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New York Giants Come In Middle Of The Pack In Playoff Power Rankings

By Kenneth Teape

Jan 1, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo on the sidelines against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo on the sidelines against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Giants Come In Middle Of The Pack In Playoff Power Rankings
Jan 1, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (right) greets Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (left) after they scored a touchdown against Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

1. New England Patriots

Coming in at the No.1 spot is the Patriots. Given their history and the way they ran through the regular season it is tough to argue against them topping the NFL Playoff Power Rankings.

Tom Brady is on a mission to destroy the league after serving a four-game suspension to start the season for Deflategate. He responded in a big way, going 11-1 with his only loss coming in Seattle. He finished the season with 3,554 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only two interceptions.

Those are outstanding numbers, and he received a big hand from the running game. LeGarrette Blount had his second career 1,000-yard season to go along with an absurd 18 rushing touchdowns. Dion Lewis and James White have filled the passing back role well as the Patriots offense is rolling.

Along with the explosive offense, the Patriots possess an imposing defense. They finished the season giving up the fewest points in the league and eighth-fewest yards. One knock against the defense is that they are middle of the pack in forcing turnovers. They are also average defending the pass, allowing teams to complete 61.7 percent of their passes for 237.9 yards per game and 21 touchdowns.

The only true knock against the Patriots is their sack total. They rank 16th with 34 sacks on the season. That has led to some big plays allowed, as the Patriots gave up 53 plays of 20+ yards this season, tied for the eighth-highest total in the NFL. Through the air is the best chance you have of beating the Patriots, as they are very strong against the run.

The one big question looming over the Patriots is if they can make a run without Rob Gronkowski as a weapon over the middle and in the red zone. They have done well without him, as Blount has been great at the goal line.

Next: Odell Beckham Jr. Defends Florida Trip

If the biggest question is how a team can perform without a player that essentially wasn’t on the field for more than half the regular season, you are in good shape. In a year with plenty of parity, the Patriots still have a leg up on everyone heading into the playoffs.

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