Is it possible the New England Patriots are the real deal? That's the question on everyone's mind after an NFL insider boldly declared them one of only three true contenders in the AFC.
According to a report by Mike Jones of The Athletic, the Patriots, along with the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, are the teams to watch out for. This declaration comes as the Patriots are vying for the top spot in the AFC standings, with a Week 11 victory over the New York Jets potentially solidifying their position. But here's where it gets controversial: Jones labels the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, along with the Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Jacksonville Jaguars, as 'pretenders.'
Jones's reasoning? The Patriots, despite being a young team with some roster weaknesses, are showing exceptional promise. He credits the outstanding play of Drake Maye, a balanced offensive strategy, a stingy defense (ranking fifth-best on third downs and allowing just 19.2 points per game), and impactful special teams contributions. They've already notched impressive wins against playoff-caliber teams like the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But will their relative inexperience in the postseason be their downfall?
Jones highlights the Chiefs as a well-rounded, battle-tested team with their goals within reach, while the Ravens seem to have found their footing after a rocky start. The Patriots' road victories against the Bills (Week 5) and Buccaneers (Week 10) stand out as key achievements. Interestingly, Jones also includes the Buccaneers among the 'pretenders,' a surprising move.
The Patriots' next major test will be their Week 15 rematch against Buffalo.
What do you think? Do you agree with Jones's assessment, or do you see other teams as legitimate contenders? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
