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NFL power rankings: Which playoff team is the best?

By Russell S. Baxter

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Head coach John Harbaugh interacts with Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens prior to playing against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Dan Kubus/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Head coach John Harbaugh interacts with Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens prior to playing against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Dan Kubus/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 21: Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots looks on during the first half against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 21: Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots looks on during the first half against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

6. New England Patriots

12-4 (AFC East champions)

No. 3 Seed in AFC

Overview: When it was all said and done, Bill Belichick’s team actually won more games this season (12) than they did a year ago (11). But this was a team that finished 4-4 in its last eight outings after starting the season 8-0. Quarterback Tom Brady had his ups and downs. The calling card for this club was an excellent defense spearheaded by cornerback Stephon Gilmore. But the Patriots head into the postseason off a perplexing 27-24 home loss to the Miami Dolphins that has put them in the position to play a wild card game for the first time since 2009. Still, these defending champions are always dangerous.

Postseason History: No franchise in NFL history has won more postseason games (37). The Patriots are also in the playoffs for a record 11th consecutive year and have appeared in four of the past five Super Bowls. A trip to South Florida in early February would tie the mark set by the Buffalo Bills from 1990-93.

This Week’s Opponent: Since defeating the Tennessee Titans, 35-14, in the 2017 AFC Divisional Playoffs at New England, the Patriots have played in five more postseason games – including losing (LII) and winning (LIII) a Super Bowl. But Belichick’s team did lose to the Titans at Nashville, 34-10, in Week 10, last season.

Next: No. 5

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