When the Patriots made the Jimmy Garoppolo trade, the essential question was this: if Tom Brady were to be injured, could Garoppolo have led the Patriots to a Super Bowl title in Brady's stead?
My answer has been no, and I think it was part of the reason the Patriots decided they could part with Garoppolo. After the injuries to Julian Edelman and Dont'a Hightower, the Patriots' room for error in winning a title has dramatically shrunk and it's now only Brady's ability to perform better than any other quarterback in the league.
And I'm not talking about his physical abilities: throwing the ball, moving in the pocket, fitting the ball into tight windows most didn't think existed. Sure, those are part of the discussion and are great, but Brady, at age 40, gains his edge in other ways. Notably, he processes various bits of information quicker than anyone else in the game. Brady explained it to Peter King after the Super Bowl:
“I have the answers to the test now,” Brady said.
“You can’t surprise me on defense. I’ve seen it all. I’ve processed 261 games, I’ve played them all. It’s an incredibly hard sport, but because the processes are right and are in place, for anyone with experience in their job, it’s not as hard as it used to be. There was a time when quarterbacking was really hard for me because you didn’t know what to do. Now I really know what to do, I don’t want to stop now. This is when it’s really enjoyable to go out.”
Quarterback (4.5 out of 5)
Brady, like the rest of the Patriots' offense, didn't have to do a whole lot of heavy lifting in the first half thanks to the blocked punt and kickoff return, and they fizzled out twice in the red zone. But starting with the touchdown drive to close out the first half, Brady and the Patriots caught fire with three-straight scoring drives of at least 70 yards. ... By the end of it all, Brady was efficient (8 plus plays, 4 minus plays) and he did a lot of subtle things — checks and motions — to keep the offensive line out of danger when it came to Von Miller. ... Brady looks very thankful to have Martellus Bennett back. If he's healthy, he'll help pick up the Edelman slack.
Running backs (4.5 out of 5)
This grade is solely because of Burkhead's punt block and Lewis' touchdown return, because the group was mediocre overall. It was mostly thanks to James White giving up a rare sack in pass pro and not putting his pads down on third down to gain a first down that was blocked well enough. Burkhead didn't run a screen the right way, but he continues to be the best of the bunch when he's in the lineup.
Receivers (4 out of 5)
Offensive line (4.5 out of 5)
How about this: both the QB pressure rate (18.4 percent) and stuff percentage (10.7) vs. the Broncos were season-low numbers, so Mazel to Scar and the crew. That's a major correction from the Chargers game, which was near the season highs in both categories, before the bye. ... Joe Thuney, who has been inconsistent in his second season, might have had the best game by a Patriots lineman this season. Completely clean sheet, and he had three "plus" run blocks where he just manhandled the lineman. It's like somebody sat him down after an unfocused Chargers game and told him, "You're better than that. Start playing like it." ... David Andrews had another clean sheet and hasn't allowed a pressure in four-straight games after starting the season with nine in the first three. ... Nate Solder and LaAdrian Waddle had the best-combined tackle performance of the season. Waddle got a lot of help either from teammates and/or scheme, but he continued to be a super sub. ... Shaq Mason was decent, but not a standout. ... Cam Fleming played nine snaps and gave up a stuff and missed a screen block.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (3 out of 5)
A few blown gaps here and there but overall a good performance except in one regard: this is becoming the no-pressure front. Since having a pressure rate of at least 30 percent (about average) three times in the first four games, the Patriots haven't cracked 29 percent in the previous five games. I don't care how many points they're giving up, that's a concern. ... Trey Flowers is basically a one-man band up front. He's just been consistently very good all season. ... Adam Butler showed more friskiness in the run game than he has in weeks, as he had his first stuffed run since Week 5 (he also got off a block on another play).
Linebackers (3.5 out of 5)
Nice work by this group, which is growing in numbers as the Patriots start to feel comfortable chopping up duties among a cast of characters. In order of performance: Elandon Roberts, Kyle Van Noy, Trevor Reilly, Marquis Flowers, David Harris, Jordan Richards. ... Looks like someone's been tinkering with Roberts. He seemed much more prepared, focused and played within himself with some maturity. A promising sign.
Secondary (2 out of 5)
Really uneven performance as everyone except for Patrick Chung had their share of issues in this one. ... Malcolm Butler gave up five plays, but chipped in a pass defensed and QB hit on a blitz (which they're doing more than ever with him). ... Stephon Gilmore helped thwart two third downs, but had a (ticky-tack) penalty, got beat on a drop by Demaryius Thomas and gave on a touchdown on another — yes, another — communication error. Video:
THREE DOWN
Cam Fleming: If you play nine snaps, give up a stuffed run and elicit a response from a teammate like this because you missed a screen block, it's not a good night.
Malcolm Butler: He needs to get out of his own head, not try to prove he's worth more money than Stephon Gilmore, and just play ball.
James White: A very, very rare off night for Sweet Feet. Gave up a sack, didn't pick up a first down that was there to be had ... looked unfocused.