NFL Power Rankings, Week 14: New England Patriots coming for that No. 1 spot
With a big Week 13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, the New England Patriots remain at No. 4 in the Week 14 NFL Power Rankings.
The New England Patriots are finally healthy and are starting to look like one of the top 3 or 4 teams in the NFL. The Week 14 NFL Power Rankings have them currently listed at No. 4 behind the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs, but Bill Belichick’s crew is starting to look strong at just the right time.
With a complete team effort against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, the Patriots improved their record to 9-3 to keep pressure on the Chiefs for the top spot in the AFC and also the No. 3 spot in the NFL Power Rankings.
In the game, Tom Brady threw for over 300 yards and the Patriots’ defense showed up in a major way. Not only did they limit the Vikings receiving tandem of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen they kept pressure on Kirk Cousins.
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Although the secondary was strong, Belichick emphasized the play of his linebackers and their ability to sniff out play-actions as a major factor in how the overall defense performed.
"“It doesn’t show up in the stat sheet [and] doesn’t look like much, but when they do that, it probably saves you 20 yards – it could be more – but let’s call it 20 yards or so on defense,” Belichick said, via Boston.com. “Those are really big plays for your defensive unit to be able to eliminate if a linebacker can make that play. That’s an important play for us.”"
The linebackers he was mainly talking about is the trio of Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts. All three played well in the 24-10 win and demonstrated that the second level of the Patriots’ defense are capable of getting it done.
In all, the New England Patriots still have some issues to work out in the remaining five weeks of the regular season, but Sunday’s win was promising in the team’s ability to win in different ways.
The AFC playoff picture
The New England Patriots will have to take care of their own business it they hope to overtake the Kansas City Chiefs for the No. 1 see in the AFC.
It all starts in Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins down in South Beach. With their road struggles this season, the Patriots will be challenged to play a good game on the road, especially against a team they usually struggle against on the road.
With the Pittsburgh Steelers losing against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, the Patriots have a little breathing room between themselves and the Steelers, but now have to contend with the Houston Texans for the No. 2 seed.
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The Patriots do hold the tie breaker, but if the Chargers somehow overtake the Chiefs in the AFC West and all three teams end in a three-way tie, the Texans will get the No. 1 seed because the tie-breaker will go out the window in that scenario.
Next. New England Patriots: Defense dominating as of late. dark
Basically, if the Patriots only lose 1 more game this season, the lowest seed they can be is No. 3 if the Texans win out. The hope is for the Chiefs, Texans and Chargers to lose a game and New England Patriots to win out to secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC.