Monday 10 October 2016 08:48, UK
As Tom Brady returned to the Patriots locker room on Monday morning, the team mantra was that they could not rely on the quarterback to paper over the cracks of a 16-0 home defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Bills.
New England, 3-1 after winning their first three games without the suspended Brady, were beaten in all areas of the game by Buffalo, who shut out the Patriots on their home turf for the first time since 1993.
Across the team, a united message rang out: performance in week four was below the standard Patriots players set for themselves, and each member of the roster was responsible for the outcome, not just the returning quarterback.
Brady was reinstated this week after a four-game suspension, arising from the 2014 AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts, where Brady and the organisation were found guilty of deflating game balls and "violating the integrity of the game".
He was banned from Gillette Stadium, training with the team and even talking with team-mates about NFL matters, but now he returns to face the Cleveland Browns in week five.
Sky Sports takes a look at just how important the three-time Super Bowl MVP is.
Clutch under pressure
With the game on the line or under pressure in tight situations, Brady's ability to read defences and change play calls gives him the edge over his opposition. His foot movement in the pocket, protection of the ball and ability to open up passing channels buys himself the time to look down field and make the crucial throws.
In third and short situations, it is Brady's anticipation and accuracy that stands him apart. Throwing into space and allowing the oncoming player to continue their run allows the Patriots to grab the extra yards and move the chains.
The quarterback has always appeared comfortable on the NFL stage throughout his 15 years as a starter. From his first Super Bowl in 2001, where he led a game-winning drive to upset the St Louis Rams, through to last season where he led the league with 37 touchdown passes despite losing three members of his offensive line and both starting running backs.
Natural leader
The Patriots locker room is full of leaders, and that did not all just disappear when Brady was suspended. The team rallied around their stand-in quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett, and utilised the other talents on the team to claim victories over Arizona, Miami and Houston.
However, Brady's quality on the pitch and his ability to empower other players heightens the team performance and has led to 12 AFC East division titles.
The quarterback often shies away from the media spotlight and prefers to lead by example. He will have every opportunity to show a commanding presence once again against Cleveland on Sunday.
Coach relationship
This is the longest and most successful coach-quarterback pairing in history, the Patriots making six Super Bowls and winning four in the Brady-Belichick era. Head coach Bill Belichick plucked Brady from the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft and gave the quarterback his chance following an injury to Drew Bledsoe.
A man who goes by talent rather than status, Belichick was the ideal coach for a young quarterback who worked harder than anyone to get himself noticed.
Brady is able to take criticism from his head coach because he knows that Belichick understands his mindset and the expectations he sets for himself. Both football obsessives, the pair meet twice a week to pour over strategy, game film and masterminding the next Patriots victory.
Record-breaker
Bottom line: Tom Brady knows how to win. He has won 12 NFC East titles, six conference championships and has more play-off victories than any other quarterback (22). Brady has 194 wins in the NFL, six behind Peyton Manning and, barring a disaster, will eclipse his old rival this season.
The Patriots QB leads in passing yards, completions, touchdown passes and, most importantly, Super Bowl rings. One more would take him level with linebacker Charles Haley, and stand him alone in quarterback successes. With great surrounding talent and inheriting a one game advantage, 2016 could be Brady's year.
Watch all the action unfold on Sunday night with NFL Redzone on the red button from 5:30pm.
