NFL power rankings roundup: Are Pats the worst team in the league?

NFL power rankings roundup: Are Pats the worst team in the league? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Just how low are expectations for the New England Patriots entering Year 1 of the post-Bill Belichick era? If you ask NFL experts across the nation, Pats fans should brace themselves for the team’s worst season in decades.

Now led by first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, the Patriots still have glaring issues on the offensive side. The offensive line is so worrisome that the team opted not to put rookie quarterback Drake Maye in harm’s way to start the year. Instead, it’ll be veteran Jacoby Brissett under center for New England’s Week 1 showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Mayo and Co. will hope rookie wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker can give the offense a boost alongside free-agent addition K.J. Osborn. But even if they show promise, the Patriots will still lack the firepower needed to keep up with the contenders in the AFC.

Because of these issues, the first batch of NFL power rankings have New England among the five worst teams in the league. Here’s where some national outlets have the Patriots ranked to open the 2024 campaign:

NFL.com: 31st

“The muddled quarterback situation is a today concern, as Drake Maye will take over at some point. That much became especially clear when it felt like Maye had a chance to win the Week 1 job. The today-and-tomorrow concern is an offensive line that has fallen hard and fast in recent years, patched together with a potentially decent interior but some major questions at tackle. The defense won’t be some pushover unit at all, but the trade of Matthew Judon and the indefinite loss of Christian Barmore have me worried. Last year, the Patriots had a competent defense and won four games by a total of 15 points. Plus, they’ve been 9-16 in Foxborough the past three seasons combined and have some tough road games this season, including at San Francisco in Week 4. That’s a lot on the plate of first-year head coach…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-roundup-pats-201836050.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-09-04 20:18:36

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