Peter King kinda awards the Pats the team of the decade - New England Patriots Forums

***Rob0729*** · 07-27-2009, 07:21 AM

From his MMQB column:

Quote:

Let's start this exercise by saying the only teams that can logically compete for Team of the Decade in this decade are New England and Pittsburgh. Indianapolis (regular-season record: 101-43, 7-7 in the playoffs) does have seven more regular-season wins than Pittsburgh, but the Colts can finish this decade with two Super Bowl titles, and a two-time Super Bowl winner can't lay claim to Team of the Decade over a team with three. So it's either the Patriots (three titles as we speak) or Pittsburgh (two) who can wear history's crown.
You be the judge what history will say if the Steelers win a third after seeing the Patriots' and Steelers' records since 2000:
TeamReg. Season W-LPlayoff W-LTotalSB W-LLosing YearsPlayoff Years
New England102-4214-3116-453-116
Pittsburgh94-49-110-4104-53-12-016

For my money, the Steelers would have to have a dream season -- say, 14-2 or better, with a Super Bowl win -- while the Patriots would have to stumble and miss the playoffs for Pittsburgh to win the fictional title. Whatever happens this year, the Steelers can't win more playoff games than New England, can't win more Super Bowls, can't appear in more Super Bowls, and, with 12 fewer wins entering the season, almost certainly can't win more games. Then there's New England's 16-0 regular season two years ago.
In other words, something really strange would have to happen for the Steelers to pass the Pats as Team of the Decade.

Peter King on Michael Vick, Brett Favre, NFL camps,*draft - Peter King - SI.com

xmarkd400x · 07-27-2009, 08:11 AM

Reformatted table:

HTML Code:

Team         Reg. Season W-L    Playoff W-L    Total     SB W-L   Losing Years   Playoff Years
New England   102-42            14-3          116-45       3-1         1                6
Pittsburgh    94-49-1           10-4          104-53-1     2-0         1                6

07-27-2009, 08:54 AM

I've seen a lot of Steeler fans (and some players) saying that they're the team of the decade already. I don't really get that one. The Pats have it locked up and if they win it all this year, they will be miles ahead.

signbabybrady · 07-27-2009, 09:45 AM

Whats left off this discussion is the two AFC Championship wins we have over them.

Whenever there is discussion like this its rare that it can be settled on the field but this one already has been.

TCB · 07-27-2009, 10:00 AM

I don't get it. Is this really a big deal? Are they presenting a trophy for "team of the decade"? Will not being declared TOTD diminish the accomplishments of either team?

***Rob0729*** · 07-27-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCB

I don't get it. Is this really a big deal? Are they presenting a trophy for "team of the decade"? Will not being declared TOTD diminish the accomplishments of either team?

It is a non-award award. It really doesn't matter. It is just something to talk about. The media cares and it does at least at times create some good discussion.

Bring Back Antowain! · 07-27-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signbabybrady

Whats left off this discussion is the two AFC Championship wins we have over them.

Whenever there is discussion like this its rare that it can be settled on the field but this one already has been.

Agreed. The fact of the matter is, the Patriots, this decade, are killing the Steelers.

The Patriots are 5-2 against them, and better yet, as you mentioned, 2-0 against them in the playoffs.

There is no question who the team of the decade is. And the fact that the Steelers, a team that has been at times quite inconsistent this decade, are even mentioned.

***Rob0729*** · 07-27-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

I've seen a lot of Steeler fans (and some players) saying that they're the team of the decade already. I don't really get that one. The Pats have it locked up and if they win it all this year, they will be miles ahead.

I think they want to dismiss the Pats' Super Bowl wins because of Spygate. Joey Porter has said that the Pats stole their dynasty. I am sure many other Steelers fans and players feel the same way. Who cares is my moto.

Bill B. · 07-27-2009, 12:10 PM

Aren't we a year to early with this team of the decade talk. A decade would start at the year 1 and end at the year 10. Technically, the first year of this decade is 2001 and the last year is 2010. There is no year zero.

signbabybrady · 07-27-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill B.

Aren't we a year to early with this team of the decade talk. A decade would start at the year 1 and end at the year 10. Technically, the first year of this decade is 2001 and the last year is 2010. There is no year zero.

But I already rented the chairs.