New England Patriots ranked sixth by PFF
The New England Patriots have an incredibly wide-ranging ranking in power rankings list, but it seems like we are starting to see a trend in their ranking. ESPN ranked the New England Patriots as the sixth-best team in the league in their recent power rankings, and now the Pro Football Focus’s staff ranked the Patriots sixth among all teams as well. The Patriots highest ranking by an individual writer on the PFF staff was second (Neil Hornsby, who picks the Pats as the Super Bowl winners), while Nathan Jahnke is low on the Pats and had them ranked as his 13th-best team.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the sideline during the second quarter against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
I view the Patriots as a top five team right now, but I’m fine with them being anywhere in the range of fourth to sixth right now. I disagree with the fact that PFF ranked the Green Bay Packers higher than the Patriots, though, and that’s because I’m definitely not a fan of the Packers defense. The Pats defense has some question marks, but the Packers defense has even more questions that need to be answered this season. The Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers look like better teams than the Pats right now, and you could also make a strong case for why the Pats Week 4 opponents, the Atlanta Falcons, are the better team.
But by and large, the Patriots are a championship contender, and I currently have them ranked fourth in the league. I am a huge fan of their depth, and they have better receivers than they are given credit for. I mean, they went 12-4 last season with no depth at receiver and only Wes Welker as a healthy and consistent option throughout the season. The Patriots have plenty of uncertainty at receiver, but they also have a lot of upside at the position. There are rightfully concerns at that position, but I think more of the Patriots success will hinge on the defense.
Neil Hornsby is the head man at PFF, and I’m sure Patriots fans love his predictions for this team. Hornsby not only has the New England Patriots winning it all, despite ranking the San Francisco 49ers higher, but he also has Tom Brady has his MVP.
PFF ranked the Miami Dolphins 18th, which looks a little bit low, and they slotted in the Buffalo Bills at 25 and the New York Jets at 31.