The body blows are piling up right along with the victories for the Patriots.
New England might be 4-0 and holding steady at No. 3 in The Post’s NFL Power Rankings after a mostly impressive victory in Atlanta on Sunday night, but these Patriots — even with Tom Brady — are no juggernaut.
Sure, they have withstood the Aaron Hernandez saga, Wes Welker’s departure and injuries to Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola, but losing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vince Wilfork for the season to a torn Achilles tendon suffered against the Falcons looms particularly large and daunting.
Wilfork was the anchor of the Patriots’ defensive line and the heart of the entire unit, a group that fed off his leadership while thriving — particularly in the turnover department — so far this season.
Wilfork departs just as what was a relatively soft schedule the first four games (Bills, Jets, Buccaneers and Falcons) turns difficult starting this week with a trip to the Bengals, followed by a home date with Drew Brees’ Saints and a visit to the Dolphins included in the next four weeks.
Brady’s numbers aren’t exactly Brady-esque (he’s completing just 59 percent of his passes with seven TDs and two interceptions), but — surprise, surprise! — he’s still managing to get production out of a young, injury-riddled, drop-prone receiving corps.
As well as the schedule, Bill Belichick’s team is benefiting from an unexpectedly effective running game and a steady stream of big plays at critical moments from cornerback Aqib Talib (four interceptions).
But thanks to injuries, injuries and more injuries, the next four games should tell a lot more about New England than the first four.
(Last week’s ranking in parentheses)
1. Broncos (1): Peyton’s 16 touchdown passes are the most through the first four games of a season in NFL history.
2. Seahawks (2): Seattle is 4-0 for the first time ever, but its newfound road prowess gets a huge test Sunday in Indianapolis.
3. Patriots (3): Even with Tom Brady, how many key injuries and departures can one team stand?
4. Saints (5): They’re rolling, but having to travel to face an angry Bears team on a short week could put a damper on the good times.
5. Colts (8): Andrew Luck is now tied with some guy named Elway for the most modern-era victories in his first 20 starts (14) by a QB taken No. 1 overall.
6. Chiefs (10): With wins already over the Giants, Eagles and Cowboys, Andy Reid wants to know if Kansas City can get realigned into the NFC East.
7. Titans (14): In a season filled with surprising teams, 3-1 Tennessee might be the most unexpected. But Jake Locker’s injury could be a killer.
8. Lions (16): Tell us again why the Dolphins let Reggie Bush get away?
9. Bears (4): It won’t matter how rejuvenated Jay Cutler is under Marc Trestman if the defense keeps giving up 28.5 points a game.
10. Dolphins (7): Welcome back to Planet Earth, Mr. Tannehill.
11. 49ers (12): Nothing like a matchup with the Rams to get a team back on the right track.
12. Bengals (6): Six points in Cleveland a week after beating the Packers. Such a weird team you’ve got there, Marvin Lewis.
13. Packers (9): Hosting the Lions doesn’t look so inviting anymore, even after a bye week.
14. Ravens (11): Joe Flacco had as many interceptions in Buffalo (five) as Ray Rice had carries. Did Cam Cameron secretly get rehired to call plays?
15. Texans (13): Houston fans were burning Matt Schaub’s jersey in the parking lot after Sunday’s loss to Seattle. Usually not a good sign.
16. Chargers (18): A 74-percent completion rate, 11 TD passes and just two interceptions? Who are you and what have you done with Philip Rivers?
17. Cowboys (15): It will surprise no one that Dallas is 130-130 in its past 260 games. Jerry Jones might as well change their primary color to beige.
18. Cardinals (23): A 2-2 record despite Carson Palmer’s awful start tells you they’ve been more lucky than good.
19. Browns (27): How bad have the Browns been since their return to Cleveland? They’re ready to put Brian Hoyer in the Ring of Honor.
20. Jets (17): Buckle up, because The Geno Smith Experiment is going to be a bumpy ride.
21. Bills (25): Middle linebacker Kiko Alonso (four interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery) for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year!
22. Panthers (22): With the Cardinals, Vikings, Rams, Bucs and Falcons next on the schedule, the Panthers will have only themselves to blame for not making a move.
23. Falcons (19): Thanks to a woeful defense, Atlanta only needed four games to match its loss total (three) from last season.
24. Eagles (20): Philly’s offense is gaining yards in bunches, and the defense is giving them all right back.
25. Rams (21): Even Mark Sanchez doesn’t think you’re very good, Sam Bradford.
26. Redskins (26): Beating the Raiders earns you exactly zero credibility.
27. Vikings (28): Ask Chiefs fans how far Matt Cassel can actually take you, Leslie Frazier. We dare you.
28. Buccaneers (24): About the only thing Greg Schiano hasn’t done to Josh Freeman since leaving Rutgers is throw basketballs at his head. Could be next.
29. Steelers (29): Pittsburgh hasn’t forced a single turnover in four games this season.
30. Giants (30): Giving up 37 points a game is a great way to earn the No. 1 overall pick.
31. Raiders (31): Commitment to Last Place.
32. Jaguars (32): The Raiders’ new slogan: “Thank goodness for Jacksonville!”