The 2013 campaign was, as I wrote a few weeks ago, Belichick's greatest regular-season coaching job ever. And that speaks volumes, considering his amazing career win-loss total (199-105) and the fact that he once guided New England to near perfection.
Think about it: Wes Welker left. Aaron Hernandez went to jail. No Brandon Lloyd. Danny Woodhead departed for San Diego. Rob Gronkowski didn't get on the field until Week 7 -- and went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 14. The Patriots' two most important defenders -- Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo -- barely played this season, with Wilfork heading to injured reserve in early October and Mayo following him shortly thereafter. The injury problems didn't end there, either, as just this week, linebacker Brandon Spikes joined Wilfork and Mayo on IR.
And yet, the Patriots finished the regular season with the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs and a 12-4 record -- and it could have been even better. Remember, two of New England's losses came down to the wire: The Pats were robbed against Carolina in Week 11 (Luke Kuechly didn't just interfere with Gronk on the play that ended the game; he mugged him and stole his lunch money) and fell to the Jets in Week 7 because of an obscure -- if correct -- penalty called on them during a New York field-goal attempt.
Yes, the Patriots' ride has been remarkable, especially considering their true lack of sizzle and a relative talent deficiency (just compare New England's roster to those of the other remaining playoff teams). And it happened because Brady and Belichick are the ultimate deodorant.