The 10 Best NFL Teams of the Last Decade
7. 2010 New England Patriots
nERD: 11.75
Record: 14-2, lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
We’re baaaaaaack!
If you thought 2012 was fun for the Patriots’ dominantly dynastic decimators, consider the ranking of this team after they got rid of wide receiver Randy Moss -- who had averaged 1,255 receiving yards and nearly 16 touchdowns over the previous three years in October 2010 -- was still the third-best offensive rank in recent memory.
Yes, the Patriots of 2010 earned a 0.23 Adjusted Offensive NEP per play, and quarterback Tom Brady still threw 335 consecutive pass attempts without an interception -- an NFL record -- and won the MVP award. His 0.30 Passing NEP per drop back was well above the rest of the pack, despite having no receiving weapons inside the top-10 of their positions in Total NEP.
He did have an insanely balanced attack helping him out, though, with running backs Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis both ranking in the top-five at the position. Green-Ellis, in particular, is impressive, because of the innately inefficient nature of Rushing NEP; his 0.14 Rushing NEP per play was one of the best in NEP history.
Their defense was still lackluster here, though, as they ranked 20th in the league in Adjusted Defensive NEP per play. This would again be their Achilles’ heel; they fell to the division rival New York Jets in the Divisional Round, scoring just 21 points, despite averaging 32.38 points per game in the regular season.
