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With the N.F.L. season around the halfway mark, there are many good teams. But just about any way you choose to look at it, one of them towers over all the rest.
The New England Patriots.
Check out something simple, like won-lost records. The Patriots are 7-1; the Dallas Cowboys are 6-1. Everyone else has lost twice or more.
Want something a little more sophisticated, like point differential? The Patriots are at plus-85. Next are Dallas and Denver, but at plus-58.
Only five quarterbacks have passer ratings above 100 this year. Matt Ryan of the Falcons stands at a sterling 115.8. The Patriots’ Tom Brady is at 133.9. He leads in a slew of other categories as well.
The leader in yards per reception, a category virtually always reserved for speedy wide receivers, is a tight end this year. Of course, it’s Rob Gronkowski. Running game? LeGarrette Blount has a league-leading nine rushing touchdowns.
Computer rankings agree. Jeff Sagarin’s system has nine teams…
