For a league that goes to remarkable lengths to manipulate in parity between all 32 teams, the 14 year record of the Patriots is all the more remarkable. To wit: 170 wins, 54 losses in regular season(s). This is an *average* season of ~ 12-4. The team's worse season was a very respectable 9-7. 9 Division titles 5 AFC titles 3 Championships How do they do it ? The easy answer is to look for what is different between the Pats and just about any other NFL team. 15 years of Brady+Belichick stands out although that is a bit too easy since owners swap coaches in the endless blame game of the NFL. This season was also instructive in showing that even the loss of one star player (Gronk) turned the Patriots into a pretty average team. I have no idea what the answer(s) are, so I'll just enjoy the upcoming game. I expect a nail-biter.
i can't wait either. looks like a much improved colts team. these playoffs have been better than average imo. seattle looks to be tough again, but that's why they play the games.
I plan to watch the games. You of course are welcome to enjoy your weekend some other way. Lucky for me, I like all of the four remaining teams so I just hope for well played games by all.
seattle looks great, but it's been an easy schedule. will be interesting to see them on neutral turf. i do love 'hot tub' pete.
David Halberstam's biography on Belichick (The Education Of A Coach) is very well done and offers insight on what drives his quest for excellence. And the ESPN's documentary "The Brady 6" is very interesting as well. It's a partnership that will go down in football lore.
That is a good question. One aspect a bunch of us yahoos at work agree upon is how the very best coaches operate. The best coaches adjust there team system to match their best player's talent and strengths. I'll use Tony Dungee as a similar example. When at Tampa Bay he rearranged the defense ("Tampa Two") to match the strength of Sapp, Brooks, and Barber. The Bucs were a defensive team that won the Super bowl with that coaching (even though Gruden, an inferior coach, reaped the benefit). Then when the Colts picked up Dungy, he made maximum use of the offensive power he had in Manning and the Receivers he had. He then won a Super bowl with an offensive team. I'm sure you can see the same principles at work with Belichick coaching. Of course, this only works if you have some superior players...and having that at quarterback is the most important position.