Immediately after the 2015 NFL season, ESPN released their power rankings that had the Patriots in 2nd place, behind the 2015 runner up Carolina Panthers. The rankers credited the Patriots consistency with 12+ regular season wins in 7 straight seasons, the retention of both coordinators, and the return of Nate Solder to the offensive line. They even noted that the Patriots didn't have any key free agents to lose.
It's now after free agency and the draft and ESPN has another power ranking to read and this time the Patriots rank 1st.