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Second-place Patriots are in bizarro territory to start the 2017 NFL season

COMMENTARY

There are still three weeks or so until the second season of “Stranger Things” premieres, and yet here we are, already mired in the Upside Down version of the NFL.

It’s a sinister reflection of the norm whenever the Buffalo Bills are atop the AFC East, and even more bizarre when the defending Super Bowl champions find themselves tied for second with the New York Jets, a team that is supposed to tanking for next spring’s No. 1 pick.

Therefore, is it time to shed even a milliliter of concern that the New England Patriots, in the discussion only three weeks ago to possibly concept a 19-0 season, might just face stiff competition in their division for one of the only times in almost two decades?