Friday, October 1, 2021

New England Patriots Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 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: 20.8 (T-20th)
  • Best ranking: 19th (ESPN)
  • Worst ranking: 23rd (NFL.com)

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the Patriots in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 19

Mac Jones has completed 81 of 120 passes for 737 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions. Jones is growing into the job, and there have been some predictable rookie growing pains -- such as his first interception against the Saints on Sunday. He has been solid in the shorter passing game, but he hasn't been able to consistently connect down the field. Overall, teammates are bullish on him as their leader, and that should bode well for his development. "Tough kid, poised, kept throwing punches," starting center David Andrews said. -- Mike Reiss

NFL.com -- Rank: 23

The Patriots were the NFL's gold standard for so long that it's almost jarring to see how ordinary Bill Belichick's team has become. New England authored no flashbacks to former glories on Sunday, a listless 28-13 loss to the Saints that featured three Mac Jones interceptions. This uneasy period of self-reflection comes at an awkward time for the organization: Tom Brady makes his return to Gillette Stadium on Sunday night with a great chance to set the NFL's all-time passing-yardage mark. Brady continues to cast a huge shadow over the organization -- this week is going to feel like a total eclipse. "The Patriots have done nothing but win for a long time," Jones said after losing to New Orleans. "We have to get back to that." The rookie has opted into a world of impossible expectations.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 20

What the heck was that against the Saints? They looked flat as can be. Mac Jones still has a long ways to go. Here comes Tom Brady.

USA Today -- Rank: 22

They're 0-2 at home for the first time since Bill Belichick took over in 2000 ... and staring down the barrel of 0-3 with prodigal son TB12 on his way back to Foxborough.

The Athletic -- Rank: 20

Surprise! For all that money the Patriots spent in the offseason on skill-position players, the offense isn't any more dynamic, and the new, high-priced additions aren't having significant impact. Receiver Jakobi Meyers leads the Patriots in receiving targets by a wide margin (29, 11 more than newcomer Nelson Agholor) and neither of the new tight ends, Hunter Henry or Jonnu Smith, has a touchdown yet.

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