Is This Season A Success Regardless?

[WaterfallJumper]

Yes its still a success. Obviously your goal is to win the Superbowl but 30 other teams were unable to even make it to the game. Honestly you would look like a complete jackass to any other team if you called this season a failure just because they didn't win the Superbowl. Not winning would be a disappointment but it wouldn't mean the team overall wasn't successful.

Can't disagree strongly enough. Do you consider 2007 a success? I sure don't. It's a punch line (and a punch in the gut just thinking about it). This line of thinking is what leads to the Colts raising AFC Championship participation banners. Winning is the mark; otherwise, why play the game at this level? If you can be successful without winning the Super Bowl, then what makes a championship ring special?

Being proud of our guys -- I'll give you that. I'm quite happy with how they've performed this year. I love this team. But at the end of the day, if they're not the Super Bowl champions, then this season is no better than the Lions 0-16 debacle.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Who doesn't give a damn about any of us? And why does it matter? I don't understand this statement. Are you talking about Brady?

Pro sports writ large. It's not like he or BB are personal friends. I'm merely pointing out that like all of us, my interest in the team is irrational and unrequited (except as part of the concept "fans.")

This is baked in. I'm just noting it as something that we all know. Being a fan is ridiculous on its face.

Doesn't mean I'm not one.

 

[Kargetina]

Years ago, someone noted losing the SB is somehow considered a lot worse than losing in either the Conference or Divisional round and how that does not make any sense. For example, people remember both the Vikings and Bills lost four SBs, but they have more of a "loser" label on them than the teams they beat in the Conference game.

The closer you are to a title the more painful and difficult to get over a loss is. The only Conference game we've lost that somewhat bothers me is 2006.

I've never been able to get over SB42. I have a phobia related to the game. As soon as i hear the phrase helmet catch or see any footage of the game i get nauseous. With every win and record, the team, Brady and Moss broke, the more the expectations and hopes grew. And to lose like that, with history on the line...

SB 49 made me get over SB 46. Hopefully the combo of SB 49 and 51 will finally exorcise all demons from that cursed game. It'll still linger but nearly as bad.

To answer the topic, being 14-2, being as healthy as you could probably be this time of the year (Gronk excluded), having a near prime level Brady, the GOAT coach and most likely the best defense since 2004, against a 11-5 team with perennial underachiever Matt Ryan as their leader...there are no excuses not to go and have the first decisive SB win in the Brady era.

34-21 Pats.

 

[fightingirish595]

Years ago, someone noted losing the SB is somehow considered a lot worse than losing in either the Conference or Divisional round and how that does not make any sense. For example, people remember both the Vikings and Bills lost four SBs, but they have more of a "loser" label on them than the teams they beat in the Conference game.

It's an unfair logic that certainly does exist. It makes 0 sense. Going to 4 straight super bowls is an absurd accomplishment

 

[raduray]

Shouldn't even have this thought, and if you do, shouldn't voice it. This is loser talk.