Why I Love the New England Patriots

I grew up watching sports with my brother and we always loved those dynasty teams that dominated their opponents year after year. In basketball, we cheered for the Boston Celtics and in baseball, the New York Yankees. I am embarrassed to say that we once thought the Dallas Cowboys were worthy of our support, but I have repented! Regardless, seeing a team demonstrate excellence over a sustained period of time has always impressed me. In the current NFL, no team has been more successful on a consistent basis than the New England Patriots.

Despite their numerous and vocal critics, the Patriots are clearly the most dominate franchise in the NFL and have created a dynasty seldom equaled in professional sports. The numbers don’t lie! If you listen to the Haters, they cheat, they lie, they steal, etc. The officials give them all the calls. And did I mention they’re just a bunch of cheaters?

Let me just say it – jealousy. And of course, if they are the ones who keep beating your own favorite team every year, I guess I can understand some of the hatred. If your team happens to play in the AFC East, there are obvious reasons for your frustration. But, what can I say, deal with it!

Here’s an interesting article about the many myths promoted by the critics, http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25787154/fact-checking-patriots-18-year-nfl-dynasty-real-myth.

So, why do I like the Patriots? Simple, I can recognize and appreciate excellence! In reality, I am a Texans fan. (And a diehard Cowboy Hater!) Once my team is eliminated, I basically just watch the games without really cheering for either side. In that sense, I am not a Patriots fan, but again, every time they win I can appreciate the accomplishments and marvel at their level of success. And wow! Has anyone ever dominated like the Pats over the last 18 years?

Look at the numbers from 2001 (Brady and Belichick’s first Super Bowl win) to the present:

• Winning Records – 18
• Division titles – 16 (including the last 10 consecutive  titles)
• AFC Championships – 9
• SuperBowl Victories – 5 (maybe 6 soon)

The most impressive aspect to me is the length of time that we’re discussing. It’s one thing to assemble an all-star roster and dominate for a few seasons (Golden State Warriors?), but the Patriots have been successful with a roster that has changed greatly over the years. Talk about Brady and Belichick all you want, but the surrounding cast is constantly evolving. Players and coaches have come and gone, but the team remains dominant year after year.

Many people credit them with having the best Coach/QB combo. True or not, Brady may be the GOAT and Belichick may be the best coach ever, but you still have to go out and play the games. Consider 2008. Brady goes out with a season-ending injury and the team goes 11-5. Compare that to the Colts 2011 season. After nine consecutive playoff seasons with 10+ wins, Manning goes out and they finish 2-14? (Or the Broncos who win a SB, Manning retires and they fail to even make the playoffs for the next three seasons?)

And while the Patriots have just kept on winning year after year, what about the pretenders to the throne? Those teams that the analysts and experts are always proclaiming as the next great dynasty?

In 2013, the Seattle Seahawks won a Super Bowl and the experts pointed at a young, talented roster (especially at QB) and predicted they would be the team to beat for the next decade. A year later, they lost SB 49 to the Patriots and have struggled ever since. In the past four seasons, they have made the playoffs three times, but have yet to return to the conference championship game.

In 2015, the Carolina Panthers toyed with a perfect season finishing 15-1. They also had a young roster (and QB) and were supposed to be the next dynasty, but the following year, they finished fourth in their division with a 6-10 record. The next two seasons have produced only one Wildcard round loss.

In 2016, the Atlanta Falcons dominated the league with its high flying offense until they ran into the Pats in SB 51. The following year, they finished third in their division with a 10-6 record. They did make the playoffs, but lost in the divisional round. In 2018, the missed the playoffs altogether finishing 7-9.

Two of the Pats SB losses were to the NY Giants. This year, they won five games. In the 18 year stretch above, they have 2 SB wins and 8 losing seasons. And what about the Rams, this year’s opponent? After the loss to the Patriots in SB 36, the Rams have had 12 losing seasons and only four playoff appearances including this year.

(And didn’t the Dallas Cowboys go 13-3 a few years ago? And once again, their fans began talking about Dak and Zeke and all the rings they were going to win. Hasn’t exactly worked out that way though has it?) Sorry, couldn’t resist!

So, maybe it’s time for the critics and haters to recognize the truth and give credit where credit is due. Win or lose this week, the Patriots are clearly the most dominant franchise in the NFL and if Tom and Bill add another ring to their collection, it won’t bother me one bit. In fact, I might actually be cheering for them.