mike reissA foundation of the Patriots' success over the last five seasons has been saving their best football for the end of the season.
Since 2001, the Patriots are 40-8 (.833) in games played on Thanksgiving Day or later, a mark which is the best in the NFL (includes playoffs). In games played before Thanksgiving over that span, the team is 52-20 (.722).
Here is a look at the NFL teams with the best records on/after Thanksgiving since 2001 (includes playoffs):
# Patriots -- 40-8
# Steelers -- 33-12
# Eagles -- 31-16
# Packers -- 25-15
# Dolphins -- 21-15
# Seahawks -- 24-18