Then Tom Brady got one more chance. Look what happened.

The keys that unlocked the dynasty were buried as much in the NFL rulebook as in Belichick’s playbook. The “Tuck Rule” call that overturned Brady’s apparent fumble is probably the most important call in NFL history. Who knows where the Pats would be without it?

Adam Vinatieri’s 45-yard field goal to send the Snow Bowl into overtime, and his 48-yarder to win the Super Bowl two weeks later, were nothing short of heroic. That Pats team was what dreams are all about.

Now the Patriots are like a factory, churning out trophies every year.

I’m not complaining, I’m just saying that we’re getting a little spoiled here in Boston—three major titles over a 371-day span will do that to you.

A championship respite is on the horizon, as the Celtics won’t advance in the playoffs and the World Series is over eight months away.

Come October, Boston will once again be hungry.

And if the Sox repeat, I’ll forfeit some sleep and go watch the Duck Boats roll by.

—Staff writer Stewart Hauser can be reached at hauser@fas.harvard.edu.