To me this is already a good season

[Brandon Manning]

I actually think free agency made it easier for Belichick and Adams...

Reason? Because it made it harder for other teams to keep good teams together. And since Belichick and Adams “figured it out” AND he is a coaching genius... he could consistently compete..

Though it is not popular in Pats land to admit it, our division mates have not been run well fir the entire run also.

Every other division in the NFL has had multiple teams have those “breakout” seasons with 12, 13, even 14 or 15 during the B.B. years.

Only on 3 occasion has another afc east team reached 11 wins in the 01-18 run

Yeah I see your point. I just meant teams like the Steelers, 49ers, and Cowboys didn't lose players to free agency. Certainly having the other AFC teams in the division has been an advantage though.

 

[BostonWolverine]

If this team were to lose, would you rather have them lose to KC or in the SB?

Beating KC and making another SB would be a great accomplishment. But losing SB's are tough to overcome emotionally as a fan. And it would drop Brady's SB record to 5-4.

 

[Brandon Manning]

If this team were to lose, would you rather have them lose to KC or in the SB?

Beating KC and making another SB would be a great accomplishment. But losing SB's are tough to overcome emotionally as a fan. And it would drop Brady's SB record to 5-4.

I'd rather lose to KC. Nobody will really remember Brady's 8-5 record in championship games. They will remember a 5-4 SB record and losing to the likes of Manning x 2, Foles, and Goff (I am saying losing to Goff would look worse vs. losing to Brees). Not saying it's fair. But that's the way media members are.

SB losses are tough to overcome emotionally. If you're a Falcons fan (example), how fondly do you look back at beating the Packers in 2016, and making the SB? You can't look back on it fondly because of 28-3. It overshadows everything else.

 

[TomPatriot]

Just as the title states. Barring a 28-3 type choke job (Unlikely), they've exceeded my expectations. I am a happy fan. Obviously I'll be dissapointed for a day or two if they lose Sunday. But I'll realize they overcame alot this year.

Your thoughts on this being a successful season?

Winning a Super Bowl is a successful season.

 

[SBLIII]

They are capable of winning. But curious what makes you say the bolded? Patriots have been a poor road team all season. Arrowhead stadium is a legit Home field Advantage.

There isn't a reasoning behind it. Just a gut feeling.

I think NE is a better football team than KC though hindered by TBs injury suffered in the Titans game. Now he appears back to 100% so I think he will perform extremely well and will outplay Mahomes. Our defense is pretty damn solid as well.

 

[Brandon Manning]

Winning a Super Bowl is a successful season.

Good point. But winning a 10th division title, and making an 8th consecutive title game is pretty successful to0. It's not easy to do.

 

[TomPatriot]

Good point. But winning a 10th division title, and making an 8th consecutive title game is pretty successful to0. It's not easy to do.

Agree, but it isn't a success to the Patriots. But I certainly see your point.

 

[Brandon Manning]

There isn't a reasoning behind it. Just a gut feeling.

I think NE is a better football team than KC though hindered by TBs injury suffered in the Titans game. Now he appears back to 100% so I think he will perform extremely well and will outplay Mahomes. Our defense is pretty damn solid as well.

Hope you are right. Chiefs are three point favorites. But remember that the home team gets 2 points to start out. So really Vegas is saying this is a pick em game. I think SB 49 was the last time the Patriots were underdogs (1 pt. I think).

I looked back on the AFC Championship lines history. I am shocked to see Pittsburgh was 10 point favorites in 2001. They were led by the mighty Kordell Stewart.

 

[Nehalem]

Lets not hang a banner just yet...

 

[Redman443]

Not me. I want one more. To piss off the haters and so brady and bill can have as many titles as Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson.

 

[FCB02062]

Agreed. Any time a team makes the final four in their sport the season is a success. For the Pats this year, especially after 1-2 and the loss in Detroit, getting to the AFC Championship seemed like a pipe dream. Many of us were reserved to maybe making the Wild Card after that Detroit game. Between the quarterback's inconsistencies, the tight end's ineffectiveness in the passing game, and the defense's inability to stop the run, it's pretty amazing they are where they are.
The quarterback did have at least one more all time game playoff game left in him, and he certainly showed it yesterday. Yesterday's performance was even more eye popping because it seemed the tight wasn't a 1st or even 2nd option on many pass plays - he's been reduced to an extra offensive lineman.

 

[IllegalContact]

Just as the title states. Barring a 28-3 type choke job (Unlikely), they've exceeded my expectations. I am a happy fan. Obviously I'll be dissapointed for a day or two if they lose Sunday. But I'll realize they overcame alot this year.

Your thoughts on this being a successful season?

nope......there's no success if your last game is a loss

 

[Brandon Manning]

I edited the thread title from "successful" to "good".

 

[DarrylS]

In the past 18 years we have been witness to unparalleled success in the Post Salary Cap Era of the NFL.. have had some times when I was temporarily disappointed over a playoff/SB loss.. but recover quickly by the time of the draft less so, by the time of TC even less so and when the first game hits like a kid in a candy store.

Can never minimize how difficult and remarkable this whole run has been..

 

[luuked]

If this team were to lose, would you rather have them lose to KC or in the SB?

Beating KC and making another SB would be a great accomplishment. But losing SB's are tough to overcome emotionally as a fan. And it would drop Brady's SB record to 5-4.

Reaching the SB > not reaching the SB. All that SB record stuff is trivia garbage that is irrelevant.

Apart from winning it all what's better than the leadup to a SB with your team involved ?

 

[patriot1136]

I'm proud of this team already and will be no matter what. It's been an interesting year, especially with all the background media bs and stuff. But this team is tough, has the coaching, and has the heart to win. KC is good but so are we. We just have to play tough and smart. I'm hoping the stage is too big for KC and they make some mistakes. We can definitely do it though, road game or otherwise. That being said, I would love to win and go back to the Super Bowl.

 

[Tunescribe]

With five Lombardis in the bank, I think anything more from BB/Brady is gravy. I'm just enjoying the ride.

 

[Deus Irae]

Until Brady is clearly not Brady, or the team is badly injured come playoff time, it's not a good year unless they at least make the Super Bowl. That's a ludicrous expectation level, but that's what the Patriots have given us.

 

[brdmaverick]

Miami Loss is the difference between this game being at Arrowhead vs home. Definitely an inexcusable loss. But oh well. It happened. If this team beats KC, it won't be talked about as much.

....those Miami games are killer (just like in 2015)

 

[SBLIII]

I'd rather lose to KC. Nobody will really remember Brady's 8-5 record in championship games. They will remember a 5-4 SB record and losing to the likes of Manning x 2, Foles, and Goff (I am saying losing to Goff would look worse vs. losing to Brees). Not saying it's fair. But that's the way media members are.

SB losses are tough to overcome emotionally. If you're a Falcons fan (example), how fondly do you look back at beating the Packers in 2016, and making the SB? You can't look back on it fondly because of 28-3. It overshadows everything else.

That's why teams that lose the SB usually don't fare well in the following season.