2020 NFL Power Rankings: New England Patriots
Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Here is where the New England Patriots rank in terms of average, best and worst:
- Average ranking: 15.4 (15th)
- Best ranking: 9th (ESPN)
- Worst ranking: 20th (CBS Sports)
Below you will find a Week 1 roundup for the Patriots in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.
The Athletic -- Rank: 16
Jon Gruden and Derek Carr one spot ahead of Bill Belichick and Cam Newton. 2020 really is insane. Hearing Belichick gush over Newton in recent weeks has me scared I'm going to get crushed by Old Takes Exposed after the Patriots win 11 games. My issue is it won't be enough for Newton to operate within the offense. He'll need to carry the offense on his back because they're just not that talented. The secondary should still be good, but New England has a bunch of question marks in its front seven. Belichick will give them a chance every week, but it's hard to see them winning many one-on-one matchups.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 20
What are the Patriots doing down here so low? Take a look at the roster. Even with Cam Newton at quarterback, this season will challenge Bill Belichick like none other with the Pats.
USA Today -- Rank: 17
Bill Belichick is already thriving without Tom Brady -- perhaps you've seen the Subway ads? Now ... can we get some banana peppers with that defense?
ESPN -- Rank: 9
How will Cam Newton fare as QB1?
Mike Reiss: Everything changed with the Patriots' quarterback competition when Jarrett Stidham went to a local hospital Aug. 20 for tests after suffering a leg injury (they were negative), opening the door for Cam Newton. The former Panther, who wears No. 1, said he doesn't feel like the team's starter, and that he's not where he wants to be mentally at the line of scrimmage at times, but his acclimation holds the key to the offense. Add on that Newton was named one of the Patriots' eight captains last week, marking a quick rise after he officially signed with the team July 8.
Mike Reiss: Everything changed with the Patriots' quarterback competition when Jarrett Stidham went to a local hospital Aug. 20 for tests after suffering a leg injury (they were negative), opening the door for Cam Newton. The former Panther, who wears No. 1, said he doesn't feel like the team's starter, and that he's not where he wants to be mentally at the line of scrimmage at times, but his acclimation holds the key to the offense. Add on that Newton was named one of the Patriots' eight captains last week, marking a quick rise after he officially signed with the team July 8.
NFL.com -- Rank: 15
It's unofficially official (ain't it always on Patriot Way?): Cam Newton is the starting quarterback. Newton beat out Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer to claim the job that was effectively his the moment he signed on with New England in July. It's impossible to know if Newton is close to the same guy who won MVP with the Panthers a half decade ago, but he really is the perfect bridge to whatever comes next in New England. One day -- whether it's next year or five years from now -- the Patriots will invest a premium draft pick in a young quarterback. Newton, even if things don't work out in Foxborough, provides a buffer between Tom Brady and the next boy who would be king.
+ Previous update: New England Patriots Post-Draft NFL Power Rankings Roundup
More New England Patriots pages:
- New England Patriots Mock Draft Roundup
- New England Patriots Snap Counts
- New England Patriots Franchise Leaders
- New England Patriots Draft History
- New England Patriots Schedule
- New England Patriots Tickets
- 2021 NFL Mock Draft
- 2022 NFL Mock Draft
- 2020 NBA Mock Draft
- Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Football Mock Drafts