Patriots coach Jerod Mayo sees something he doesn't like during the early part of Sunday's win over the Jets. (AP photo)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Not only are the New England Patriots rebuilding, they are also a team in transition from month to month. Or maybe even week to week.

That’s because a week from now, there may be a few familiar players taking the same exit interview like pass rusher Josh Uche. There are players on the Patriots that other teams want. You could certainly say that about the team they just beat, the Jets.

Remember, draft picks, even those in the sixth or seventh round are valuable. Why? Because they’re assets you can use to move around the draft board, etc. That’s done whether the guy who seemed to enjoy that the most, Bill Belichick, is no longer here.

So what the future holds – maybe K.J. Osborn, Kendrick Bourne and others could be gone unless the organization feels their veteran voices are needed – is up in the air. The one thing that we learned from Sunday’s win over the Jets is that the Patriots are playing for Jerod Mayo. They reacted to his “soft” comment better than the media pundits and players all around the league.

“It was something he said to us first,” Patriots corner Christian Gonzalez said. “Nobody took it personal. It was a challenge.”

And, as tight end Hunter Henry said, “I think it was cool to see how those guys responded.”

The Patriots timing was perfect. Had they been bulldozed by the Jets, it would have been bad for the head coach.

“Once you step in here, you’ve got to be professional,” veteran tight end Austin Hooper said. “Whatever you put on tape is who you are. I think that’s just a matter of personal pride. I’m sure that probably motivated someone in this locker room.”

Let’s call things as they are, because the Patriots are by no means a good football team. Other than Kayshon Boutte’s big sliding catch to set up Rhamondre Stevenson’s – think teams aren’t calling about him? – winning (barely) score, the New England receiver had a case of the dropsies. Drake Maye gets everyone excited, and he really makes you feel good about the future. But it’s clear there has to be so much more around him.

The Patriots need to build off what they did on Sunday. They’re on the road facing a Titans team that is 1-6, gives up 28 points a game, but still scores two more points a game (17-15) than the Patriots. New England’s next four games: at Tennessee, at Chicago, home vs. Rams, at Miami. You’ll know how the progress is if they can go 2-2. If they go 3-1, as much of a surprise it would be, they’ll be a different feeling in Foxborough with regard to the future.

Because that’s what it’s all about, right?

But Mayo sees a team in transition. He points to backup linemen like Lecitus Smith getting push up front in the goal line situation at the end of Sundays game.

“What was perceived, I would say earlier on this team has now become a strength, and that has been through Eliot (personnel head Wolf) and his eam and the acquisition of guys like Lecitus (backup center Smith).”

Mayo said last week soft teams can’t run the ball, stop the run or cover kicks. The Patriots improved slightly in all three, but it was the second half during which they held the Jets to 42 yards on the ground.

The Patriots may be open for business heading into next Tuesday’s trade deadline, because it’s not about this season. They can’t get rid of too many veteran voices, because they’re only going to get younger with more draft capital, not older.

But they made their coach and their veteran leaders look good last Sunday. Take it for what it’s worth.

“When you preach something and it shows up in the game, it’s always going to be more impactful,” Mayo said.

The impact of the next week or so will be interesting. The Patriots can learn as much from the wins as the losses.

POWER RANKINGS WEEK 7

AFC

1.Kansas City (7-0). 2. Buffalo (6-2). 3. Baltimore (5-3). 4.Pittsburgh (6-2). 5. Houston (6-2).

NFC

1.Detroit (6-1). 2. Green Bay (6-2). 3. Washington (6-2). 4.Philadelphia (5-2). 5. Atlanta (5-3).