Written off before the season started because of the loss of most of their secondary, then again with the injury devastation to their front line, the NE Patriots managed to make it to the AFC Divisional Championship game. They are able to adapt to their losses: Dion Lewis is out for the season, we'll move LeGarrette Blount up, lose Blount, we'll use the passing game.
That all ended with the loss of Julian Edelman. Football is a true team sport. No single player cannot do it alone. But sometimes there is a linchpin player, and without him, the team suffers. With the running game gone due to injury, they went to the air. But without Edelman, they were as successful. Because other teams could focus on Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola. And while The Gronk is a dominant player but he is the 2nd or 3rd man in coverage. He doesn't have the quick moves to get away as quickly underneath as Edelman and that extra time Brady has to hold the ball is all a good defense needs.
It was an surprising to me to realize how much Edelman means to this team. Although, it's probably good for his contract negotiations.
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