In 1996 he was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent to be a place kicker. Vinatieri is best known for his impeccably calm demeanor and uncanny accuracy when the Patriots needed it the most.

In the 2001 playoffs, during a blizzard against the Oakland Raiders in the final game at Foxboro Stadium, Vinatieri kicked a 45-yard field goal to tie the game 13-13 and send it into overtime. The Patriots then won the game on another field goal of 23 yards by Vinatieri. That 45-yard kick in driving snow is regarded as one of the greatest clutch plays (and greatest kicks) in NFL history.

In Super Bowl XXXVI he kicked a field goal on the final play to give the New England Patriots their first Super Bowl victory, a 20-17 win over the St. Louis Rams. Two years later, and in an almost identical situation, he kicked a field goal with 4 seconds left in Super Bowl XXXVIII to boost the Patriots to another championship. This time, the Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers, 32-29, making Vinatieri the first player ever to be the deciding factor in two Super Bowl games. He went on to win another Super Bowl with the Patriots the following year.  

In March of 2006, Vinatieri signed with the Colts. Again he helped the win another Super Bowl, this time against the Chicago Bears. He has been named to the NFL 2000s All Decade Team. 

He has been a spokesperson for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island's teen anti-smoking contest. His hobbies include hunting, riding motorcycles and golfing. Vinatieri has also appeared in numerous television spots.