The New England Patriots are the defending Super Bowl champions and the best team in the NFL. USA TODAY’s Nate Davis ranked the Patriots as the league’s No. 1 team ahead of training camp for the 2019 season.
1. New England Patriots (1): Do they have the most formidable roster? Nope — even if this Gronk retirement ultimately proves premature. But they’ve got the most jewelry and enter 2019 in the pole position, where they’ll stay until further notice.
The Patriots lost key starters at some of their most crucial positions: tight end Rob Gronkowski, left tackle Trent Brown and edge rusher Trey Flowers. And still, they are considered the NFL’s team to beat. Could they start the season 2-2? Without a doubt. They may encounter growing pains as they move on from those three players along with a tremendous amount of the team’s defensive coaching staff. But Bill Belichick and Tom Brady persevere. They continue to be the league’s best tandem of player and coach, and they overcome turnover better than any team in the NFL — and maybe in the history of the NFL. Their six Super Bowl rings make the argument for them. Their 13 AFC title game appearances probably seal the deal.
So an argument could be made that — top to bottom — there are 10 teams with more talent than the Patriots. But the Patriots have talent at the most important positions: coach and quarterback. That’s why it’s hard to argue with Davis’ decision to rank the Patriots as the NFL’s best team.
The Los Angeles Chargers (No. 2), the Philadelphia Eagles (No. 3), the Kansas City Chiefs (No. 4) and the New Orleans Saints round out the top five. In the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills are No. 21, the New York Jets are 24th overall and the Miami Dolphins are 32nd overall.
