FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Defensive regression: When the Patriots traded outside linebacker Matthew Judon to the Falcons in August, head coach Jerod Mayo noted the significance of the loss, but also the team's history of being able to overcome it.
"We've gone years without having a premier rusher but we were able to manufacture pass rush through our stunts and games and our game-planning," he said at the time. "I think we have a good group ready to go.