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5 Things the New England Patriots Should Be Thankful For

5 Things the New England Patriots Should Be Thankful For

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Thanks to a seven-game win streak, the New England Patriots have transformed themselves from an afterthought to top dog in the AFC. As Thursday approaches, let’s get into the Thanksgiving spirit. Here are five things the Patriots should be thankful for as Week 13 looms.

5. An Elite Secondary

Darrelle Revis New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

5. An Elite Secondary

Darrelle Revis New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Where do you start? Darrelle Revis has been simply outstanding, Brandon Browner’s physical presence alone has been effective and Devin McCourty is making a strong case for being a top-three safety. But other guys deserve credit too; Kyle Arrington is one of the NFL’s best slot corners, Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler provide excellent depth and Patrick Chung is a great partner for McCourty.

4. Balanced Passing Game

Tim Wright New England Patriots
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

4. Balanced Passing Game

Tim Wright New England Patriots
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

The days of Wes Welker or Julian Edelman dominating the stat sheet are finally over. Defenses can no longer collapse on the middle of the field thanks to the emergence of Brandon LaFell on the outside. The tight end duo of Tim Wright and Rob Gronkowski gives the aerial attack diversity up the seam. Even after all that, the Patriots have yet another weapon in Shane Vereen catching passes out of the backfield.

3. Abundance of Young Talent

Logan Ryan New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

3. Abundance of Young Talent

Logan Ryan New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Here are some contributors who are 25 or younger: Vereen, Gronkowski, Jamie Collins, Akeem Ayers, Bryan Stork, Chris Jones, Chandler Jones, Dont’a Hightower, Jonas Gray, Ryan Allen, Logan Ryan, Cameron Fleming and Dominique Easley. Sure, this is still Tom Brady’s team, but the Patriots have an extremely solid foundation of budding players who are helping to fuel this run.

2. The Patriot Way

Bill Belichick New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

2. The Patriot Way

Bill Belichick New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

To say the media barraged the Patriots after their Week 5 loss to Kansas City would be an understatement. The Patriots should be thankful for the battle-tested philosophy of Bill Belichick. Not many teams, if any, could have weathered the storm better than the Patriots because of the culture that has been present in Foxborough for nearly a decade and half.

1. Tom Brady Being Tom Brady

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

1. Tom Brady Being Tom Brady

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

In the first four games of the season, Brady didn’t throw for more than 234 yards and a touchdown in a single game. Since then, Tom Terrific has ripped off four 300-yard performances and thrown for multiple touchdowns in every game. He’s moving in the pocket well, keeping plays alive and looking like he’ll play well into his 40s.

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