Two games into last season, the Patriots had lost two games and their starting quarterback, yet Belichick still found a way to win.

Call them overachievers if you must. But this team believes in and plays for its head coach.

Perhaps it was the fact that they collectively raised their level of play because they realized they were being led by a second-year quarterback who had thrown all of three passes as a rookie. Perhaps Brady truly is more of a leader than his predecessor. Either way, the Patriots responded to him.

Whereas last year they had Troy Brown, David Patten and problem child Terry Glenn, this year the Patriots have Brown, Patten, free-agent acquisition Donald Hayes and second-round draft pick Deion Branch at wide receiver.

Defensively, fourth-round pick Jarvis Green and free agents Rick Lyle and Steve Martin have been added up front. Victor Green and Tom Knight have been added via free agency to the secondary.

Yes, the Patriots know how to win the close games -- a must in a league filled with parity.

Why the Patriots won't contend

Speaking of what ifs, what if running back Antowain Smith, a 1,000-yard rusher in his first year in New England, grounds to a halt? To this point, Kevin Faulk and J.R. Redmond have given no indication they could take the ball and run with it on an every-down basis.

The one serious injury the team suffered -- Bledsoe's chest injury -- turned out to be a blessing in the long run as it led to the development of a Super Bowl MVP who might have otherwise spent the season carrying a clipboard.

Also remember, this team won a game in overtime in Buffalo last December only because Patten, who had been knocked silly on the play, was still touching the football as he lay out of bounds. Not to mention the "Tuck Rule," which tucked it to Oakland in last January's "Snow Bowl" in Foxboro.

A repeat this year and the Patriots' season may be over before the Red Sox's.