Published January 24, 2011

New England Patriots linebacker Dane Fletcher celebrates after sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn with just under a minute remaining on Dec. 19, 2010, in Foxborough. (Charles Krupa/AP)

Thanks to wins over the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New England Patriots have won the 2011 Super Bowl.

Last weekend, the Patriots were awarded both the AFC and NFC Conference championships since they had already beaten the Jets and the Bears, as well.

With a 14-2 regular season record, the Patriots would have hoisted the NFL’s Lombardi Trophy as league champions if the NFL determined championships like the rest of the world does, in soccer. (There are no playoffs in that system; the league winner is the team with the best record at the end of the season.)

For once, Pats fans might wish the Patriots played real fútbol. Or maybe twice in the past four seasons.