Posted on 01/18/2019 9:52:52 AM PST by Rummyfan
We are 18 years into the New England Patriots dynasty. A run that started during the 2001 regular season is likely going to stretch into its third decade, which would be unprecedented in most sports and seems downright unfathomable in the modern NFL, where attrition and the salary cap conspire to strike down promising teams before they grow comfortable atop their divisions. There might never be a team like the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick Patriots again.
By virtue of that 18-year reign, though, the Patriots have amassed what amounts to a popular folklore. There are stories and arguments about how the Patriots perform and what they do to win games, and while some of them are true, plenty aren't. Some of the ideas might have been true at one time but haven't been the case in years. Others were built upon an insufficient sample, with one play or one game used to tell a broader story without any tests or support.
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I wrote about myths for all of last week's eight playoff teams. With the Patriots, I found that a common claim held up with regard to New England simply isn't accurate. Despite what you might hear during Pats games, there's no evidence that the Patriots consistently sport a bend-but-don't-break defense. Belichick doesn't tell his defense to suddenly figure things out in the red zone because that doesn't make any sense. Great defenses are great all over the field.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
You still have to win a playoff game to get to the conference championship game, and the Patriots have done that 9 years in a row.
How many playoff wins do the Cowboys have in the last 20 years?
I have been a Patriots fan since 1974. It was really really difficult to be a fan in those days. They were only just considered an NFL team. Oh there were some bright spots here and there but mostly just dismal for the next 26 years. Then everything changed. I have been wallowing in Patriots victories for the last 18 years. I believe they have been in 10 super bowls and have won 5 of them. I call them the cardiac kids.
Fact: Patriots have proven that white guys can still excel and break records at wide receiver, returner, tight end and running back if given a chance. The Patriots are the only team that has even close to an appropriate balance of diversity.
Hi.
“But one has to admire the sustained level of accomplishment. “
True.
All I wanted to say is: 1972 Miami Dolphins 17-0.
5.56mm
Yeah, but they use that "toxic masculinity" which gives them an unfair advantage.
Steve Grogan. Russ Francis. Sam Hunt. Irving Fryar... the Pats did have talent back in those days. But the Super Bowl shellacking by the Bears set them back five years. Tony Eason never recovered.
And as an old Colts fan, I always liked Raymond Berry as coach.
And enjoy these days while they last!
All the Falcons had to do was run the ball and consume the clock. Yet the offensive genius Kyle Shanahan - now in SF - didn't do it. I don't get it... Still the Pats had to execute the comeback, which they did.
I will and do! Thanks. it has been a very long streak and people have to retire. But it has been a sweet ride.
Of course that’s only 6 out of 16 games. And they generally lose at least 1. To get to the 13-3 you generally need to get to a bye they still need to go 8-2 for the rest of the schedule. Just look at the other divisions and how many different winners they’ve had in that stretch. It’s an amazing run.
I loved it. I'm a Stillers fan {38 year season ticket holder} and hate the Patriots.
I must give Brady and Belichek their due, they are the best QB/Coach duo in the history of the NFL.
Bradshaw/Noll went 4-0 in the Superbowl, that's 1.000%.
Brady/Bad boy bill won 5 but lost 2, which is a paltry .714%.
The Patriots had the better QB/Coach duo, the Stillers of the 70's had the better TEAM, and playing with 1976 NFL Rules, the Stillers would have kicked the human waste out of pussy boy brady, and bad boy bill, and that cheesy crew from Boston wouldn't even have been honey dippers, when football was a real game, not pass and tab.
Yeah, that snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory that day. I was in shock.
The Patriots lost last year, so Brady/Bad boy bill are 5-3.
“Brady/Bad boy bill won 5 but lost 2”
Lost 3.
not pass and tab.
A Dynasty has to be measured by championships though. As of now the Brady/Belichek teaming has five which puts them behind the Jordan/Pippen/Phil Jackson Bulls who had six. That’s part of why I’m rooting against them now...so they don’t tie that one. :)
As a Steelers fan I want to remain the only team with 6 Lombardis. So right there.
Robert Horry has your Steelers beat all on his own with seven championships. :) Dude could sure pick em.
You touch'em they are down, NO REAL Hitting permitted.
Watch a coupla of Mel Blount fore-arm shivers on wide-outs during the 70's and you will see why the NFL adopted the "Mel Blount Rule".
Watch the 1976 Steel Curtain, Green, White, Greenwood, Holmes. the Stillers started the season, 1-4 after winning two straight Superbowl Rings and lost Terry Bradshaw to injury.
They had 9 games remaining {they only played 14}, and they allowed a total of two touchdowns, and had FIVE shutouts, gave up 32 total points and WON ALL NINE and the division. They lost in the championship game to the Raiders {without any running backs, as Blier and Harris were out}.
Oakland was the better team that day.
With or without injuries, the 1976 Steelers, were the best defensive team in the NFL during the entire Superbowl era, and without offensive injuries, would have won 5 straight Super Bowls.
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