NFL Power Rankings, Week 17: Patriots have a long road ahead
The New England Patriots hit a new low in the Week 17 NFL Power Rankings.
If Monday night’s 38-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills wasn’t depressing enough, the New England Patriots dropped to No. 26 in the Week 17 NFL Power Rankings.
Talk about adding insult to injury, but the way the Patriots offense and defense has looked over the past couple of weeks, they are ranked exactly where they should be.
With a 6-9 record heading into the final week of the 2020 NFL season, Bill Belichick and his crew are not just missing their first post-season in over a decade, they are looking up at AFC East rivals like the Miami Dolphins and Bills. Even the New York Jets are trending in a direction opposite of the once dominant Patriots.
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While the team’s current problems can be pointed back to Belichick himself for poor drafts and some suspect roster management, the players have a part to play in it as well.
Cam Newton has failed to re-gain his status as one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks, and players like N’Keal Harry and just about the entire defense has had lapses in execution.
Still, the 2020 New England Patriots still had an opportunity to make a playoff run. There were games they could’ve won and a couple of games like the 38-9 thrashing by the Buffalo Bills where they just didn’t show up.
Could that be pointed back at coaching as well?
Well, a lot of blame has to go to Bill Belichick. But, in Bill we trust, and the way this season has gone has to be motivation enough for the coach to get his team back to respectability. Sinking to near bottom in the NFL Power Rankings better be motivation enough.
NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus notes just how much the tables have turned in New England:
"“Monday night was depressing theater for Patriots fans who aren’t used to this kind of thing. The Bills came into Foxborough and laid a 38-9 whipping on the home team, an embarrassing defeat that clinched New England’s first losing season since 2000. It’s also the first time in 20 years that an AFC East team swept the Pats in their home-and-home. The tables have most definitely turned, and now Bill Belichick is left to ponder what’s next. That starts at the quarterback position. Cam Newton struggled yet again before being being replaced by Jarrett Stidham in the third quarter, and it would make sense for Stidham to start the Week 17 finale against the Jets. What used to be playoff time is now evaluation time.”"
Where the New England Patriots stand
If the New England Patriots lose to the New York Jets, expect them to sink even further down than the No. 26 spot.
But there is hope.
This season wasn’t all lost for the Patriots. Players like Damien Harris, Jacoby Myers, sixth-round pick Michael Onwenu and top draft pick Kyle Dugger are young players Bill Belichick can build around.
Along with a pretty decent draft pick (the highest the team has had in a while) and a ton of cap space entering the offseason, the Patriots will have opportunity to improve in a lot of areas on the team.
Next. New England Patriots: Every reason Jarrett Stidham should start Week 17. dark
Whether it’s the tight end position, wide receiver, linebacker and largely the quarterback position, Belichick will have some money can draft capital to play with.
Will the GM in Belichick come through?
That will be the main storyline this offseason and all of Patriots nation will be watching intently. As bad as this season has ended, 2021 should be quite fun and interesting as the New England Patriots will begin their long road back towards the top.