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2018 NFL Power Rankings: Packers, Patriots fall as Rams, Chiefs show dominance

By Randy Gurzi

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his touchdown with teammate Todd Gurley #30 during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his touchdown with teammate Todd Gurley #30 during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass the ball against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at Ford Field on September 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass the ball against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at Ford Field on September 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

15. New England Patriots (7)

This doesn’t feel like the normal New England Patriots. And no, this isn’t just about their lackluster performance on Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions — although that wasn’t their best performance. The problem is they feel like a desperate team. Yes, they’ve taken advantage of players with checkered pasts before, but trading for Josh Gordon feels like a stretch.

This is a player who could be explosive when on the field, but he comes over with a hamstring injury, which was suffered at a non-team-oriented event while he was with the Browns. Which came after he had missed all of training camp and the preseason. Which came after serving suspensions in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. It just doesn’t scream “Patriot Way” as they normally preach.

What it does scream is “we are desperate at receiver.” With Julian Edelman out suspended until after their next game, the Pats haven’t had anyone step up outside of Rob Gronkowski. They could be wishing they didn’t trade Brandin Cooks — or maybe that they did something else in free agency the past couple season besides just add second-tier receivers.

They’ll likely get it all figured out, but as of now, they’re 1-2 and they’re not in first place in the AFC East and it feels weird. They also lost to a former coordinator in Matt Patricia, which also feels weird.

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