NFL 2018: Biggest obstacle each team must overcome

New England Patriots: Get by without Edelman in September

First off, if the Patriots were able to reach the Super Bowl without Julian Edelman last year after he suffered a torn ACL in preseason, they should be able to get by at the beginning of the season without him, right? Most likely, the answer to that question is yes since New England has always been the type of team that sees another player fill in when needed, but also with Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks no longer around, Brady may need all of the extra help he can get that first month.

Hearing the news surrounding Edelman being suspended for the first four games to start off 2018 was the last thing the Patriots wanted to hear, as this team will be motivated more than ever to make another run at the Super Bowl after falling to the Eagles in February. Not to mention, when seeing how New England faces four tough teams in that first month, it makes the absence of Edelman even more frustrating to deal with.

When healthy, Edelman has proven to be one of the most reliable targets for Brady in New England’s passing game, and he can’t wait to return to the football field after missing all of last season. If the Patriots can manage to win even two of those four games without Edelman, it will put them in great shape heading into October.