Once again, Belichick and his staff are faced with an opponent the “pundits” say they have no hope of stopping. But we found that Belichick comes into the 2004 divisional playoffs against Indy with the most talented back-up band he’s ever had entering one of these now-legendary games. In fact, we looked at the record and scoring differential for each team that participated in these games and found that, for the first time, Belichick is clearly buoyed by the better all-around squad. (In other words, for the first time he fields a team with a better record and a better scoring differential.) Keep in mind that all of these opponents entered a game against a Belichick team after humiliating opposing defenses in the playoffs.
Super Bowl XXV
Bills – 13-3; 26.7-16.4 (+10.3)
Giants – 13-3; 20.9-13.2 (+7.7)
Result: Bills went 1 for 8 on third downs, held the ball for less than 20 minutes and lost, 20-19. Belichick’s gameplan resides today at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Super Bowl XXXVI
Rams – 14-2; 31.4-17.1 (+14.3)
Patriots – 11-5; 23.2-17.0 (+6.2)
Result: Rams turned the ball over three times, were held to 3 points through the first three quarters and fell to New England, 20-17. The defensive effort that stymied the Rams in that contest is regarded by many as the best defensive gameplan ever devised.
2003-04 AFC title game
Colts – 12-4 27.9-21.0 (+6.9)
Patriots – 14-2; 21.7-14.9 (+6.8)
Result: The Colts imploded against New England, losing 24-14 with an offensive effort that included four interceptions, four sacks and a failed punt attempt that ended in a safety.
2004-05 divisional playoffs
2004 Colts – 12-4; 32.6-21.9 (+10.7)
2004 Patriots – 14-2; 27.3-16.2 (+11.1)
Result: TBD.
Super Bowl XXV
Bills – 13-3; 26.7-16.4 (+10.3)
Giants – 13-3; 20.9-13.2 (+7.7)
Result: Bills went 1 for 8 on third downs, held the ball for less than 20 minutes and lost, 20-19. Belichick’s gameplan resides today at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Super Bowl XXXVI
Rams – 14-2; 31.4-17.1 (+14.3)
Patriots – 11-5; 23.2-17.0 (+6.2)
Result: Rams turned the ball over three times, were held to 3 points through the first three quarters and fell to New England, 20-17. The defensive effort that stymied the Rams in that contest is regarded by many as the best defensive gameplan ever devised.
2003-04 AFC title game
Colts – 12-4 27.9-21.0 (+6.9)
Patriots – 14-2; 21.7-14.9 (+6.8)
Result: The Colts imploded against New England, losing 24-14 with an offensive effort that included four interceptions, four sacks and a failed punt attempt that ended in a safety.
2004-05 divisional playoffs
2004 Colts – 12-4; 32.6-21.9 (+10.7)
2004 Patriots – 14-2; 27.3-16.2 (+11.1)
Result: TBD.
