NFL Power Rankings: Patriots Sink, But Not As Badly As Dolphins

The New England Patriots were one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL in Week 1.

As a result, the team has plummeted to 28th in The Athletic’s Week 2 NFL Power Rankings.

The Patriots play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and in theory, the game should present New England with a great chance to bounce back and earn its first win for new head coach Mike Vrabel.

While the Patriots are down from 23rd in the Week 1 rankings, the Dolphins have sunk to 32nd, after premiering at 19th but suffering a 33-8 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Miami’s plunge 13 spots down the list was the most of any of the 32 teams this week.

“For all of the changes this offseason — particularly at head coach and offensive coordinator — the Patriots’ opener sure looked a lot like the team’s dismal performances of a year ago. The offense really struggled, and second-year quarterback Drake Maye didn’t look ready for a big Year 2 leap,” the article, written by Chad Graff and Josh Kendall, read. “The Dolphins didn’t make it three quarters before it looked like their players were ready for the season to end. Just a total disaster. If things don’t change quickly, Mike McDaniel could be the first coach to be fired this season.”

The Dolphins defeated the Patriots in both of their meetings last season, first in Week 5 in New England, 15-10, and then in Week 12 in South Beach, 34-15.

The Patriots will be looking to snap a four-game skid against their division rivals on Sunday, as the last time that New England defeated Miami was in Week 17 of the 2022 season.