It’s almost as if Bill Belichick planned the Patriots’ blowout loss in Kansas City last month as a motivational ploy.
New England has been on a rampage since that shocking 41-14 rout at the hands of the Chiefs had everyone writing the Patriots’ obituary, reeling off four consecutive wins by an average of 18 points.
Belichick’s team — which moved up four spots to No. 3 in The Post’s NFL Power Rankings — faces its toughest test of all this week, though, with Peyton Manning and the top-ranked Broncos coming to Foxborough.
The latest edition of Peyton vs. Tom Brady has all the makings of a shootout thanks to a rejuvenated Patriots attack that put up 51 points in a rout of the Bears last week and seems to be getting more explosive by the game.
Brady is resurgent and still spreading the ball around, but a healthy Rob Gronkowski is making the biggest difference. Gronkowski had nine catches for 149 yards and three touchdowns against Chicago, and as long as he can stay upright (always a big question mark for the big tight end), the Patriots are going to be as much of a headache as they always seem to be with Brady at the helm.
As a result, Patriots-Broncos could be an AFC Championship Game preview — again.
This week’s rankings:
1. Broncos, 6-1 (last week: 1): Just like the two quarterbacks themselves, Peyton vs. Brady will never get old.
2. Cardinals, 6-1 (4): No more doubting this team now, because it’s legit.
Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers after the Broncos stayed a one loss by beating the Chargers.AP3. Patriots, 6-2 (7): Averaging 39.5 points in their four consecutive victories since the blowout loss in Kansas City.
4. Lions, 6-2 (9): Winning in London without Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush shows this team is capable of big things this season.
5. Cowboys, 6-2 (2): Monday night’s inexcusable loss was proof that yet another 8-8 finish isn’t out of the question.
6. Eagles, 5-2 (3): No shame in going to Arizona and dropping a close one, but that secondary could be what dooms them.
7. Bills, 5-3 (11): Only two of the five victories have come against teams with winning records.
8. Steelers, 5-3 (12): Ben Roethlisberger apparently has been eating his Wheaties the past two weeks.
9. Colts, 5-3 (5): The total defensive collapse against Pittsburgh looks like an aberration, but still has to be worrisome.
10. Packers, 5-3 (6): On the bright side, four of their next five are at Lambeau.
11. Ravens, 5-3 (8)
12. Chargers, 5-3 (10)
13. 49ers, 4-3 (13)
Dolphins QB Ryan TannehillGetty Images14. Seahawks, 4-3 (14)
15. Chiefs, 4-3 (15)
16. Dolphins, 4-3 (16)
17. Bengals, 4-2-1 (17)
18. Browns, 4-3 (18)
19. Texans, 4-4 (22)
20. Panthers, 3-4-1 (19)
21. Giants, 3-4 (21): Sending thank-you cards to the Cardinals and Redskins this week.
22. Saints, 3-4 (24)
23. Redskins, 3-5 (25)
24. Bears, 3-5 (20)
25. Vikings, 3-5 (27)
26. Rams, 2-5 (23)
27. Titans, 2-6 (26)
28. Falcons, 2-6 (28)
29. Buccaneers, 1-6 (29)
30. Jaguars, 1-7 (30)
31. Jets, 1-7 (31): Even by Jets standards, this complete meltdown is mind-blowing.
32. Raiders, 0-7 (32)
