Every year by late October, most of the NFL’s contenders are known.

This year, the Patriots were no exception.

The Pats soared to a 6-2 start, and earned their contender badge with ensuing wins over the Falcons and Bucs. Back then it was hard to argue with seven straight wins.

Now, the Patriots are at 10 in a row, and almost every other contender has stumbled around them. Bad losses are scattered around the league, which has perhaps never been more wide open. The Rams became the latest to fall last weekend, losing as 10-point favorites in Carolina.

So where is the Patriots’ bad loss?

Nowhere to be found. Not yet anyway.

Instead of slumping into their bye Monday night, the banged-up Pats put the Giants in a 30-7 headlock at halftime and held tight for an 18-point win. Little about the

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