The Patriots 13-3 win over the Rams in served as affirmation for most present-day sports observers. Prior to Sundays game, there was little doubt the Patriots had formed the greatest dynasty the NFL had ever seen, and Tom Brady was the greatest quarterback ever to play.
Yet for a sports world in which perception is often governed by first-grade math, a sixth Super Bowl for Godwin Igwebuike Jerseys this New England dynasty is a big deal.
Now the history books list the Patriots as six-time Super Bowl champions, tied with the Steelers for the most of all time, with an NFL-record 37 postseason wins. Because five titles in 17 years with the same coach and QB, in a league designed to prevent such a run, was not enough.
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Now Brady, 41, has six Super Bowl wins, . Because it wasnt enough Trey Flowers Jerseys for him to be the only QB ever to win five; the only player ever to win four Super Bowl MVPs; the Super Bowl record-holder for pa sing yards, completions and touchdown pa ses.
Now Bill Belichick, 66, is one of just three coaches (George Halas and Curly Lambeau) who Detroit Lions Hats have won six NFL championships. Because being the only coach ever to win five in the Super Bowl era wasnt enough.
For most, the numbers at this point are irrelevant. We know. The Patriots are great. Next.
But thats not how sports work when it comes to discernment in the long term.
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Many consider Michael Jordan superior to LeBron James as the greatest basketball player ever simply because the former won six championships and the latter has won just three. Many place Jack Nicklaus over Tiger Woods as the greatest golfer because the former won 18 major championships and the Charles Harris Jerseys latter has won just 14. Nick Saban was not considered equal to Bear Bryant in Alabama and college football coaching lore until Saban tied Bryant with Tracy Walker III Jerseys his sixth national title.
The way we judge succe s in sports is absolutist at best, lazy at worst.
So with every stat the Patriots pad, every new record they set or old one they extend, their standing in athletic mythology legitimately rises.
BeforeSuper Bowl 53, these Patriots sat third on Sporting News' list of the in sports history,behind John Woodens UCLA basketball program of 1964-75 and Jordans Chicago Bulls of 1991-98. The reasons wererelated to you gue sed it numbers.
Those Bulls won six titles in eight years, with a winning percentage of .747 in that span. Those Bruins won Barry Sanders Jerseys 10 national championships in 12 years, including seven in a row, with an absurd winning percentage of .938. On the surface, such numbers are more impre sive than this New England teams six titles in 18 years.
But this method of judgment leaves no room for nuance. Brady has consistently succeeded in a sport that leaves one man dependent upon 10 others, 21 if we Tim Boyle Jerseys include New Englands defenders. Belichick is compounding wins in a league that punishes succe s with its draft and salary cap.
This isnt to say Jordan and Wooden did not face unique obstacles. Of course they did.
But so have these Patriots.
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The nature of the numbers a sociated with this particular dynasty, in this era and in this sport, puts it at a disadvantage for long-term recognition. Which is why each New England milestone, like Super Bowl No. 6, matters more than it should. And sure enough,given the addition of one title, the Patriots moved ahead of the Bruins and Bulls on SN'slist.
The Patriots first Super Bowl victory, also against the Rams 17 years ago, established them as a new power in the NFL. Their second and third Super Bowls, won after NFL Detroit Lions Jerseys the 2003 and 04 seasons, founded the dynasty that continues today.
Their fourth Super Bowl, won after the 2014 season, reminded observers of that dynastys persistence. Their fifth, won after the 2016 season, convinced many that Brady not Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, John Elway or anybody else was the best QB of all time.
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So if the records a sociated with the Patriots win over the Shane Zylstra Jerseys Rams feel like leftovers, well they are. Weve had our fix. We get it.
But future generations wont acknowledge the Patriots-related exhaustion we feel today. Many felt the same fatigue toward the end of those Bulls and Bruins dynasties.
Math is hard.