People will always have something bad to say about the Patriots and there will always be wild conspiracies. Yet they can't explain:
Why New England lost two times to the Giants, who were a wild card team.
Why New England lost to the Eagles last year.
Why New England did not make the superbowl in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2016.
So, I guess some years the NFL and referees decide they want NE to win, and other years, they let them lose.
I guess they have to mix it up so no one catches on.