Patriots are the AFC's most dangerous contender in Week 14, not the Broncos or Bills

Patriots are the AFC's most dangerous contender in Week 14, not the Broncos or Bills originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In their 33-15 victory over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, the New England Patriots looked like a powerhouse. Quarterback Drake Maye was superb, throwing for 282 yards and two touchdowns on 24-for-31 passing. Meanwhile, the team's defense sacked his counterpart twice and held the Giants' offense in check.

Now sitting at 11-2 and in first place in the AFC East, the Patriots have passed up the Buffalo Bills (8-4) in their division. They've also surpassed the Denver Broncos (10-2), another team mentioned as a Super Bowl contender. New England's victory means they enter their Week 14 bye in control of the conference's No. 1 seed.

MORE: Is Drake Maye an MVP candidate? Patriots QB getting serious consideration

"These guys show up every day, just wanting to get better," Maye said after leading the team to a 10th consecutive win. "I'm proud of these guys for that."

That striving to be better has been the key to getting a leg up on both Denver and Buffalo. The Patriots will enter their bye week with not just the NFL's best record, but a chance to regroup and recharge for the final four games of the season.

Mike Vrabel has Patriots thinking Super Bowl

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The accomplishments of the New England Patriots in this century are more than well-documented. Winners of six Super Bowls, they were led by quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick. But when that duo departed, the team struggled to sustain its status.

With Mike Vrabel at the helm, the Pats have entered a new era with an old, familiar name. He was a star linebacker (and sometimes pass catcher) for three of those New England teams that lifted the Lombardi Trophy. After a successful but frustrating stint coaching the Tennessee Titans, he returned to Foxborough before this season, and now, he has the team poised to win the AFC title.

The Patriots have a chance to finish off the Bills in Week 15, when Buffalo visits Gillette Stadium on Dec 14. Their remaining schedule then consists of the Ravens, Jets, and Dolphins - three teams who currently don't have a winning record.

Coach Vrabel and the Patriots have their destiny in their own hands now. And based on the amazing streak they are on, they should be considered the favorites to win the AFC title and return to the Super Bowl once again.