New England Patriots Week 15 Stock Report

In the past, the New England Patriots have lived by the notion that the football season doesn't truly begin until after Thanksgiving.

For two weeks following Turkey Day, the Patriots played some of their worst football. On Sunday against the Houston Texans, though, they got back on track with a 27-6 win in Week 14. It's the first time the Patriots have won a game by more than one possession since Week 9 against the Washington Redskins.

The Patriots have to continue playing their best football down the stretch, especially with the No. 1 seed still hanging in the balance. Their margin for error is a little larger than it was just a week ago, with a one-game lead over the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos.

In order to maintain those two things, the Patriots will need to get continued production from some of their "up" players and better production from some of their "down" players. Here's a look at both ends of the spectrum. 

Stock Up: Jabaal Sheard

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The Patriots were without Jabaal Sheard for a few weeks in the middle of the season, but when he came back, he wasted no time making an immediate impact.

On Sunday against the Texans, Sheard registered five total pressures (two hurries, one hit, two sacks) according to Pro Football Focus. This marks the third time in the past four weeks in which Sheard has created pressure five times or more.

Over the years, defensive ends Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich carried the burden by playing nearly every snap for the Patriots defense. Thanks to the presence of Sheard, Ninkovich and Jones haven't been run into the ground quite as they were before his arrival this offseason.

In fact, on a per-snap basis, Sheard has been a more effective pass-rusher than both Ninkovich and Jones this year. It's safe to say he's been an important part of the defense. 

Stock Down: Running Game

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The running game isn't a stock down because of its performance; with 116 yards, the Patriots had their third-most productive day on the ground this season.

So, what's wrong? Just the same thing that's wrong at so many other positions on the roster: injuries.

The Patriots just can't catch a break, no pun intended. Week after week, they suffer another key injury, and this week, running back LeGarrette Blount was one of two players to be claimed by the injury bug.

James White has done a fine job in Dion Lewis' old role as the third-down back, but Brandon Bolden will have to step up as a ball-carrier on first and second down while Blount is out. Blount was spotted using crutches to get around Thursday, according to ESPN.com's Mike Reiss, so he could be out for a bit.

The Patriots added free-agent running back Montee Ball to the practice squad Tuesday, but Ball hasn't played a game since Week 10 in 2014. It will be interesting to see how the Patriots choose to distribute the carries while Blount is on the shelf.

Stock Up: Rob Gronkowski

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Rob Gronkowski is back, and so is the Patriots offense. 

With four catches for 87 yards and a touchdown against the Texans, Gronkowski returned with a bang (or a Gronk Spike) on prime time. He also solidified himself as one of just 10 players in NFL history with five seasons of 10 touchdown receptions or more. 

He hauled in every pass thrown his way Sunday, but even when he wasn't making big plays in the passing game, he was drawing coverage away from his teammates to help them make big plays of their own. His physicality as a blocker was also a welcome addition to the offense. 

The Patriots offense has lost key players and continues to lose them as we saw with LeGarrette Blount this week, but without Gronkowski, the whole thing would come unraveled. He admitted to being less than 100 percent, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, but so long as he's anywhere close, he is the difference in an early postseason exit and a deep run. 

Stock Down: Keshawn Martin

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Injuries have taken their toll on both offense and defense, but those injuries also have a chain effect on special teams.

For the second time in three weeks, a backup punt returner muffed a punt. This time, it was wide receiver Keshawn Martin. Yes, he caught three receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown against the Texans, but it's hard to overlook his costly turnover.

One play like that in the playoffs could be the difference between a trip to the Super Bowl and early reservations at the golf course. Martin will have to hang onto those punts if he is asked to continue as the returner.

That being said, his progress in the passing game is a promising sign for his status with the team. He can still be a serviceable backup option at wide receiver on the depth chart.

Stock Up: Patriots Cornerbacks

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Surely, this group of cornerbacks isn't the same group of cornerbacks that no one thought had a shot of replacing the likes of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. Oh, it is? Well, sorta. The Patriots have made some changes along the way, but the top two cornerbacks—Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan—are still the fixtures in the secondary.

You can look up and down the depth chart at cornerback and find a number of players who are making big plays on the football, per Pro Football Focus. Malcolm Butler allowed just one reception on four passes into his coverage and registered one pass defense. Logan Ryan also gave up just one catch on four passes his way and broke up two passes. Leonard Johnson allowed just one catch on three passes his way and also notched two passes defensed.

The crop of quarterbacks in the AFC playoffs is not exactly daunting: Andy Dalton/AJ McCarron, Andrew Luck, Alex Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brock Osweiler are not the names that strike fear into the heart of an opposing defense—at least not this year. If this secondary plays the way it played Sunday, though, it's up to just about any challenge it could face.