The Patriots are the big winners of Alabama losing the National Championship Game

The two great dynasties in football at the moment are led by former co-workers: Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots are the NFL’s top organization since the days of Windows XP, while Nick Saban’s Alabama teams have been on the top of the college world ever since he took over in 2007. Belichick and Saban do not only share similar success, they also have a history going back to the early 90s when both were with the Cleveland Browns.

Belichick was working as the club’s head coach, with Saban serving as his defensive coordinator. Ever since those days, the two share a connection — and it goes beyond friendship and advice on draft prospects. Belichick’s Patriots and Saban’s Crimson Tide are also alternating championship trophies ever since the College Football Playoff format was first introduced in 2014:

2014: National champion: Ohio State; Super Bowl winner: Patriots

2015: National champion: Alabama; Super Bowl winner: Denver Broncos

2016: National champion: Clemson; Super Bowl winner: Patriots

2017: National champion: Alabama; Super Bowl winner: Philadelphia Eagles

Alabama got blown out 44-16 by Clemson in the National Championship Game yesterday, and the Patriots are obviously among the big winners: with the Crimson Tide losing, the circle can continue and the path has been cleared for New England to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy yet again. It would be the sixth of Bill Belichick’s tenure with the Patriots, tying Nick Saban when it comes to titles as a head coach.

So unless this pattern is completely arbitrary and only happening by sheer chance — and why would it, right?! — you can already start picking the best spots along Boylston Street for the Super Bowl parade.