Jabaal Sheard:

the big news was the return to the Patriots practice this week of both Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman. They were both filmed (not so coincidentally), beside each other during warmups with a smiling Belichick behind them.

Brady has to go back to what the Patriots do best, move the chains and not take so many deep shots down the field with players that aren’t suited for that role.

Will Josh McDaniels stay patient enough to allow the running game to get going on Sunday night?

The Patriots committed the cardinal sin in all of sports; don’t ever, ever let an inferior team hang around, because it come back to bite you.

In the last five games, the Philly defense has allowed 828 yards on the ground an average of 165.6 yards per game. This is the time for Blount to get some yardage and take some pressure off the receivers.

Since realignment in 2002, the Pats own a stellar 45-10 record against NFC teams including a 3-0 record against the other teams from the NFC East this season.

Look for the Patriots to try to wear down this Eagles defense with much more Blount and Bolden carrying the ball this week in a similar offensive game plan as when they faced a fellow NFC East foe, the Redskins.

The focus on this week’s Patriots – Broncos game will not be about Brady – Manning or the high octane offenses but the prowess of each team’s defense. This one promises to be a defensive struggle

The meeting was expected to be a typical Brady – Manning shootout when the schedule was released, but expect this one to be much more defensive oriented. The Patriots will have to be creative on offense with all the injuries against the Denver defense.

The Patriots used their defense and special teams to gut out a 20-13 win over the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. By sweeping the Bills they can clinch the division with a win in Denver on Sunday.

The Patriots and Bills meet on Monday Night Football and with a victory, New England can just about wrap up the AFC East for another year. That would put them five games up on each team with six to go.

Jamie Collins will miss his 3rd game in a row with a mystery illness as well as rookie Cb Justin Coleman and WR Julian Edelman who broke a bone in his foot

With another 100-yard game in 2015, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski would tie Tony Gonzalez and Jimmy Graham for six 100-yard games in a season

The Patriots play the Bills on Monday Night Football and are looking to go 10-0. Buffalo has won two in a row but is lifetime only 3-24 against Tom Brady

The Bills are healthy and on a two-game winning streak against teams from the AFC East. The Patriots are banged up and this sets the stage for Monday night.