New England Patriots

5 reasons the Patriots can win with Julian Edelman at QB

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots have the ability to win a game with Julian Edelman at quarterback.

The New England Patriots once again find themselves in a quarterback bind. Even though the team keeps overcoming all the odds, they are down another man yet again. Jacoby Brissett hurt his thumb in Thursday night’s game against the Houston Texans and that could keep him out for Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills. That could mean it’s Julian Edelman time.

Edelman was the emergency quarterback for the Patriots on Thursday night. He didn’t need to see any time at the position, but there’s a chance he might be the guy next Sunday. It would be the ultimate of long shots if he starts, but if there’s any team that could pull it off, it’s the Patriots. These are the reasons why they can win one last game without Tom Brady with Edelman.

5. He played quarterback at Kent State

By being an emergency quarterback, Edelman isn’t the standard backup that hasn’t played since high school. Throughout his college career, Edelman was a quarterback before coming to the pros, where he transitioned to a wide receiver.

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Yes, it’s been a while since he’s seen meaningful game action at the quarterback spot. He also hasn’t started against NFL caliber defenses. Still, he has the quarterback genes in his pedigree and is smart enough to manage for one game.

By being a wide receiver, if there’s anyone that knows everyone’s routes perfectly, it’s Edelman. He knows what he needs to do if he’s called upon and he won’t try to do too much.

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) is tackled by New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) and outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

4. The Patriots’ defense will take care of their end

As everyone has learned through the first three weeks of the season, the Patriots have a great defense. They have one of the best in the league and the unit has done a great job of taking care of their quarterbacks by limiting the other team on the board.

The Patriots will play the Buffalo Bills next week at home. There’s a great chance that the Patriots will be able to hold them to minimal points. If they can do that, then they will give Julian Edelman a great chance to succeed if he is indeed the starter.

They also are able to score points of their own. The team is no stranger to running back interceptions for touchdowns or recovering a fumble in the end zone. If they can force Tyrod Taylor into making mistakes, Edelman won’t even have to put up the points.

Jamie Collins and the rest of the defense thrives on taking away what other teams like to do. The Bills are also a banged up unit on offense. The Patriots’ defense has plenty of time to rest before next Sunday. No one gets prepared better with time off than the Patriots.

Sep 22, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs through the Houston Texans defense for a touchdown during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

3. LeGarrette Blount can carry the load on offense

As the entire world found out on Thursday night, LeGarrette Blount is a very good running back. He’s always been overshadowed with a great quarterback in front of him, but Blount has been shouldering the load on offense without Tom Brady at quarterback.

Against the Texans, Blount scored two touchdowns. What was more impressive is that he powered one in, while showing tremendous burst and scoring another from 41 yards out. He can score in a variety of ways and if the blocking is good, the Patriots can just pound the ball.

If the team is indeed going with an emergency quarterback, having a running back like Blount is a must. He will get the majority of the carries. That also means that the Bills are going to likely stack the box against him, but he has the power to get to the next level and make plays happen.

A lot of times emergency quarterbacks or backups for that matter will come in and they won’t have a solid running option behind them. When that happens, the quarterback has to throw more and the offense goes nowhere.

Sep 22, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on before their game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Bill Belichick will create the perfect game plan

In case the world didn’t know already, there is no one that game plans better than Bill Belichick. When the cards are stacked against him, Belichick has his team prepared and ready to go when the game begins. He has done it through three weeks and his team has a perfect record to show for it.

Asking the Patriots to win on a short week with a rookie quarterback in Jacoby Brissett was a lot to ask. Instead, they went out and blew out the Houston Texans. That all stems from Belichick and the preparation that goes into having his team ready each week.

If the team is indeed going to have Julian Edelman as their emergency quarterback for their game against the Bills, they have an extended amount of time to prepare. Giving Belichick extra time to get ready should almost be criminal.

He will have the perfect game plan in place if Edelman is the guy. He will play to his strengths and make sure that the team around him is where they need to be. It’s not an ideal situation, but Belichick is the man to get it done.

Sep 15, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills assistant coach Rob Ryan against the New York Jets at New Era Field. The Jets beat the Bills 37 to 31. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

1. They’re playing the Buffalo Bills

If there is any reason about why the New England Patriots can survive one game with Julian Edelman at quarterback, it’s because they are playing the Buffalo Bills. They also are playing the Bills at home, which means they’re going to have the crowd on their side. The Bills could be a much different looking team by then.

The team has already fired their offensive coordinator and if they got bulldozed by the Arizona Cardinals, more changes could be coming. Add in the team is dealing with injuries at key positions and the Bills could very well be on the verge of imploding.

Bill Belichick knows how to game plan against Rex Ryan after all their meetings over the years. He’s going to find the Bills’ weaknesses and exploit them to help Edelman out if he is indeed starting at quarterback for the Patriots.

It’s funny that if the Bills are 0-3 coming into the game, Belichick could be the one to end Ryan’s job. After all, it would be hard for Rex to argue keeping his job if his team drops to 0-4 and loses to a team quarterbacked by Edelman.