I feel the only argument that could be made for this, I am pretty sure the Pats have never won when they didn't have a bye (and therefore 1 home game)
Before I say any of this, they are still good enough to be a dynasty. Maybe just 4 superbowls instead of 5 or something I don't know. I have to spend pointless time on useless mazes first to see
For the fuck of it, I ran through the scenarios of the seasons they went to the Bowl to see if a tougher division would have impacted them. I find this very interesting and if you feel like a complete rabbit hole, this is for you. I saw the NFC eas thrown around so I will use them. For less being left opinion, I kept the Pats in the "AFC EAST" and move the Eagles, Cowboys and Giants into there division and sub out the trash NY teams and the legendary average dolph fish. It is about divisions not conferences. Why not the Redskins? Because Fuck them, there dumb owner, and this is my write. The Super Bowl itself doesn't matter as the results wouldn't be impacted by a division change. It's a vacuum so I am not going to change the opponents of every other team.
Starting with 2001, it only gets a part run down because of the confusion division format. But it wouldn't have changed anything. The East was great that year and both the Jets and Fins made the playoffs and the Patriots killed everyone. Nothing Changes.
2003. The pats were dominate, going 14-2 after opening with a 31-0 loss to the Bills.
5-1 Div with 1 loss to the Bills above
Others: Eagles were great, Boys pretty good, Giants trash
Basis: This was easy, as they played that division that year, destroying them all. For the sake of it, the Eagles started off bad but got it together. Say the Pats come in later that year and lose. They sweep the rest.
Verdict: Nothing Changes. They stay 14-2 and win it all.
2004: Yuck. Dominate again. 14-2
5-1 Div with 1 loss @ Miami (lol)
Eagles: Amazing. Everyone else sucked.
Basis. They would have beat on the 6-10 Giants and Cowboys no question. I have them splitting with the Super Bowl runner ups again.
Verdict: Nothing Changes again. 14-2 still. Division didn't matter.
2007: 16-0
6-0 Div
Boys and Giants were pretty good.
Basis: They probably drop a game or two breaking the perfect season and end 14-2 at worst. I'll say 15-0 because this team was magic
Verdict: Nothing Changes. They beat the Colts in the regular season, so they would have had to lose 4 division games to matter, which wouldn't happen.
2011: Lost in Super Bowl, 13-3 in the regular season
5-1 in division as the everyone else was meh.
Everyone in the division besides the Giants was meh who even in the rg were meh at 9-7
Basis: They go 5-1 in the division losing to maybe the Giants in NY. Everyone else sucked.
Playing the division they drop a random game to say the eagles, there now rivals. They got 4-2 in the division with a 12-4 record (this one was hell to calculate) so they tie the... RAVENS. We both would be 9-3 in the conference at that point. Our strength of victory was a full .05 higher, meaning we take the 1 seed over them.
Verdict: It finally matters! They lose to us at the Bank when reliable WR Lee Evans makes a good catch in his end zone / or Billy converts on the field he became a probowler at!
So they still lose, just in the Championship game not the Bowl. (and we don't get Tucker)
2014: 16-0
4-2 in the division.
Basis: Doesn't matter again. The cowboys and Eagles both steal 1 game but they finish the same.
Verdict: They win the Super Bowl again beating us with there damn deflated footballs.
2015:
You guys will love this.
12-4
Div: 4-2
The NFC east was awful that year, and no one deserved to win it.
Basis: The Patriots went 4-2 in the division being knocked off twice at the end of the year to win the division. Here, they take care of there shit below 500 teams and finish 13-3. That is enough to win the AFC Championship game they just barely lost as he gets the Broncos at home.
Verdict: They pick up another Super Bowl as the Jets Fitzmagic isn't enough. I have no doubt they pick apart the cocky panthers as that team was all swag. NFC Steelers.
2016 They killed everyone on Brady's revenge as they went 14-2
5-1 in the Division (Lost without Brady)
The East was very good and the Boys and Giants both finished 11+ wins.
Basis: Let's go disaster mode and say somehow the Boys and Giants Both sweep the Pats and they go 2-4 in the division. The steelers are still coming to FOX in the Championship game
Verdict: Once again. No change. Superbowl winners.
2017:
13-3
5-1 in div.
Eagles were good Obviously. everyone else was meh.
Basis: They would likely finish the same in the regular season with one loss to the Eagles. This is a year that matters less because it doesn't impact there Super Bowl standings anyway.
Verdict: they lose in the Super Bowl again as me and my friends scream FYTB and do the Foles clap.
Obviously that is all super subjective and there are way to many things to play into it. The argument that a different division destroys there dynasty is confirmed as insane
@DeVito52
I think my math was extremely fair and reasonable, giving them +1 or -1 games just to keep things interesting. The truth is, it's the dominance against the rest of the league and the ability to lock a 1 seed that makes them what they are, not beating up on the shit teams that every division has at one point or another.
I still hate the Pats, but unlike the Steelers I can respect them.
Ironic. Changing divisions only allows them to avoid Fitzmagic and finish with 6 rings instead of 5. LOL