LAS VEGAS -- The New England Patriots have widened their lead as the top-ranked team in the NFL Vegas Rankings and are actually now seen as a field goal better than any other team.
The Patriots beat the Washington Redskins 27-10 to cover as 13.5-point home favorites, and the win was even more convincing as the Redskins only got that close with a late garbage touchdown. That earned the Patriots a half-point upgrade in the composite power ratings of ESPN Chalk's panel of NFL handicappers -- Erin Rynning, Sal Selvaggio of madduxsports.com, and yours truly.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos lost for the first time this season, 27-24 at Indianapolis as 3.5-point road faves. The panel docked the Broncos a half-point, so the Patriots' margin over the Broncos increased to 3.
The Cincinnati Bengals stayed undefeated by blowing out the Cleveland Browns 31-10 on Thursday night as 13-point home faves. The Bengals moved into a tie for second place with the Broncos.