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Every Tuesday on ESPNBoston.com, questions from New England Patriots followers are answered as part of a weekly mailbag. This week's mailbag has been posted and includes some of the following topics:

1. How the Patriots might recover from losing defensive tackle Vince Wilfork.

2. Did the Patriots make a mistake by not having Rob Gronkowski on the physically unable to perform list?

3. Cornerback Aqib Talib and the possibility of a contract extension.

4. The Broncos' early-season success and how it all matches up against the Patriots.

5. Rookie receiver Josh Boyce and his progress.

ATLANTA -- Midway through the fourth quarter, we were ready to write it in all capital letters for the New England Patriots: BEST WIN OF THE SEASON.

Then came a near collapse, so let’s just call it the best win of the season.

They did it in the Georgia Dome, one of the toughest places for visitors to emerge victorious. They did it against an Atlanta Falcons team that since 2008 has only lost back-to-back games three times. And they did it after taking control of the game with a commanding 17-point lead with 6:18 remaining. But then they almost gave it away after about half of the sellout crowd had headed to the exits.

Talk about creating your own adversity, then overcoming it. That’s what Sunday night’s 30-23 victory represented for the Patriots: a 60-minute roller coaster of sudden swings with a happy ending.

For those curious how players reacted, it was mostly a happy Patriots' locker room afterward, even though it seemed like quarterback Tom Brady wasn’t in the smiling mood. Maybe he was just exhausted. Or maybe he was peeved that a fumbled snap on fourth down with 1:54 remaining, when the Patriots needed to advance just a few inches to seal the win, nearly cost the team a victory.

Instead, it took cornerback Aqib Talib's fourth-down pass breakup, in the end zone, to finally extinguish the threat.

“We slugged it out,” Brady said early Monday morning. “We came to Atlanta, which is a tough place to play. They have a very good team. It’s nice to win and be 4-0.”

“I’m really proud of the way our team played today,” coach Bill Belichick said. “They made a good example of what it takes to win in the league, and that’s 60 minutes of good football. We have to do a better job of finishing out the game. Obviously we could have played a little better in the end, but it’s good to be 4-0 and get out of here with a win.”

As one player was quick to remind a reporter, few pundits predicted the Patriots would be in this position, which was a reminder that media buzz does resonate inside the locker room walls at times -- stuff like the Patriots defense needing to prove it can shut down a top-level quarterback, or the inconsistent offense being able to hold up its end of the bargain.

There will be fewer questions about the defense after this one, and anyone who might have doubted Talib’s value to the unit has to be having second thoughts. He’s been a big-time difference maker, the first real shutdown man corner the team has had since Ty Law (1995-2004), and he showed it again Sunday night.

But that doesn’t mean there are not concerns. Starting defensive tackle Vince Wilfork left the Georgia Dome with a protective boot on his right foot after being carted to the locker room in the first quarter. Belichick was speaking with Wilfork’s wife, Bianca, outside the team’s locker room after the game -- a conversation that both obviously hoped they wouldn’t be having.

The Boston Globe reports Wilfork has a torn right Achilles tendon and likely is done for the season.
Meanwhile, promoted cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, who started in the base defense over Kyle Arrington for the first time this season, hobbled off late and didn’t finish. And rookie receiver Aaron Dobson left in the third quarter with a neck injury and never returned.

So the Patriots left Atlanta a battered team. But it’s safe to say they aren’t as bruised and beaten as the Falcons, who were steamrolled by a power running game that had shades of 2004, when Corey Dillon was tearing up opposing defenses. The Patriots, who owned a decisive size advantage over the Falcons, wanted to play old-fashioned big-boy football.

Wide-smiling 250-pound running back LeGarrette Blount, who romped for a 47-yard touchdown run at the start of the fourth quarter, relayed to the media that that was the crux of Belichick’s message all week -- physical play.

That’s why Brady had only nine pass attempts in the first half, the Patriots preferring to keep it on the ground (they only had three possessions) before their passing game erupted in the second half. Receivers Julian Edelman (7 catches, 118 yards) and Kenbrell Thompkins (6 catches, 127 yards and a TD) were immense.

“I’m just playing football and trusting the older guys to put me in the right spot for the plays that are being called,” said the unassuming Thompkins, whose diving 18-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was similar to a play he failed to make in Week 2 against the New York Jets.

The play, in a sense, epitomizes the growth that players such as Thompkins and the Patriots have shown in a short time. And if the past is any indication, they should only get better.

When there was 6:31 remaining, and it was 30-13, it didn’t seem like a stretch to say the Patriots were putting together the type of performance that brought back memories of their Super Bowl championship past.

It had all the makings of the BEST WIN OF THE SEASON.

The ending, and near collapse, almost changed everything.

.

ATLANTA -- Observed in the locker room after the New England Patriots' 30-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome:

Physical football the key: The final player to conduct interviews in the locker room was running back LeGarrette Blount, and, to a degree, the bruising 250-pound running back epitomized the team's offensive approach. "We wanted to be physical," he said of the Patriots' power running game. Blount said coach Bill Belichick had stressed that message to players early in the week. In a cramped locker room, it was Blount, fellow running back Stevan Ridley and several offensive linemen who drew big media crowds.

Mostly positive despite near-collapse: While quarterback Tom Brady didn't seem overly enthused, perhaps because of the way the offense couldn't close things out, one player said it was mostly a positive message from Belichick to the players. "Hey, we're 4-0. And we had a lot of doubters out there," one Patriot said, pointing out that the author in this space was one of them. In his postgame news conference, Belichick said: "I'm really proud of the way our team played. They made a good example of what it takes to win in this league, and that's 60 minutes of good football."

Talib's play draws raves: The first player whom media members swarmed was cornerback Aqib Talib, whose pass breakup in the end zone on fourth down sealed the win. Belichick raved about his performance, saying Talib has played well going all the way back to spring camps.

Wilfork's status a natural concern: Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork's wife, Bianca, attends almost every road game, and Belichick was seen speaking with her after the game. Naturally, the Patriots are concerned after Wilfork was carted to the locker room in the first quarter. Wilfork was later spotted with a protective boot over his right foot.

ATLANTA -- There was no hiding from the challenge of facing the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4.

Atlanta boasts one of the most explosive offenses in football, catalyzed by a passing attack that features the NFL’s leading receiver, Julio Jones, and Roddy White, a four-time Pro Bowler.

And on Sunday night, as the game hung in the balance with a last-gasp effort from the Falcons to try to tie it in what would have been a miraculous comeback, it was a defensive player who capped the evening in fitting fashion, as Aqib Talib broke up a fourth-down pass intended for White. The play preserved the Patriots’ 30-23 victory.

“Coach dialed it up,” Talib said after the game. “I was on Roddy. Me and Roddy. He just ran a straight -- like an over route, a crossing route and Matt Ryan put it up. I just had to get to it, break it up.”

And break it up he did, as Talib managed to swat his fourth pass of the evening on a night when he also recorded his league-leading fourth interception.

Talib has been a stabilizing force for the Patriots' secondary since being acquired last season in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Sunday night may have been his best outing yet.

“Aqib’s played great for us all year,” coach Bill Belichick said. “All the way back to the spring, training camp, he’s stepped up when we needed him and he played well. He played the ball well. Played against good receivers, tackled well and just played well. He’s done a good job for us.”

There were times early in the game when the Patriots appeared to use Talib to shadow Jones, who finished the game with 108 yards -- nearly half of which came on one late downfield throw -- but he noted the importance of giving Jones a variety of looks to try to contain the gifted third-year wideout.

“We just switched it up on him, sometimes we doubled him, sometimes we single covered him,” Talib said. “We just tried to do a good job switching it up on him. I think we did a good job. Kept him off balance a little bit.”

The plan worked masterfully through the first half, as Jones entered halftime with just 5 yards on two catches. Things took an abrupt turn late in the fourth quarter when the Falcons successfully recovered an onside kick, and later when they stopped the Patriots on a failed fourth-down play (Tom Brady fumbled the snap).

On the first play of the ensuing drive, the Falcons, down by seven with 1:50 to play, looked long to Jones down the left sideline, connecting on the aforementioned 49-yard completion.

They were in business, it seemed, with a fresh set of downs and the ball inside the Patriots' red zone.

And yet, Talib said the secondary remained confident it was going to come through with the stop despite the sudden momentum swing.

“We practice it all the time,” he said. “We practice every situation. Bill [does] a good job putting us in every situation, so we’ve been in it in practice before, we did it in practice before, so we felt we could win the game.”

In the end, Talib and his secondary got the last laugh, as three plays later, White failed to come down with the ball in the end zone, Talib draped over him in coverage.

“The refs let us play,” he said of the win. “They did some pushing, we did some pulling, man. Came out with the victory.”

The Patriots head home 4-0 with a road trip to Cincinnati looming. That means another stiff test in the form of receiver A.J. Green.

When the team turns the page to the Bengals, rest assured it will be relying on Talib to help slow down Green next Sunday afternoon.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots altered their defensive strategy in Sunday’s 23-3 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, turning to an outside-the-norm game plan that highlighted the value of a clear-cut No. 1 cornerback coupled with some coaching creativity.

It started early in the week when defensive coordinator Matt Patricia pointed in Aqib Talib’s direction and told him that dangerous Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson was all his.

“That’s what Matty P said -- that was going to be my task this week,” Talib relayed after the game, saying he buried himself in tape of Jackson over the last seven days. “That’s love. That’s what you want to hear. My coach tells me to go get their No. 1 target; I take pride in that kind of stuff.”

It’s been a while since the Patriots had a cornerback capable of handling such a responsibility. With respect to Asante Samuel, who was a top playmaker, but not necessarily a man-to-man stopper, it’s probably been since Ty Law was patrolling the New England secondary (1995-2004) that coaches could employ such a plan with confidence.

So it’s not overstating things to say Talib has been a big-time difference maker for the Patriots since he was acquired from the Buccaneers last November.

“It’s great. Being able to put him on [Jackson] and know he’s going to be able to handle him pretty well is definitely a big thing and a big addition for our defense,” veteran safety Steve Gregory said.

That was the first part of the Patriots’ plan on Sunday, with Jackson totaling three catches for 34 yards before leaving in the second half with injured ribs. The second part, and this is where the creativity came into play, was how the defense matched up against the Buccaneers’ three-receiver package.

Most weeks, the Patriots will be in their nickel defense (five defensive backs) against the three-receiver package, which lightens the box against the run but adds help in the passing game. On Sunday, the Patriots switched things up by subbing out Gregory at safety for a third cornerback (Alfonzo Dennard), while keeping their front seven intact.

That gave them a little more of a coverage element in the secondary without adding an extra defensive back, but kept them sturdy in the box against slippery Doug Martin (20 carries, 88 yards) and the Buccaneers’ running game.

“Those are two premier players in this league and you need to understand where they are on the field and be able to contain them if you want to beat a team like that,” Gregory explained. “It starts with stopping the run. We were able to execute our game plan pretty well today and limit those guys with what they could do.”

The Patriots’ defensive work included three stops on fourth down (two of which turned into touchdowns and one into a field goal), a Talib interception that set up an end-of-the-first-half 53-yard field goal, and two stops inside the 20-yard line. So while the Buccaneers chewed up yards at times, the Patriots won the critical situations. Some ineptitude by the Buccaneers also helped the cause.

The performance capped a strong three-game stretch for the Patriots’ defense, which has had to carry more of the slack than usual as the offense has struggled to shift into the high gear that New England fans have grown accustomed to seeing. At the same time, even players themselves seemed to realize that it’s one thing to do it against the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Buccaneers, and another to do so against what is ahead.

Next up: The Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.

“If we hold Atlanta to three points, we will have played a hell of a game,” admitted veteran defensive tackle Tommy Kelly. “We’re just going to try to keep those boys out of the end zone -- Julio Jones, Roddy White, they’re a lot to handle.

“If you can’t get up to play against Atlanta -- hey, they’re going to throw the ball, you’re going to get a chance to hit the quarterback, as a D-lineman your eyes have to light up. I’m looking forward to it.”

Maybe then Kelly will be more willing to declare this Patriots defense as one developing an attitude similar to the units that were big parts of three Super Bowl championships in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

For now, it’s being viewed as a promising start, with Sunday showing the combination of a clear-cut No. 1 cornerback and some coaching creativity can be a winning formula when the team’s own offense is still searching for its identity.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Observed in the locker room after the New England Patriots' 23-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Gillette Stadium on Sunday:

Talib's matchup with Jackson draws raves: Cornerback Aqib Talib drew a big media crowd and talked about the coaching staff's plan to have him match up against Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson. "That's love. That's what you want to hear. I take pride in that kind of stuff," Talib said after limiting Jackson to 3 catches for 34 yards in the first half before Jackson left with a rib injury in the second half. Teammates took note that the performance came against Talib's former team. "Aqib came out and played with a chip today," safety Devin McCourty said.

Bolden the new face in the offensive backfield: After missing the first two games of the season while recovering from a knee injury, running back Brandon Bolden made his debut and was on the field for 26 snaps (including penalties). Used as big part of a three-man rotation alongside Stevan Ridley and LeGarrette Blount, the second-year runner from Ole Miss was the final player to speak with reporters in the locker room as he was swarmed by a large crowd. "Just missing the first few games, if that doesn't get you excited, I don't know what will," he said of his return.

With kids at his side, Kelly looks ahead: Veteran defensive tackle Tommy Kelly had his two sons, Tommy Jr. (8) and Jamison (5), by his side as he spoke with reporters. The Patriots' defense had three fourth-down stops in the game, and Kelly said when an offense goes for it on fourth down, it's almost like an insult to the defense. Then, without prompting, he looked ahead to next Sunday's game against the Falcons. "That's a big-time offense," he said. "They're going to throw the ball so as a defensive lineman, your eyes kind of light up. Julio Jones ... Roddy White ... they're a lot to handle."

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- In the cornerback comparison of Aqib Talib versus Darrelle Revis, one of the players himself said it's a no-brainer.

"Revis is in his own category, man," the New England Patriots' Talib said Wednesday ahead of a visit from Revis' Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "He's the truth. All the corners in the league, we know it. Some guys might say something, [Seattle's] Richard Sherman might say something, but the only reason he's saying something is because we know what Revis is. He's at his own level."

Asked what level he might rate himself, Talib said, "I'll leave that for everyone else. But I'll tell you who the best is, and that's Revis."

A few other soundbites from Talib:

How being together for a full season has helped the Patriots' secondary: "We spend a lot of time outside of work at each others' houses. We have that comfort level with each other. Our communication is a lot better, and the whole offseason gives you a better understanding of the whole playbook. It helps."

Playing his former team: "It's a Week 3 game. Every game is a big game. You only get 16 of them, until you get to the tournament. It's our next opponent. I'll prepare just like I'd prepare any other week."

Facing off against Bucs receiver Vincent Jackson: "They move him everywhere, so you don't know their plan for him. We're going to try to get a plan to stop him. He's their go-to guy, but they also have Mike Williams and Kevin Ogletree. We have to figure out a way to stop them and also the run game."

Quick-hit thoughts around the NFL and with the New England Patriots:

1. The composition of the Patriots’ roster is perhaps the most unique we’ve seen in Bill Belichick’s 14 years as coach. The club returned 18 of 22 primary starters this season, so there is what many would consider the ideal layer of continuity. But as of opening kickoff, the Patriots also had more first- and second-year players (21) than all but two teams in the NFL (the St. Louis Rams and Cleveland Browns). Makes for a different type of mix -- a contending team that from an overall perspective trends younger. The question remains: Is it the right mix?

2. The Patriots are off to a 2-0 start, which has traditionally meant good things for a team’s playoff hopes. Since the playoffs expanded to 12 teams in 1990, 63 percent of teams starting 2-0 have advanced to the postseason. And here’s a key stat for those teams looking to avoid an 0-2 start on Sunday: Just 12 percent of teams that started 0-2 have reached the playoffs. The 2001 Patriots, of course, are one of the clubs that bucked the trend.

3. For all the scrutiny the Patriots’ rookie receivers have been under for the first two games, somewhat overlooked is that top draft pick Jamie Collins has played sparingly on defense (six of 138 snaps, including penalties). When the Patriots drafted Collins 52nd overall out of Southern Mississippi, there was some question as to how he’d fit in the team’s scheme -- pure defensive end/pass-rusher or more of an off-the-line linebacker? The Patriots have worked him mostly at linebacker, and the feeling here is that once he fully starts to grasp the team’s scheme, assuming there are no injuries to other linebackers, we’ll begin to see him integrated into the mix a bit more. In his limited snaps Thursday night against the New York Jets, Collins dropped into coverage or spied quarterback Geno Smith as the Patriots tapped his speed and athleticism. Until he’s a more regular defensive contributor, he will make his biggest contributions by playing on each of the “Big 4” special-teams units.

4. I thought last Sunday’s Patriots-Bills season opener revealed one of the flaws behind the Bills’ all-the-time up-tempo approach. At a point when the clock was their ally in the fourth quarter, quarterback EJ Manuel was snapping the ball with more than 20 seconds left on the play clock. The up-tempo offense is catching on across the NFL, and while the Philadelphia Eagles' approach in the first half of their opening victory over the Washington Redskins was electric, I think teams who only play in one gear are going to quickly find out there needs to be some flexibility and level of comfort to downshift when the situation dictates.

5. There is second-guessing and then there is first-guessing. The defection of running back Danny Woodhead from the Patriots to the San Diego Chargers struck me as puzzling when it happened, and those thoughts are revisited in the wake of the Patriots losing running back Shane Vereen for at least eight weeks with a wrist injury. How nice would it be for the Patriots to have Woodhead as an insurance option? Assuming that Woodhead would have accepted a similar deal in New England (contract here), I still don’t understand why he’s still not with the Patriots.

6. Also in the puzzling category: The Patriots going with LeGarrette Blount as their primary kickoff returner when 2012 Pro Bowl returner Leon Washington is on their roster.

7. I didn’t think Jets offensive lineman Nick Mangold took a cheap shot at Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib at the end of Thursday’s game, even though he probably can expect a fine from the NFL. Talib, who never should have returned the interception because it wasn’t a smart situational play (just stay down and the game is over), was sort of tiptoeing along the sideline, and I thought it was a bang-bang play. More so than Mangold, I’m interested to see how hard the NFL comes down on starting Jets right guard Willie Colon, who tossed aside referee Carl Cheffers to get into the scrum. That’s one of the biggest no-nos in the game and earned Colon an ejection and at least a $25,000 fine.

8. Here’s one stat from each of the Patriots’ AFC East rivals that caught the eye this week: Jets left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson has started every game since joining the team as a first-round draft choice in 2006. Impressive durability and dependability and a good pick by then-Jets coach Eric Mangini. … Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake is off to a strong start after notching 2.5 sacks in the opener at Cleveland. Of his 45.5 career sacks, 30.5 have come on the road. Would have thought those numbers would be flipped. … With the Bills losing to the Patriots in Doug Marrone’s coaching debut last Sunday, first-year Bills head coaches are now 0-17 in their opening games (1960-present). The Buffalo News has the forgettable breakdown.

9. When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Patriots next Sunday, would anyone be surprised if rookie Mike Glennon is the team’s starting quarterback? This was foreshadowed at the Patriots-Buccaneers joint practices in August. After watching Josh Freeman in the regular-season opener against the Jets last Sunday, and hearing coach Greg Schiano on Thursday telling reporters about how Freeman (no longer a captain) overslept and missed a team photo, it seems like it’s more a matter of when than “if” on a torch-passing from Freeman to Glennon. Maybe it happens in the Buccaneers’ home opener Sunday against the Saints.

10a. When the Patriots played the NFC West in the 2008 season, it was a division that many viewed as the worst in football. In fact, when analyzing how the Patriots went 11-5 that season with untested Matt Cassel replacing the injured Tom Brady, many pointed to an easier schedule that included four winnable games against NFC West opponents. Five years later, some might make the case that the NFC West is now the best division in football. For those who have doubts, tune in to Sunday night's San Francisco 49ers-Seattle Seahawks game. On a related note, Seattle might have the best home-field advantage in the NFL; it’s a great, underrated environment for football that is now receiving more attention because of the team’s emergence. But it was like that even before the Pete Carroll/Russell Wilson regime.

10b. My rankings on the best divisions in football: (1) NFC West, (2) NFC East, (3) NFC North, (4) NFC South, (5) AFC North, (6) AFC South, (7) AFC East and (8) AFC West.

10c. Random question: When did the NFC suddenly become so much deeper than the AFC? Seems like yesterday it was the other way around.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The tables have officially turned for the New England Patriots.

The team known for its lethal passing offense, which in a record-breaking season six years ago was accused by some of running up the score, could hardly generate any positive momentum Thursday night. It was about as ugly as we’ve seen since Tom Brady became the team’s starting quarterback in 2001.

So the Patriots needed the defense to save the day, and the unit delivered in a rain-soaked 13-10 victory over the New York Jets. That hasn’t happened too often around these parts.

“We know that this year, whatever situation we’re in, it might have to be the defense that’s going to have to win the game for us,” defensive end Rob Ninkovich said. “We welcome that. A 13-10 win sounds good to me.”

It might not sound good to Patriots fans who crave another Super Bowl championship and are wondering what happened to a once-unstoppable offense led by a once-in-a-lifetime quarterback. That’s the big issue facing the team at the moment, and there’s no overlooking it.

Just don’t tell that to Patriots defenders who left Gillette Stadium late Thursday night feeling especially good about themselves after producing four turnovers -– the 29th consecutive game in which they’ve forced at least one -- while coming up with a final stop late in the fourth quarter to preserve the result.

“Over the years our offense has bailed us out so many times. It’s good to get a win like this,” said linebacker Jerod Mayo, one of the team’s captains.

“I think we’re building toward something that can be pretty good for us,” added defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, another captain. “It will be good for the defense to take the field and guys have the confidence around us, on the other side of the ball and special teams, knowing that we’re going to close out games. There’s a lot of confidence being built right now.”

It has obviously helped that they’ve gone against rookie quarterbacks EJ Manuel and Geno Smith, who have been generous at crucial points in the first two games. The Patriots haven’t been doing too much out of the norm schematically, playing either a base 4-3 or 4-2-5 nickel, with a big focus in the opening weeks on keeping both athletic signal-callers in the pocket.

After failing to produce a sack in the opener against the Bills, New England rung up four on Thursday night, two by defensive end Chandler Jones and one apiece from rookie Michael Buchanan and Tommy Kelly. Meanwhile, the secondary was at its ball-hawking best, with cornerback Aqib Talib notching two interceptions and forcing a fumble, while cornerback Alfonzo Dennard added a pick.

As it turned out, Smith completed three passes to the Jets in the fourth quarter, and three to the Patriots.

“The defense stepped it up and did what we had to do to win the game. That’s the way it has to be sometimes,” said Ninkovich, the Bill Belichick-declared “Jet Killer” who had six tackles and a forced fumble Thursday.

It just hasn’t been that way in New England very often. And a lingering question is how long the Patriots might be able to sustain if things continue down this path.

As Brady talked about wanting “to do a better job on offense and carry our end,” defenders were happy to pick up the slack.

"We have guys banged up, we have some young guys over there, and we know it's going to take time for them to learn and develop," safety Devin McCourty said. "That's how a team works. There will be nights, maybe next game, where we don't play as well and we'll need them to step up and they'll do that. We just need to keep playing off each other.

“We have all faith in our offense. Right now, it will probably be a huge deal and everyone will want to talk about it,” he continued. “[But] we have no concerns with those guys. We know they’re working hard, we’re all getting better as a team, and it will work out.”

Wilfork echoed those thoughts.

“Tom’s been around the game for a while, so he knows how to handle the situation that he’s in. Those guys work their tails off, so it’s not a lack of effort,” he said. “It’s just getting the confidence and being able to make those plays, and once those guys start developing and getting more experience, I think you’ll start seeing a different ball club.”

Until they get there -- assuming they actually do -- they’ll need the defense to keep them in games. The tables have indeed been turned.
 

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- An initial look at New England Patriots players whose performance was in the "up" category and those at the opposite end of the spectrum following a 13-10 victory over the New York Jets:

UP

Steve Gregory: Safety has been a solid tackler, and shows up with solid support against the run.

Julian Edelman: With Danny Amendola sidelined, Edelman steps up and is Tom Brady's most reliable and consistent target.

Aqib Talib: Cornerback intercepts two passes and forces a fumble that sets up a field goal.

DOWN

Aaron Dobson: Rookie receiver scores a touchdown on his first career play, but also has a dropped ball on a long pass and can't get on the same page with Brady.

Jerod Mayo: Linebacker looks like he's a step behind in coverage.

Brandon Spikes: Linebacker struggles in coverage and isn't a big factor against the run.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – My thoughts on the New England Patriots' 13-10 victory over the New York Jets on Thursday night:

What it means: In one of the uglier football games we’ve seen the Patriots play in recent memory, they get the victory. But are the Patriots still one of the AFC’s elite teams? It’s hard to answer that with an authoritative “yes” after the past two weeks. While they played without receiver Danny Amendola on Thursday night and will benefit from the return of tight end Rob Gronkowski (possibly as soon as Week 3), there are plenty of questions surrounding the offense right now.

Brady’s struggles: Quarterback Tom Brady’s frustration boiled over at times. It’s rare to see a game in which Brady hovers below the 50 percent completion mark, but he just couldn’t get on the same page with anyone outside of receiver Julian Edelman (New England's best offensive player). Brady previously talked about the need for more patience this year. His patience was put to the test in this game.

Stock watch: Falling -- rookie receivers. It was a tough night for Aaron Dobson (second-round pick) and Kenbrell Thompkins (undrafted), as the Patriots’ passing game was stuck in neutral. Dobson caught a 39-yard touchdown pass on his first career play, but otherwise struggled with drops on a night when the conditions got wetter and sloppier as the game progressed. While everyone expected some growing pains for the Patriots’ passing game with young receivers, I’m not sure we expected them at this level.

Defense delivers: The Patriots created four turnovers on defense (two interceptions by Aqib Talib, one pick by Alfonzo Dennard and a fumble return by Devin McCourty created by Talib), as it was a night in which the D had to keep the team in the game because of the anemic offensive performance (some credit goes to the Jets’ defense for owning third down). This is the second week in a row that the Patriots’ defense stood tall late in the game. While the unit deserves credit, it’s also notable that the Jets (1-1), with rookie Geno Smith at quarterback, are one of the NFL’s offensively challenged teams.

What’s next: The Patriots (2-0) host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 22 (1 p.m. ET). Having played Thursday night, they’ll have extra time to prepare. The Buccaneers host the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – After 15 minutes of play, the New England Patriots lead the New York Jets 10-3. Passing along quick-hit notes and observations from the first quarter:

1. Offense starts fast. No Amendola, Gronk and Vereen? No problem, at least to start, as Tom Brady found rookie wide receiver Aaron Dobson for a 39-yard touchdown on the team's opening drive. Dobson was untouched and uncovered on the play, taking his first career catch for a score. The offense started with two backs and two receivers on the field, with fullback James Develin getting some early offensive run.

2. Talib forces Hill fumble. The Jets looked to have a big play on their hands when quarterback Geno Smith hooked up with Stephen Hill up the seam, but New England cornerback Aqib Talib saved his defense by forcing a fumble that was scooped up by Devin McCourty and returned deep into Jets territory. The end result: a chip-shot field goal by Stephen Gostkowski to put the Patriots up 10-0.

3. Jets claw back. The Jets, briefly, cut the lead to 10-6, though a touchdown throw from Smith to Clyde Gates was called an incompletion after a video review. Smith deserves credit for putting together an impressive drive, standing tall in the pocket and delivering a couple of solid throws.

4. Connolly, Gregory each banged up. Both eventually returned to the game, but right guard Dan Connolly and safety Steve Gregory had to receive medical attention during the first quarter. Hard to tell specifically what they were dealing with, but it looked like a left-hand issue for Connolly. Marcus Cannon stepped in for Connolly, while rookie Duron Harmon took Gregory's place.

5. Penalty box. The following Patriots were flagged for penalties during the first quarter: offensive tackle Nate Solder (holding; declined) and defensive end Chandler Jones (roughing the passer).

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson made it clear recently that he doesn’t believe there is a New England Patriots defensive back that can cover him.

It’s a bold proclamation from Johnson, though he’s had some success against the Patriots during his career, hauling in four touchdown passes.

Johnson’s words got us thinking about possible ways the Patriots could counter him tomorrow, which is the focus of the debut of “X’s and O’s thoughts,” which we’ll aim to use each week in this space.

Concept: Aqib Talib shadowing Johnson

Talib didn’t want to get into a verbal back-and-forth with Johnson this week, instead opting for praise of the five-year veteran. But as the Patriots' best cornerback, it could be Talib who is called upon to handle Johnson, as the Patriots used him, at-times, to shadow an opponent’s top receiver during the 2012 season.

Johnson is an efficient player from the slot whose game is more dependent on his precise route-running and quickness than it is his speed. Talib is typically the Patriots' left cornerback, though he does have the requisite traits to kick inside to the slot if needed.

One of the issues in shadowing Johnson with Talib is that it puts the onus on the Patriots' other cornerbacks to match up with Buffalo’s speed players, highlighted by receivers T.J. Graham and Marquise Goodwin. Talib is a talented perimeter cornerback who can neutralize such speed players with his own speed and length.

The Patriots did not have games where they exclusively used Talib to shadow an opposing receiver, rather he was called upon for particular stretches to take on such players as Andre Johnson of the Texans.

While it seems unlikely that they’d use Talib strictly in a shadow role over Johnson, if Johnson starts to have some success on Sunday, it’s a wrinkle the Patriots could turn to on an as-needed basis.

Either way, we’ll find out on Sunday whether Johnson’s words were accurate or an underestimation of the Patriots' secondary.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Call it the final countdown. The regular season has kicked off for two teams, with just two more days until the Patriots take the field against the Bills in Buffalo (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET on CBS).

After an unusual offseason that saw countless unforeseen twists and turns, the Patriots are likely as ready as ever to get back on the field and begin the process of achieving their ultimate goal.

There are new faces aplenty in the receiver corps, while the defense looks much like the group from last season. The coaching staff is virtually unchanged, with Bill Belichick welcoming another familiar face in Brian Daboll back into the mix.

On Sunday, the Patriots have a chance to begin their division title defense against an AFC East foe while also trying to continue their recent dominance of the Bills. In fact, quarterback Tom Brady is 20-2 against the Bills in his career, a mark he hopes to further improve upon this weekend.

With kickoff right around the corner, here are five things we’ll be watching for when the Patriots take on the Bills.

1. Does preseason success translate into the regular season for receiving corps? Indications from the preseason are that the Patriots pass-catchers will hold up just fine, as Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, Kenbrell Thompkins, Zach Sudfeld and others have looked very much in sync with Brady. But the regular season is a new test and all eyes will be on this group -- particularly the rookies making their NFL debuts. If the Patriots hope to repeat their offensive success from last season, there can be no easing period for the new wideouts in New England.

2. Can the secondary stay on the arc of progression? The Patriots secondary picked it up down the stretch in 2012, and with several pieces in place again this season, improvement is expected. It looks like the same starters from the end of 2012 will get the nod this season, with Kyle Arrington as the top reserve cornerback followed by Logan Ryan. It seems plausible that the third safety will be another third-rounder from Rutgers, as Duron Harmon may have leapfrogged Tavon Wilson and Nate Ebner on the depth chart. This group needs to build off of its momentum from 2012.

3. Disrupting Manuel. In 17 games against rookie quarterbacks, the Patriots are 13-4 under Bill Belichick (all four losses, incidentally, have come on the road). They’ll have another first-year test in EJ Manuel, the top quarterback picked in this year’s draft and the hopeful franchise player in Buffalo for the future. While Manuel is considered a polished prospect, how much the Patriots will be able to disrupt and confuse him with multiple looks will, at least in part, dictate his NFL debut. Don’t be surprised to see the Patriots bring the heat with extra rushers.

4. Rotations at RB, TE, LB. From the more under-the-radar category, there’s some intrigue in how the team rotates its players at three positions: running back, tight end and linebacker. At tight end, supposing Rob Gronkowski is unable to play, how might the Patriots deploy their duo of healthy bodies? Will Sudfeld play the predominant number of snaps, or will it be a more balanced workload? At running back, it appears Shane Vereen will be cast in the role Danny Woodhead played last season, with LeGarrette Blount as a backup to workhorse Stevan Ridley. As it relates to the linebackers, who will align next to Jerod Mayo in sub defensive packages? Could top draft choice Jamie Collins get the nod, or might it be Brandon Spikes/Dont'a Hightower, as it was last season? Dane Fletcher could be in the mix, too.

5. Special-teams notes. The Patriots have a new punter for the first time since 2010, and it’s a test for rookie Ryan Allen to show he’s ready for NFL action. Beyond his punting responsibilities, Allen will be called upon to hold on the field goal team. That’s an underrated chore that he must show he’s capable to do consistently. On the kickoff return team, might we see Blount step up into the role that the team struggled with in 2012? If so, he’d qualify as one of the bigger return men in recent NFL action. Finally, the Patriots have no shortage of punt return options, including Amendola and Edelman, who is the only player to have a punt return for a score in each of the past three seasons.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson made some headlines recently in stating that no Patriots defensive back could cover him, but Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib hasn't been paying attention, as he had no response to the remarks when asked about them Thursday.

"I don't watch NFL Network or read the newspapers during the season," he said. "I'm a basketball fan, so my TV pretty much stays on NBA TV and I don't really read what nobody says."

Asked if the comments give him any extra motivation to perform well this Sunday, Talib offered, "I didn't hear it. I don't really read into it, so I guess it is what it is."

While Talib wasn't interested in engaging in an exchange of words with Johnson before Sunday's contest, he had plenty of praise for the talented wideout.

"He definitely demands a lot from a defense," he said. "He's a good receiver, we're preparing for him."

"He's sharp on his routes," Talib added. "He's really good in his releases off the line, so we've just gotta, you know, prepare for him."

As far as gearing up for the start of his sixth pro season, Talib said the season opener is no different than any other for him from an emotional mindset standpoint.

"Every game, man, it's the same thing man," he said. "You get the same jitters, same nervousness, man. Every game."