Julian Edelman

Wes Welker is a golden god: I believe things happen for a reason.

And for the Patriots, I think believe the injuries to Aaron Hernandez and Julian Edelman made the team better for the long haul because it reminded Bill Belichick that Welker is easy to write off in your mind before the regular season -- sometimes you can forget the little things that make him great -- but once the season kicks off, the guy is one hell of a player.

We will never know what would have happened had Hernandez stayed healthy and the Patriots romped over the Cardinals while Welker played about 20 plays only in three-receiver sets behind Edelman. Welker very well might have been traded. That is all forgotten now, at least for this season. And because certain things happened, the Patriots will be better.