"From 2001 through 2019, the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick dynasty totaled six Super Bowl titles, 13 conference championship appearances and 17 divisional crowns. They were the Evil Empire, constant contenders in a league designed for parity. It didn't matter who you were; the Patriots were the final boss. The early years of the Patriots' dynasty had a different feel. They were the Patriots, a dash of Americana, playing in red, white and blue, who won their first title as scrappy underdogs,"
"And they won differently. They were better, smarter, colder. And when other teams attempted to import the wisdom, it ended in disaster. Fans of other teams were sick of their success. Opponents, too. Sure, there were other reasons. There were the cheating scandals: real and serious, and stupid and imagined. There were the off-field scandals. The arrogance. The whiff of Maga. The jockeying for credit. There was Portnoy."
From 2001 through 2019 the Tom Brady–Bill Belichick Patriots won six Super Bowls, reached 13 conference championships and earned 17 divisional titles, becoming perennial contenders. Early years felt like underdog Americana, with a sixth‑round quarterback and a coach in a hoodie lifting a title as a unifying moment. Sustained success hardened opinions, generated resentment across 31 fanbases, and produced cheating and off‑field scandals, perceived arrogance, and political controversies. The dynasty eroded after Brady's departure, followed by declining wins and Belichick's exit; coaching replacements failed, attendance and reverence waned, and the franchise lost its aura of invincibility.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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