Power Rankings: Pats aren't what we thought they were

Updated Dec. 4

Two weeks ago, I wrote in this very space that the New England Patriots would not be beaten.

With all apologies to Dennis Green, I said it was time to go ahead and crown their asses.

Did I get ahead of myself? You bet.

Feeling a bit more vulnerable, Bill Belichick? (AP)

The past two weeks have taught us again a very valuable NFL lesson: Anybody can be beaten. When things seem predictable and outcomes predetermined, we always seem to get something that reminds us to be careful racing to such conclusions.

The Patriots have been pushed to the limit in winning the past two weeks. They are still undefeated, but that gives hope to the rest of the league that the team being called by some the greatest of all-time has flaws just like they do.

The interesting thing is that they were tested in two very different ways. The Philadelphia Eagles went to New England and played an up-tempo style, trying to match the Pats point for point. They were there in the end, too, but two late-game interceptions kept the Pats unbeaten.

Monday night, the Baltimore Ravens took a different approach. They pounded them, beat them up and essentially mugged them, even making Tom Brady look uncomfortable in the pocket for much of the game.

In the end, Brady drove the Pats to the winning score in a 27-24 victory, helped by a favorable holding call late in the game. But I'm not about to sit here and say the officials cost the Ravens the game. Bad calls happen. They're a part of football.

What cost the Ravens the game was that stupid interception Kyle Boller threw from the Patriots 30 with the Ravens leading 24-17.

The late touchdown ruined a heck of an effort by the Ravens and forced the 1972 Dolphins to put the champagne back on ice. The Ravens flew to the football and they never backed down. They played so physical that at times it appeared they were pushing it a bit.

To their credit, the Pats didn't back down, which is why they are still atop the CBSSports.com Power Rankings. But the more I watched that game it became clear that New England doesn't like to be hit in the mouth. Who does? It also brought up this question: Have the Patriots become a finesse team?

If so, there will be plenty of tough-guy teams ready to smack them in the mouth come playoff time. One of those will visit Foxboro this week in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Two others could be the San Diego Chargers and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In two weeks, we've learned a lot about the Pats. We've learned they are soft in the middle of their pass defense. We've learned they can be pushed around at the line of scrimmage. We've learned that exotic blitzes seem to be the way to counter Brady. Mostly, though, we've learned they aren't unbeatable.

Crown their asses? Let's hold off on that. The NFL has a way of making all that rushing to judgment look bad.

The Patriots are still the team to beat. It's just that the past two weeks have taught us that beating them isn't as impossible a task as we thought.

The Power Rankings through Week 13:

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Colts · Trends	1
	They make it interesting, but they still find a way. The amazing thing is that they are winning yet not healthy. That's what a good quarterback does for a team.
	2	Saints · Trends	2
	Can anybody stop that offense? If they get to play their playoff games inside the Superdome, it's hard not imagining them in the Super Bowl.
	3	Vikings · Trends	3
	If the playoffs go through their dome, they will be tough to beat. They seem to be getting better -- if that's possible.
	4	Cowboys · Trends	5
	The offense woke up against the Raiders, which is a good sign moving forward. But it will be December the next time they play and we know how they fade in that month.
	5	Bengals · Trends	6
	It wasn't pretty against the Browns, but they went to 8-3. The one concern I have is they aren't passing it that well right now. That has to get better down the stretch.
	6	Chargers · Trends	7
	Momentum seems to be building for this team. As the defense improves, so will their Super chances. We know they can score.
	7	Patriots · Trends	4
	They got ambushed in New Orleans. That defense has not played well when facing good passing teams. Where's the pass rush?
	8	Eagles · Trends	9
	They struggled some against the Redskins and now must go on the road at Atlanta. That won't be easy.
	9	Broncos · Trends	12
	That was a season-saving victory against the Giants. But be careful this week against the Chiefs. They've owned the Broncos in December at Arrowhead.
	10	Packers · Trends	14
	They are starting to have a playoff look about them. The key will be how that offensive line holds up.
	11	Cardinals · Trends	8
	The division race tightened up with that loss to the Titans, and now they have a huge game with the Vikings. They have to be careful of San Francisco creeping back into it.
	12	Steelers · Trends	10
	The questioning of Ben Roethlisberger sitting out by teammates is not a good sign. They shouldn't do that. It could cause problems.
	13	Giants · Trends	11
	This is a team in big trouble. If Eli Manning can't play at close to 100 percent the rest of the way, they can forget the playoffs. Even with them, they could miss out.
	14	Falcons · Trends	15
	Matt Ryan won't play this week, which means Chris Redman will have their playoff hopes on his right arm against the Eagles. Can he play as well as he did last week, now that they know he's coming?
	15	Ravens · Trends	17
	They had a huge victory last week over the Steelers, but now have to go to Green Bay to face the Packers. That will be tough.
	16	Jaguars · Trends	13
	As long as they don't go to the West Coast again, they will be fine. They scored three points in two games there. Ouch.
	17	Titans · Trends	19
	Watch out. They're coming fast. If they can beat the Colts this week, the schedule the rest of the way is favorable.
	18	Dolphins · Trends	16
	Did they blow their playoff chances at Buffalo? If they did, that halfback pass on their opening drive of the game could be the reason why.
	19	Texans · Trends	18
	When they learn to beat the Colts, then we'll take their playoff chances seriously. If they lose at Jacksonville this week, it could be the end of the Gary Kubiak era.
	20	Jets · Trends	20
	They're still alive, but barely. They still don't look close to being the team that jumped to a 3-0 start.
	21	49ers · Trends	23
	Alex Smith has five games to show he is their guy for the future. He looked comfortable against the Jaguars.
	22	Bills · Trends	24
	The team is playing better under Perry Fewell. But he probably has no chance to keep the job.
	23	Seahawks · Trends	25
	It's too bad they don't play the Rams every week. If they did, they might make the playoffs. Justin Forsett looks like the real deal.
	24	Panthers · Trends	21
	It's time to make a change at quarterback. Find out what Matt Moore can do. What do they have to lose?
	25	Bears · Trends	22
	Paging Bill Cowher. Paging Bill Cowher. Is there any doubt they will make a coaching change now?
	26	Chiefs · Trends	26
	That San Diego game was a reminder of how far this team needs to go. They are a long way away from competing.
	27	Redskins · Trends	27
	They're still playing hard, but it doesn't matter. Jim Zorn is still gone after the season.
	28	Raiders · Trends	28
	At some point they have to get a quarterback. There is talent going to waste on this roster.
	29	Lions · Trends	29
	They have some offensive talent. Now they have to fix that defense. Teams do what they want. Green Bay wasn't even challenged.
	30	Rams · Trends	30
	Will they win again? It doesn't look good. Now comes the big decision: Which quarterback do they take in next spring's draft?
	31	Buccaneers · Trends	31
	Who will Raheem Morris fire this week? Is it another loss, another firing? It's time the blame goes to the man at the top.
	32	Browns · Trends	32
	It has to be hard to watch this team, especially for Browns fans. The question now is whether Eric Mangini makes it for a second season.