Fansided

One reason every team can win Super Bowl 52

By John Buhler

Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on after losing 41-48 to the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on after losing 41-48 to the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

New England Patriots: Belichick and Brady are better than everybody else

It’s not a guarantee, but expect the 2017 New England Patriots to win the AFC East for the ninth straight season. The Patriots are a model of tremendous consistency in an era of the NFL that doesn’t (in theory, anyway) allow for dynasties.

Yet here we are. New England is about to win its eighth straight AFC East crown, getting another first-round bye in the AFC Playoffs, and will very likely play in its sixth straight AFC Championship. That last stat is borderline unbelievable, just like the Patriots’ sustained success since 2001.

The two pillars of the Patriot Way the last decade-plus have been all-timers: head coach Bill Belichick and starting quarterback Tom Brady. Together, they’ve won the AFC six times and hoisted four Lombardi Trophies.

Hate them or love them, Belichick and Brady are just better than everybody else, whether you want to admit it or not. As long as they’re both around, New England has to be the overwhelming favorite to win the AFC, right?

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