Fact or Fiction? Patriots can set record for most consecutive division titles

FICTION!!!

The New England Patriots hold a firm lead on the AFC East heading into Week 14 action of the 2013 NFL Season. If the Patriots claim the division title, it will mark the 10th time in the past 11 seasons that New England has won the AFC East. Despite that fact, the Patriots do not own the NFL record for consecutive division titles. The 2008 Miami Dolphins interrupted the Patriots string of division crowns. For the record, both teams finished with 11-5 records in ’08 but Miami won the division based on a one-game edge in conference records.

The Los Angeles Rams of the 1970s hold the NFL record for consecutive division titles as the team won the NFC Western Division seven straight seasons from 1973-79. No team in that division came within two games of the Rams during that stretch until 1979 (pictured above). That year, the Rams finished one game ahead of the Saints. Interestingly, L.A.’s 9-7 finish in ’79 was their worst record during the seven-year stretch yet they reached the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

The New York Giants and Green Bay Packers share the NFL record for most regular season first place finishes. Both franchises have accomplished that feat 23 times.