The New England Patriots’ big win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 4 has the team back in the playoff mix and sized up against the best contenders in the NFL.
ESPN ranked the Patriots No. 14 overall in their latest NFL power rankings following the team’s road victory over the Bills.
“Quarterback Drake Maye's shaky decision-making in the first three games of the season contributed to a 1-2 start, sparking myriad questions leading into Sunday's matchup in Buffalo,” ESPN's Mike Reiss wrote. “Maye answered them with his best performance of the season. Coach Mike Vrabel declared after the upset -- led by Maye's fourth-quarter performance -- that the Patriots were ‘back in the race.’ Maye said it was ‘relieving a little bit.’ He still leads the NFL with nine
turnovers.”
New England defeated Buffalo 29-26 in Week 4, making that the biggest win of the season for the team. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes in the game and guided New England through several momentum swings, including a touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter that put the team ahead for good after the Bills seized a 26-21 lead earlier.
A late interception thrown by Josh Allen sealed the win.
The victory improved New England to 2-2 on the season and justified its rise from No. 16 to No. 14 in the rankings. The Patriots avoided falling into a 1-3 hole. Instead, they earned a road win over one of the top teams in the AFC and established a stronger foundation entering Week 5.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots rise in ESPN’s latest power rankings ahead of Week 5
