FOXBOROUGH, MASS. (AP) — The New England Patriots have set a benchmark for divisional dominance in the NFL for nearly two decades.
Their mastery of the AFC East with coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady leading the way — 10 straight titles and 16 in 19 seasons since 2000 — has proven to be somewhat of a double-edged sword for its division opponents.
It’s the curse that haunts them and the engine that drives them.
“New England is the team that teams want to be,” 22-year-old Bills rookie quarterback Josh Allen said after Sunday’s 24-12 loss in Foxborough gave New England its latest division crown.