The New England Patriots earn the No. 2 position in SB Nation's NFL Power Rankings for Week 8, their second consecutive week in that spot. The New York Jets are still the No. 1 team, even after their bye week.
Tough win against the Chargers after getting a lead early in the game. The AFC East really is the best division in football.
The Patriots improved to 5-1 on Sunday, with their (ugly) 23-20 win in San Diego. It was New England's fourth win in a row.
Along with the top two spots in the rankings, the AFC East also can lay claim to the No. 18 position, where the Dolphins sit after their close loss to the Steelers (No. 3). The top seven teams in the NFL Power Rankings are from the AFC; the Giants are the highest-ranked NFC team, at No. 8.
The Patriots' Week 8 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, are No. 20, dropping four spots after Sunday night's loss to the Packers.