FOXBORO, MA--Are the New England Patriots a dynasty or not? That’s the question on everyone’s mind right now, but nobody will know the answer until the results of ESPN.com’s latest Sportsnation vote are tallied. The question “Should the Patriots be considered a dynasty?” was posed to the Nation this morning, and the team is nervously awaiting the results.

“Being considered a dynasty is probably the biggest honor that can be bestowed upon any team,” said quarterback Tom Brady after the Super Bowl. “I certainly hope that Sportsnation comes to the conclusion that we are one, and that we deserve to be mentioned with the great teams in NFL history. Otherwise this entire season will have been a waste. Come on, Sportsnation, show us some love. It’s not like you have anything better to do.”

The dynasty debate has been raging since the Patriots knocked off the Steelers in the AFC Championship game and earned a shot at their 3rd Super Bowl in 4 years. With no clear definition of what a dynasty is, the crucial decision, like so many before, has been left in the hands of random people surfing the web at work.

“I have the utmost respect for Sportsnation,” said Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi. “These are some classy and intelligent people, whoever they are. I just hope they find it in their hearts to call us a dynasty. This is our third Super Bowl now and it seems like we’ve done enough to earn that title. But it doesn’t matter what I think, it matters what they think. I just wish they would hurry up. I want to find out before next week, when we have to go back to practice.”

Some in the Patriots organization are concerned about voting irregularities. Owner Robert Kraft has sent a team of observers to ESPN’s Bristol, CT headquarters in order to ensure that each vote is tallied and the results are as accurate as humanly possible.

“Out of an abundance of caution we have sent some observers,” Kraft said. “They will be sitting with the ESPN.com web page administrators to make sure that each person’s vote is counted and that each member of Sportsnation will be heard. We do not foresee any problems, but with something as crucial as this, you can never be too careful. I just hope the voter turnout is larger than it was for the presidential election, and our fate doesn’t rest solely in the hands of a bunch of hillbilly dullards.”

This isn’t the first time that Sportsnation has been scrutinized so closely. In the past, they have been asked to vote on a wide variety of important issues. However, the intense pressure and public scrutiny is having little effect on the nation as it weighs its latest decision.

“Ah, the publicity doesn’t bother me at all,” said Herb Mackey, 36, insurance adjuster and Sportsnation member. “I’m just here to do my job and determine whether or not the Patriots are a dynasty. I know my decision will affect the lives of many people, so I’m taking it extremely seriously. Do I get stressed out sometimes? Sure, you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t. But like we say here at Sportsnation, if you can’t handle the heat, don’t participate in sports trivia-themed internet opinion polls.”

Mackey remembers the most crucial vote of his life, which took place last year at the end of the baseball season. After Cubs’ slugger Sammy Sosa left the field early during his team’s final game, rumors swirled about a possible exit from Chicago. The final decision, however, was left up to Sportsnation.

“Oh, man, the eyes of the world were on us that day,” said Mackey. “The question was ‘Should the Cubs trade Sammy Sosa?’ I’ll never forget the tension and anxiety. After careful deliberation, I decided that yes, the team should trade Sammy. I logged on in my cubicle at the office, clicked ‘Yes’ and the rest was history. Sosa was eventually traded, and Sportsnation opinion polls became the most influential force in sports today.”

While a tense world anxiously awaits the decision on whether or not the Patriots are a true dynasty, Coach Bill Belichick is trying to keep his team on an even keel. He knows how much the designation means to his players, but also tried to keep the whole thing in perspective.

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