OK, so arguing with a Pats fan about their 11-5 no playoff game is a non starter ...
how ‘bout them Ravens, then? 11-5 also. In the playoffs. Had to start a rookie qb from the first play of the first game. Lost our starting nose tackle before the season started. Lost a starting safety game 1 (maybe the 2nd game). Lost a starting cornerback midway through the season.
Every team has a story like the ‘boys or worse. The failure of the ‘boys to win a game in the playoffs or even to make the playoffs is, imo, a bit more than losing some guys to the IR.
It didn’t hurt that you got the Raiders, Texans, Browns twice, Bengals twice, and the Jags.