They are the NFL's love-hate team.
There is no in-between when it comes to the New England Patriots. But whether you love or hate them, there is one thing that you must have for the Patriots: Respect.
You might hate their smugness and the arrogance of their coach sometimes. Or the fact that they've been caught cheating. But that aside, they are arguably the best dynasty of all time.
In an era of free agency and roster turnover, there is one constant every season. That's the Patriots. New England, which remains in the top spot of the Power Rankings this week, went to Denver and beat the Super Bowl champs last Sunday to clinch its eighth straight AFC East title.
That's unreal. They Patriots have also won 10 or more games for 14 consecutive seasons. That's even more amazing.
The why is really simple. Belichick and Brady. Coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady are the best coach-QB combo in league history. Which one is more valuable to the organization is up for debate -- I will go with Brady -- but both are so integral to the success of the Patriots.
When Brady wasn't grinding out yards and first downs against that fierce Broncos defense in a 16-3 victory, it was the defense that was the star of the show. That's what great teams do, compensate for each other. New England is tops in the NFL in scoring defense.
Belichick is the one who makes it all happen. He is a detail-oriented coach who is as good as anybody who has ever led an NFL team. The argument can be made that he is the best of all time. And he's far from done.
The Patriots have the top seed in the AFC right now and appear headed to earning it again, making them a Super Bowl favorite. That means the playoffs will go through New England again. Beating them with that quarterback-coach combo won't be easy -- especially at their place.
Love them or hate them, you have to respect them.
| Rk | Teams | Chg | Rcrd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | -- | 4-13-0 | |
They clinched their eighth straight division title and the defense is getting better.
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| 2 | -- | 12-5-0 | |
Dak Prescott got back on track and that will quiet the Tony Romo talk for now. The defense is improving.
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| 3 | 2 | 8-9-0 | |
With the Chiefs losing and the Raiders winning, they are now atop the AFC West with two games to go.
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| 4 | 2 | 9-8-0 | |
They looked like the Seahawks we expect to see in beating up on the Rams. They are division champs.
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| 5 | 2 | 7-10-0 | |
Matt Ryan continues to roll up big numbers as they push to a division title. He might be the MVP.
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| 6 | 2 | 6-11-0 | |
The play of their defense makes them a dangerous team come playoff time. They need to get the offense back on track.
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| 7 | 3 | 10-7-0 | |
I think they are the team who could push the Patriots in the AFC. The defense is getting better.
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| 8 | 5 | 11-6-0 | |
In their past three home games, they've lost two. That's weird for the Chiefs with Denver coming to town.
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| 9 | 5 | 12-5-0 | |
They face a brutal road game this week at Dallas after losing on the road to the Giants. The schedule is so tough.
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| 10 | 1 | 8-9-0 | |
Their offense, as it showed against the Patriots, has been too limited this season. The champs are about done.
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| 11 | 1 | 13-4-0 | |
That two-point stop against the Eagles keeps them alive with a big division game against the Steelers this week.
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| 12 | 1 | 11-6-0 | |
If the playoffs started today, they would be in the party. That's impressive.
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| 13 | 2 | 9-8-0 | |
They competed at Dallas against the best team in the conference. That's a good sign. They have to win their last two to have a playoff chance.
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| 14 | 1 | 10-7-0 | |
The move to Tom Savage was the right decision, as is the choice to stay with him. Brock Osweiler was taking this team nowhere.
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| 15 | 2 | 6-11-0 | |
If they win out, they will be in the playoffs. That's hard to believe.
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| 16 | 2 | 9-8-0 | |
If they win their last two, they win the division. It's that simple. They are the team nobody wants to play.
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| 17 | 3 | 4-13-0 | |
That was a damning loss to the Panthers at home Monday night. They are in big trouble now.
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| 18 | 2 | 9-8-0 | |
That was an impressive victory at Minnesota to keep their playoff hopes alive. But they need help.
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| 19 | 3 | 7-10-0 | |
This season has gone wrong in a lot of ways, but losing the way they did to the Colts was embarrassing. They are better than that.
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| 20 | 3 | 11-6-0 | |
At .500, they play a big game this week with Miami. It looks like Rex Ryan is in trouble -- no matter what.
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| 21 | 3 | 9-8-0 | |
All those who were ready to bury Drew Brees need to back off now. He carved up the Cardinals.
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| 22 | 3 | 2-15-0 | |
They waited too long to get it going this season. But they've played well the past two weeks.
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| 23 | 2 | 9-8-0 | |
Their first half against the Steelers is the team we expected to see this season. Of course, the second half was the team we saw a lot of this season.
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| 24 | 2 | 5-12-0 | |
Is coach Mike McCoy the next to be fired? It could be coming after the season.
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| 25 | -- | 4-13-0 | |
Special teams have killed the Cardinals all year. But what happened to the defense against the Saints?
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| 26 | -- | 11-6-0 | |
They can ruin the Giants' playoff party this week if they can beat their rivals. You know they would love that.
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| 27 | -- | 7-10-0 | |
They had the look of a team that quit against the Dolphins. That is not a good look.
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| 28 | -- | 10-7-0 | |
So the firing of Jeff Fisher didn't change anything. This is still a bad team. What did you expect?
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| 29 | -- | 7-10-0 | |
They competed against Green Bay, which is a good sign with nothing on the line. Jordan Howard is a keeper.
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| 30 | -- | 9-8-0 | |
Gus Bradley got fired after Sunday's loss to the Texans, but does it matter this season? Not a bit.
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| 31 | -- | 12-5-0 | |
It's a shame that defense is as bad as it is right now. That used to be a team strong point.
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| 32 | -- | 11-6-0 | |
It seems to get worse by the week. They will not win a game.
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