The Patriots placed three players on the AFC Pro Bowl roster, led by special teamer Matthew Slater, punter Jake Bailey and cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who is reportedly expected to miss the rest of the season after needing surgery for a partially torn quad.
The Pro Bowl nod does little to dampen the disappointment of losing Gilmore on top of being knocked from the playoff race, but it's a well-deserved accolade for, again, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Entering the final year of his contract in 2021, it will be an interesting offseason for Gilmore and the team, with the injury further complicating the situation.