NFL power rankings: Vikings, Eagles fight for top spot

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) ,Minnesota Vikings cornerback Terence Newman (23), and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) take a breather during a NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals on December 17, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.The Vikings defeated the Bengals 34-7.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Tom Brady /

4. New England Patriots

In uncharacteristic fashion, it’s been a relatively disappointing offseason for the New England Patriots. Seen as one of the top teams even after their heart-breaking Super Bowl loss, Bill Belichick and company have taken a step back since the start of free agency. As dominant as the Patriots have been over the past two decades, the same can’t be said in the last two weeks.

We knew Malcolm Butler was out but he wasn’t the only one to depart. Nate Solder, Danny Amendola, and Dion Lewis all got their paydays elsewhere. Even special-teams ace Matthew Slater has made his free agent rounds. The Patriots are certainly a destination where players come to win but it doesn’t seem like they’re too hard-pressed to leave either. That could have something to do with the tensions of the higher-ups but that’s a story for another day.

As long as Tom Brady is under center, you can never count this team out. There are some positives to the offseason like acquiring much-needed pass rush help in Adrian Clayborn and re-signing Rex Burkhead. This isn’t something new considered the Patriots are accustomed to winning without premiere weapons on either side of the ball.

By now we’ve learned never to doubt the greatest quarterback of all-time but the Patriots have definitely taken a step back this offseason. That’s no reason to fret, however, as they’re still the best team in the AFC.

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