The Patriots head into next season as the reigning Super Bowl loser. That’s not the title of choice, especially since the losers have had a reputation for not getting back to the big game the following year.
Only seven teams have returned to the Super Bowl the year after losing the title, with the Bills the last one in 1994. Of those seven, only two won in their return engagement: the 1971 Cowboys and the 1972 Dolphins.
That’s why this offseason is so important for the Patriots. Getting over the losers’ curse and the dreaded Super Bowl hangover stands as a monumental mission.