NEW YORK — With Tom Brady back at quarterback, the New England Patriots once again lead the NFL in wins.
And because of that, they also lead the latest AP Pro32 poll, which was released Tuesday.
The Patriots received all 12 first-place votes for 384 points from balloting by media members who regularly cover the NFL.
“Best record in the league, best point differential in the league and the best coach-quarterback tandem in the history of the league. Any questions?” said Ira Kaufman of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Patriots (6-1) have won all three games since Brady’s return from his “Deflategate” suspension to start the season.
And on Sunday, the Patriots face the Buffalo Bills on the road in a rematch of their only loss of the season, a 16-0 shutout in Week 4.
The Dallas Cowboys moved up two spots to No. 2 despite having a bye last week.
And the Seattle Seahawks remained at No. 3 after their 6-6 tie against Arizona on Sunday night.
“They have not averaged under 100 yards rushing per game since Pete Carroll’s first season in Seattle in 2010,” said Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The defending champion Denver Broncos also moved up two spots to No. 4 after their 27-9 win over former teammate Brock Osweiler and the Houston Texans.
“John Elway is right. Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make. Case in point: Brock Osweiler turning down Denver’s offer to take the cash in Houston,” Newsday’s Bob Glauber said.
“The Broncos’ GM watches bargain-basement QB Trevor Siemian get the best of Osweiler in a resounding Monday night win.”
The Minnesota Vikings dropped four spots to No. 5 after suffering their first loss, which came against the Philadelphia Eagles, who jumped six spots to No. 6 after the 21-10 win.
The Eagles face the Cowboys on Sunday night in a key NFC East matchup.
“Dak Prescott vs. Carson Wentz for control of the NFC East, just like the schedule-makers drew it up,” said Jenny Vrentas of The Monday Morning Quarterback.
The Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West) and Green Bay Packers (NFC North) each moved up three spots, to No. 7 and No. 8, after wins last week.
The Oakland Raiders, tied for first place with Denver in the division, jumped four spots to No. 9 to give the AFC West three teams in the top 10.
The Denver Broncos traded a 2017 fifth-round pick to the rival Patriots in exchange for tight end A.J. Derby.
To make room, they released veteran safety Shiloh Keo for the second time this season.
Derby was a sixth-round draft pick out of Arkansas last year and has played in four games for the Patriots this season after spending his rookie season on IR.
Playing behind Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, Derby played just 36 snaps. But his preseason production — 15 receptions for 189 yards, a TD — is roughly what the Broncos’ tight ends have managed this season.
Virgil Green, John Phillips and Jeff Heuerman have a combined 17 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown.
Broncos GM John Elway called Derby “a young tight end who can help us immediately.”
This is the second consecutive year that Elway has acquired a tight end just before the trade deadline. Last year it was veteran Vernon Davis, who ended up not helping them out as much as they’d hoped. He caught 20 passes for 201 yards in the regular season but had zero receptions in the playoffs.
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The Buffalo Bills have promoted receiver Ed Eagan off their practice squad to address an injury-depleted position.
The move was made Tuesday, with Buffalo (4-3) facing the prospect of missing its top four receivers for its home game against the Patriots (6-1) on Sunday.
Robert Woods’ status is uncertain because of an injured right foot, while Marquise Goodwin is being evaluated for a possible concussion sustained in a 28-25 loss at Miami on Sunday. Starter Sammy Watkins (left foot) and backup Greg Salas (groin) are on injured reserve.
The 5-foot-10 Eagan is an undrafted rookie free agent out of Northwestern State and signed by Buffalo last month.
Buffalo freed up a roster spot by releasing tackle Michael Ola.
The Bills also shuffled their practice squad. They signed tight end Gerald Christian, receiver Mose Frazier and defensive back Joe Powell, and released receiver Corey Washington.