I think that the non-dominance is a function of being in the SB hunt every single year, without some of the in-between seasons that every other regularly good team has had. (to name 3--Broncos 2006-11; Steelers: for every 2 10+ win seasons they seem to have one 8 win season; Packers, seasons of 8,8,8 and 4 wins since 2005)). This will likely be the 14th straight 10+ win season and 15 out of 16.This is a near impossible bar to clear and I am not sure that you can make any definitive statement.
With that said.....one of the things that is fascinating about the Patriots success has been how narrow the margin has been in every playoff run - both the years they have won and the years they have lost. There has been a bounce of the ball, or a call, or an injury, or a play selection that has either led to them lifting a Lombardi in the process (From tuck rule to a pass playcall at the goal line), or getting knocked out (A guy who would never catch another ball in the NFL making the play of his life, Gronkowski getting injured, Wilfork slipping and allowing a first down on a pivotal 3rd down). Other than the year that Baltimore really beat them soundly and Brady got booed, most every playoff run has been tight (NB: I could google this to get actual scores, but I am way too lazy for that).
Arguably the most "coin tossy" of their SB victories was the last one. You had the ref screwups in Baltimore on the Hoowamnui stuff ( you need to get confirmation from the defensive captain that he understands. This was not done. I personally think that the Ravens were given enough time to make their substitutions on at least one of the plays, but I wouldn't say that on Ravensluverz.com) and then the Butler play.
In the hypothetical where they don't win that Super Bowl, they have now gone ten+ seasons without lifting a Lombardi despite having two potential GOATs landing in their laps outside of the first round. Would you feel as confident saying that letting go of that talent early was the right move in that situation? I honestly don't know.
It may be impossible, in the salary cap era, to both crush your opponents and compete every single year. That's how you end up in a cycle where you very easily could have 6 SBs or none.
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