With Julian Edelman, the Patriots Will Be Fine Without Wes Welker

The revived Houston Texans defeated the New England Patriots, 34-27 this past Sunday in Reliant Stadium.

The Patriots (10-6) loss to the Texans (9-7) in the regular season finale will ultimately prove to be meaningless.

However, the severe injury that Pro Bowl wide receiver Wes Welker suffered this weekend will be a substantial obstacle for the Patriots to overcome.

Welker, 28, a two-time second-team All-Pro selection who is the only player in NFL history to record at least 110 receptions in three consecutive seasons, tore both the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his left knee after he caught a pass from quarterback Tom Brady in the first quarter.

Welker is out indefinitely and his status for the 2010 season is currently in jeopardy as well.

Despite his diminutive frame and unassuming appearance, Welker is absolutely one of the grittiest, toughest and most accomplished players in recent times.

Welker, a star at Texas Tech University who was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2004, was a vital piece to the Patriots still explosive offense unit.

There is zero question that Welker’s absence will hinder the Patriots offensive production in some capacity.

“We’ve been going through that all year – people up, people down,” said Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas of New England’s injury-plagued campaign.

“Will we miss Welker? Yes we will. But the guys behind him have to step-up and make plays.”

The individual who can “step-up” and “make plays” and compensate for Welker’s detraction is promising rookie receiver Julian Edelman.

Edelman, 23, who played quarterback at Kent State University and was selected by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft, has demonstrated in his limited playing time on the gridiron that he can thrive as a slot receiver.

Edelman was impressive when he replaced a wounded Welker in the Patriots week two starting lineup last September.

Although the New York Jets outmuscled New England and emerged with a 16-9 victory, Edelman led all receivers with eight catches for 98 yards in the first start of his professional career.

Before he broke his arm in the Patriots unsportsmanlike 59-0 blowout of the Tennessee Titans, Edelman was leading all rookies with 21 receptions.

A team can not improve when they subtract a prolific threat like Welker from their roster.

Nevertheless, with Brady and Head Coach Bill Belichick still present, the Patriots remain a very formidable opponent for any team they may encounter in the playoffs.

No matter how New England’s postseason eventually unfolds, they will not win or lose because of the loss of Welker.

Conversely, the Patriots will not succeed or fail because of the advanced role of Edelman.

Football is the personification of a team game and Welker was only one man out of 53.

The Patriots season will simply be decided by the collective performances of those 53 players.