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Ah, this is right in my wheelhouse. I’ll start with just regular seasons though, and put playoff ending ranking next to it.

1. 2007 – this was as crazy of a year as it gets, from the offensive dominance to Spygate, it was just a blur. The playoff run was rather unspectacular until the final turn of events, so if we included playoffs it would drop a few spots. #3 considering playoffs.

2. 2013 – So many impossible wins after suffering impossible injuries. I didn’t even lament the loss in the AFCCG that much, they pulled as much out of this team as they could. Maybe BB’s best coaching job ever. This was like the Patriots of old – underdogs who just kept winning by playing better team football. It was incredible to watch. #2 considering playoffs.

3. 2014 – Obviously this one shoots to #1 if we’re considering the finish, especially with the added controversey of Deflategate and the comeback wins against the Ravens and Seahawks. Wins over the Broncos, Bengals and Colts were especially memorable.

4. 2011 – Not a perfect team but one with a lot of heard that fought down to the very end despite getting whacked hard with injuries toward the end of the season. A special season in Myra Kraft’s memory.

5. 2010 – Good bounce back year after disappointing 2009, with Brady playing perhaps the best we’ve ever seen him with Branch and Welker as his main two weapons as Gronk and Hernandez emerged. Probably the worst playoff defeat of the Belichick era though.

6. 2012 – Just a not very memorable season for me with not a lot of exciting wins or odds overcome. Kind of beat who they should’ve beat and lost to who they should’ve lost to. Loss to 49ers was pretty epic but an unfortunate end.

7. 2009 – Other than Brady’s comeback in Week 1 vs. the Bills and the domination of the Titans in the snow, there wasn’t much to remember about this season. Ironically, it’s the one A Football Life followed BB behind the scenes.

8. 2008 – No Brady. No fun. This team beat who they were supposed to beat and lost to anyone who was good. The defense needed to be turned over and Cassell was okay, but had no magic. Forgettable year.

For me, retaining Revis is what matters most. I love McCourty, but having a free safety with range matters a whole lot less if you have a cornerback as good as Revis because they’re only going to have to cover half the field.

There’s certainly a bigger element as far as McCourty’s leadership and losing that would hurt. McCourty also can cover tight ends and do just about anything you can ask of a defensive back…

BUT…

And this is not to minimize McCourty’s talent or impact, but here are some stats to chew on as well:

Since McCourty moved full time to safety in 2012, the Patriots have given up the most 20+ yard passes in the NFL. They gave up the 4th-most 20+ passes in 2014 alone.

And they certainly have struggled vs. tight ends with the exception of 2013.

Again, this isn’t to say that either of these stats are all McCourty, but I think the impact of Revis is pretty clear in the above chart. Or to put it more simply, I think the Patriots defense is better off with Revis and Harmon at FS, than McCourty and Butler/Dennard/Ryan at CB.