NFL Power Rankings: Are the New England Patriots the Team to Beat in the AFC?

In USA Today's weekly power rankings, the New England Patriots are slotted in as the second-best team in football—just behind the Green Bay Packers. 

The Patriots are currently ahead of the AFC-champion Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as the New York Jets, who knocked New England out of the playoffs.

Does that make any sense?

New England's past two postseason exits have been rather embarrassing, after the team was manhandled, recently by the Jets and by the Baltimore Ravens the year before—essentially making them a "one-and-done" football team for the past two seasons.

However, USA Today and many other NFL coverage networks feel that the Patriots are the team to beat in the AFC—and I have to agree.

Ever since the Patriots' dramatic loss in Super Bowl XLII at the hands of the New York Giants, who crushed their hopes of an undefeated season, the Patriots have been nothing special. New England appear to be turning into a "regular season football team"—a team who does well in the regular season, but does not show up in the playoffs.

I am predicting that the Patriots will snap out of this "funk" in 2011 and possibly run the table, engaging in a deep playoff run.

Any team that is led by an amazing quarterback like Tom Brady and the league's best coach in Bill Belichick need to be considered a legitimate threat.

The Patriots have entered a state of rebuilding, turning away from the years of the dynasty by replacing the aging stars and introducing young, promising talent.

Entering the 2010 season, no one expected the Patriots to end up with the best record in football at 14-2.

New England had a starting lineup that was filled with rookies, such as tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, cornerback Devin McCourty and linebacker Brandon Spikes. 

After a year of gaining some much needed experience, those productive rookies from a year ago are only going to get better.

The Patriots had one of their more hotly-debated drafts this year. Many experts felt they did a stellar job, as others felt they failed miserably because of Belichick and the Patriots' failure to select a top pass rusher.

However, the team added some quality prospects, including offensive tackle Nate Solder and cornerback Ras-I Dowling. Belichick also selected two running backs in Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridely—two players that should solidify their rushing attack alongside Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Add in all of this young talent with veterans like Vince Wilfork, Wes Welker, Deion Branch and the league's best quarterback, and they certainly have a recipe for success.

New England's ability over the last couple of seasons to infuse younger talent into positions that had been occupied by solid veterans, while staying competitive is rather amazing. It's almost gone unnoticed.

So are the New England Patriots the team to beat in the AFC? You bet they are.  

The Patriots have a perfect mix of young and athletic talent to go alongside a solid group of experienced talent. Not to mention, the reigning MVP quarterback has not shown any signs of stopping and will do whatever it takes to capture yet another Super Bowl.

This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @TonySantorsa.