[Flag_This]

"...if the Packers were playing the Patriots, the Packers probably would have been beaten to a pulp...."

Green Bay beat New England earlier in the year.

[RayChuang88]

But that was in Green Bay (where the Packers get a lot of “homer” calls from the referees) and when “A A-Ron” was still healthy. If the Packers had made it, they would not have the benefit of “homer” calls and Rodgers was not healthy enough to be really effective.

[Moonman62]

Green Bay beat New England earlier in the year.

...

So did the Dolphins. The Patriots kept getting better as the year went on.

[Radix]

Before that game against GB was even played, a coworker and I discussed the likely outcome.

We agreed that Belichick was unlikely to go all out against the Packers as they were very possible Super Bowl adversaries later on. This dialogue was reflective on the Patriots beating the Giants late in the ‘perfect’ season with great difficulty.

The Giants ended up winning the SB that year and it was a lesson for N.E.

I dunno, but the 7 game streak where the Pats beat 4 1st place teams resulted in the Nbr. 1 seed. The Patriots barely showed up for the final game against Buffalo. By that time, the focus was entirely on winning the Super Bowl.

Fantasy? Maybe, but in the end, they won the final game that mattered.