When it comes to New England’s defense, Alan Branch has certainly been one of the most important pieces of the Patriots puzzle on the defensive line this season.
Oddly enough, they nearly lost him late in the season after the NFL handed down a suspension for Branch testing positive for a banned substance. But in a pleasant turn of events, Branch appealed the suspension and got it overturned.
That was likely more important than people think, as Branch was a part of a defense that played well down the stretch as the Patriots finished 14-2 with the #1 seed in the AFC.