Saturday, September 30, 2023

New England Patriots Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the New England Patriots in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 21

Biggest issue on offense: Lack of explosive plays

Tight end Pharaoh Brown's 58-yard catch-and-run touchdown in Sunday's win over the Jets was one of the plays of the game and easily the team's longest of the season. The Patriots have just three passing plays over 20 yards (58, 32, 23). "Those are statistically the hardest passes to hit, but we've got to hit them, we've got to throw them and we need more production out of the deep balls," coach Bill Belichick said. -- Mike Reiss

NFL.com -- Rank: 18

Sunday's win had to be so familiar to Patriots fans by now: ugly and against the Jets. Ugly got the job done, though. Even during the worst doldrums last season, the Pats knew what they were getting from Jakobi Meyers and Rhamondre Stevenson. So far, the Meyers-for-JuJu Smith-Schuster swap-out has been a net negative, and Stevenson hasn't been as decisive this season. The Patriots really need Mac Jones and Smith-Schuster to develop chemistry on the fly after the receiver missed a lot of on-field time this offseason. But they also need the offensive line to play better. This team is behind the sticks way too often.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 24

They beat the Jets for their first victory of the season, but it was far from impressive. The defense has been solid all year.

USA Today -- Rank: 17

They head to Dallas with Ezekiel Elliott performing as their best back. But beware, New Englanders, as your team is 1-8 against the Cowboys without Tom Brady in the lineup.

The Athletic -- Rank: 22

QB confidence rating: 5

The idea that Mac Jones is second in the league in passing attempts (125) has to frustrate Patriots fans. Wasn't this team going to run the ball and play defense? Instead, New England is 20th in rush percentage (39.9 percent) while Jones averages 6 yards per attempt (which ranks 27th in the league).

FOX -- Rank: 19

It's a bit of a bummer that New England dominated statistically and still had to sweat through a couple of last-gasp Jets attempts to win the game. As we keep saying, though, New York's defense is a tough nut to crack. The Patriots controlled this one for all but about five minutes, and they're off the losing streak.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 17

The Patriots kicked a field goal on their first possession of the second half, then the offense took the rest of the day off. The last six possessions resulted in punts. New England got just four first downs on those six drives. The Jets have a good defense, but the Patriots' offense needs to get a lot better.

PFT -- Rank: 23

Thanks to the Jets, Bill Belichick has a good chance to avoid landing in the AFC East basement for the first time since 2000.

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