2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Packers & Chiefs rise, Patriots dip
New England Patriots. 6. team. 47. . . Previous: 5th
The Patriots’ fourth-quarter bid for a comeback win fell short against the Indianapolis Colts, and unfortunately for them, they weren’t able to extend their winning streak to eight games.
The Indianapolis Colts finally got the better of the Patriots, but not before New England cut a 20-0 deficit to 20-17 in the fourth quarter and really showed why this team is capable of being so dangerous down the stretch this season.
This team doesn’t likely want Mac Jones throwing 45 times come playoff time, but they have played so well over the last couple of months that it’s hard to knock them too far down after a road loss against a tough team.
It took a blocked punt by the Colts in this game to likely get this win. The Patriots lost despite holding the Colts to just 2-of-10 on third-down conversions.
. Previous: 4th. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 5. team. 48.
Luckily for the Buccaneers, they play in the NFC South, which has been horrendous most of the year.
Still, how are they getting taken deep into the fourth quarter against the Saints, led by Taysom Hill at QB, with a 9-0 deficit?
That’s not the type of play we’ve come to expect from the Buccaneers, an obviously championship-caliber team with some definite weaknesses and inconsistency, just like pretty much every other team in the NFL this season.
Still, you can’t help but buy this team as the postseason rapidly approaches. With the star power they have on both sides of the ball, this veteran-laden team will undoubtedly refocus before January football and get on the right track.