The 2007 New England Patriots haven’t won anything yet—and I’m certainly not ready to declare them the greatest team in the history of the NFL.
I’m a firm believer that to be considered among the great teams in NFL history, you need to win the Super Bowl.
Otherwise, you’re the Buffalo Bills.
Nobody in the Patriots’ locker room is satisfied with a 16-win season. The ultimate goal isn’t a 16-game regular-season winning streak—it’s a three-game postseason winning streak.
I get it—if the Patriots don’t win their next three games, the season will ultimately be a disappointment.
But that's not the whole story.
We all write for Bleacher Report because we’re fans. We grew up watching teams. We suffer through the bad times and savor the good times. We live and die with our favorite players and then share our experiences here.
To appreciate what I’ve experienced this season as a Patriots fan, you need to go back to when I started watching them.
The first Pats season I remember was 1987.
The Tony Eason/Steve Grogan Patriots were a season removed from their surprising Super Bowl appearance against the Bears. I thought I was “suffering” through the Tony Eason years.
Trust me when I tell you I had no idea what suffering was.
Eason went down with an injury in the 1988 season, and was replaced by vertically-challenged local legend Doug Flutie. The Pats finished a respectable 9-7 that year.
It was after the 1988 season that I learned what it meant to suffer.
In 1989, the Patriots won five games. It was a tough squad to watch—one of those “always finds a way to lose” teams.
Then came 1990.
I cannot rationally talk about the 1990 Patriots—at least not using language suitable for this website.
Then Steelers’ defensive coordinator Rod Rust was hired as the new Patriots’ head coach. He ended up leading the worst professional football team I’ve ever seen.
The 1990 Patriots were like the 2007 Dolphins, only with far less talent and an even more inept coaching staff.
They finished 1-15, and were probably lucky to get that one win. Fans were spared from watching the bulk of the carnage because most of the games that season weren’t even on TV. I listened to the Patriots on my father’s radio in my parents' basement almost exclusively that year. Never missed a game.
In my naiveté, I always expected them to find a way to win. I certainly didn’t want to miss it if they did.
The overmatched Rust was mercifully fired after the 1990 season, and was replaced with Dick MacPherson. MacPherson had a decent first season, but followed it up with a horrible encore. The 1992 Patriots were almost as bad as the Rod Rust Pats, managing to win only two games.
I remember how excited I was when backup QB extraordinaire Scott Zolak lead the team to its first win in ‘92.
“Zo Magic,” we called it.
After the ‘92 season, Bill Parcells was hired by then owner James Orthwein. The move was made mostly to give the franchise a pillar it could lean on after relocating to St. Louis.
The relocation, thankfully, never happened.
Bob Kraft, who owned Foxboro Stadium, ended up using the stadium lease to force Orthwein to sell the team to him, thus keeping the Pats in New England.
So the Patriots stayed in town, Parcells drafted a franchise QB in Drew Bledsoe, and things were looking up. But the Parcells years ended up being no more than a tease.
Parcells gave us two bad teams, one decent playoff team, and a Super Bowl team. Then he skipped town and took over the hated New York Jets. The Super Bowl team of 1996 was almost completely overshadowed by the departure of its head coach.
And after the Parcells years raised our expectations, the Pete Carroll years were that much harder to deal with.
We finally had a taste of success, then had it ripped from us by an inept personnel department and a happy-go-lucky moron coach.
I only bring this up because it affects how I view the Patriots’ recent success.
I appreciate every minute of it. I love this team. I live and die with the Pats every Sunday.
I consider the 2001 Super Bowl one of the greatest non-family related moments of my life. The back-to-back 14-2 seasons and Super Bowl championships in 2003 and 2004 were like icing on an already unbelievable cake.
That said, 2007 was the most enjoyable NFL regular season I’ve ever watched.
Before we get into the playoffs and get caught up in whether the Pats can or can’t run the table, I need to take some time to appreciate what just happened: the greatest-regular season performance in the history of the NFL.
It really is hard to fathom the extent of the domination the New England Patriots unleashed on the NFL this year.
They defeated the consensus second- and third-best teams in the NFL in the Colts and the Cowboys, both on the road.
They played four division winners and beat them all by an average of 17.5 points.
They set an NFL record for touchdowns in a season with 75.
They set an NFL record for points scored in a season with 589.
They broke their own record for consecutive regular-season wins with 19.
Tom Brady set an NFL record with 50 touchdown passes.
Randy Moss set an NFL record with 23 touchdown catches.
They won every game by an average of just under 20 points.
It was the most unbelievable stretch of winning that I’ve ever witnessed.
Will they win the Super Bowl?
Who knows?
They’re not unbeatable. The Colts are certainly capable. It’s fashionable to think that the Jaguars are a more playoff-football-ready team. The Cowboys can compete, should both teams make it to the Super Bow—and Brett Favre is always scary in a big game.
But those discussions are for next week. Right now, I just want to appreciate how far we've come.
After all, we’re a long ways away from listening to Rod Rust’s Patriots on my father’s radio in the basement of my parents' house...
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7 months ago
i also have been a pat's fan since i was a kid except i started watching them in 84 and this artical hit's the spot .it is right on goodjob writing it
from 7 months ago
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Always nice to hear from long-time Pats fans.
from 7 months ago
Great article ,,,,,,,,,,I have to say this. I've been watching the Patriots since 1962. There I said it. So you know how I feel about them since Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have been together.
******************************** GO PATS GO *********************************
7 months ago
It's true that the Patriots cannot be celebrated as one of (if not the) best teams in NFL history until they win the Super Bowl. That said, it's important for New England fans to use the time from now until the playoffs to remember just how special this team is, and how far the franchise has come over the years.
Last night really cemented the legacy of this team. The Patriots have proven throughout the season that they can not only dominate teams throughout the length of a game, but can also grind out tough wins in the fourth quarter. That "second try" from Brady to Moss really shows the character of this team and their refusal to lose.
I hope that New England fans appreciate how great of a team they have, while also paying their respects to the guys that put in their sweat (Hannah, Grogan, Eason, Coates, etc.) when the Patriots weren't this good. These are indeed the glory years for the franchise, but the past should not be forgotten.
Cherish the season for what it was New England fans, regardless of what happens in the playoffs. I'm not going to pretend like it won't be a huge disappointment if the Pats go down in the playoffs, but the fact of the matter is that this team has been nothing short of extraordinary throughout the season, and has undoubtedly provided all of you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Sean, thanks for the great read. You clearly appreciate everything your team did this year, and I'm happy that you are getting an opportunity to root for a real winner considering how far down in the cellar the Pats were when you were young.
from 7 months ago
Thanks Zander!
Bruce Armstrong, Stanley Morgan, Andre Tippett (who should be in the hall of fame), Vincent Brown, Steve Nelson...part of the joy of the Patriots recent success is the way the former players have taken a small part in all this. Can't wait for the team to open their Hall of Fame next season at Patriot Place.
Funny thing, when the Dolphins went undefeated, the Patriots were 3-11 and probably the worst team in the NFL (althought Houston & Philly may argue that). Those 72 Dolphins must think it's bizzaro NFL this season...
7 months ago
I remember those radio games.
Steve Grogan playing in that neck brace.
The unbearable Victor Kiam years.
It's still amazing to me to have no blackouts, let alone three Lombardi Trophies and a 16-0 season.
What a great time to be a Boston Sports fan. I feel like I'm living in a dream. And I don't want to ever wake up.
from 7 months ago
I've stricken Victor Kiam from me memory. The Pats were an astounding 21 - 43 for the 4 years he owned the team. He brought us Rod Rust and Dick MacPherson. Then sold the team to a guy who was pretty open about wanting to move it to St. Louis.
Victor Kiam was the anti-Christ.
7 months ago
heh... for some reason I became a Patriots fan after that dismal '92 season. I was 11 yrs old at the time, and was a fan of the underdog. I finally decided to choose a team to cheer for, and decided that the Pats were the best candidate.
What a great season this has been to watch.
Cheers... nice article.
-Chris
from 7 months ago
If you were looking for an underdog, the early 90s Pats definitely fit the bill...that's for sure. :)
Thanks for the complement!
-Sean
7 months ago
Congrats Patriots!
16 and 0 WOW!!!
This Song Is For You,
"WANT IT"
http://dieselman.imeem.com/
7 months ago
Here's why I think the Pats will take the Superbowl this year:
All the teams that came close to defeating the Patriots during the regular season were either teams that had "nothing to lose" (for example the Eagles and Ravens) or teams that figured if they did not beat the Pats there then they knew at least they would easily make the playoffs (Colts). At the beginning of the season, every team is scrambling nervously to get off to a good start which is why the Patriots shined throughout the early and mid-season. The teams with nothing to lose just went all out with no fear of missing the playoffs or any consequences because making or not making the playoffs had already been decided for them. Once they're in the playoffs then the feeling among each team is very similar to that of the beginning of the regular season. Teams will no longer have that "safety net" if they lose and won't be entirely driven by adrenaline; they'll have to think to beat the Pats, and out-thinking opponents is what Belichick is best at.
Great article by the way.
from 7 months ago
I completely agree. I'm only concerned if a team like the Titans gets through and feels like they have nothing to lose. One of those "we're not supposed to be here anyway, so we might as well go nuts" types.
A Colts matchup has classic potential. As does a Steelers rematch. But I think the Patriots ultimately win both.
If the Patriots go through the Steelers/Jags, Colts, then the Packers/Cowboys to win the Super Bowl, they'll easilly be the best team ever.
Thanks for the compliments!
7 months ago
Sean, great work.
Don't think there's anything I can add that hasn't been written here, but let's hope the Pats can keep it going.
...I think the best part of 19-0 might be getting Mercury Morris to shut up.
from 7 months ago
Thanks Matt!
7 months ago
Sean
Great article. Pats fans have a lot to celebrate and a lot to look forward to. Bob Kraft - in my opinion - has become the best owner in the NFL. A shrewd businessman that lets his football people do what they do best. Ever since he bought this team, they've been a force.
Quick question...did Kraft ever get his Super Bowl ring back from Vladimir Putin? I'm sure you know that story..just imagine - the Russian president walking around the Kremlin sporting a Patriots' SB ring!!!
I'm sure Bob can afford a replacement...
As a Giants' fan I have a few tid bits of my own when it comes to coaches and bad management choices.
In 1960, the Giants passed over their two coordinators and elevated Allie Sherman to head coach.
The two men passed over were Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry....
In 1991, Bill Parcells left the Giants and recommended that his best assistant fill his spot.
That turned out to be Ray Handley. We thought is going to be Bill Belichick!
Let's see another team try to match that!!!
Happy New Year...
JF
from 7 months ago
Good question on the Kraft ring. I'm not sure.
Ray Handley over Bill Belichick. Good stuff.
7 months ago
i started watching in 2001 lol, but i was only born in 1993 so, havent missed a game in 7 years
7 months ago
bob is i think the 7th richest person in the world supporting 10 billion, he can afford a new 1
5 months ago
tell the red skin who the boss
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