Saturday, October 10, 2020

New England Patriots Week 5 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the New England Patriots rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 10.8 (T-10th)
  • Best ranking: 9th (The Athletic)
  • Worst ranking: 13th (CBS Sports)

Below you will find a Week 5 roundup for the Patriots in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 9

The Patriots represent the biggest difference (six spots) between my ranking and EPR. I see a defense that delivered a strong performance against the Chiefs and an offense that can win in different ways once Cam Newton is back. But Monday night definitely served as a good reminder of how much Newton is being asked to do. The offense was a disaster against the Chiefs. Brian Hoyer took a sack at the end of the first half, costing the Patriots a chance at a field goal. In the third quarter, he fumbled from the Kansas City 10, wasting another scoring opportunity. And Julian Edelman's drop in the fourth led to a pick six. It didn't help either that the officials botched what should have been ruled a Mahomes fumble in the first half.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 13

They went to Kansas City and competed without Cam Newton. That's a tribute to Bill Belichick's coaching ability.

USA Today -- Rank: 12

A quarterback controversy? In New England? What could be more fun ... even if for only a week? To think Brady-Manning might morph into Rypien-Stidham ...

ESPN -- Rank: 10

FPI chance to make playoffs: 70.3%

After winning the AFC East for 11 straight years, it's notable that the Patriots don't have the highest FPI in the division; that rightfully goes to the Bills at this time. Cam Newton's return to health is the key to this figure being right. They might be able to get by for a couple of games without him, but Newton puts the Patriots closer to contender status. -- Mike Reiss

NFL.com -- Rank: 10

Right about now, Bill Belichick is thanking his lucky stars another team didn't aggressively target Cam Newton this offseason. With Newton sidelined following a positive coronavirus test, the Patriots' offense was unable to avoid killer mistakes in a 26-10 loss to the Chiefs on Monday night at Arrowhead. Brian Hoyer was benched after an error-filled performance and Jarrett Stidham threw two picks in relief (though Julian Edelman owes his QB an Apple Watch or something after his drop produced the game-clinching pick-six). The Pats' defense did a fine job containing Patrick Mahomes for most of the night, but you need to play a far cleaner game to beat the defending champs.

Previous update: New England Patriots Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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