The Quest for 7: Patriots' Tough Loss, Reactions, Links 12.30.19

Morning! Welcome to The Quest for 7, where volunteer writer, Steven Viner, scours the net for seven Patriots related articles from other sites offering different points of view on the six-time champs. Paid subscribers not only get to read all seven, but they also get to check out his always fiery "Steve's Soapbox" at the end.

1. Boston Sports Journal’s own Greg Bedard unleashes the Kraken on the home team’s performance with his BSJ Game Report: Dolphins 27, Patriots 24 - New England blows bye, will play wild-card game. Before clicking, grab an oven mitt. No homer analysis in this scathing hot piece. And for those who like it ghost pepper spicy, check out Bedard's: Season-crushing defeat lies squarely at the feet of the vaunted Patriots defense.

2. Hector Longo of BSJ paints his own picture on how Patriots playoff road: Not impassible, not impossible, but certainly now monumental. Longo’s view of the Patriots playoff predicament is the Yin to Bedard’s Yang, although Longo’s take isn’t completely filled with Zolak’s rainbows, unicorns, and show ponies, either.

3. The way Tom Brady and Julian Edelman connect, you’d think they have mental telepathy together when you read the Jared Dubin of CBSSports.com piece on How Julian Edelman remained Tom Brady’s remarkably consistent go-to weapon for seven years. If heaven has a magical VCR, and I could ask for one game, it’d be the 2014 Patriots with Brady/Edelman versus the 1984 Niners with Montana/Rice. Talk about the ultimate battle of clutch. (I'd love to hear yours in the comments.)

4. If you didn’t get enough of Hades Greg Bedard raining fire and brimstone down on today’s root canal of a game, listen in on his postgame Podcast: Bedard on loss to Dolphins, postseason with Patriots Postgame Show 12.29.19.

5. In my Salty Tears Take of the day, Barry Werner of msn.com reminds us that These 15 things were around last time the Patriots played in 1st round. After this loss, the inevitable Haters will be out. Helpful tip, Patriots fans? Remind them that, “This list only covers half of the twenty straight years of winning, and I thank you for all of your pouty-puss faces that have warmed my soul." Hug emoji.

6. The Patriots and its fanbase acknowledge individual records for as long as it takes to flush a toilet. Chris Chavez of Sports Illustrated reminds us that Tom Brady throws touchdown no. 540, surpasses Peyton Manning for no. 2 all-time. When you’re a winner, the importance of these records means zip, and if you'd like proof, read the last paragraph of this article closely and explain the logic of leaving these no-biggie TD’s out.

7. Patriots fans could use a pick-me-up, so check out NFL.com’s coverage of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. There’re videos, and feel-good pics galore to warm your heart, as All 32 teams are represented. Check out which member of the Patriots has given back to the community most, and give him a vote if you deem him worthy of the honor.

STEVE'S SOAPBOX

After my love letter to Tom Brady on yesterday’s The Quest for 7: Tom Brady Special Edition, I would like to offer a warning to both he and Bill Belichick. What I’m about to write is solely based on the rumors heard over the years that both Brady and Belichick have told people in their close circles, that they’d like to win a Super Bowl without the other.

I get it. If either were able to accomplish this, it would do wonders for their legacy. The G.O.A.T. quarterback and head coach will forever be tied together amongst Group A. “Belichick did have Brady when he won all those Championships.” Followed by Group B. “Brady did have Belichick when he won all those Championships.” … unless … one can go on to win the big one as a solo act. One-upping the other would be the ultimate tie-breaker.

But this brave venture comes with a potential price.

If the dynamic duo were to split, and neither of them could bring home the Lombardi? Then Group C would squawk in with, “Ha! See! Individually, they weren’t the greatest. They needed each other!” (Which by the way is complete horse bleep.)

Unbiased people with an I.Q. above 35 would realize that Brady was 43+ years-old when he tried blazing his own path, so he had no business even still playing football. But let’s face it, most will say he couldn’t win without the Hoodie. Belichick will have the excuse that he no longer had a franchise QB, and those are crucial in today’s NFL. … Unless the new guy slinging the football after Brady is actually good, then Belichick’s legacy could be questioned if he doesn’t at least make it to a Conference Championship. Their best bet? Take the corny road, and go out together … preferably three years from now.

So be careful what you wish for, Bill and Tom. The thought of a new, daring, Indiana Jones-type adventure can be enticing. Just don’t fall into the quicksand.

Be on the lookout for more The Quest for 7 features, leading into what is hopefully another epic Patriots' Super Bowl run.