I started watching in 1984 fanatically in 1984. A pup to some like Patsfansince1960 and a geezer to others. At the time all our teams were doing well and I thought this is how it's suppose to be.
Patriots reach the Super Bowl in dramatic fashion to only get crushed by the Bears. I thought they would go back multiple times but I was wrong. Well, not really, just much longer than expected. A couple of seasons later this team became the bottom of the barrel. They would endure some pretty embarrassing seasons that almost wanted to make you wear a bag over your head at the games. Some fans actually did.
There was no hope in sight, 1-15, very Detroit and Tampa Bay like. In comes Parcells and Bledsoe and the new owner. The newness of the situation changed. Hope was on the horizon. Maybe to go 8-8 and maybe the playoffs in a couple of years. These were reasonable expectations that grew as the Pats drafted well. Success happened almost overnight to fall short yet again to the Packers and lose the coach who didn't get on the plane.
In the year of our lord 2001 ad, ultimate success was finally won. The first team to carry home a trophy since 1986. a lackluster season to follow,by no means miserable compared to past seasons. Followed up by two more glorious superbowls. A first rd exit, a stolen AFC championship,a perfect season ending in heartbreak,a 11-5 season ending rarely without a playoff bid. 14-2 first rd exit,14-2 first round exit, another Super Bowl and another AFC championship.
If you were not a fan before 2000 I guess I can understand being spoiled. 3 Lombardi trophies, 5 super bowl appearances, 2 AFC championship losses. Playoff appearances in 10 of 12 seasons. Almost all 12. 10 AfC east titles. Almost 12 in a row. More hardware than probably 15+teams history combined in just a 12 year run.
One day this team may suck. It is almost inevitable. Your confidence will be shaken. You will be going into the season with the mindset "we might have a chance to compete for the division
this year? Or worse, "8-8 would be nice." Or maybe, "if we only had that QB that could win games?
Thinking back on these losing seasons keeps things in perspective after tough losses. The helpless feeling of having a team that you knew had no chance that season or the next and maybe the next after that.
I don't know, I think we are all spoiled one way or another. Some more than others. The nervous jitters before big games a little less for some as opposed to the early years of TFB/BB.
Either way,enjoy it while it lasts. We still may see another Championship or two. Then again,maybe not.