New England is AFC's best team

After dismantling the Indianapolis Colts 59-24 on Sunday, the New England Patriots sit at 7-3 and are three games clear of the rest of the AFC East. Winners of four straight games, people tend to forget that the Patriots' three losses (against Arizona, at Baltimore and at Seattle) came by a combined four points. And there's no shame in losing at Baltimore or Seattle, two of the toughest places to play in the NFL.

Sunday was New England's fourth win in a row and the Patriots now have an easy schedule ahead, with the exception of heavyweight matchups with Houston and San Francisco -- both of which are at home. Have the Patriots been underrated? I think that not only is the answer a resounding yes, but that they are the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this year.

To read the full story on why New England is the AFC's best team, you must be an ESPN Insider.

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Matt Williamson

ESPN.com

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• Hosts "Football Today" podcast
• Joined ESPN in 2005
• Was an NFL and college scout for the Cleveland Browns