New England Patriots shockingly drop in ESPN NFL Power Rankings
The New England Patriots had a surprise drop in this week’s NFL Power Rankings.
The New England Patriots once again handled their business in Week 7. New England traveled to take on the upstart Chicago Bears and looked shaky at the beginning. However, they were able to get their bearings and knock off the NFC North-leading Bears.
With the victory, the Patriots have improved their record to 5-2 on the season. It seems like an eternity ago that people questioned whether this was the year that the Patriots dynasty began to crumble. Once again, those people were wrong.
However, the game against the Bears was no cakewalk. New England trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half before mounting their comeback. They would surrender the lead early in the third quarter but would get it back, for good later on in the third.
It was an impressive showing for the offense, who was shorthanded coming into the game. All world tight end Rob Gronkowski did not travel with the team because of a back injury. On the first play of the second quarter, running back Sony Michel suffered a gruesome-looking knee injury.
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The Patriots were able to overcome both of those injuries, and a rather inept defensive performance, to get the victory. It was a hard fought victory on the road, the first win for New England away from Gillette Stadium.
Despite picking up the win, the Patriots actually fell in some power rankings. Coming into the week as the No. 2 overall team, the Patriots fell to No. 3 in ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings.
It was a shocking fall for New England, as wins usually result in staying pat or even moving up in the rankings. The team that passed the Patriots were the Kansas City Chiefs, who blew out the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday Night Football.
Yes, the same Chiefs that the Patriots had defeated the week prior on Sunday Night Football. To move the Chiefs ahead of the Patriots is a bit odd, given that New England won the head to head matchup between the teams just one week before.
The only team ahead of them is the undefeated Los Angeles Rams, who are running roughshod over the league. Their latest victims were the San Francisco 49ers, whom the Rams blew out 39-10.
Next. 3 Patriots Who Stood Out vs Bears. dark
New England will look to keep up their winning ways in Week 8 in yet another prime time game. This time they will be traveling to take on an AFC East rival in the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.