So far, through 3 games (an admittedly very small sample size), I see some similarities between this team and the 2001 squad. From the eyeball test:
- Very good defense
- Solid, not spectacular, running game
- Excellent special teams
- Brady that is more of a game manager than dominant passer
- One key receiver (2001 Brown, 2014 Edelman)
By the numbers:
Offense:
- 2001: 23.2 ppg, 305.1 ypg; 2014: 22.0 ppg, 303.1 ypg
- Rushing: 2001: 3.8 ypc; 2014: 3.5 ypc
- Individual: 2001: Brown (33.0% of the team's total receptions); 2014: 32.8% of the team's total receptions)
Defense:
- 2001: 17.0 ppg, 334.5 ypg; 2014: 16.3 ppg, 272.7 ypg
It's obviously not an exact parallel as there are some differences, and we know that the 2001 team had championship mettle. We don't know that, yet, about this team.
Of course, we'd all like the same outcome in the end.
- Very good defense
- Solid, not spectacular, running game
- Excellent special teams
- Brady that is more of a game manager than dominant passer
- One key receiver (2001 Brown, 2014 Edelman)
By the numbers:
Offense:
- 2001: 23.2 ppg, 305.1 ypg; 2014: 22.0 ppg, 303.1 ypg
- Rushing: 2001: 3.8 ypc; 2014: 3.5 ypc
- Individual: 2001: Brown (33.0% of the team's total receptions); 2014: 32.8% of the team's total receptions)
Defense:
- 2001: 17.0 ppg, 334.5 ypg; 2014: 16.3 ppg, 272.7 ypg
It's obviously not an exact parallel as there are some differences, and we know that the 2001 team had championship mettle. We don't know that, yet, about this team.
Of course, we'd all like the same outcome in the end.











