New England Patriots Week 6 Stock Report

The New England Patriots are one of six undefeated teams in the NFL.

Why, then, does it feel like they're the only one everyone is talking about?

Maybe it's because we've seen this show before. The Patriots are in full-on scorched-earth mode, torching every team in their path. They've won their last two games by a combined 58 points. 

So, you can see why it is difficult to find a lot of negatives with this team. That being said, it's never all sunshine and rainbows for any NFL team. There are always areas in which a team can improve.

Here's a look at some of the risers and fallers headed out of Week 5 and into Week 6. 

Stock Up: Dion Lewis

Tim Sharp/Associated Press

Week after week, Dion Lewis is putting on a show and proving that he is a highlight reel waiting to happen. The Patriots running back finished Sunday's game with stats, most of which he earned of his own volition, without much help in the way of blocking from the offensive line.

Lewis made eight Dallas defenders miss their tackles on Sunday, including one play in which he made three defenders miss on his way to a 10-yard touchdown. According to Pro Football Focus, he is by far the most elusive back in the NFL through Week 5 with a total of 29 missed tackles, including 17 as a receiver. That's more than a lot of backs who have more touches than Lewis.

Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead and others have previously filled the role of scatback in the Patriots offense, but Lewis is taking it to a whole new level. The Patriots' decision to extend him for two years might prove to be the smartest decision they make all season.

Stock Down: Nate Solder

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Originally, Patriots left tackle Nate Solder was going in the "stock down" category because he let up a lot of pressure on quarterback Tom Brady Sunday in Dallas. Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy had his way with Solder to the tune of four total pressures (two hits, two sacks), according to Pro Football Focus.

However, according to Jim McBride of the Boston Globe, Solder will miss the rest of the season with a torn biceps. In that case, he goes from stock down to stock way down.

The Patriots have been shuffling offensive linemen all season, and now they could be scrambling. Marcus Cannon could be asked to man left tackle, or he could play on the right with Sebastian Vollmer flipping over to the left side.

Either way, the Patriots will have to adjust their offensive line without one of their best linemen.

Stock Up: Tom Brady

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

No surprise here.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady still has not thrown an interception, and although he was slowed down by the Cowboys defense in Week 5, he wasn't completely stopped. In fact, he was as efficient as he has been all season, completing 20 of his 27 throws (74.1 percent) for 275 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 130.9.

These kinds of performances are becoming run-of-the-mill for Brady, and he's doing it all without one of his best wide receivers in Brandon LaFell. Once the Patriots get him back off the physically unable to perform list, Brady will have his full arsenal of weapons at his disposal.

Imagine Brady playing even better than he has been. That's a scary thought for the rest of the NFL.

Stock Down: Dont'a Hightower

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There are only so many nits to pick after a 24-point victory.

As it turns out, two of those nitpicks involve players who were injured in the line of duty.

Linebacker Dont'a Hightower suffered a rib injury in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys and did not return to the game. The injury was not so serious that he couldn't practice Wednesday, though, and he returned to the practice field just three days after suffering the injury.

The Patriots wouldn't be completely lost without Hightower, though, as Jerod Mayo could use some more playing time (he's played just 26.8 percent of the defensive snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus). That being said, Hightower is one of the best young linebackers in the NFL, and it would be a pretty big blow to the defense if he were to miss any substantial amount of time.

Stock Up: Stephen Gostkowski

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

It's time to give the kicker his due.

The Patriots put the franchise tag on Stephen Gostkowski this offseason, much to the confusion of some analysts. The decision, however, has paid big dividends early. Gostkowski has been one of the most consistent kickers in the NFL for years (94.3 percent since 2013, fourth-highest in the NFL), and his consistency has continued in 2015.

The Patriots kicker has made all 10 of his field-goal tries, and also drained a 57-yard field goal on Sunday against the Cowboys, which is the longest successful field goal of his career.

The Patriots have been scoring touchdowns at a ridiculous rate—the highest rate in the NFL, according to Football Outsiders. That being said, it's good to know that they can fall back on a reliable kicker if they have to.