The New England Patriots and Their Last Seven Seasons

Since 2001, the Patriots have won 3 Super Bowls.

Over the last seven season, the Patriots have been 86-26 in the regular season. An astonishing 76.8 winning percentage. Including 16-0.

They've been 7-6 in the playoffs. And been to two Super Bowls.

And during this time, they have as many Super Bowl victories as the Chiefs, Lions and Bears. Zero.

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Brady. Belichick. Seven great seasons with no rings.

What happened?

2005: The Patriots were 10-6 but lost in the playoffs on the road to Jake Plummer's Broncos.

2006: The Pats lost the AFC Championship to the Colts 38-34. The Colts go on to win the Super Bowl over the Grossman Bears. If the Pats don't blow a 4th quarter lead, they would surely have added a 4th ring in the decade and Manning would never have won one.

2007: 18-1. After being the best NFL team ever, they lose in the Super Bowl to the Giants. NYG had the ball on their own 17 with 2:39 remaining, down 10-14. Jacobs converts 4th and 1. Samuel drops a would-be interception. Eli in the grasp, escapes, helmet catch. TD to Buress.

2008: Pollard knocks out Brady for the season. Cassel's Pats still go 11-5! But don't make the playoffs. Meanwhile, 3 of the last 5 Champions were 10-6 or worse.

2009: Brady comes back, lose in the playoffs to the Ravens.

2010: Pats get the #1 seed, lose in the playoffs to the Jets.

2011: Pats again get the #1 seed, lose in the Super Bowl the Giants again. NYG had the ball on their own 12 with 3:46 remaining, down 15-17.

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To sum up, they left a title on the table in 2006, 2007, and 2011. In 2010, they were the #1 seed with a 14-2 record. 4 ELITE seasons with no titles. This doesn't even count two 10-6 seasons where the lost in the playoffs or an 11-5 season where they didn't make the playoffs.

Sheesh. Must burn to be a Patriots fan.