Incredible consistency, aside from the five Super Bowl titles, might be the most impressive part of the New England Patriots' dynasty over the last 18 years.
The Patriots beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-10 at Gillette Stadium on Sunday to clinch a winning record for the 18th consecutive season, which extends their own NFL record. The last season during which the Pats failed to earn a record above. 500 was 2000, when they went 5-11 in Bill Belichick's first campaign as head coach.
PATRIOTS 24, VIKINGS 10
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Last week, the Patriots secured their 18th straight season with a .500 record or better. The record for the most consecutive .500 seasons is 21, set by the Dallas Cowboys from 1965 through 1985.
Winning is very hard in the modern NFL, even if the Patriots don't make it look that way. Free agency, huge contracts, trades, the salary cap and other factors are meant to create parity and prevent dynasties, but all of those things have yet to keep the Patriots from winning on a very consistent basis.
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