The Patriots have built what’s easily considered as one of the NFL’s all-time great dynasties. They’ve won five Super Bowls with the same QB-coach combo, and have proven rather unstoppable during the regular season.
Patriots are an NFL dynasty, but they have never dominated a Super Bowl
New England has many signature Super Bowl wins, but it doesn’t have any blowouts, which is rare for a dynasty.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
Yet in their path to greatness, there’s one big difference between their accomplishments and those of other teams with multiple rings: The Patriots have never blown out their opponent in the Super Bowl.
That’s not to take away from what New England has done — and certainly there are plenty of reasons for this, namely the increase in talent across the league — but it seems strange. For all the signature moments Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have engineered during their championship runs, there hasn’t been one Super Bowl where anyone can say they were flat out the best team on the field.
In fact, out of the six most recognizable dynasties in league history (Raiders, Cowboys, Steelers, 49ers, Washington, and Patriots), New England has the lowest margin of victory despite having the most rings.
Teams | Final Score | Final Score | Final Score | Final Score | Final Score | Avg margin of victory |
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It’s also worth considering the caliber of teams the Patriots have faced in the Super Bowl. Between the Rams in 2002 and Seahawks in 2015, they’ve defeated some of the best offenses and defenses the league has seen. You could even argue that New England has been better at dominating halves — or fourth quarters — rather than full games.
It’s just plain weird. The best team of the past 17 years has been anything but that when it’s mattered most.
We’re sure this keeps Brady and Belichick up every night.
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