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New B/R power rankings weren’t kind to the New England Patriots

By Lou Scataglia

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Bill Belichick and Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots walk off the field after the loss to the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Bill Belichick and Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots walk off the field after the loss to the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Bleacher Report released their NFL power rankings before training camp, and did not give the New England Patriots much love.

Bleacher Report posted their pre-training camp power rankings on Monday, and these rankings were not kind to the New England Patriots.

In fact, Bleacher Report gave the Patriots an uninspiring 21st overall ranking.

This ranking put them third among AFC East teams, ahead of the Jets, ranked 27th, but behind the Dolphins, ranked 17th, and the Bills, ranked 2nd.

Furthermore, this ranking ended up being 12th among all AFC teams.

While the Patriots do have a bit of a hill to climb in 2022, I do not think this ranking by Bleacher Report is accurate.

I would feel comfortable saying that the Patriots would finish the 2022 season as a better team than both the Dolphins and Titans, who are ranked ahead of New England.

I could also see a path for the Patriots to finish with a better record than the Indianapolis Colts, who are also ranked ahead of them.

I do not think the Patriots will be able to hold onto one of the top seeds in the AFC like they did through parts of last season.

However, a 21st overall ranking is offensive to what the team currently is and what they could be.

They are coached by Bill Belichick, perhaps the greatest football coach in the history of mankind.  They’ve also got a promising second year quarterback in Mac Jones, who has made great strides this season with his conditioning.

The Patriots are still the Patriots–expect them to have a top 10 defense at worst and a strong running game, led by Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, a duo that might end up as one of the league’s best when the 2022 season ends.

The 21st overall ranking given to the team is likely due to their shaky offseason and confusing coaching decisions.  The team practically gave away Shaq Mason to the Buccaneers, overdrafted Cole Strange to take his place, and don’t appear to be naming an offensive coordinator for the 2022 season.

Those are all understandable concerns, but I think the structure is in place for New England to surprise the league in 2022.

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