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New England Patriots: 4 keys to a victory against the Indianapolis Colts

By Michael Perry

CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots and Julian Edelman #11 during their game at Bank of America Stadium on August 26, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots and Julian Edelman #11 during their game at Bank of America Stadium on August 26, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots: Julian Edelman facing four-game suspension
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 22: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots runs on to the field prior to the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

1. Welcome back Julian Edelman

It has been 20 games since Julian Edelman last took the field for the New England Patriots during a regular season game. His last game was in Super Bowl LI when he recorded 5 catches for 87 yards and that remarkable catch late in the fourth quarter.

He missed all of last season with a torn ACL that he injured during a preseason game against the Detroit Lions and was suspended for the first 4 games of this season due to the NFL’s PED Policy. The Patriots offense looks different without him in the lineup even though they have capable weapons to put up points. However, with Edelman in the lineup, Tom Brady and company play more consistent.

This season, the offense has been pretty shaky at times struggling in the run game and even the passing game. Despite having one of the best quarterbacks to play the game, the passing game isn’t the same without Edelman.

There is no spark in the offense as the two of Brady’s targets are running backs with little to no production from the wide receivers. Philip Dorsett, Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson have combined for 32 receptions and 5 touchdowns. James White and Rob Gronkowski have eclipsed those numbers in the first four games. You add Edelman to the mix and the offense has a totally different look and is much more dangerous now. Hopefully he can shake the rust off just in time to give the offense that needed boost.

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