As a Pats fan, I can honestly say 18-1 was devestating. However, you have to put it in perspective, I bet the Lions would make that trade any day.
More or less, the Patriots recovered and put together a good season without their best player (which only added to the angst). The Lions meanwhile, hit rock bottom. I guess in the end it all has to do with the level of expectation set by the team, and my guess is that most Lions fans called it quits by week 4.
I concur though, Cowboys suck.