Friday, October 6, 2023

New England Patriots Week 5 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 5 roundup for the New England Patriots in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 27

Biggest issue on defense: Cornerback health

Top 2023 draft pick Christian Gonzalez left Sunday's game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury (torn labrum), and Jack Jones (hamstring) and Marcus Jones (torn biceps) are already on injured reserve, while Jonathan Jones (ankle) has missed the past three games. That put Myles Bryant and Shaun Wade into top roles on Sunday after Gonzalez's injury, and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (261 passing yards, TD, no INT) attacked both of them with success. -- Mike Reiss

NFL.com -- Rank: 24

Just when it looked like Mac Jones was trending in the right direction, he endured a nightmare at Dallas. Whether it was carrying the ball at his side or throwing multiple times against the grain, Jones was just way too casual with ball security. He looked rattled in the face of adversity. This was everything Jones was sold as not being coming out of Alabama, but it's become his NFL hallmark. Right now, he's trying to do more than his capacities allow for a Patriots offense riddled with shortcomings. No obvious playmakers. No bedrock offensive line. A run game with a defined ceiling. The offensive issues are snowballing before the weather turns cold in New England.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 24

Mac Jones isn't very good right now. Do they make a change? Should they?

USA Today -- Rank: 23

Wasn't this offense supposed to be better under coordinator Bill O'Brien? At 13.8 points per game, New England is more than a full touchdown off last year's unimpressive pace. And defensively, the Pats just lost LB Matthew Judon (biceps) and CB Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) indefinitely. Woof.

The Athletic -- Rank: 27

The Patriots took starting quarterback Mac Jones out of the game in the third quarter, which coach Bill Belichick said had more to do with the score than Jones' performance. Later in the game, defensive star Matthew Judon was still on the field when he suffered what The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported was a serious biceps injury. Rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez already had left the game because of a shoulder injury. It all resulted in the most lopsided loss of Belichick's 29-year head coaching career.

FOX -- Rank: 24

Christian Gonzalez and Matthew Judon got hurt, Mac Jones got benched — oh, and the Patriots lost by 35. This was the worst regular-season loss of Bill Belichick's long and storied career. It might've just been a bad day against a pissed-off Dallas team, but Jones' decision-making was inexcusable. Not much to feel good about heading home from that one.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 25

Mac Jones wasn't technically benched for poor performance, but it's not like it would have been unjustified. Jones had some terrible turnovers. His pick 6 at the end of the first half, throwing all the way across the field, was inexcusable. It feels like Bill Belichick would probably make a quarterback change right now, but he doesn't have another reasonable option.

PFT -- Rank: 27

At what point should they tank for Caleb Williams?

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