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The Patriots win, and Brady - a mere sixth-round draft choice from the University of Michigan - will be anointed as the greatest quarterback of all-time. So will the Patriots, as the greatest pro football team, after running the table with a perfect 19-0 record.

Thing is, the Patriots' ride throughout the playoffs has almost been mundane. They have been more methodical than menacing, and more sufficient than spectacular.

The Patriots didn't overwhelm either the Jacksonville Jaguars or the San Diego Chargers. It was more like they outlasted them with pluck, poise and perfect protection in the pocket for Brady, who enters each game as a marked man, but leaves without a mark upon him.

You look here in town at the Lions and their struggle to just put together a winning season. It looks like they are attempting to climb Mount Everest. For the Patriots, winning a Super Bowl is like gliding down the bunny hill at Mount Holly.

The National Football League, with its hard salary cap, rather restrictive free agency system and unparalleled revenue sharing among its teams, is supposed to be the land of parity.

Instead, it's the Patriots' domain. Take the '27 or '1 Yankees, Vince Lombardi's Packers or Bill Walsh's 49ers, Bill Russell's Celtics or Michael Jordan's Bulls — they won't have anything on the Patriots if they, as expected, win this Super Bowl.

In 2000, ESPN did an extensive series on the greatest athletes of the 20th Century. If the same list were fast-forwarded to today, Brady would be in the Top Five Ñ if the Patriots win this Super Bowl.

This is history. Big-time stuff in the realm of sports. Yet, the Patriots are so dominant, itÕs difficult to grasp the magnitude. JordanÕs Bulls, for example, evoked passion. Everybody remembers JordanÕs up-andunder against the Lakers. Or the jump shot he made to drive a nail into the Jazz. What is your PatriotsÕ moment? DoesnÕt seem like there are any, at least since Brady led a playoff victory over the Raiders in the snow during his first season as starter.

No, The Catch or epic drives Ñ like Joe Montana and the 49ers. Or quarterback sneaks for eternity Ñ like Bart Starr and the Packers. Brady did set the single-season touchdown pass record this season, but it was an afterthought, certainly nothing to compare with the 60 homers hit by Babe Ruth in Ô27 or the 61 by Roger Maris in Ô61.

Football is the ultimate rugged game, but Brady makes it seem like a croquet match on the front lawn. Do they even have to wash his uniform after these games?

The Patriots were tested in a couple late regular season games, but it was more like a cat toying with a mouse, before going in for the inevitable kill, than anything too compelling.

Hopefully the Super Bowl will be different. The Giants were one of those teams that severely tested the Patriots during the regular season. And it was phenomenal how they kept pulling out tight wins on the road to advance to the Super Bowl.

But donÕt count on anything other than a systematic Ñ almost mechanical Ñ New England rout. For this isnÕt only the year of Tom Brady and the Patriots.

ItÕs the era.