For the New England Patriots to contend for the playoffs this season, here are the five top players who can help make that happen:
Tom Brady, QB: The reigning NFL Most Valuable Players turns 41 on Aug. 3, and has shown little, if any, signs of slippage. While his importance to the Patriots on the field is obvious, the Jimmy Garoppolo-less depth chart behind him augments the level of that importance. Wide receiver Jordan Matthews perhaps said it best: "He's the greatest of all time, so obviously there's a presence that comes with him.