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The same holds true in the latest AP Pro32 power rankings released on Tuesday.
For the second straight week, the Patriots received all 12 first-place votes and 384 points in balloting by 12 media members who regularly cover the league.
The Patriots (8-0) are halfway through another perfect regular season after last week’s 27-10 win over Washington.
“The Patriots are halfway to perfection, as they toy with Washington at home to stay unbeaten,” Newsday’s Bob Glauber said.
“Ten minutes into the game, New England had more touchdowns (two) than Washington had plays from scrimmage (one). It was a rather ordinary day for Tom Brady (two TDs, one INT), but New England’s underappreciated yet overachieving defense was terrific yet again.”
Brady led New England to a 16-0 regular season before losing in the Super Bowl to Eli Manning and the New York Giants, who host the Patriots on Sunday.
The league’s other two 8-0 teams, the Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers, followed New England.
The Panthers moved up a spot after their 37-29 win over the Packers last weekend.
“(They) run the ball, hit big passes and play great D,” NBC Sports’ Tony Dungy said of Carolina.
The Broncos dropped two spots to No. 4 after losing 27-24 to the Colts for their first loss of the season.
The Packers remained at No. 5 after their second consecutive loss. Green Bay hosts Detroit, the league’s only one-win team, on Sunday.
“How do you end a two-game slide?” asked Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune. “You face the hapless Lions at Lambeau.”
The Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks remained Nos. 6-8 respectively.
The Vikings are tied with the Packers atop the NFC North at 6-2.
“Another grind-it-out win against a good team,” ESPN’s Herm Edwards said of Minnesota. “This defense is elite.”
And the Cardinals face the Seahawks in a key NFC matchup on Sunday night.
“(Carson) Palmer having a truly special season,” Fox Sports’ John Czarnecki said.
The New York Jets, who host former coach Rex Ryan on Thursday, jumped three places to No. 9.
And despite losing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to a left foot injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers moved up four spots to round out the top 10.
“With Ben Roethlisberger nursing a sprained foot, the 5-4 Steelers again turn to Landry Jones to keep their playoff hopes afloat,” said Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News.
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