NFL notes: New England, Green Bay top power rankings
Two points separate the Patriots and Packers in the AP Pro32 power rankings – for the second week in a row.
New England edged Green Bay for the top spot in the latest rankings, again finishing two first-place votes and two points ahead in voting by the 12 media members who regularly cover the NFL.
The Patriots received seven first-place votes and 379 points; the Packers had five first-place votes and 377 points. The vote and point totals are the same as last week.
Tom Brady led New England to a 51-17 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Aaron Rodgers threw five TD passes in Green Bay’s 38-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Denver Broncos are third with 351 points, making it the third straight week the Pats, Packers and Broncos are 1-2-3.
The Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals tied for fourth with 344 points. The Atlanta Falcons are next, followed by the Carolina Panthers, giving the league’s seven 3-0 teams the top seven spots in the power rankings.
The Seattle Seahawks, 1-2 after shutting out Chicago, are eighth. The bad news Bears – one of four winless teams – are 32nd and last.
Brooks pleads not guilty
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks pleaded not guilty to sexual battery in San Jose, California.
Brooks is accused of groping an unconscious woman during a late-night gathering at former teammate Ray McDonald’s house in December.
A woman claims she was intoxicated when she fell and hit her head on McDonald’s hot tub before passing out. The woman claims Brooks groped her and then McDonald raped her. McDonald pleaded not guilty to rape charges on Friday. McDonald was released by the 49ers. Brooks remains on the team.
Around the league
The Carolina Panthers announced DE Jared Allen has passed his physical, completing the trade with the Bears. Also, the Panthers placed DE Charles Johnson on injured reserve/designated to return with a hamstring injury. … The Patriots acquired LB Jonathan Bostic from the Bears for an undisclosed draft pick. … The Chicago Bears signed S Chris Prosinski and LB LaRoy Reynolds and waived S Brock Vereen. … The Buccaneers waived reserve RB Mike James, who had not appeared in a game this season. … The Redskins placed starting LG Shawn Lauvao and backup CB Justin Rogers on IR, meaning both are out for the rest of the season. … The Eagles placed K Cody Parkey and RG Andrew Gardner on IR and signed K Caleb Sturgis and OL Julian Vandervelde.