The Most Amazing Fact About the Patriots' Decade+ of Dominance in the NFL

[Yavin4]

Dominating the NFL as the Partiots have for 12 years is an amazing feat in itself, but what is truly amazing is that they've done this with different players all along the way. The only constants are Tom Brady and coach Belichick.

There have been different WRs, TEs, running backs, OL. On defense, it's been different safeties, corners, LBs, DLs. Heck, the coaching staff has even seen tremendous turnover as well as their GM.

Most sports dynasties rely on a core group of players, coaches, and a GM. Not the Pats. They contend every year for a title while literally rebuilding their entire franchise, from GM down to player, all along the way.

When it comes to the Pats, we're not dealing with a football team. We're dealing with a Terminator robot.

(p.s. I am not a Patriots fan. I am just giving an honest observation.)

[trumad]

1. if they lose another super bowl they may become the new Buffalo Bills.

[Yavin4]

4. Their 2 Superbowl Losses Are Looked Upon As Flukes

It took miracle catches in both games to beat them.

[trumad]

13. really....

Hey.. lets not forget the Kodachrome.

[Auggie]

2. Same with the 49ers decade+ of dominance

[Yavin4]

3. True, But...

The 49ers did it with the same group of players throughout: Montana, Rice, John Taylor, Ronnie Lott, Roger Craig, Steve Young, etc., and coaches, Shanahan, Homlgren.

When their coaches and players left, they were not nearly as dominant.

[Auggie]

8. Rice, Craig and Young came along in the mid 80s after the first Super Bowl

Walsh retired after 1988 and Seifert won two more.

Holmgren was with the team 1986-91, as O.C. only 1989-91

Shanahan was with the team from 1992-1994 as O.C. for their last Super Bowl.

Steve Young joined the team in 1987 after they had already won two superbowls. Montana left in 1992.

Ronnie Lott left as a free agent in 1991.

The only real constants were Vice President/Director of Football Operations John McVay (1980-1996) and owner Eddie DeBartolo.

There was as much turnover in 13 years for the 49ers as the Pats. Perhaps more so.

[joeybee12]

5. Seems to me the 49er's dominance was over a shorter period...

More SB titles, but in such a relatively short period of time...I could google to be sure, but I'm lazy...

[hughee99]

6. No, I think the 49ers were really good for about almost two decades.

From when Montana came in (1980) to when Young left (after the '98 season) they won at least 10 games every year, excluding the strike year in '82. They may not have had the best team in the NFL every year in that span, but they were always in the conversation.

[joeybee12]

7. I was still living in LA when the 49'ers won with Steve Young...

So that had to be at tle latest 1995, and Montana first won in 1983 or 1982, I think...

[hughee99]

9. 1981 was the first.

and they made the NFC championship as late as 1997.

[joeybee12]

10. Really?

I was sure it was later...oh well...

[Yavin4]

11. The Patriots Dominance Has Been More Profound

The 49ers went to 5 Superbowls in 15 years, a 33% rate. If the Pats win Sunday, this will make 6 Superbowls in 12 years, a 50% rate.

[Auggie]

12. Yeah, but the 49ers won all their Super Bowls

But truthfully, I don't care much about comparisons. Suffice it to say the Pats have had a historic run just like several great franchises of the past.