Patriots' Ground Game the Boost Tom Brady Needs to Make Push for Playoffs

Oh how quickly narratives change in the National Football League. The New England Patriots' dominant 43-17 victory over the previously unbeaten Cincinnati Bengals has proven once again that we don't know anything.

Sunday Night Football was the perfect stage for Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and, most importantly, the Patriots' ground game to silence their critics after an arduous start to the season. Coming on the heels of a humiliating loss at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, this win was especially impressive.

Tonight, the funeral service for Brady's NFL career was put on hold, and a major reason why was the rebirth of Pats' rushing attack. As a group, they registered 40 carries for 220 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Stevan Ridley led the charge with 27 touches for 113 yards and a TD, while Shane Vereen spelled him effectively, picking up 90 yards of his own. Both backs found their rushing lanes, ran with a purpose and, thankfully, didn't turn the ball over.

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

That kind of production by default is always going to open up lanes in the passing game.

It's Football 101. When a defense has to dedicate its resources to stopping the run, it automatically makes play action a viable and worthwhile option. Brady's stats were solid because of that very notion. He completed 23 of his 35 attempts for 292 yards and two touchdowns—he also became just the sixth quarterback in league history to throw for 50,000 yards.

That success was based off of the team's dedication and effectiveness running the football. The formula you saw the coaching staff roll out against a quality Bengals team is the new blueprint for Patriots football. The days of Brady being able to work with average pass-catchers and turn them into fantasy heroes are long gone.

One week doesn't change the fact that aside from Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman, Coach Belichick hasn't given his quarterback many weapons to work with down the field.

Soak it all up while you can. This isn't going to be Peyton Manning throwing for 400-plus yards like it is in Denver. Patriots fans have to get used to grind-it-out games, hard-nosed running and creative play-calling.

It's an offensive formula the San Francisco 49ers used to reach three straight NFC Championship Games, and although it's not must-see TV like a Chip Kelly offense, it works.

But it's also a formula that only thrives with a cohesive offensive line—something the Patriots have missed since Week 1. They've mixed and matched, looking to find that perfect combination to keep Brady upright and loosen up rushing lanes for their backs.

Sunday night, that line finally looks like it's functioning again. WEEI 93.7 FM highlighted on their Twitter account the names who make up this redesigned line:

Regardless of the score, you got the feeling that there was no sense of panic from offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He built a game plan around his halfbacks and stuck to it. Behind Ridley's forceful running and Vereen's ability to cut through the second level of the Bengals defense, there was no stopping the Patriots on offense.

Folks who wrote off the Patriots after their Monday night debacle are enjoying a delicious slice of humble pie tonight. With a 3-2 record, they're currently perched atop the AFC East standings alongside the Buffalo Bills and their new leader, quarterback Kyle Orton.

You can criticize the Patriots for their shortcomings and flaws. There are plenty of those to harp on. But writing them off—especially in that division—was a prophecy doomed from the start. With a dominant ground game to fall back on, it's going to be tough for any team in the AFC East to surpass them this season.

Looking back at their ups and downs this season, there's one thing you can pick up on right away: The Patriots win football games when they run the ball successfully.

Opponent	Rushing Attempts	Rushing Yards	Result
Miami Dolphins	20	89	Loss
Minnesota Vikings	37	150	Win
Oakland Raiders	22	67	Win
Kansas City Chiefs	16	75	Loss
Cincinnati Bengals	46	220	Win

There's a pattern here, and it clearly works. With the exception of the game against the Oakland Raiders, every time the Pats run the ball well, they win games. Each time they struggle or get away from that game plan, they have a difficult time producing points.

Brady's return to the playoffs will go hand in hand with how the ground game and offensive line perform. Without having a bounty of weapons at wide receiver, the days of him sitting back and picking defenses apart are now just a distant memory.

The 2014 Patriots offense isn't about Tom Brady anymore. It's about Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and this offensive line.

Unless noted otherwise, all game scores and information come courtesy of ESPN.com.