Power Ranking Boston’s Sports Teams Right Now

It is a confusing time to be a Boston sports fan. The Patriots just had an unsatisfying early exit from the NFL playoffs with that dynasty long over; the Red Sox just came inches away from a trip to the World Series and might not even play this season; and the Celtics were on a winning streak after stumbling to start the season, but then that ended with a loss to the Pistons of all teams (makes me sick). But the Bruins, while struck with the retirement of Tuukka Rask, are a beacon of hope.

And for some reason, Tom Brady's "retirement" and failure to mention the Patriots in his goodbye statement on social media also casts a cloud of unsettlement over the world of the Boston sports fan. The identity as a city of champions is being severely threatened and the teams that once dominated have hit a bit of a snag.

Let's take a look at how we rank these teams as they stand at this moment.

1. Boston Bruins

The Bruins are rolling right now and they are the ray of light on the list here. They're 29-17 this season and they've won their last two games, which is more than any of the other teams in town can say. Not only did they win their last two games, but they put up a massive 5 goals against the Avalanche while holding them to just 1 goal in their most recent game and beat out the Senators 3-2 in overtime in their previous matchup.

So in these dull days of winter, especially with no MLB, the Bruins are bringing that spark of hope right now that fans shoveling out from these snowstorms desperately need. Their consensus odds to win the Stanley Cup are +2024 and their odds to win the Eastern Conference are +1011, so there is some value in this team. But I do expect those odds to get shorter. And I'll put it this way, I've seen far more Bruins apparel on the streets of Boston lately than any other team. In terms of popularity, I feel like the Bruins are ruling right now.

2. Boston Red Sox

This Red Sox team as it stands right now almost got to the World Series last season. Could have WON the World Series last season. From the grave of a tough start to the year, the Red Sox were pulling it off down the stretch before the finally ran out of steam. But there's hope there that they could do that again because why not?

This is, of course, considering the season actually gets going. Of the teams in Boston at this point, I see the Red Sox as holding the most promise, behind the Bruins, especially because we know this is a team that can get to the ALCS. Plus, they could make some major moves once the lockout finally ends. And their World Series odds are +1805 and those should be significantly shorter. And many fans will be so relieved when baseball actually starts that whatever this team does at first is going to be great. The crack of the bat and the smell of fresh cut grass that comes with this team when they finally take the field will be extremely welcome.

3. New England Patriots

I'm a little worried about the Patriots. As soon as they lost 47-17 to the Bills and Adrian Phillips said after the game, “I think physically, we were there. I think mentally, we just weren’t in the right space to go out there and make those plays,” I became very concerned. Why were they not mentally there? How could a Bill Belichick-led team not be absolutely, 100 percent in the right mental space to compete in a playoff game, no matter the conditions? Mac Jones was impressive in his rookie season, but it does still remain to be seen how he'll do in his second year in the league.

Their odds to win the Super Bowl next season are +2500, but as of right now, while I have faith in Jones getting better, I have more faith in the Red Sox this upcoming season than I do in the Patriots. But the Patriots won more games than they were expected to this season and I think they can defy expectations even more next season with Jones as the quarterback of the future. Not all is lost for this team.

4. Boston Celtics

Alright, so this team needs to really step it up in the second half of this NBA season. They had a really good nine-game winning streak going before they completely blew it against the Pistons to finish off the first half. They're 34-26, in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and I still don't know whether or not to trust them. You can't be losing to the Pistons to end a major winning streak and expect to be a trustworthy team. The moves at the trade deadline gave them a nice little bump, especially the addition of Derrick White, but their odds to win the NBA Finals are at +2800 and +1065 to win the East. I would expect and hope those odds can improve. In a couple weeks, maybe they'll be in the Finals conversation. Or maybe they will have completely fallen apart. The thing is, we just don't know. And they're the most uncertain to me right now of all four of these teams.