Musket Fire
FanSided

New England Patriots knocked from top spot of ESPN NFL Power Rankings

By Kenneth Teape

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with Tom Brady #12 during the fourth quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with Tom Brady #12 during the fourth quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Where are the New England Patriots this week in ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings?

As we hit the midway point of the 2017 season, the New England Patriots are once again in the upper echelon of the NFL. They have some issues to clean up, but they head into the bye week with a 6-2 record, which is atop of the AFC East and tied for the best record in the AFC.

New England is riding a four-game winning streak. They are coming off a narrow victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8, as they defeated Philip Rivers and company 21-13.

A victory is a victory, but it was not a pretty one for New England. They were unable to hit any big plays, as Tom Brady‘s top two receivers against the Chargers were running backs, James White and Rex Burkhead.

Credit should be given to the Chargers defense, as cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Trevor Williams are tough. Brady’s stat line was solid, but it was more of a mirage for how the Patriots offense really looked.

More from Patriots News

Defensively, the Patriots had to be happy. Down four starters in Dont’a Hightower, Stephon Gilmore, Eric Rowe and Malcolm Brown, the Patriots turned in an excellent defensive performance. Outside of one 87-yard touchdown run by Melvin Gordon, the Patriots defense was great.

While the Patriots were able to win the game, sometimes you can still fall. That is what happened to the Patriots in ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings.

New England came into Week 8 as the No. 1 team in the power rankings. In Week 9, that is no longer the case. The Patriots dropped to the No. 2 spot, as the red-hot Philadelphia Eagles took over the No.1 spot in the rankings.

Here is what was said about the Patriots being moved down the power rankings.

"The Patriots are averaging only 21.8 points per game over their past four. All were wins, but if there’s any cause for concern in New England right now, it’s the red zone offense. The Patriots have turned just 50 percent of red zone drives into touchdowns (63 percent last season)."

With the issues the Patriots have defensively, they cannot afford the offense to begin stalling out. Finding a replacement for Hightower will be a tall task, but the offense isn’t without injury issues as Chris Hogan could miss time with a shoulder injury.

Pressure will be put on Brady to carry the offense, and team in general, as everyone heals up. The Patriots are on a bye this week, which should help get some of their players healthy and ready for Week 10 and the stretch run of the season.

The Patriots will rest and get an extra week of preparation for a big matchup on Sunday Night Football in Week 10 as they pay a visit to the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are struggling mightily right now, but their defense is still not something to be taken lightly.

Next: Patriots Team Grades vs Chargers

While it is disappointing the Patriots fell in the power rankings, it is not something that concerns them. As long as they are atop the standings at the end of the season, that is all that matters to them.

Home/Patriots News