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3 offensive MVPs for the Patriots after first quarter of season

By Patrick Morgan

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots hands the ball off to James White #28 of the New England Patriots during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots hands the ball off to James White #28 of the New England Patriots during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

1. Tom Brady

Who else were you expecting to see here?

Now in his 20th(!) season in the league, Tom Brady is like the finest of fine wines… he just keeps getting better and better with age. Already setting records just by showing up every Sunday at 42-years-old, Brady looks like a man determined to secure his seventh Super Bowl ring this year – which would break a tie with the Steelers for the most Lombardi Trophies won by a single franchise.

Brady’s numbers took a significant hit this season after a disastrous outing against the Bills in Week 4. While some of the blame for that performance can certainly be attributed to a makeshift offensive line, multiple dropped passes from his receivers, and the lack of any kind of decent running game whatsoever, Brady was also far from perfect in the win. He overshot his targets repeatedly and seemed to have difficulty beating the fearsome Bills pass rush in completing his throws and making smart decisions with the football.

Despite all that (and despite throwing his first interception of the year on an ill-advised end zone pass), Brady has overall looked as sharp and efficient as ever in 2019. He’s shown no noticeable signs of decline, and he made mincemeat of the Steelers, Dolphins, and Jets in the first three weeks of the year.

Sure, those defenses aren’t exactly the gold standard right now in the NFL. But anyone pointing to the Patriots’ lack of quality opposition through Weeks 1-3 needs to cool the jets and realize that the Buffalo Bills in Week 4 might have had the best defense outside of New England or Chicago. Brady and the Patriots offense did just enough against that stellar D to escape Orchard Park with a win… thanks in no small part, of course, to another amazing exhibition from their own defense and special teams.

Next. Who have been the 3 defensive MVPs for Patriots so far?. dark

Expect Brady to rebound in a big way against the Washington Redskins in Week 5. In fact, expect Brady to rebound in a big way for the rest of the season. The Patriots face the league’s easiest schedule from here on out, and New England won’t have to contend with another top-10 NFL defense they haven’t already beaten until they take on the Dallas Cowboys (at home) in Week 12.

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