When ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast crew asked Bill Belichick about the New England Patriots’ speedy ascent from also-rans in 2020 to Super Bowl contenders in 2021, he gave a simple explanation: “Better players.”
The Patriots’ extravagant offseason spending spree — the type of approach that often fails in the NFL — certainly has paid off thus far, with many of their free agent additions playing vital roles for the No. 1 team in the AFC.
As New England heads into its bye week, let’s take a closer look at how each of these veteran newcomers has performed so far this season:
FIVE STARS
Matthew Judon, outside linebacker
Judon belongs on his own tier.