Bedard: Tom Brady, Patriots continue to defy conventional wisdom in OT classic

KANSAS CITY — At various points during this 2018 season, the Patriots:

• Were on their way to being the worst scoring defense under Bill Belichick;


• Lacked enough weapons on offense;


• Couldn't stop the run;


• Looked old and slow compared to the hot new teams;


• Couldn't win on the road;


• Outside of Stephon Gilmore, they couldn't cover anyone;


• And they featured a quarterback who, after skipping the offseason program at age 41, looked like he didn't want to take many hits or throw deep down the field.