tom brady

A victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII will give the New England Patriots six Super Bowl rings in 17 years, and cement their status as the greatest dynasty in the history of the NFL beyond a shadow of a doubt. But what about beyond the gridiron? Are they the best ever? How do the Patriots stack up against the legendary dynasties from the NHL, NBA, MLB and NASCAR?

If you like to follow trends when you make wagers, there's an obvious trend on the go in regards to the NFL's Pro Bowl. The last six AFC-NFC games have seen the winner alternate. The AFC won last season by a shockingly low-scoring 20-13 margin, so that means it's the NFC's turn to win. The oddsmakers agree, establishing the NFC as the favorite.

Not so long ago, Nick Foles had a great job. As back-up QB of the Philadelphia Eagles, he held a clipboard on the sideline, watching NFL MVP candidate Carson Wentz work under center and lead the Eagles toward the NFC East title. That comfort zone came to a crashing halt in Week 14 when Wentz suffered a season-ending torn ACL, leaving Foles to carry the Eagles to Super Bowl LII.

The best there ever was? The best there ever will be? When it comes the success of the New England Patriots, it's only natural to compare what the franchise has accomplished in the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era to the legendary dynasties of the NFL. But are the Patriots the gold standard of NFL franchises, or do they need to win a sixth Super Bowl to cement this status?

Let's face it, the New England Patriots are the NFL's version of Hulk Hogan. Much like Hogan, the legendary wrestling champion, so often the Patriots look to be down and out and on the verge of defeat, only to rise up and stage a miraculous come-from-behind victory. New England's win over the Jacksonville was the 54th fourth-quarter rally engineered by Patriots QB Tom Brady.

Talk about a contrast in histories. The New England Patriots are playing in their seventh AFC Championship Game in a row and their 12th conference title game since 2001. The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the AFC Championship Game for just the third time in franchise history. Sunday's contest will be only the 14th playoff game for the team since the Jaguars entered the NFL as an expansion franchise in 1995.

To say that Tom Brady has owned the Tennessee Titans is a bit of an understatement. The New England Patriots quarterback is 6-1 lifetime against Tennessee and has beaten the Titans in their last six meetings. Factor in the Patriots' impressive 20-4 home playoff record, and that they haven't lost at home in postseason play since 2012, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to pick the winner here.

Will Tom Brady get one for the thumb in Super Bowl LII? Brady, the New England Patriots quarterback, led the NFL in passing yardage this season, one year removed from winning his record fourth Super Bowl MVP award. The Patriots are the top seed in the AFC, giving them the inside track to another trip to the Super Bowl, And if victory awaits them, it's a good bet that another MVP award could be handed off to Brady at game's end.

There's a dirty bird racing toward the Big Easy and it looms larger in the rear-view mirror of the New Orleans Saints with each passing week. The defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons are in a mood to retain their NFC South crown, and they are positioned well to do so. Win Sunday at New Orleans and again next Sunday against Carolina and the Falcons are once again champs.