FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots long were considered the class of the National Football League. Owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady formed a trio 31 NFL franchises envied for two decades.
That’s not the case anymore.
The Patriots now are the doormat they used to wipe their feet with. They’re the get-right opponent they always seemed to come across at the perfect time. Remember the AFC East dumpster fire? The Patriots went from the team which poured gasoline and lit the flame to the one viewed as the leaves and branches.