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A history of Bill Belichick’s track record without Tom Brady at quarterback

By Hans Themistode

Oct 24, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches a play against the New York Jets during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches a play against the New York Jets during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
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Matt Cassel
Matt Cassel (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /

3. 2008 Patriots

Team record: 11-5

With Tom Brady going down in a heap in the first game of the season, 2008 simply wasn’t going to be Belichick’s year. It didn’t matter, he built up enough equity with three Super Bowl rings and four appearances to be able to withstand a few bad seasons. Fans were completely willing to sweep the season under the rug, but Belichick saw it as an opportunity.

While he was hoping to have Brady, he coached up Matt Cassel and made it appear as though he was a world-beater. Cassel had arguably his best season ever. He threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Neither the offense nor defense struggled. The Patriots’ 25.6 scoring average was ranked safely in the top 10, the same can be said for their defense.

Unfortunately for the Patriots, the AFC was stacked that season. Incredibly, despite winning 11 games with a journeyman-level signal-caller, the Patriots were unable to grab a playoff spot. If they did, however, who knows how far they could’ve gone.

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