Are the Patriots having their "1997 Cowboys season?"

[Red Dragon]

This may finally be the year the Patriots dynasty enters its decline.

The Cowboys were a dynasty in the 1990s but had a losing 6-10 season in 1997. They did make the playoffs again the following two seasons but it was obvious in hindsight that the dynasty was a mere shell of its former glory.

After a long time of excellence, I think the Patriots may very well miss the playoffs this year - possibly snapping their long streak of winning seasons, too (right now they're a distant contender to threaten the Cowboys' NFL record of 20 consecutive winning seasons) - but might still come back for a couple more playoff appearances in 2015 and 2016 (just like the Cowboys did in 1998 and 1999) before the dynasty finally ends for good.

 

[roughneck266]

There are definitely some similarities.

 

[jrumann59]

This may finally be the year the Patriots dynasty enters its decline.

The Cowboys were a dynasty in the 1990s but had a losing 6-10 season in 1997. They did make the playoffs again the following two seasons but it was obvious in hindsight that the dynasty was a mere shell of its former glory.

After a long time of excellence, I think the Patriots may very well miss the playoffs this year - possibly snapping their long streak of winning seasons, too (right now they're a distant contender to threaten the Cowboys' NFL record of 20 consecutive winning seasons) - but might still come back for a couple more playoff appearances in 2015 and 2016 (just like the Cowboys did in 1998 and 1999) before the dynasty finally ends for good.

Possible but they are better managed than we were the lull will not be nearly as long. But I guess it depends on Brady's replacement.

 

[joseephuss]

They look like the 1984 Cowboys. That team failed to make the playoffs after the franchise had 9 straight playoff appearances. They went 9-7. The difference is that the NFC East had other good teams in the division at that time. The current AFC East is not good. The Patriots can struggle and still walk away with the division.

 

[big dog cowboy]

They traded away a All-Pro OG and now have OL problems. Woodhead left. Welker left. Hernandez left. All the replacements were a downgrade. Who knows if Gronk will ever been 100% again. Clearly Brady is shaken and has little faith in the OL and is struggling. The thread about his 5 year decline in QB rating was quite telling. Same thing on defense. Lost talent and replaced with lesser talent. Belicheat may considered this all world guru HC but the overall talent has really dropped and now it's showing in the W-L record. They will probably lose to Cincy this week. It's such a pathetic division they may still win it. But they won't go far in the playoffs.

 

[Joe Realist]

 

[Joe Realist]

 

[Joe Realist]

 

[Joe Realist]

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

That pic puts a big smile on my face! JUST A BEAUTIFUL THING

 

[BoysFan4ever]

They had a nice run.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

They had a nice run but I think Belicheat starting believing his own hype and though he could keep a team going with inferior players and not wanting to pay fair market to the very good players (not named Brady) he had.

That was just crazy for them to let their best Olineman go when they were shaky there to start with. All because they thought they could continue to just plug and play other guys in there and not miss a beat like they have so many times in the past. Same thing when they let welker go and deicded that amendola (sp?) was just as good.

The idea that the continually draft down on draft day and get future picks is thought to be great but what is not great is when they continue to do it without every using their top end picks to get good players to replace the ones they use.

They defense started to struggle a few years ago and they have tried to bring it up to par but at the same time have let their offensive side of the ball start to deterioate. Time has come that Brady can not do it all. I will also say to take a look at their drafting history over the past ten years when it comes to WRs...not exactly stellar. Most times their best WRs have been FAs.

Who knows if they can reload or not...but I really do think they have become a victim of their own success and their own hype to the point they think they can just put anybody in as long as it is the "patriots" way and it will go good.

 

[EST_1986]

I don't think so, they have a pretty weak division so they can probably sneak in the playoffs.

 

[CyberB0b]

They'll probably still make the playoffs.

 

[big dog cowboy]

They'll probably still make the playoffs.

Only if they win the east. It's a pretty bad division so they have a chance.

 

[sureletsrace]

Maybe if they'd pay up for the players that perform instead of eating the Belicheat/Brady cheese and thinking they can turn water into wine, they wouldn't be in this situation.

Good riddance.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

This may finally be the year the Patriots dynasty enters its decline.

The Cowboys were a dynasty in the 1990s but had a losing 6-10 season in 1997. They did make the playoffs again the following two seasons but it was obvious in hindsight that the dynasty was a mere shell of its former glory.

After a long time of excellence, I think the Patriots may very well miss the playoffs this year - possibly snapping their long streak of winning seasons, too (right now they're a distant contender to threaten the Cowboys' NFL record of 20 consecutive winning seasons) - but might still come back for a couple more playoff appearances in 2015 and 2016 (just like the Cowboys did in 1998 and 1999) before the dynasty finally ends for good.

Their decline happened years ago. They have been benefiting from crap division for years now.
Decline started when they started losing Super Bowls noble cause they can't cheat.

 

[hornitosmonster]

Possible but they are better managed than we were the lull will not be nearly as long. But I guess it depends on Brady's replacement.

No way. Belichick has gone off the deep end. He hasn't made a legit move in years

And the Cowboys have the best o line, Murray, Dez, Williams.

 

[CyberB0b]

They just embarrassed the unbeaten Bengals. I think it's too early to write them off.

 

[joseephuss]

They just embarrassed the unbeaten Bengals. I think it's too early to write them off.

The Bengals decided to remember they are the Bengals.