Since Sam Darnold was born in 1997, the New England Patriots have ruled not only the AFC East, but the entire NFL.

The Patriots have won the AFC East 17 times in Darnold’s lifetime, including six Super Bowl wins. Now, as he prepares for his second season, Darnold understands that it’s going to take near-perfection to dethrone the Pats.

“I’m just going to go out and do my best,” Darnold said, per The Daily News’ Manish Mehta. “I feel like literally in my lifetime, the Patriots have ended up on top. So, I’m just going to go out there and do my job. I’m never counting anyone out, honestly. Not just the Patriots, but every team that we play in the league.”

The Jets have been bullied by the Patriots throughout the 2000s. New England is 29-11 against New York since the start of the century. In addition, the Patriots have won 14 of the last 16 matchups. The all-time series is a lot closer, as the Patriots have the edge in the series, 65-54-1.

It’s not only the Jets, though. The entire AFC East hasn’t been able to take down the Patriots. The last time someone other than the Patriots won the division was in 2008 when the Dolphins won it. However, that was the year Tom Brady tore his ACL.

As for Darnold and the Jets, they can’t get too far ahead of themselves. Not only haven’t they been able to beat the Pats, but anyone else for that matter. In the last three seasons, they’ve won a combined 14 games and Darnold knows that won’t get the job done in this division.

“I’m just going to go out there every single game and every single snap, do my job, and play to the best of my ability,” Darnold said. “I know it sounds clichéd, but it’s true. You got to do it. Every single play here in the NFL. And if you don’t, you’re going to get beat.”

Who knows how much longer the Patriots dynasty has left? But until the Jets can take these guys down, they will always be looked at as the favorite in the division.