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December 16, 2007

Playoff bye: How important?

This will be the fifth time since the NFL adopted its current playoff format in 1990 that the Patriots have earned a bye into the conference semifinals. Every previous time, the Pats made it to the Super Bowl -- 1996, 2001, 2003, and 2004. After losing to the Packers in Super Bowl XXXI, New England upset the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, then beat the Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII and the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.
This is only the second time that the Patriots are the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They also earned that distinction in 2003, when they beat the Colts in the conference championship game in Foxboro, 24-14.
Under coach Bill Belichick, the Pats now have won five straight division titles, and six of the last seven.

Posted by Jim Donaldson  at 6:20 PM | Permalink