Patriots HC Bill Belichick joins prestigious group with upset over Bills
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick finally has something worth celebrating this season.
In a 29-25 upset over the Buffalo Bills, Belichick joined Hall of Famers Don Shula (328) and George Halas (318) as the only head coaches to win 300 or more games, per NFL Research.
Belichick clearly devised an excellent game plan. New England forced two turnovers (an interception and fumble), while its inept offense stepped up. The Patriots recorded 364 yards and scored more than 20 points for the second time this season.
After a disappointing 2-5 start, questions about the HC's future in New England linger. Even though the Patriots reportedly signed the future HOFer to an extension this offseason, the Patriots have only had one winning season and no playoff victories since former QB Tom Brady left in 2020.
Some pinned the team's problems on Belichick and want to move on.
"It's time for a divorce," The Ringer's Bill Simmons recently said. "I guarantee you [Patriots owner] Robert Kraft wants to bottom out and get a top-five pick."
While some criticisms are fair, they shouldn't detract from his remarkable legacy. In 24 seasons with New England, he has won six Super Bowls and NFL Coach of the Year three times. Also, he is the NFL's all-time leader in postseason wins (31).
Despite the victory against the Bills (4-3), the Patriots probably won't make the playoffs for a second straight season. The New York Times simulator gives them a five percent chance to make the postseason.
However, the win proves Belichick is still a great coach and shouldn't be blamed for all of the team's problems.
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