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2018 NFL Power Rankings, Week 17: Saints clinch NFC’s top seed

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 23: Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 23, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 23: Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 23, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – DECEMBER 23: Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – DECEMBER 23: Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

47. . 10-5. Previous: . New England Patriots. 6. team

Recap: Losers of their last two games, Bill Belichick’s team once again looked to wrap up another AFC East title. But the Patriots would no longer have the services of wide receiver Josh Gordon, suspended indefinitely by the NFL. On the field, New England came away with a 25-6 victory over the Bills at Buffalo. In this rematch at Foxborough, the Pats’ ground game stepped to the forefront against a defense that was ranked 10th in the league against the run entering Week 16. Rookie Sony Michel had 116 yards and one score and almost half of New England’s 273 rushing yards. Still, it was a sloppy effort by Belichick’s team as the club turned over the football three times.

Next Week: The Pats play host to the New York Jets and look to extend their current winning streak in a divisional rivalry that has been extremely one-sided as of late. With a 27-13 win back at MetLife Stadium in Week 12, the Patriots have won five straight and are 13-2 in their last 15 meetings in this series dating back to 2011.

Playoff hopes: Make it 10 consecutive AFC East titles for the Patriots, who once again extend their own record. But this consistent franchise is now the first in league history to reach the playoffs 10 straight years. And with a 10-5 record, Belichick’s team has reached double digits in the victory column for the 16th consecutive season.

Next: No. 5

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