3 underrated Patriots who will decide playoff fate

2. Deatrich Wise

We all know Matt Judon has been the star of New England’s league-best defense. The newly-minted $54.5 million edge rusher has already set a career high for sacks and deserves to be a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

However, if the Patriots are to reach their ultimate goals this season, they need someone to take the burden off Judon, who, if you can believe it, struggled to make an impact in Sunday’s win over Tennessee.

We’re looking at you, Deatrich Wise Jr.

Like Judon, the Patriots made Wise a very rich man in the offseason, re-signing the veteran defensive lineman to a four-year, $22 million deal. Wise has been an unsung hero on New England’s defense for five seasons now, as he’s equally adept at lining up on the interior or the edge of the defense.

Through 12 games, Wise ranks third on the team in both sacks (three), hurries (14) and total pressures (20). He’s even been stout against the run, compiling 19 stops and flaunting a 65.4 run defense grade, per PFF.

On Sunday, Wise forced a quick throw from Ryan Tannehill that was nearly intercepted by Kyle Van Noy, who flat out dropped the pass. It’s little things like that go unnoticed by fans, but Wise has mastered that art.

If he can maintain this consistency for the remaining five games, the Patriots should handle their business come playoff time.