These are the sort of things you resort to when you're a cheating franchise and know the perception is always gonna be about them ******

The Faketriots will officially be back when Assnorix feels safe enough to come out of his self-imposed bandwagoners exile.

On his current pace it's Mahomes.

It was an open question on perception.

Your validation is not required.

Pats fans are the pinnacle of self awareness

We were fortunate to have witnessed a historic coming-together of the perfect owner, the perfect head coach and the perfect quarterback at the perfect time in their careers. We’ll never see anything like it again. That said, I’m very pleased to see their progress back to the top tier.

I would pump the brakes on the Patriots are back scenario. One of the reasons for their success was the fact the AFC East was an absolute dumpster fire for a very long time outside of a brief couple of years the Jets were good. Buffalo doesn't look like they are going anywhere anytime soon and if Miami can find a QB they will be tough. NE won't have their six gimme wins every year. Mac is a rookie. Let's see what he looks like next year when the league "figures him out".

Playoffs? Yes
AFC? Probably not

I think they're back to respectable but not a contender...

My thoughts too. A respectable playoff-caliber team so long as the defense keeps doing what it's doing. Certainly not anywhere near the juggernaut they were if we're talking about being "back."

I've heard that for 20 years.

Yep. We'll see.

Didnt Mac Jones actually say he thought he was better at tennis than football ? Or did i just dream that.

What a time to be alive. Pats fans come groveling at our knees asking if they're good enough.

Yea, but just wait until the league gets some film on Mac!!!