How Does a Pats Win or Loss Affect Your Life?

[Brandon Manning]

I am a passionate fan in the moment. Yet I no longer miss a day of work following a loss (2015 AFCCG), nor am I on cloud nine a few days after a big win. (SB 51 was amazing. Yet as each day went by following said game, I noticed I wasn't any less stressed about bills, my job, & family).

How do you react after a win or loss?

 

[VrabelJr]

Negatively for about 509 nanoseconds.

 

[PrairiePat]

For me, everything changed after Superbowl 49. After years of close-but-not-quite, the various made-up scandals, and the thought that we might be witnessing the end of a dynasty, winning that game the way they did exorcised a lot of demons for me. I still find myself getting more and more intense as the game stakes get higher at this time of year, but even after some tough losses recently, I've been able to keep it in perspective a lot more.

I live outside of New England, so I really enjoy wearing the colors around work on weeks like this past one, mostly getting a lot of grief but occasionally having someone yell out 'Go Pats!'. At this point, it's fun either way.

I miss having Mike Greenberg on the ESPN morning show; those days after big Pats wins were always the best as the Jets superfan had to talk about the Pats' greatness for 3+ hours

I have low expectations but high hopes about the KC game - I'd love to be donning my Pats gear for a few more weeks as they prepare for another Superbowl...

 

[Boomer B]

2007 Super Bowl loss hit like a truck. I couldn’t sleep after it. I remember my fiance (wife now) saying it’s just a game. I told her she just doesn’t understand. 19-0 was right there.

Last years SB loss hurt but it was more confusion on why Butler was left on the bench while the D got torched.

Nothing can sting like 07.

 

[TB_Helmet]

After the SB42 loss I got incredibly drunk and this girl took care of me and was really patient and understanding, and I mistakenly thought she was cool and sweet, so we started dating. That was a HUGE mistake and it the relationship didn't go well. Fortunately it only lasted a few months.

Between the Pats loss and the start of that ill-fated relationship, my friend likes to joke that it was the worst day of my life. Pretty much.

 

[ALP]

For me, everything changed after Superbowl 49. After years of close-but-not-quite, the various made-up scandals, and the thought that we might be witnessing the end of a dynasty, winning that game the way they did exorcised a lot of demons for me. I still find myself getting more and more intense as the game stakes get higher at this time of year, but even after some tough losses recently, I've been able to keep it in perspective a lot more.

I live outside of New England, so I really enjoy wearing the colors around work on weeks like this past one, mostly getting a lot of grief but occasionally having someone yell out 'Go Pats!'. At this point, it's fun either way.

I miss having Mike Greenberg on the ESPN morning show; those days after big Pats wins were always the best as the Jets superfan had to talk about the Pats' greatness for 3+ hours

I have low expectations but high hopes about the KC game - I'd love to be donning my Pats gear for a few more weeks as they prepare for another Superbowl...

This pretty much mirrors my sentiments exactly

It was a big deal until we won two years ago. After 5 superbowls though I’ll be honest, it’s a lot easier for me to enjoy the ride since then no matter what happens

I got over the Super Bowl last year against the eagles immediately for example, after 5 superbowls its really all gravy from this point on for me, that was my cutoff, I’m sure for some people it may have been earlier, 3 or 4, for some it will be later, 6 or 7

But it’s really fun now, more so than ever before, i don’t stress out, i don’t get low even if we lose the SB, i don’t get too high after a SB win (although obviously still very happy)

In essence i still root for the team i always have, but their games outcomes don’t have a direct correlation to how my days will go and what my mood is

I even talk more smack now than i ever have because why not??? I don’t want to look back on these years when we’re not good anymore and regret not supporting the team when it was the greatest

For KC or the SB after it? I still think we win (though this regular season confused me a lot) but if we don’t, no biggie

Ever since beating Atlanta every win has been the cherry on top, i love it if its there, I still enjoy the ice cream Sunday without the cherry though

 

[Brandon Manning]

I noticed others mention the SB 42 loss. I was very young. I didn't understand why they lost. I just knew they did. For New Englanders, I wonder what hurt more: 2003 ALCS or SB 42?

 

[Brandon Manning]

This pretty much mirrors my sentiments exactly

It was a big deal until we won two years ago. After 5 superbowls though I’ll be honest, it’s a lot easier for me to enjoy the ride since then no matter what happens

I got over the Super Bowl last year against the eagles immediately for example, after 5 superbowls its really all gravy from this point on for me, that was my cutoff, I’m sure for some people it may have been earlier, 3 or 4, for some it will be later, 6 or 7

But it’s really fun now, more so than ever before, i don’t stress out, i don’t get low even if we lose the SB, i don’t get too high after a SB win (although obviously still very happy)

In essence i still root for the team i always have, but their games outcomes don’t have a direct correlation to how my days will go and what my mood is

I even talk more smack now than i ever have because why not??? I don’t want to look back on these years when we’re not good anymore and regret not supporting the team when it was the greatest

For KC or the SB after it? I still think we win (though this regular season confused me a lot) but if we don’t, no biggie

Ever since beating Atlanta every win has been the cherry on top, i love it if its there, I still enjoy the ice cream Sunday without the cherry though

Love the ice cream Sunday analogy. That's how I feel too.

 

[IllegalContact]

once it's over..........zero difference......it's entertainment.......

it's not like my **** grows any bigger if they win

 

[maust]

It is interesting to see the responses regarding XLII as being the cause of a sea change in some fans perspective. For me everything since XXXVI has been gravy. I love the game itself, losing a poorly played one, or winning one I didn't think they should, has an effect on me for all of 5 minutes tops.

it's not like my **** grows any bigger if they win

well...not permanently anyway but I'd be lying if I didn't admit to some...ah...stirrings over Butler's int or White's OT TD

 

[Nikolai]

2007 was the ****ing worst....ripped my heart out.

2010 playoffs crushed me...I discovered how vodquilas eased the pain.

After those, I was more or less numb. SB46 wasn't a massive deal to me, nor were the AFCCG losses during the 2012-2013 seasons (I became a "football atheist" because no "football god" would let the Ray "killed two dudes" Lewis walk off with a SB win). And like others have said, winning SB49 and SB51, with comeback wins, when the whole NFL was against us was so satisfying that I can die happy as a Pats fan.

I'm just enjoying it all now.

it's not like my **** grows any bigger if they win

Sometimes mine does...

EDIT - This was my 10,000 post, so I bolded the part I'm happy to have in this post.

 

[FCB02062]

Angry as ****....I kick the cat, verbally abuse the old lady, punch holes in the wall, lock the kids in their rooms and drink 30 beers till I pass and can't remember the game or what an ***hole I was to my family....
Just kidding!
I get pissed, probably yell, and mull over what they could've done differently to win... honestly, I hang on to losses for a long time in every sport, but I'll immediately start looking for the next "win" be it one of my kids teams, the bruins, Celtics whatever....
When I revisit football I look at how many draft picks the Pats have then I work out how many 5-7th rounders Bill the GM will end up with

 

[Belichick8384]

None. Its fun to get into but once the season is over I still have my family, my responsibilities, and my inlaws. More than enough on my plate to keep me busy with or without football

 

[italian pat patriot]

A Super Bowl win or loss has for sure an effect...but for all the other games i try to be much more "normal"...but for some losses i still feel bad...and still good for some also old wins

 

[VrabelJr]

once it's over..........zero difference......it's entertainment.......

it's not like my **** grows any bigger if they win

But can you imagine if it did though?

 

[TB_Helmet]

But can you imagine if it did though?

If that were the case then I can see why Bills fans are so angry all the time.

 

[Mark.]

I noticed others mention the SB 42 loss. I was very young. I didn't understand why they lost. I just knew they did. For New Englanders, I wonder what hurt more: 2003 ALCS or SB 42?

SB 42 was much worse for me. As a fan, watching became less fun the longer they went undefeated. Such high expectations... I gave never been as invested as a fan since that year. Took a step further back this year when spouse spent 8 days in the hospital. Another reality check. Life is more important than football.

 

[Deus Irae]

If they win, I can talk smack to fans of other teams. If they lose, fans of other teams can talk smack to me.


That's pretty much the only difference, beyond the initial celebration or expression of disappointment.

 

[patriot1136]

I'll admit it, I'm still kind of a baby about a playoff loss. The first 24 hours are rough, I just like to have some quiet time to decompress. After that, I'm usually good. Probably work in a few extra drinks too.

 

[mitsudriver]

Win and I’ll have $1,380 more than I do now. Lose and I don’t have to pay any attention to football til April. I ride the win high longer than the loss low.