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2017 NFL power rankings: Patriots lead the way

By Russell S. Baxter

Feb 2, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A general overall view of NRG Stadium with graphics featuring New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) prior to Super Bowl LI. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A general overall view of NRG Stadium with graphics featuring New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) prior to Super Bowl LI. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) celebrate their win over Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. The Patriots won 34-28. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) celebrate their win over Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. The Patriots won 34-28. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) celebrate their win over Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. The Patriots won 34-28. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

1

New England Patriots 14-2

Last week: 1st, AFC East
Last rank: 1st

Looking Back: It was only fitting that the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady stage the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. The team’s 34-28 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons saw the legendary signal-caller, who didn’t appear in a game this season until Week 5, throw for a record 466 yards and a pair of touchdowns (1 interception) in erasing a 28-3 deficit. Congrats to the champs once again.

Looking Forward: How do you top what we saw in Houston? That’s easy. Because this franchise is all about consistency and efficiency. Five Super Bowl titles in 16 years and no losing seasons over that stretch. But as we know, there will be changes to the roster as mastermind Bill Belichick has perfected the art of winning under the current system. Brady shows no signs of slowing down and that can only mean good things for a club that has won eight consecutive AFC East title and won 10 or more games every year since ’03. This is an organization on one of the greatest runs in the league’s 97-year history.

Offseason needs: As usual, the Super Bowl champion Patriots will have some interesting decisions to make when it comes to their payroll. The two biggest names in terms of potential free agents on the defensive side of the ball are middle linebacker Dont’a Hightower and cornerback Logan Ryan (but let’s not forget Jabaal Sheard and Alan Branch). On the other side of the ball, tight end Martellus Bennett and running back LeGarrette Blount could become available to other clubs around the league. And what are the Patriots feeling when it comes to wide receiver Michael Floyd? All told, this franchise may make some unpopular decisions but they are likely the correct ones.

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