New England Patriots AFC East Analysis: New York Jets
By Hal Bent
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots are looking to continue their domination of the AFC East in 2015. Since 2001, the Patriots have finished first in the division every season except for in 2002 and 2008. In 2002 the Patriots finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs but finished in a three-way tie for first place losing out on the playoffs solely on tiebreakers. In 2008 they won 11 games and missed the playoffs after Tom Brady was injured in week one and they only lost the division to the Dolphins and final wild card spot to the Ravens due to tiebreakers again.
To say that the Patriots have dominated the AFC East is an understatement. New England has now won ten or more game in a dozen consecutive seasons. They have finished first in the division six consecutive seasons and been AFC East champions in 11 of the last 12 NFL seasons. With four Super Bowl wins and six trips overall in the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era, the Patriots have staked their claim as the top team in the NFL this millennium.
During the past decade and a half, no matter who the coach was and who was behind center, the other three teams in the AFC East have been stuck behind Belichick and Brady season after season. In the past offseasons each of the three other teams in the AFC East have proudly beat their collective chests after free agency and the NFL Draft and declared this year is finally their season to dethrone the champs:
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