Week 15 Power Rankings

Cold Hard Football Facts ranks them 7th (+3):  Last week: 20-10 win vs. Carolina. Loafing malcontent Randy Moss has seven drops in 120 targets; tough-as-nails gamer Wes Welker has six drops in 136 targets.

WEEI ranks them 9th (+3):  Randy Moss and Bill Belichick had a “good talk” following the disciplinary action that was taken after Moss showed up late last Wednesday. This is according to Belichick during his appearance on The Big Show Monday. Unlike Adalius Thomas and his coach, Moss and Belichick have a good, open line of communication, and that is one of the reasons I believe Moss isn’t dogging it or giving less than 100 percent. Also, when was the last time we heard Belichick criticize another team? There’s no way he would have done that if he thought Moss wasn’t giving his all.

The Sporting News ranks them 9th (+2):  This season has been more controversial and less successful than they planned.

ESPN ranks them 9th (+2):  After his halfhearted effort against Carolina, Randy Moss should put on a show in Buffalo.

USA Today ranks them 9th (+1):  Shaky team isn't inspiring confidence for a playoff run.

National Football Post ranks them 9th (nc):  At this point in the season, the Pats will take wins anyway they can get them—especially with the Dolphins and the Jets on their heels.

Don Banks at SI ranks them 10th (+1):  OK, time for us to all take a breath and step back from the round-the-clock Randy Moss analysis. I haven't liked the looks of his effort the past two weeks, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt because it's the holidays. We're all pretty quick to assign motives and assume we know what's going on in somebody's head, when obviously we don't. If Moss goes into the cold of Buffalo this week and has himself a big game -- no easy feat at this time of year -- all can still be forgiven in Pats-land. As I recall, Moss usually finds sufficient motivation when T.O. is lining up for the other team.

Fox Sports ranks them 10th (-1):  In the entire decade, there have never been as many player-related controversies as there have been this season. That said, Randy Moss' teammates are surely not too worried about their notorious wideout and allegations that he quits on plays. Like that's news. Let's not go overboard and take Chris Gamble's bait: Moss entered last weekend as the NFL leader in receiving yards for the season. One off game is not a Roland Emmerich flick (director of Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012 ... get it?).

Yahoo! Sports ranks them 11th (nc):  Is Bill Belichick channeling Rex Ryan – and if so, is there any way he can keep doing it?

What If Sports ranks them 11th (nc)

ProFootball Weekly ranks them 11th (nc):  Thank God for Welker.

CBS Sports ranks them 11th (nc):  They just seem off, even when they win. And now they're in a race for the division title with Miami and the Jets. They can't afford a stumble.

Peter King ranks them 12th (-1):  "This is the flattest game I've ever done,'' Tony Siragusa said from the field on the FOX telecast of Panthers-Pats. Another failed fourth-down call, Randy Moss looking like he wished he was anywhere but there, no tight end getting open, Steve Smith whipping corners ... I know there are no ugly wins, but this win was exceedingly unattractive. I'll say this: It's a good thing the Patriots have Tom Brady -- even in a season where he's been mortal half the time -- or their season would be over this morning.

AVERAGE RANK:  9.83 (+.79)