Patriots streak on the line. The Patriots have won nine straight season openers, which ties for the fourth-longest streak in NFL history. Only Dallas (17 wins, 1965-1981), Miami (11 wins, 1992-2002) and Portsmouth/Detroit (10 wins, 1930-39) have a longer opening-day winning streak. The Patriots’ last opening-day loss came here at Ralph Wilson Stadium, a 31-0 pasting by the Bills, who had former Patriot Drew Bledsoe at quarterback and former Patriot Lawyer Milloy (cut by New England just days earlier) at safety that day.