NFL power rankings, Week 12: Falcons soar, Texans tumble
By Staff
New England Patriots. 2. team. 47. Recap: The proud Patriots wrapped up their 16th consecutive winning season with a narrow win over the Jets. That impressive streak is tied for the second-longest string of success in NFL history. For the sixth time in seven games this season, Tom Brady did not commit a turnover. He has now thrown 18 touchdown passes (both to rookie wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell) while being picked off only once this year. New England’s offensive front also kept their veteran signal-caller out of harm’s way all afternoon as the Pats did not allow a sack on 50 drop backs. Hence, you can now make it nine wins in the Patriots’ last 11 meetings in this divisional series. <p>Next Week: Belichick, Brady and the bunch prepare to host the Los Angeles Rams, who come off a 49-21 loss to the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome. Dating back to the Pats’ thrilling 20-17 win in Super Bowl XXXVI, New England has prevailed in the last four meetings between these clubs.</p> <p>Playoff hopes: The Patriots own a two-game lead over the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East with five contests to play. It seems inevitable that the franchise makes it eight consecutive division titles. More importantly, Belichick’s efficient team is closing in on an eighth straight postseason invitation.</p>. 9-2. Previous: