1. In the 2003 season, the AFC champion was the New England Patriots, who were 2 years removed from winning the Super Bowl against an NFC West team (St. Louis Rams) in an indoor venue (Louisiana Superdome). In the 2016 season, the AFC champion was the New England Patriots, who were 2 years removed from winning the Super Bowl against an NFC West team (Seattle Seahawks) in an indoor venue (University of Phoenix Stadium)
2. In the 2003 season, the NFC champion was a team from the NFC South (Carolina Panthers). In the 2016 season, the NFC champion was a team from the NFC South (Atlanta Falcons)
3. In the 2003 season, the previous Super Bowl was held in California (San Diego) between an NFC South team (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and an AFC West team (Oakland Raiders). In the 2016 season, the previous Super Bowl was held in California (Santa Clara) between an NFC South team (Carolina Panthers) and an AFC West team (Denver Broncos)
4. In the 2003 season, the Super Bowl was held in Houston. In the 2016 season, the Super Bowl will be held in Houston.
5. In the 2003 season, the Super Bowl was held between a 14-2 Patriots team and the 11-5 NFC South champion (Carolina Panthers). In the 2016 season, the Super Bowl will be held between a 14-2, #1 seeded Patriots team and the 11-5 NFC South champion (Atlanta Falcons).
6. In the 2003 season, the Patriots were the #1 seed in the AFC, while the Kansas City Chiefs were the #2 seed. The Chiefs did not win in the divisional round, and the Patriots defeated an AFC South team in the divisional round (Tennessee Titans). In the 2016 season, the Patriots were the #1 seed in the AFC, while the Kansas City Chiefs were the #2 seed. The Chiefs did not win in the divisional round, and the Patriots defeated an AFC South team in the divisional round (Houston Texans).
7. In the 2003 season, the FOX Sunday afternoon game in the NFC Divisional Round was between the #4 seeded Green Bay Packers and the #1 seeded NFC East champion (Eagles), which was a 3-point game that came down to a field goal on the final play of the game. In the 2016 season, the FOX Sunday afternoon game in the NFC Divisional Round was between the #4 seeded Green Bay Packers and the #1 seeded NFC East champion (Cowboys), which was a 3-point game that came down to a field goal on the final play of the game.
8. In the 2003 season, the divisional round schedule looked like this: NFC South team (Carolina Panthers) playing in a domed venue (Edward Jones Dome) against an NFC West team (Rams) on Saturday at 4:30, Patriots at home against an AFC South team (Tennessee Titans) on Saturday at 8:00, Chiefs at home against a division champion and #3 seed (Colts) on Sunday at 1:00, and #4 seeded Packers on the road against the NFC East champion (Eagles). In the 2016 season, the divisional round schedule (before weather changed the format) looked like this: NFC South team (Atlanta Falcons) playing in a domed venue (Georgia Dome) against an NFC West team (Seahawks) on Saturday at 4:30, Patriots at home against an AFC South team (Houston Texans) on Saturday at 8:00, Chiefs at home against a division champion and #3 seed (Steelers) on Sunday at 1:00, and #4 seeded Packers on the road against the NFC East champion (Cowboys).
9. In the 2003 season, the NFC champion came from the NFC South (Panthers), and had to beat an NFC West team in the divisional round exactly 2 years removed from losing the Super Bowl in an indoor venue to the New England Patriots (Rams, Super Bowl XXXVI). In the 2016 season, the NFC champion came from the NFC South (Falcons), and had to beat an NFC West team in the divisional round exactly 2 years removed from losing the Super Bowl in an indoor venue to the New England Patriots (Seahawks, Super Bowl XLIX)
10. In the 2003 season, the Seattle Seahawks made the postseason with 10 wins. In the 2016 season, the Seattle Seahawks made the postseason with 10 wins.
11. In the 2003 season, both teams that made the Super Bowl the previous year (Bucs & Raiders) did not make the postseason. In the 2016 season, both teams that made the Super Bowl the previous year (Broncos & Panthers) did not make the postseason. For the record, in that timespan, these are the only 2 times that this has occurred.
12. In the 2003 season, the AFC East standings looked like this: Patriots in first at 14-2, Dolphins in second at 10-6, Bills in third and Jets in fourth with the 2 teams combining for 12 wins (both finished 6-10). In the 2016 season, the AFC East standings looked like this: Patriots in first at 14-2, Dolphins in second at 10-6, Bills in third and Jets in fourth with the 2 teams combining for 12 wins (Bills at 7-9, Jets at 5-11)
13. In the 2003 season, one of the 2 Patriots losses came in week 4. In the 2016 season, one of the 2 Patriots losses came in week 4
14. In the 2003 season, one of the 2 Patriots losses came to the Bills, and the other came to an NFC team (Washington). In the 2016 season, one of the 2 Patriots losses came to the Bills, and the other came to an NFC team (Seattle)
15. In the 2003 season, the Patriots played an NFC team at home the week after their bye (Dallas), the Jets in week 16 (which they won), and scored exactly 31 points in their week 2 game (31-10 victory over the Eagles). In the 2016 season, the Patriots played an NFC team at home the week after their bye (Seattle), the Jets in week 16 (which they won), and scored exactly 31 points in their week 2 game (31-24 victory over the Dolphins)
16. And finally, in the 2003 season, the NFC champion was the Carolina Panthers. Their final loss before the Super Bowl came on the first Sunday of December at the Georgia Dome. In the 2016 season, the NFC champion was the Atlanta Falcons. Their final loss before the Super Bowl came on the first Sunday of December at the Georgia Dome.
