Patriots Inch Closer To Top Spot In Tom Brady’s Power Rankings

The New England Patriots keep climbing the NFL hierarchy amid a nine-game winning streak. They reached a new high point in Tom Brady’s power rankings entering Week 13.

Brady placed the Patriots as his top AFC team at No. 2. The iconic quarterback had them No. 3 two weeks ago and No. 4 last week.

Mike Vrabel’s squad moved up after surviving an unpretty 26-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday.

“No style points as the Patriots’ dreaded rival, Joe Flacco, hung around for four quarters,” Brady said. “But Vrabel and the Pats ended up taking care of business and sit firmly in the No. 2 spot.”

Meanwhile, Brady declared another new No. 1 after dropping the Philadelphia Eagles down to No. 4. The seven-time Super Bowl champion chose the team he defeated to earn his first Lombardi Trophy, the Los Angeles Rams.

“Making their debut at No. 1 is a Rams team that you know I’ve loved all season long,” Brady said. “They dismantled a strong Tampa team at home on Sunday night and look poised to make a deep run into the playoffs. The only question I have: Are they peaking too early in L.A.? It’s a good problem to have.”

At 10-2, the Patriots boast a healthy 2.5-game lead over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East with a one-win edge over the Denver Broncos for the conference’s No. 1 seed. They’re residing among the NFL’s elite while competing for a first-round bye during their final five games.

New England can make another case for Brady’s top spot when hosting the New York Giants on “Monday Night Football.”