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Yes and they lost to an inferior opponent that utilized a very similar style of play that the 2003 & 2004 teams perfected. If they could be shut down and beaten up by that Giants team, why would you doubt the same could happen against our 2003-2004 teams?
That type of style won't shatter any records b/c it shortens games but it also physically dominates opposing defenses so that by the time the 4th quarter rolls around the opposing defense is worn down and not capable of putting up much of a fight.
No one is saying that the 2007 team wasn't great. They were. Their accomplishments speak for themselves. But the same should be understood regarding 2003-2004. Those teams went 34-4 over two years which is the best two season stretch in NFL history.
The loss of 1 game has poisoned the minds of even many of the most rational people here. The 2007 team the best team of the Belichick era, and in Patriots history
2003/4/7
QB: Brady/Brady/Brady - Nobody is going to say 2007 Brady isn't best, right?
RB: Smith/Dillon/Tandem - Ranking 04,07,03
3rd down back: Faulk 2007 in a landslide
O-line: Again, 2007 in a landslide Light had his best year, Neal was dominant against the run, Mankins was in place. Koppen had his best year and Kazcur was as good as any other RT
TE: Tough call. Personally, I see a 2004/2007 wash and 2003 a bit better than both
WR #1: 2007 (Moss)
WR #2: 2007 (Welker)
WR #3: 2007 (Gaffney)
So, on the offensive side of the ball, the Patriots were better in 2007 than either 2003 or 2004 at:
QB
3rd down RB
LT
LG
C
RG
RT
WR1
WR2
WR3
and there was probably not a single position on offense in 2007 that was weaker than that same position in both 2003 and 2004. I could probably add the FB to the argument, but I'm not sure how to compare them, since the roles changed a great deal.
Defensively:
Seymour
Warren
Wilfork
I think it's fair to say that Wilfork was better in 07 than 04, but not as good as Washington either time. Warren was he best partner for Seymour and Seymour was probably at his lowest in 2007.
That makes the D-line a push, at worst
Vrabel was at his best in 2007, and no OLB had a better season in either 03 or 04.
Samuel was playing at his highest level
Hobbs was playing at least as well as the #2 CBs for either '03 or '04
So, I'm sorry, but I just don't buy that being not quite as good at the other spots somehow makes that 2007 team weaker than the others. And, frankly, neither was anyone else until the team lost the Super Bowl.