Why the Patriots didn’t finish No. 1

Pittsburgh Steelers (10.1): They continue to feature the best offensive triple threat (QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Le’Veon Bell, WR Antonio Brown) in the business, augmented by a nice line and WR Martavis Bryant, back from suspension.

It boasts perhaps the game’s best group of blockers, ascendant QB Marcus Mariota, a very good run game and solid defense.

Green Packers (14.0): This is largely the same team that reached the NFC title game last season, and new TE Martellus Bennett could make the passing game even more deadly.

New Orleans Saints (16.0): Pretty much what we’ve come to expect since Sean Payton and Drew Brees came to The Big Easy in 2006 a main line offense and a defense that looks like it lost a battle with Bourbon Street.

But the linebackers, special teams and running back situations leave this team looking quite lopsided.

Miami Dolphins (16.3): They’re probably the best bet to challenge New England in the AFC East, but a lot rides on QB Ryan Tannehill’s continued growth and an offense that could have significant upside in Year 2 under coach Adam Gase. His increase in performance has made fans online gaming community a good return with their mut coins.

Washington Redskins (17.6): Can the defense keep up with a poor line, and can QB Kirk Cousins keep the offense rolling even after losing a pair of 1,000-yard receivers? And the offense may be in no position to cover for it if Frank Gore suddenly begins to play like a 34-year-old running back and/or if QB Andrew Luck’s surgically repaired shoulder doesn’t hold up behind a sometimes spotty line.

San Francisco 49ers (28.6): New front office, new coaches preaching far different philosophies than their predecessors and quite a few new players trying to make sense of it all.