This is a game to highlight a critical component to the current and future iterations of this team: leadership. Specifically player leadership. While skill and ability took a huge hit with Brady's departure, so too did the player-led ability to focus on and rebound from adversity. Add in similar departures on the defensive side like Hightower, coupled with his voice likely not carrying any weight because he couldn't back it up on the field any more, and this is a game where the fans can see what leadership remains on the team.
Last game was one indicator - division contest against among the best of the conference - and they seemed to lay down. Tonight should prove is that an aberration or a trend? Skill wise the disparity should not be as apparent in skill across the board. Are the current player leaders able to inspire? Can they motivate? Can they get results in both others and themselves?
Do they come out flying around, gang tackling, playing fundamentally sound, limiting mistakes instead of repeating them? Or is "just another game, collect the check, and head back to the hotel"?
Leadership is the usual difference between those extremes. It will be a massive indicator tonight by the way they play whether or not this particular Patriots team has any. Another lackadaisical game and not only is this season done, but the cultural impact is highly likely to linger into future years as well.