What is up with this team every 3 years?

Before the start of the year many were predicting this team had no shot to make the playoffs because they have not had 3 straight double digit win seasons in a long time. It looks like this team proved them correct. We have to go back to 94-97 where there were 4 seasons in a row with double digit wins. Not sure what causes this, but seems odd they seem to lay an egg every 3 years.

2012: 8-8/7-9
2011: 12-4
2010: 12-4
2009: 9-7
2008: 12-4
2007: 10-6
2006: 8-8
2005: 11-5
2004: 15-1
2003: 6-10
2002: 10-5-1
2001: 13-3
2000: 9-7

 

2013: 6-10
2014: 5-11
2015: 4-12

What's up with the next 3 years?

 

This is pretty interesting in and of itself, but I am not sure if it is anything but a coincedence- EXCEPT that there is a fine line between winning and losing close games in the NFL, and some years, for whatever reason, you make the plays, and some that you don't. In 2008, for example, the team won several razors edge games- including the Super Bowl, for that matter- and they sure did not this year.

I'd disagree with your example of 2000. First of all, that season actually was a marked improvement over the last 2. The team started 0-3- part of a horrible 6-18 stretch that dated back to 1998- but was 9-4 the rest of the way and narrowly missed the playoffs. In fact they were one of the best teams in the league in the 2nd half of the season, including a physical thrashing of the SB champion Ravens.

The other years are interesting to look at though- too much Tommy Maddox and Todd Fordham in 2003, Super Bowl hangovers in 2006 and 2009- and now this year, with 5 losses by a field goal.

 

without knowing how this year will end up... That list has only 1 losing record.