New England Patriots: Eight Strong Pro Bowl Candidates

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with defensive end Chandler Jones (95) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) after throwing a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Running Back Dion Lewis

Before the season, Tom Brady said that Dion Lewis would become a “Cult hero” because of the way he slips out of tackles, and he wasn’t kidding. “Little Dirty” has been the Patriots best running back by far, and has far surpassed his role as just a 3rd-down running back.

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He can run the ball up the middle, off-tackle, as well as flex out wide and catch passes. He’s broken innumerable ankles in only six games this year, showing an incredible combination of quickness and change of direction abilities. Lewis has a ton of shake and bake to his game, making him incredibly difficult to stop in the open field as both a runner and receiver.

Lewis has added a dynamic to the offense never previously seen.

Tight End Rob Gronkowski

Gronk isn’t just a nightmare for opposing teams, he terrorizes them at all hours of the day. A “bad” day for Gronk is 4 catches for 67 yards. What a scrub.

There hasn’t been a team that has found a complete strategy to shutting him down, as Josh McDaniels keeps drawing up more creative ways to use him. If Gronk stays healthy, the Patriots offense is unstoppable.

Quarterback Tom Brady

Tom Brady’s “How do you like these balls” Tour is off to a rather nice start. Besides burning and pillaging ever team he plays against, he’s thrown for over 2,400 yards, and 20 touchdowns. He only has one interception, and it wasn’t even his fault.

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Brady is more mobile than he has ever been in his career, and he’s getting the ball out with incredible quickness. When Brady “struggled” against the Jets’ supposedly elite defense, he still scored 30 points. Tom Brady is playing with a vengeance, and right now it doesn’t look like anybody will stop him.