral

Rivalries|

* Baltimore Ravens
* Buffalo Bills
* Denver Broncos
* Indianapolis Colts
* Brady–Manning rivalry
* Miami Dolphins
* New York Giants
* New York Jets
* Pittsburgh Steelers

Division championships (22)|

* 1963
* 1978
* 1986
* 1996
* 1997
* 2001
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019

Conference championships (11)|

* 1985
* 1996
* 2001
* 2003
* 2004
* 2007
* 2011
* 2014
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018

League championships (6)|

* 2001 (XXXVI)
* 2003 (XXXVIII)
* 2004 (XXXIX)
* 2014 (XLIX)
* 2016 (LI)
* 2018 (LIII)

Retired numbers|

* 12
* 20
* 40
* 56
* 57
* 73
* 78
* 79
* 89

Media|

* Broadcasters
* WBZ-FM
* WBZ-TV
* Radio network
* Gil Santos
* Gino Cappelletti
* Bob Socci
* Scott Zolak

Current league affiliations|

* League: National Football League (1970–present)
* Conference: American Football Conference
* Division: East Division

Former league affiliation|

* League: American Football League (1960–1969)

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* e

New England Patriots seasons

Formerly the Boston Patriots (1960–1970)

* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Bold indicates AFL Championship or Super Bowl victory
Italics indicates AFL Championship or Super Bowl appearance

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1987 NFL season

| AFC| East | Central| West| East| Central| West | NFC

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Buffalo | Cincinnati| Denver| Dallas| Chicago| Atlanta
Indianapolis | Cleveland| Kansas City| NY Giants| Detroit| LA Rams
Miami | Houston| LA Raiders| Philadelphia| Green Bay| New Orleans
New England | Pittsburgh| San Diego| St. Louis| Minnesota| San Francisco
NY Jets | | Seattle| Washington| Tampa Bay|

* 1987 NFL draft
* 1987 NFL strike
* NFL playoffs
* Pro Bowl
* Super Bowl XXII

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*[T]: Ties
*[C]: Center
*[G/C]: Offensive guard / center
*[G]: Offensive guard
*[DE]: Defensive end
*[NT]: Nose tackle
*[OLB]: Outside linebacker
*[ILB]: Inside linebacker
*[SS]: Strong safety
*[CB]: Cornerback
*[FS]: Free safety
*[P]: Punter
*[K]: Kicker
*[S]: Safety
*[LB]: Linebacker
*[QB]: Quarterback
*[RB]: Running back
*[WR]: Wide receiver
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[PCT]: Winning percentage
*[DIV]: Win–Loss record within their division
*[CONF]: Win–Loss record within their conference
*[PF]: Points For (Total points scored)
*[PA]: Points Against (Total points allowed)
*[STK]: Current Winning or Losing Streak
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*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template