NFL Power Rankings, Week 1: Titans ink Clowney, Chiefs remain clear favorites

Remember just a few months ago when, in the wake of the NFL Draft wherein the New England Patriots chose not to address the quarterback position, it seemed as if Bill Belichick was about to trot out Jarrett Stidham as his starter under center? Things have changed quite a bit since then.

Cam Newton is not only the starting quarterback that will replace Tom Brady in Foxborough but he has consistently drawn positive reviews. By all accounts, the 2015 NFL MVP is clicking with the coaching staff and is taking to the Patriots like a fish to water. That bodes well for the Patriots as they venture into a season without Brady for the first time in two decades.

At the same time, though, New England is a team rife with question marks. The wide receiver group is among the worst in the NFL on paper, the backfield has yet to settle anything to this point and no team in the league, on both sides of the ball, was hit as hard by opt-out decisions as the Patriots were.

With a veteran and uniquely talented quarterback, though, Belichick has earned the benefit of the doubt. No one is going to crown the Patriots Super Bowl champs given the problems with this roster but absolutely no one is going to think this team shouldn’t compete to win the AFC East once again.