New England Patriots

Cris Carter has a simple answer for why fans hate the New England Patriots

Published Feb. 1, 2017 11:04 a.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

The New England Patriots are playing in their record ninth Super Bowl this weekend. It’s the seventh appearance of the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era with both seeking their fifth rings.

A recent poll revealed that most fans are pulling for the Atlanta Falcons, who are seeking their first Lombardi Trophy. In that same poll, it was clear that not many fans really like the Patriots – outside of their supporters in New England, of course. But why do so many people despise the Patriots?

FS1 NFL analyst Cris Carter gave his best reason for that on Tuesday's "Undisputed," and it has to do with the team’s remarkable stretch of success and sheer dominance:

“The most hated? I’m not surprised. People don’t like winners. I expect there to be some type of venom towards people that win all the time. If you look at sports the last 50 years, any team that has dominated a sport, typically they’re gonna be in the category – especially in the top five. Will they always be at the top? Not necessarily.”

It’s not just the fact that they’ve dominated the NFL for the better part of the past two decades. It’s the way the Patriots go about themselves in the medial on the field, and in the front office.

“New England, with the way they win methodically. Belichick, Brady, the way they go about their business, as far as managing the cap. How they handle their players, as far as the roster. How they handle the media, the lack of information that comes out of Foxborough as far as being a broadcaster or a journalist. I’m not surprised they’re at the top, but an excuse for that is they are a dynasty.”