Patriots steamroll into top 10 in the NFL Power Rankings, Week 11
Watch out NFL world, the New England Patriots are back!
Following a 45-7 thumping of Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns, the Patriots won their fourth consecutive game to improve to 6-4 on the season, which has them sitting pretty at No. 8 in the Week 11 NFL Power Rankings.
In rising 3 spots from last week’s ranking of No.11, the Patriots continue to shut down opposing offensives while watching the maturation of rookie quarterback Mac Jones and the offense.
Patriots dominating on defense and offense
What really stood out beside the defensive dominance was that the Patriots offense orchestrated four drives of 80 yard or more, three of which were more than 90 yards, including a 99-yard drive. With a combination of a power running game and Jones making the necessary throws on third down, the offense is starting to look like what we though it would look like heading into the season, which NFL.com writer Dan Hanzus attributes to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
In his NFL Power Rankings, Week 11 column, he writes:
"“It almost feels like the good times never left Gillette Stadium — they just took a one-year sabbatical in 2020 like the rest of us. On Sunday, the Pats rolled over the Browns for their fourth consecutive victory in a 3.5-hour party at Foxborough. Two days earlier, Bill Belichick gushed about Josh McDaniels, telling reporters he didn’t believe the offensive coordinator ‘has any weaknesses as a coach.’ Then McDaniels dialed up a game plan against Cleveland that produced six touchdowns in eight possessions when starter Mac Jones was on the field. Jones was back in a groove in what has been the most impressive season of any rookie QB by a wide margin. If he continues to mature, there’s no limit how far the Pats can go in a wide-open AFC.”"
With the way the Patriots have put it together on both sides of the ball, they certainly have just as good of a chance as any team in the AFC. But it does depend on Mac Jones and how he continues to mature as an NFL quarterback.
Where the New England Patriots stand
The New England Patriots won’t have much time to celebrate their victory over the Cleveland Browns as they must turn around and play the Atlanta Falcons Thursday night.
If they can get past the Falcons, the Patriots could find themselves inching into the top 5. With the Kansas City Chiefs (No. 7), the Buffalo Bills (No. 5) and the Tennessee Titans (No. 2) as the only 3 AFC teams ranked ahead of them, the Patriots could further prove they are back with wins in the upcoming schedule over the Titans and Bills.
After beginning the season at 2-4, the No. 8 ranking is complementary to how they have turned things around.
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On the defensive side of the ball, they have been riding the impact play of Matt Judon and 2021 second-round pick Christian Barmore. They are also starting to get key contributions from veterans on that defense like Adrian Phillips and Kyle Van Noy. And obviously, there is that ballhawk known as J.C. Jackson proving each week that he is the No. 1 corner.
Offensively, Mac Jones continues to do the things necessary to help his team win. Behind an offensive line that is finally healthy and a power running game fueled by the two-headed monster of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, the offense doesn’t rest on the shoulders of the rookie quarterback, which takes some pressure both figuratively and literally off him.
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With that said, he is forming chemistry with tight end Hunter Henry, along with wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers in the passing game. If the Patriots ever get Jonnu Smith going and connect on more deep passes to Nelson Agholor, watch out.
As of Week 11, it is good to see the New England Patriots back to looking like…the New England Patriots.