The Patriots' Super Bowl LIII victory was their third in five seasons, and sixth overallGETTY IMAGES
The Patriots' Super Bowl LIII win makes them the "greatest franchise in league history," as Bill Belichick and Tom Brady together clinched their sixth title "during a time when free agency and salary caps were supposed to make this type of run impossible," according to Andy Nesbitt of USA TODAY. Nesbitt: "But not this franchise. Not this QB. Not this coach." The Patriots have won all of their Super Bowls in the last 18 years, with Brady and Belichick having gone to an "astounding nine Super Bowls" in that time. The Pats "keep on doing it year after year by seemingly plugging in a number of unknown players around Brady" (USATODAY.com, 2/3). In DC, Mark Maske writes the Pats are "playing against themselves and history at this point, long ago having cemented their place as the most prosperous and lasting dynasty of the modern NFL" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/4). In Boston, Ben Volin writes in a front-page piece under the header, "Patriots' Success Redefines What Constitutes A Dynasty." Their "reign over the NFL is now in its 18th year, and their list of accomplishments is as jarring as it is inspiring" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/3). In Detroit, Mitch Albom writes in a front-page piece, "The Patriots just do things smarter, they evaluate talent better, they game-plan better, and from the looks of it, they pull together better" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/4). In N.Y., Mike Vaccaro writes, "They have restored our belief in the sporting dynasty" (N.Y. POST, 2/4).
CRASHING THE PARITY: SPORTSNET.ca's Donnovan Bennett notes Belichick and Brady now "have two more Super Bowl wins than any other quarterback and coach combo," and they have "managed to do it in an era with free agency and a salary cap." There are "specific rules in place now to promote parity and limit the domination that any one franchise can have" (SPORTSNET.ca, 2/4). In N.Y., Ben Shpigel writes, "In a league designed for parity, Brady and Belichick have destroyed it." The Pats' infrastructure and "ruthless roster manipulation gives them a chance every season to extend the dynasty" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/4). Patriots Owner Robert Kraft in his postgame remarks said, "There is one constant throughout this whole 18 years, two men who are the best at the best at whatever’s been done in the history of the NFL: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/4).
RESPECT IS EARNED: In N.Y., Mark Cannizzaro writes, "Whatever disdain you may have generated for Kraft ... you can’t help but respect what he’s built" (N.Y. POST, 2/4). ESPN.com's Ian O'Connor writes under the header, "It's Time To Appreciate This Patriots Dynasty As The Greatest In Sports." The Pats "deserve nothing but your unmitigated respect and admiration." O'Connor: "Simply put, we likely will never again see anything like them in our lifetimes" (ESPN.com, 2/3). In Pittsburgh, Ron Cook writes, "Give them the respect they deserve." Belichick and Brady are the "greatest coach-quarterback combination in football history -- hands down," and the Patriots are the "greatest dynasty of the Super Bowl era." Cook: "You will not see another like them" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/4). In Tennessee, Mark Wiedmer writes, "You can say what you want to about the way the Patriots go about their business. ... But you can't say they aren't really, really good at this pro football stuff" (CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS, 2/4).
