The Week 15 power rankings reflect the dominance of New England, riding at No. 1 or 2 across major outlets—but the “prove it” chorus remains loud. Riding a 10-game win streak and sitting at 11-2 coming
off the bye week, the Patriots are still a hot story. However, experts are split, praising second-year sensation QB Drake Maye while demanding proof their record will hold up against stiffer competition.
That proof will come this week, when all eyes will be on Sunday’s massive Bills-Patriots AFC East showdown—the Pats’ toughest test yet and a game that could either silence the doubters or expose the hype.
With four games remaining in the regular season it’s put-up or shut-up time for most of the AFC. If the Broncos lose a single game, they could lose the No. 1 seed and the playoff bye. The Patriots need to win out if they want a chance at either. Every team seems to have another team breathing down its neck just to earn a wildcard berth. Adding to the intrigue, are the health of already beat-up rosters and unpredictable winter weather—Sunday’s forecast at Gillette Staduim calls for 32° with possible snow. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Buffalo is favored over the home team by 1.5 points, but I predict the Patriots will beat the Bills. Mike Vrabel will have the team focused and ready to go as practice ramps up full-speed tomorrow. As always,
GO PATS!!
1st – Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News): The Patriots enjoyed their bye week to get some rest late in the season before they get ready to build on their dominant breakout season with Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel before their playoff run. They will be ready to try to sweep the Bills at home. [nc]
1st – Ralph Vacchiano (FOX Sports): The Pats preserved their top spot and their 10-game winning streak through their bye week. Now they can clinch their first AFC East title since 2019 with a win at home on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. [nc]
1st – Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk): The AFC East crown is within reach. [nc]
1st – Pete Prisco (CBS Sports): They come off their bye with a big one this week against the Bills. Drake Maye’s MVP candidacy will be on full display. [nc]
2nd – NFL Nation (ESPN): Most shocking statistical ranking: Marcus Jones is second in average yards on punt returns. Jones has 87- and 94-yard punt returns for touchdowns, and his 18.8 average is just behind the Titans’ Chimere Dike (19.9). Jones entered this season, his fourth in the NFL, averaging 13.3 yards per punt return in his career, with one touchdown. “I think he’s an All-Pro player — an all-around athlete who does everything,” wide receiver Stefon Diggs said. “He brings a lot of juice.” — Mike Reiss. [-1]
2nd – Nate Davis (USA Today): They’re holding steady at No. 2 − though they lost their grip on the AFC’s No. 1 seed during their bye week. Drake Maye continues to play like the MVP runner-up, whether or not he’s actually the league’s second-best quarterback. He can further burnish his case Sunday if New England is able to complete a season sweep of the Bills and wrap up its first AFC East crown since 2019. [nc]
4th – Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports): It’s hard to believe but true: The Patriots can clinch the AFC East title with three games to go. If New England beats Buffalo on Sunday, the Patriots will have a three-game lead and own the tiebreaker due to a sweep, so the division race would be over. The Patriots are still fairly low in the advanced metrics despite their record — 14th in total DVOA, 10th in offense and 25th in defense — but this has been a wildly successful season no matter how it turns out. [nc]
4th – Eric Edholm (NFL.com): Ten straight wins, followed by a bye and a shot to end the Bills’ division run this Sunday in Foxborough. Patriots are flying high in what could be a post-Chiefs playoff field, with a chance to earn a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Beating Buffalo won’t be easy, especially with Josh Allen heating up and undoubtedly champing at the bit for a second crack at that Patriots defense, which will be without Milton Williams. New England also will be shorthanded on the offensive line for a bit, and the run game has had its limitations. But Drake Maye and his receivers, with some brilliant guidance from Josh McDaniels, have made it work quite well to this point. The Pats aren’t a perfect team, but they’re pretty darned compelling, and they’ll give anyone they face from here on out a great battle. Guaranteed. [nc]
5th – Conor Orr (SI): New England gets Buffalo coming off the Bengals game and, as of Monday night, the Ravens flexed into Sunday night football. I’m less and less absorbed by my New England soft schedule take, but I am very interested to see how the team handles these two weeks in particular. [-2]
7th – Diante Lee (The Ringer): Will they be the next AFC contender to hit a cold stretch? New England has enjoyed one of the league’s softest schedules and should finish this season with at least 12 wins–and potentially an MVP award for second-year QB Drake Maye. But we’re not done evaluating whether this team is serious just yet. The biggest game of New England’s season is on Sunday against the Bills, and the following week they’ll face the Ravens, who will be playing for their postseason lives. If they lose either game, questions will be swirling about whether this team is a true Super Bowl contender. [+2]
GO PATS!!
Around the AFC East:
New England Patriots (11-2) vs. Buffalo Bills (9-4)
Miami Dolphins (6-7) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
New York Jets (3-10) at Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)
AFC Matchups:
Denver Broncos (11-2) vs. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1)
Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-7)
Houston Texans (8-5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
Indianapolis Colts (8-5) at Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
Baltimore Ravens (6-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
Cleveland Browns (3-10) at Chicago Bears (9-4)
Tennessee Titans (2-10) at San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) at Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
AVG RANK: 2.8 [-0.3]
