When does the crash to earth happen?

[averagejoe]

Wasn't quite sure what to call this?

And I hesitated posting this on the NFL forum page because it will just turn into a bash-the-Patriots thread.

I'm sure to most Patriots fans, this is the greatest NFL team that has ever been.
And they may be.

I did a search on ProFootballReference.com for consecutive seasons above a .500 win%

Championships aside, the results were a little surprising since this "search" included the entire NFL from 1920 to today.

There are several different ways we can look at the data.

For example, the Cleveland Browns (yes, the Cleveland Browns) had 10 consecutive seasons above .500 and that 10-season stretch was an NFL-best .833% with 105 wins vs 17 losses (& 4 ties). That was from 1946 to 1955 (Before Jim Brown.)

Next were the Miami Dolphins 6-season window of 67 wins, 16 losses and 1 tie for .798%. That was from 1970 to 1975.

However, the Dallas Cowboys have an NFL-best 21 (yes, 21) consecutive seasons above .500 from 1965 to 1985. To some, their .710% (215 wins, 86 losses and 2 ties) which ranks 18th is arguably meaningless since they had 21 seasons above .500!

If you're interested, the current Patriots rank 3rd in win% with .768% dating back 17 seasons starting in 2001.

They can't stay up there forever?

The Dolphins came crashing down. The Browns came crashing down in historic fashion. Even the 21-consecutive-season Cowboys became rodeo clowns for a bit.

Every franchise has their horror stories. What makes it worse is that the LEAN years usually last a lot longer than the good years.

So again, when does their crash happen?

 

[averagejoe]

Here's a portion of the results:

​

 

[TREFF]

Pats will fall to earth when Brady retires, and/or the Hoodie leaves town

 

[obxyankeefan]

THE LIONS MADE THE LIST THE LIONS MADE THE LIST


It has only been 63 years of leans years since then, maybe one day we can get back to the top.

 

[molsaniceman]

View attachment 173238

Pats will fall to earth when Brady retires, and/or the Hoodie leaves town

I hope BB stays when Brady leaves just to see how he does but yes those 2 will be a big impact when they leave
I still have faith in Kraft to try to keep a good team on the field I think ownership plays a big part Dont know many Pats fans who are Sullivan Fans (previous owner)

 

[Ojb81]

I'm curious as to how long Bill wants to stick around after Brady hangs 'em up, especially if they win their 6th SB this season. No doubt he's one of the all-time great coaches, but I seriously doubt he continues this level of consistent success with "the next guy". Any "all-time great" coach has to have had at least SOME "all-time great" players, playing for them to get them to that level

 

[TKOSpikes]

Taking free agency into account, I don't think it is particularly close. Brady and Belichick are in a league of their own, imo.


**not just saying that because they are 29-3 against us... and two of those losses were in the 'Pats are locked, don't care' end of season games. (can't recall the Matt Cassel year atm)

 

[SmokingMonkey]

Since Brady ran Jimmy G out of town, I think the crash happens when he goes.

Very few QBs in the league can mask OL deficiencies like Brady and Rodgers, and usually the next man up gets pummeled.

It will be interesting to see what strategy they employ post-Brady. As with any team that hasn't had to 'look' for their next QB in over a decade. So much easier to work on all the other things that it takes to be a champ when you have a locked in franchise signal caller.

 

[Barilko]

Here's a portion of the results:

View attachment 173235​

What no Oilers

 

[broncosmitty]

The Lions had 9 consecutive seasons over .500 at one point. 1931-1939. 68-33 .673%


The first three of those seasons were prior to moving to Detroit.