The New England Patriots are contenders entering the 2026 NFL season, but the general consensus is not that the team is the runaway favorite to win the Super Bowl at the end of the season.
CBS Sports shockingly ranked the Patriots No. 16 overall in their Week 1 NFL power rankings,
putting them outside the top 10 behind several teams that may find themselves outside of the playoff picture when the 17-game slate is said and done.The Patriots made their share of big moves in the offseason, though the Los Angeles Rams opened the most eyes by trading for Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie and signing Aaron Donald.
Nevertheless, New England reached the Super Bowl last season, and any help they received from a favorable schedule is counteracted by the team
having traded for superstar receiver A.J. Brown and signing star wideout Romeo Doubs in free agency, along with signing Alijah Vera-Tucker and drafting Caleb Lomu to add to the offensive line.
New England will face a difficult opening assignment Wednesday night when it travels to Seattle to play the Seahawks. The matchup pits the Patriots against a Seattle team that handed them a lopsided 29-13 loss at Super Bowl LX.
The season opener will give New England an immediate opportunity to demonstrate that it belongs among the NFL’s top teams. A strong performance resulting in a win will provide early momentum and strengthen the Patriots’ standing as the season develops.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots get surprise ranking in Week 1 NFL power rankings
