So it turns out that you’re never rebuilding as long as you have Tom Brady under center.
The Patriots endured the Aaron Hernandez situation, saw Wes Welker exit in free agency and seem to lose an important player — or three — to injury every week, but none of that has mattered with No. 12 upright and in charge.
New England moves up one spot to fifth in The Post’s Weekly NFL Power Rankings after improving to 8-3 with its incredible, 34-31 comeback victory over Peyton Manning and the Broncos, and don’t be surprised if the Patriots end up with the No. 1 seed in the AFC before its all over.
A remaining schedule that starts with the woeful Texans this week and can only be described as “cake” — no opponent is above .500 — should make for a pleasant December for New England as long as Brady is healthy.
Brady’s individual numbers aren’t as eye-popping as usual (86.3 rating with 17 touchdowns against seven interceptions), but he’s still the last quarterback any team wants to face with the clock running down in a tight game.
Throw in a bend-but-don’t-break defense that ranks 21st in yards allowed but ninth in points allowed, and it’s clear the Patriots are going to be a tough out once again this year. Same as it ever was.
(Last week’s ranking in parentheses)
1. Seahawks (1): They’re the leader in the NFL clubhouse when it comes to drug and PED suspensions, too.
2. Saints (4): Their visit to Seattle on Monday should be epic.
3. Panthers (5): Good job of surviving their post-Patriots trap game.
4. Broncos (2): Still the favorite for the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
5. Patriots (6): No lead is safe against Tom Brady. Still.
6. Chiefs (3): That 9-0 start will be forgotten with a third consecutive loss Sunday.
7. 49ers (10): The Redskins are experts at making opponents feel good about themselves again.
8. Bengals (8): Still in the AFC North driver’s seat, but the Steelers are charging hard.
9. Cardinals (11): It’s no longer a mystery how they’re winning. This team is legit.
10. Colts (7): They’re running out of gas — fast.
11. Cowboys (13): Still entirely capable of blowing all the good feelings from Sunday’s win over the Giants with a Thanksgiving loss to the Raiders.
12. Lions (9): They won’t be tied for first for long with that sorry defense.
13. Bears (12): How do you give up 258 rushing yards to the Rams? How does an NFL team allow 258 rushing yards in a game, period?
14. Eagles (14): Nick Foles vs. the Cardinals’ superb defense should be great.
15. Packers (15): The rest of their awful division is making Aaron Rodgers’ absence survivable.
16. Steelers (18): 3-0 since the Ben Roethlisberger trade rumors started.
17. Chargers (21): Strange team. Dangerous team.
18. Ravens (20): Don’t count out the defending Super Bowl champs just yet.
19. Rams (22): They’re suddenly the opponent no one wants to face.
20. Dolphins (16): Ryan Tannehill has been sacked 44 times and is still standing. Impressive.
21. Titans (24): Giving the Patriots a run for the “Most Resilient Team of 2013” award.
22. Jets (17): Rex should look up the definition of “insanity.”
23. Giants (19): A little less talk and a lot more action next time, guys.
24. Raiders (23): A rudderless team still stuck in Nowhere Land.
25. Browns (25): Too bad you can’t un-see Brandon Weeden playing quarterback.
26. Bills (26): A shame the Bon Jovi sale rumor was false. The postgame concerts would have been great.
27. Buccaneers (28): Greg Schiano saving his job is by far the biggest upset of the entire NFL season.
28. Vikings (29): Just think, Vikings fans — Roger Goodell wants an 18-game season.
29. Redskins (27): RG3-13?
30. Falcons (30): Their defense hasn’t forced a turnover in almost a month.
31. Jaguars (32): If only they could play a division game every week.
32. Texans (31): A train wreck wrapped inside a plane crash wrapped inside a ship sinking.