Yeah, the symbol of three decades worth of mediocrity that were highlighted by a roughing the passer call, and getting throttled in the Super Bowl by the 85 Bears.
So, aside from the impossibility of anyone believing that statement having any interest, awareness let alone fondness or experience rooting for the team ever, let's identify those in three plus decades who would have to be labeled, "sub-mediocre", and also include some stretches for franchises considered dynastic:
1960's: [Giants, Eagles, Bears barely qualify as "mediocre", "equal" to Pats]
Cardinals, Saints, Steelers, Redskins, 49ers, Falcons, Lions, Dolphins, Broncos, Bengals
1970's: [Chiefs, Colts barely qualify as "mediocre", "equal" to Pats]
Eagles, Redskins, Cardinals, Giants, Lions, Bears, Bucs, Falcons, Saints, 49ers, Seahawks, Chargers, Broncos, Oilers, Browns, Bengals, Bills, Jets
1980's: [Rams, Bengals, Seahawks barely qualify as "mediocre", "equal" to Pats]
Cardinals, Eagles, Bucs, Lions, Vikings, Saints, Falcons, Chiefs, Chargers, Oilers, Browns, Jets, Colts, Bills
1990-1992: A three (3) year period amidst utter turmoil in ownership and front office
Years of James Busch Orthwein's presence and ownership in New England on March 31, 1993:
Zero. [A day less than ten months, three weeks]
Years of Anheuser-Busch presence and ownership of Budweiser beer on March 31, 1993:
107
"Sub-mediocre" (that is, worse than Patriots in any given historical time frame):
Green Bay Packers: 1945-1958 (14 seasons); 1968-1991 (24 seasons)
Pittsburgh Steelers: 1933-1971 (39 seasons); 1980-2003 (24 seasons)
San Francisco 49ers: 1946-1969 (24 seasons); 1973-1980 (8); 2003-2010 (8)
Dallas Cowboys: 1996-2017 (22 seasons)
No objective person would consider the Broncos getting throttled 55-10 by the 49ers the "highlight" of their run in the 8o's; nor would anyone do the same for the 49ers getting throttled 49-3 at the Meadowlands the "highlight" of
their run in the 80's.