NFL Power Rankings: Patriots climb entering Week 16

47. <p>While everyone is hyped about how exciting the young Carolina Panthers are, they’re on a collision course with old veterans of playoff success — the New England Patriots. Tom Brady and company are looking like they’ll get back to the Super Bowl this year based on the way they’ve been playing, despite the injuries they’ve suffered.</p> <p>Despite losing Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski at one time or another this season, the Patriots have managed to hang at the top of the AFC and hold onto the No. 1 seed with relative ease. They needed some luck, but things have a way of bouncing in Bill Belichick’s favor, which is once again the case in the postseason chase.</p> <p>That being said, the Patriots do have work to do before they’re considered the hands down favorites to win the Super Bowl. They’re playing against backup QBs in the AFC picture, and the competition below that isn’t very fierce. New England is probably the best team in the AFC but they might be by default at this point. You don’t need much to motivate the Patriots to try and burn the rest of the league down, and they’re well on their way to proving everyone wrong once again. </p>. (12-2). Previous: . new england patriots. 2. team