Patriots' Latest Loss Clinches Another Dubious Feat

Harkening back to the dreary turn of the century has been a far-too-common theme for the Patriots (4-12). The 2000 season was Bill Belichick's first at the helm and the last before Tom Brady guided the team to countless treks of glory upon his takeover of the starting quarterback slot the next season. 

Back then, the Patriots finished fifth, as the 2000 campaign was the penultimate season with 31 teams separated into six five-group divisions. The league split into eight four-team groups upon the Houston Texans' arrival in 2002, with the Indianapolis Colts leaving the East to join the newcomers in the South.

Even in their down-and-out, post-Brady years, the Patriots would at least be able to outpace the New York Jets, who added another year to the NFL's longest active playoff drought earlier this month. Alas for Foxborough, Sunday's loss to the surging Bills (10-6) ensured that the Patriots can't catch Gang Green (6-10), which will, ironically enough, visit Gillette Stadium for each side's season finale next Sunday.

In addition to divisional doom, the Patriots were also dealt their 12th loss of the season. They reached that dubious dozen for the first time since 1992, the year before another quarterback savior, Drew Bledsoe, was taken with the top pick in the ensuing draft. New England is expected to repeat that process this year, as the loss to the Bills moved them back to the third slot on the current draft board.