When analyzing the NFL, it’s easy to overreact on a week-to-week basis. Everyone can succumb to being a prisoner of the moment. Two weeks ago, the Patriots were coming off a two-game losing streak. Their pass defense was dismal, their run game was absent and they lacked any big-play ability.
But after wins over the Jets and Chiefs, the Patriots are the top seed in the AFC and control their postseason destiny with a remaining schedule that doesn’t feature an opponent with a winning record.
Wins over a struggling Jets team and a Chiefs squad led by a quarterback making his first professional start aren’t the best way to gauge whether this New England team is a true contender.
But with the weak schedule awaiting, there isn’t another regular-season opponent that will truly test the Patriots.
The weaknesses that were exposed a couple weeks ago are still there. New England’s defense remains last in the league against the pass.
But even with those areas of concern, the Patriots easily should go on to win the division and earn a bye in the playoffs.
They still have a three-time Super Bowl champion under center. They still have the most unguardable slot receiver in the league. They still have a tight end who has scored 20 touchdowns in his first 26 games of his career. And they still have one of the best defensive minds patrolling their sideline.
Yes, the Patriots have glaring flaws. But they are still the favorite to win the AFC.
– Jeffrey Tomik
