NFL power rankings: 32-team overreactions heading into Week 2

By Peter Panacy | Sep 11, 2018

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown by Phillip Dorsett #13 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 09: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots gestures at the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 09: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots gestures at the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

47. . W, 27-20 vs. Texans. Previous: . New England Patriots. 1. team

Don’t. Bet. Against. The. Patriots.

For those who thought Tom Brady would finally show his 41-year-old age right out of the gate in 2018, you were wrong. Many of us were. Brady was phenomenal against a stout Texans defense in Week 1, tossing for his usual 270-plus yards and three touchdowns against one interception, all the while posting a passer rating of 102. 2.

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And the Texans had zero answers for Rob Gronkowski either, watching him rack up a massive 123 yards and a touchdown during the game.

So much for either player slowing down, right?

Some notes for you — the Pats were only 4-of-14 on third down but made up for that by going 3-of-4 in the red zone while averaging 5.4 yards per play. It’s methodical, effective and there’s few good ways to stop Brady and Co. when all elements are working well.

They were Sunday.

New England had some issues with turnovers, yes. But the Texans managed just three points of said turnovers, so that wasn’t much of a problem for head coach Bill Belichick and Co.

dark. Next. 49ers vs. Vikings: Full Week 1 grades & analysis for San Francisco

Just like they were for much of 2017, the Patriots are right back at the top of our NFL power rankings. And there’s no reason to assume they’ll fall out of that spot anytime soon.