New England Patriots: 5 reasons Dion Lewis injury will be overcome

Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) prepares to make a pass during the second quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Go back to Week 7

Lewis missed the Patriots big Week 7 rivalry matchup against the New York Jets with an injury, but the Pats still managed to pull out a 30-23 win. That game could have easily went in another direction, but the important point is that the the Patriots pulled it out. The Jets defense is one of the best in the NFL, but the Pats put up 30 on them behind one of the best performances of Tom Brady‘s career.

Having Lewis out there would have been a huge benefit against a Jets defense that might have had only one exploitable weakness against a player of Lewis’s special skill-set. He could have also held onto the ball a lot better than, say, Brandon LaFell, as the Pats offense was plagued by drops throughout the game.

But they still scored 30. They still won. Lewis turned into an important piece of the Patriots offense, but the Pats offense is comprised of several key pieces, including LaFell, who has since bounced back from that rusty 2015 season debut after being activated from the PUP.

Next: How will the running game fare out?