NFL Notebook, Wild Card: Tom Brady and Patriots, Tua Tagovailoa, awards and more
By Zach Cohen
Pondering the Patriots and Tom Brady’s demise, Tua Tagovailoa’s declaration, Division Round predictions in more from the Wild Card Round NFL Notebook.
Life, death, and the New England Patriots. Those were the only inevitable things when I was growing up as a Dolphins fan. As my NFL team suffered every season, I envied the rivals from the North who seemed to always have it good. When it came to predicting Super Bowls, I can’t remember a time where I didn’t predict the Patriots to reach the championship.
While that’s only part of the life of a tortured Dolphins fan, it was a big part. It’s like a cloud following you wherever you go because you know, that no matter what, your team will never be as good as the New England Patriots.
Obviously, the story on everyone’s minds is how New England bounces back from a disappointing season. (A season that featured a loss to the Dolphins, which led to the Patriots’ first-round exit against the Titans.)
Don’t worry, I’ll address New England later on. How could I not? The Patriots are the single greatest sports franchise of this century. No team in the four major North American leagues has even come close to replicating the success that New England had in the last two decades. Maybe it’s only fitting that as a new decade begins, the Patriots’ dynasty ends. At least, it could end.
The Wild Card Weekend was, for lack of a better word, wild. I was 2-2 in predictions last week, and I’m feeling even less confident in my predictions this week. What else am I throwing at you?
- Playoff predictions with analysis for each game
- A recap of the latest news in the NFL
- A quarterback prospect that will divide everyone
- I finally reveal my fantasy team
- Some New Year’s shenanigans
- Weekly awards and more…
Before I get to Tom Brady next season, let’s talk about what’s next for the four teams who beat him this season — not including the Miami Dolphins.