1979 New England Patriots season

1979 New England Patriots season
Head coach	Ron Erhardt
General manager	Bucko Kilroy
Owner	Billy Sullivan
Home field	Schaeffer Stadium
Results
Record	9–7
Division place	2nd AFC East
Playoff finish	did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	G John Hannah CB Mike Haynes WR Stanley Morgan
AP All-Pros	G John Hannah (1st team) CB Mike Haynes (2nd team)
Uniform

The New England Patriots finished the National Football League's 1979 season with a record of nine wins and seven losses, and finished second in the AFC East division. Ron Erhardt was named the Patriots the new coach. In their season opener the Patriots faced the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night as Darryl Stingley returned to Schaffer Stadiums. Patriots fans gave the paralyzed star a long sustained standing ovation. However the emotion did not carry over as the Pats lost 16-13 in overtime. The Pats would find themselves at 8-4, as the team featured a more wide-open offense under Quarterback Steve Grogan. However, a three game losing streak ended their playoff chances ended the Pats playoff hopes, as the team settled for a disappointing 9-7 season.

Staff

New England Patriots 1979 staff
Front Office President – Billy Sullivan Executive Vice President – Chuck Sullivan General Manager – Bucko Kilroy Assistant General Manager – Patrick Sullivan Director of Pro Scouting – Bill McPeak Executive Director of Player Personnel – Darryl Stingley Head Coaches Head Coach – Ron Erhardt Offensive Coaches Quarterbacks/Special Assistant to the Head Coach – John Polonchek Offensive Backfield – Tom Yewcic Receivers – Raymond Berry Offensive Line – Jim Ringo			Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator – Hank Bullough Defensive Line – Fritz Shurmur Defensive Backfield – Billy Kinard Special Teams Coaches Special Teams – Gino Cappelletti

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Opponent	Result	Stadium	Record	Attendance
1	Pittsburgh Steelers	L 13–16 (OT)	Schaefer Stadium	0–1	60,978
2	New York Jets	W 56–3	Schaefer Stadium	1–1	53,113
3	at Cincinnati Bengals	W 20–14	Riverfront Stadium	2–1	41,805
4	San Diego Chargers	W 27–21	Schaefer Stadium	3–1	60,916
5	at Green Bay Packers	L 14–27	Lambeau Field	3–2	52,842
6	Detroit Lions	W 24–17	Schaefer Stadium	4–2	60,629
7	at Chicago Bears	W 27–7	Soldier Field	5–2	54,128
8	Miami Dolphins	W 28–13	Schaefer Stadium	6–2	61,096
9	at Baltimore Colts	L 26–31	Memorial Stadium	6–3	41,029
10	at Buffalo Bills	W 26–6	Rich Stadium	7–3	67,935
11	at Denver Broncos	L 10–45	Mile High Stadium	7–4	74,379
12	Baltimore Colts	W 50–21	Schaefer Stadium	8–4	60,879
13	Buffalo Bills	L 13–16	Schaefer Stadium	8–5	60,991
14	at Miami Dolphins	L 24–39	Miami Orange Bowl	8–6	69,174
15	at New York Jets	L 26–27	Shea Stadium	8–7	45,131
16	Minnesota Vikings	W 27–23	Schaefer Stadium	9–7	54,719

Standings

AFC East
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Miami Dolphins^(3)	10	6	0	.625	5–3	6–6	341	257	L1
New England Patriots	9	7	0	.563	4–4	6–6	411	326	W1
New York Jets	8	8	0	.500	4–4	5–7	337	383	W3
Buffalo Bills	7	9	0	.438	4–4	5–7	268	279	L3
Baltimore Colts	5	11	0	.313	3–5	4–10	271	351	W1

Roster

All of the following players appeared in at least one game for the 1979 New England Patriots.

Name	Position	Notes

See also

• New England Patriots seasons