Without question, 2007 was the year of the Patriot.  Never before has one team so thoroughly dominated the headlines.

After blowing a big lead in the AFC title game last January, the Patriots learned some valuable lessons.  First, they learned that they needed to play all 60 minutes of the game.  Second, they knew that they needed to shore up their most glaring weakness — the receiver position.

The Patriots jumped into free agency with uncharacteristic zeal.  They signed Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas to a big-money deal, and they swung a deal with the Dolphins for underrated receiver Wes Welker.

Then came the trade.  In hindsight, one of the best trades in NFL history.

Receiver Randy Moss for a fourth-round pick.

Prior to the start of the season, everyone was ready to hand the Pats the hardware.  And for good reason.  No conference finalist had ever done so much to improve itself in one offseason.

Then came Spygate.  Despite the significant penalties and the clear evidence of cheating and the arguable taint on past triumphs, the fact that the Pats were caught at halftime of Week One of the 2007 season necessarily confirms that the rest of the year was clean. 

The internal indignity created by the criticism resulting from Spygate resulted in a string overpowering victories, in which the Patriots showed their willingness to play the full game, without ever tapping on the brakes.  Questions of poor sportsmanship were raised.

But they kept winning.  Blowouts.  Close games.  Week after week, win after win. 

They finished with the first 16-0 regular season, and quarterback Tom Brady and receiver Randy Moss set the single-season record for touchdown passes and catches, respectively.

Regardless of whether the Pats finish the deal with a win over the Giants on Sunday night, they have put together the most compelling and impressive regular season in NFL history.