Four straight wins. A 5-2 record. And the top spot in the AFC East.
The Patriots haven’t hit the halfway point of the season yet, but the way they’re playing, sure look like a good bet to enter the playoff arena for the first time since 2021.
While it’s early, it’s not crazy to start looking at the AFC landscape and sizing up teams, especially the way Drake Maye is playing, coupled with the job Mike Vrabel is doing as the head coach.
From the mix, there are past Super Bowl winners, teams with better rosters than the Patriots, not to mention future Hall of Fame quarterbacks and head coaches.
But are there any teams to truly fear?
Here’s a look at some of the early contenders and rating their fear factor (on a scale of 1-to-5 with 5 being the scariest) for the Patriots.
Indianapolis Colts (6-1, first in AFC South)
Like the Patriots, they haven’t had the toughest schedule. But Sunday’s statement win over the LA Chargers, coupled with an earlier win over Denver, gives them some credibility.
Daniel “Indiana” Jones has prospered in Indy after a failed venture with the New York Giants and brief stop in Minnesota. He’s thrown for the 5th most yards (1,790), one notch above Drake Maye (1,744) in the NFL rankings. He has 10 TD passes with 3 picks.
Jones has also enjoyed the benefit of having the league’s best running game. Jonathan Taylor, the NFL’s leading rusher, is a candidate for Offensive Player of the Year.
Head coach Shane Steichen, who some believed was on the hot seat at the start of the year, is in the Coach of the Year discussion.
He’s the play caller and mastermind behind Jones’ ascension.
Even with that, I’m still not completely sold on them, and still believe the Patriots would have the upper hand in a matchup.
But as a very wise coach who was recently inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame once said: You are what your record says you are.
Fear factor: 3.5
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2, first in AFC North)
They beat the Patriots, but that game was more about the Patriots and their five turnovers, than the Steelers.
Aaron Rodgers can still play. That much was evident in Thursday night’s shootout loss to the Bengals. But the Steelers aren’t a team to lose sleep over.
I’d be more fearful of the Bengals if they get in.
With Joe Flacco playing like a 20-year-old and saving the day for Cincy until Joe Burrow returns, it’s certainly possible they’ll make it – and once again ruin Mike Tomlin’s day.
The Bengals defense remains suspect, but with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and a returning Burrow, they can trade haymakers with anyone.
As for the Steelers, they’re good. And compared with what the Patriots bring to the table, good doesn’t cut it.
Fear factor: 3
Denver Broncos (5-2, first in AFC West)
The Broncos pose a challenge because Sean Payton has won, and he’s a brilliant play caller.
Their defense is pretty good, too.
But, they don’t really scare you – although that win against the Giants Sunday was wild and crazy with them putting up 33 points in the fourth quarter after being shut out the first three.
A battle of wits with Vrabel and Payton would be fun.
The prospects of facing them at Mile High adds another layer to the equation. Their two losses (Colts, Chargers) were in road games. So the trick is playing them away from Denver, and it’s much less daunting.
Fear factor: 3.5
Kansas City Chiefs (4-3, third in AFC West)
There’s Patrick Mahomes. There’s Andy Reid. And there’s the trophy case with 3 championships, and 5 Super Bowl appearances in the last decade.
While some wrote off the Chiefs early given a 2-3 start, they’re on a roll now, and playing a lot more like a contender.
Vrabel and Maye have certainly established a pretty good coach/quarterback dynamic, but Mahomes and Reid are the reference standard for active teams.
They’ll be money when the time comes.
Bet against them at your own peril.
Fear factor: 5
Buffalo Bills (4-2, second in AFC East)
The Patriots and Falcons stunningly beat them in back-to-back-weeks prior to their bye week.
Some fear the Bills won’t rebound. Why?
The preseason Super Bowl favorites aren’t as good as advertised. The defense is suspect. And Josh Allen doesn’t exactly have an arsenal that’s loaded.
Still, Allen gives the Bills a chance in any game no matter who he’s playing with.
He still has a good enough cast around him offensively to be dangerous, and put up points by the boatload.
But, having beaten them already, the Patriots would have a measure of confidence in that matchup. It’ll be interesting to see how the Bills’ revenge game in Foxborough turns out Week 15.
For now, they still have some clout in the pecking order thanks to Allen being under center.
Fear factor: 4
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