New England Patriots: How nostalgia is hurting a fading dynasty

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Los Angeles Rams Sean McVay (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Falling behind the best

The Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs are the easiest examples in making this case. The two best offenses in the NFL are lead by two young studs in Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff, as well as a great system. That is not the secret sauce though, it is the players that surround them who make it work.

The Rams have superstar tailback, Todd Gurley, 1000-yard receivers in Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks, as well as one of the best slot receivers in the game in young Cooper Kupp. All of these guys are well above average, and when putting a decent system around them, they’re virtually unstoppable.

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The Chiefs comparably have an absolute stud in Tyreek Hill, the most consistent TE in the NFL in Travis Kelce, and before his huge scandal Kareem Hunt. Once again, all way above average, and all running the system to perfection.

The difference is that the NFL has adapted to the Patriot way of thinking offensively, and are flat out doing it better. Even on defense, it is happening. Teams are less remaining on scheme fits and just acquiring the best talent they can in hopes that it translates to success on the field.

Sticking with the Rams, they acquired zone heavy corner Marcus Peters, in a defense that is very reliant on press coverage. They made the move because they wanted the best possible players on the field, rather than an average player who may cater to the style of play a little more. It is a bold strategy, but one that makes sense and has seemingly been effective.

The mantra was that the scheme was more valuable the team, but that begged the question “Why can’t you have both”? It is evident that the teams trying to do such formula are having success, and can definitely defeat the current state of the New England Patriots.

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