Bill Belichick and Tom Brady built the New England Patriots' dynasty on winning close games.

Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels and Tom Brady can't seem to conjure up their offensive wizardry in the fourth quarter of close games. Joe Nicholson/US Presswire

But in the wake of another one-point loss, it seems clear that the magic is gone.

The Patriots still possess the high-powered offense that has contributed to an average margin of victory of 18.3 points. But it's the close losses that are particularly troubling.

Following Sunday's 24-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Patriots have lost three games by a combined four points.

The Patriots are the first team with three losses by two points or fewer in their first six games since the 1960 Dallas Texans of the AFL.

With 10 games still to play, New England has already matched the franchise record for losses by less than a field goal in a season (1981).

In all three losses, Brady had the ball in his hands with less than three minutes to go and the chance to either seal the victory or produce a comeback.

It was under these circumstances that Brady emerged as an elite quarterback.

In Brady's first seven seasons as starter, the Patriots went an NFL-best 39-10 in games decided by seven points or fewer.