But we’re starting with the NFL dynasty we were all writing epitaphs for in October.
(Suffice it say, it’s not even December yet and a lot of us would like a rewrite.)
If you want to get to the heart of how this is happening, McCourty will take you to something that inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo—a seven-time team captain in his eight years as a player in New England—has said to his defensive players a bunch this year, something he repeated to them before the win over the Titans.
“Mayo said it today: Everyone play like a star. If you’re a role player, be a star in your role. If you’re a star, be a star out there,” McCourty said. “And I think that’s what this team is built for. Not just offense and defense or special teams. It’s a combination of all those things that come together, and everyone’s fulfilling that role. And when we complement each other, we know we can be a good team and be a tough team to beat.
“But it always comes down to doing that day in and day out, and then obviously on Sunday.”