How do this year's Patriots stack up to Belichick's past championship teams?
Under Bill Belichick’s direction since 2000, the New England Patriots have become one of the most successful NFL franchises ever, staying in championship contention year after year.
Entering the millennium in a pleasing manner - winning three Lombardi Trophies in four years - Belichick waited a decade to add his fourth ring in 2014, losing twice to the New York Giants in the process.
The Patriots have gone to the big dance six times under Belichick, and the 2016 group looks poised to make it seven - but how do they compare to the previous New England teams who captured the AFC championship?
Offense
The one thing that has remained consistent through all of Belichick's championship campaigns is Tom Brady, who is quite good. The 2016 version of Brady is much improved from the young gunslinger who won Super Bowls in the early 2000s. Apart from his record-setting 16-0 season, Brady is playing just as well, if not better, than he has at any point in his career.
The Patriots' current running-back group is as talented and well-rounded as any they have known, with the 2011 rushers as their only competition. LeGarrette Blount has been unstoppable in short yardage situations, piling up an NFL-leading 18 rushing touchdowns, while James White and Dion Lewis have been shifty, change-of-pace threats who are just as dangerous receiving as they are rushing.
In 2011, the Pats didn't have the same production rate, but the stable of talent was incredibly deep as Kevin Faulk, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, rookies Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen filled their running-back room.
Brady has always made his receivers better than they actually are, and while 2016 isn't really an exception to that rule, his targets are very well suited for the Patriots' offensive strategy. There's no 2007 Randy Moss type or even a dominating Rob Gronkowski like the 2011 and 2014 teams had. Instead, the combination of Julian Edelman, rookie Malcolm Mitchell, Chris Hogan, Michael Floyd, and Martellus Bennett provide a mix of skills that keep oppositions on their toes.
The 2014 championship roster tried to find a similar blend, but couldn't quite reach the talent level of this year's group and ended up relying on Gronkowski for big plays. Bennett's versatility as an in-line blocker and a split receiver coupled with Lewis' dual threats makes guessing run or pass based on personnel impossible for opposing defenses.
Previous Patriots teams used to get by without a ton of talent at skill positions because they had Brady and a stellar offensive line, anchored by the likes of Matt Light and Logan Mankins. The line has been rebuilt several times since those days and is no longer the complete group it once was, but has found a star in right tackle Marcus Cannon and earned a top-10 grade from ProFootballFocus this season.
Defense
If this Patriots team has an obvious weakness, it lies in the front seven, particularly along the defensive line. After trading Chandler Jones last spring, the team lost its designated pass-rusher and never really replaced him. The early Patriots teams were led by personalities up front on defense like edge player Willie McGinest, Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, and Vince Wilfork. A 31-year-old Chris Long doesn't really carry the same weight.
Much like the defensive line, the old linebacking corps were also a strength for the Patriots that has turned into mediocrity. Losing Jamie Collins via trade capped what the Patriots can do athletically at the second level with Dont'a Hightower being relied upon to make the majority of plays. There's no Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Roman Phifer, Adalius Thomas, or Jerod Mayo to really incite fear in opposing offenses.
The secondary in New England this year is good, not great - and that could be a problem. In Super Bowl seasons, the Patriots' secondary has been a supreme strength. In the two losses to the Giants, it's been a shaky group at best. Malcolm Butler and Devin McCourty can hold their own, but it takes a full unit effort to properly execute pass coverage. All-Pro defensive backs Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, Rodney Harrison, and Asante Samuel played key roles in the first set of championships, while Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner (when he was still good) led the group in 2014.
Special Teams
A sign of a good coach is a good special teams unit and once again, Belichick has fit in players to produce when the kickers come out. Patriots players Matthew Slater and Nate Ebner were both voted as All-Pro special teamers. A mix of Edelman, Danny Amendola, and cornerback Cyrus Jones shared returning duties, and the lone question mark could be kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who missed his first extra point since being a rookie and the lowest conversion percentage since 2010.
Overall, this year's Patriots team is lacking the punch on defense that it has typically had when winning Lombardi trophies. However, the offense is just as good as it's ever been with the exception of 2007, which is perhaps the greatest offense ever. The running game is strong and the receivers are well-suited to do what Brady does best. It would be nice to have Gronkowski ready to play, but the rest of the group is ready to carry the load as long as the defense can hold up its end of the bargain.
In short, the Patriots are still very good, but not a slam dunk to win the Super Bowl.