NFL

6 Things I Learned From Week 12 of the NFL Season

JJ Zachariason  —  @LateRoundQB Nov 24th, 2014
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The Patriots Are the AFC's Best Team

Denver sat atop our power rankings for the first 10 weeks of the regular season, but after Week 11, New England (and Green Bay) jumped ahead. In Week 12, they showed why.

The Patriots' 34-9 win over Detroit wasn't just impressive because of the final score. It was impressive because the Lions entered this week as our seventh-best team analytically, with the second-best defense (behind the Dolphins) in the NFL.

New England's ninth-ranked D held Matthew Stafford to a -7.04 Passing NEP, a 21-point (three touchdown) difference compared to Tom Brady's score.

The Patriots, too, were able to run the football against the league's toughest run defense - after being cut by Pittsburgh, LeGarrette Blount rushed to a 2.23 Rushing NEP total.

All in all, the effort will most definitely keep the Patriots ranked first in our power rankings after this week is done. And they'll face the number-two team, Green Bay, on Sunday. Get your popcorn ready.

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