Let’s just call it how it is: the New England Patriots are used to being No. 1. Whether it’s leading the NFL in Super Bowl championships; leading the league any given year in offensive, defensive, or special teams metrics; or having the No. 1 quarterback, head coach, and – up until this year – tight end in all of football, the Patriots are accustomed to occupying the very zenith of the pigskin mountaintop.
Seldom do they settle for second-best. However, a new study just released has the Patriots pegged at No. 2… and this might be the rare occasion where New England is actually pleasantly surprised and satisfied with that ranking.