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: 19.2 (19th)
- Best ranking: 17th (USA Today)
- Worst ranking: 21st (Multiple)
Below you will find a Week 16 roundup for the Patriots in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.
The Athletic -- Rank: 21
Wish: More help for whoever's playing quarterback. Cam Newton has not played well but just look at the supporting cast in New England. It's been a disaster. The Patriots' loss to the Dolphins guaranteed they'll miss out on the playoffs. Now they'll need to make a decision at quarterback this offseason. But whatever they decide, they need to do a better job of positioning the quarterback for success.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 18
It's over. No playoffs this year for this team. But did we really expect it?
USA Today -- Rank: 17
How'd season turn out? Two of New England's three Pro Bowlers (P Jake Bailey and captain Matthew Slater) are special teams aces.
ESPN -- Rank: 19
Most underrated star: P Jake Bailey/K Nick Folk
Is it possible to split the vote between a punter and a kicker? Bailey is making a serious charge for All-Pro honors, which is saying something, considering that he kicks in the Northeast. Entering this past week's games, he was fourth in average (48.8 yards per punt) and first in net (46.1), and in 40 attempts, he had just three touchbacks, with 23 punts downed inside the 20. As for Folk, he has drilled two 50-plus-yard field goals with no time on the clock in regulation and has made 25 straight field goals. -- Mike Reiss
Is it possible to split the vote between a punter and a kicker? Bailey is making a serious charge for All-Pro honors, which is saying something, considering that he kicks in the Northeast. Entering this past week's games, he was fourth in average (48.8 yards per punt) and first in net (46.1), and in 40 attempts, he had just three touchbacks, with 23 punts downed inside the 20. As for Folk, he has drilled two 50-plus-yard field goals with no time on the clock in regulation and has made 25 straight field goals. -- Mike Reiss
NFL.com -- Rank: 21
For the first time since 2008 and the third time in the past 20 seasons, the NFL playoffs will not include the New England Patriots. That became official after another listless loss on Sunday. Cam Newton again struggled to make impact plays, while the defense faltered in the second half against a Miami offense that was missing several playmakers due to injury. The Pats also lost Stephon Gilmore, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who exited the game with what was later diagnosed as a partially torn quad. As the Dolphins and Bills rise as contenders in the AFC East, Bill Belichick and the rest of the Patriots brain trust have an offseason filled with difficult decisions. Reload or rebuild?
Previous update: New England Patriots Week 15 NFL Power Rankings Roundup
More New England Patriots pages:
- New England Patriots Mock Draft Roundup
- New England Patriots Snap Counts
- New England Patriots Franchise Leaders
- New England Patriots Draft History
- New England Patriots Schedule
- New England Patriots Tickets
- 2021 NFL Mock Draft
- 2022 NFL Mock Draft
- 2021 NBA Mock Draft
- Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start'em, Sit'em
- Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
- NFL Power Rankings
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