Markus Kuhn:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that defensive tackle Alan Branch has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s drug policy

Tonight isn’t about the starters, although players like Tom Brady and Julian Edelman made the trip. Tonight is about the players on the bubble.

On a night where both offenses looked sloppy and wilting in the heat, it was the play of the defense that carried the day.

They added Terrance Knighton, Frank Kearse, and Markus Kuhn in FA, Vincent Valentine in the draft and Chris Long, this season’s reclamation project.

While much has been made about the Pats inability to develop wide receivers, the interior pass rushing presence has been missing for quite some time.