2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Chiefs explode, Broncos remember a hero
By Randy Gurzi
team. 47. . . Previous: 4th. New England Patriots. 5
5. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots continued their impressive run as they reeled off their seventh win in a row with a win in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills. That win, although nothing close to an exciting game, may have been one of their most impressive of the season.
New England was playing in Western New York and it was a straight-up blizzard before kick-off. While the snow flurries stopped when they were playing, the wind never died down. That made throwing the ball incredibly difficult — and some of the kicks were sailing as well.
Buffalo tried to throw through this still, and while Josh Allen made it a game, the Patriots had a whole different approach. Mac Jones ended up tossing it just three times, completing two passes for 19 yards. With Jones doing nothing but handing off, for the most part, the Pats had 46 rushes for 222 yards and a touchdown.
Even though they were telegraphing the run, New England just kept making huge plays on the ground. It was also their sixth win on the road this season, with no losses.
That could be beneficial to them as they play on the road again on Dec. 18 when they return from their bye week to play the Colts. After that, it’s a re-match with the Bills, that could solidify the Pats as AFC East champs.