With one more victory, they’ll be the winningest head coach and quarterback tandem since the 1970 merger. They’ve got an astounding 116-33 regular-season record together, and they just tied Don Shula and Dan Marino with the most wins together in history. More remarkable, Belichick and Brady have half the losses as Shula and Marino, whose record stands at 116-68.
The success hasn’t surprised anyone in the New England locker room. But again, that’s because the football world has seen it happening for more than a decade.
“Obviously, just the commitment that both of them have,” Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker said. “Coach Belichick, I don’t think there’s been one time when I’ve parked my car here and his car hasn’t been in his spot. He’s constantly here trying to help us and make us better. Tom, he’s Tom, always trying to find a way to do something better as far as eating more flaxseed or whatever it is. He’s always trying to find a way to improve out there.”
Belichick and Brady also have the highest winning percentage since 1970. Their .779 mark ranks ahead of Oakland’s duo of John Madden and Ken Stabler, who went 60-19-1 together (.756).
Belichick and Brady don’t exactly have that winning percentage sewn up from an historical perspective, but they’ve got a bit of a cushion on Madden and Stabler. Belichick and Brady could lose four consecutive games right now and still have an edge on the Raiders’ duo.
Belichick and Brady will have their first chance to break the wins record in Week 8 when the Patriots travel to Pittsburgh.
Right guard Brian Waters has been part of the last five victories, and he’s gotten a quick glimpse into what has made the pair so successful. One of the things that impresses Waters, though, is how much talent Belichick and Brady have put around themselves.
“It’s more the team aspect,” Waters said. “A lot of people focus on the head and the quarterback, but I think you have to look at those guys that are around them. For the head coach, look at all of the assistant coaches that went on to be successful at other places, or have been high-quality assistant coaches that have helped him in the process. For the quarterback, look at the great players that he’s had around him and helped assist in that process. But obviously, both of those guys are great at what they do.”
