When the Detroit Lions faltered under first-year head coach Matt Patricia last season posting a 6-10 record, the team was given a pass. It takes time to establish a winning culture. After all, in Bill Belichick’s first season with the New England Patriots back in 2000, the Pats went 5-11.
Of course, Belichick is Patricia’s mentor as the latter spent six seasons as the Patriots defensive coordinator, helping to lead the team to two Super Bowl titles. But in Year Two, those similar paths diverged. In Belichick’s second season, New England posted an 11-5 record and eventually went on a playoff run that lead to the franchise’s first championship.