(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots were used to being the team to beat in the AFC, and that’s no longer the case.
The long-withstanding debate about whether Tom Brady was a byproduct of Bill Belichick’s greatness or vice versa hasn’t exactly made the legendary coach look that good over the past four years.
That’s evident with Dov Kleiman’s report of the Patriots starting a season 0-2 for the first time since before the Tom Brady era, adding that he’s been below .500 since the legendary quarterback left home.
The last time the #Patriots we’re 0-2 to start a season, was the pre-Tom Brady era.
Bill Belichick hasn’t been able to constantly win without him, below .500. https://t.co/s58BTnhBtj pic.twitter.com/YhVRvrqpru
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 18, 2023
Ever since Brady left, the Patriots have gone 7-9, 10-7, and 8-9.
Add that 0-2 start to the season, and the Patriots are 25-27 without the greatest quarterback of all time, also missing the playoffs twice in three years.
Of course, it’s safe to say that they don’t have the same kind of offensive talent they had back in the day, but it’s not like Brady always had an elite receiving corps or stellar running backs.
Their defense continues to be as stout as it’s ever been, but the AFC East Division has gotten a lot better, and they don’t seem to be the biggest powerhouse in the AFC anymore.
Belichick won’t retire yet as he pursues Don Shula’s record for the most wins (347), but he might not be able to pass him in Foxboro.
Team owner Robert Kraft has let it be known that he doesn’t condone mediocrity, and no one will be safe if the Patriots fail to go deep into the playoffs again this season, not even Belichick.
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