Matt Chatham argues that versatility is what gave Brandon Bolden a prime role in Sunday's game, and what keeps the wheels turning in the right direction in New England.

Versatility goes much deeper than simply remembering assignments for multiple positions. It’s also handling vastly different responsibilities within that same position. One play might require a player to best someone bigger and stronger, yet the next play requires the same player to handle a markedly different responsibility against someone who is smaller and faster.

A player who can handle all this saves the chaos of mass substitutions, which cannot happen in hurry-up or no-huddle action, and he also provides valuable insurance under the tight gameday restrictions of 45-man rosters. One-trick ponies tend to stay in the stable.

Brandon Bolden had his breakout game as a running back with 16 carries for an impressive 137 yards. But Bolden’s story is just as much about his surprising competence on special teams, helping him continually make it to the gameday roster.

... Bolden’s competency in his under-the-radar special teams role opened the door for his running back star-turn. In New England, those opportunities for carries usually don’t come for backup running backs without week-in, week-out special teams reliability.

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino tells us what he learned after watching the tape on Pats-Bills. Sunday's win was all about balance.
• Monday Press Conference: Bill Belichick. Breaking news: Broncos are good in all three phases of the game.
• Patriots Today - Second half surge. (3.09 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Sound from the winning locker room. (1.18 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Another look at Brandon Bolden. (2.26 min. video)
• Locker Room Uncut - Hear from the players. (2.20 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Field Yates helps us get to know the Denver Broncos, and which players to watch for on both sides of the ball.
• Gerry Callahan notes Peyton Manning comes to Gillette as the most dangerous passer the Patriots have faced this season and the greatest rival in the Belichick-Brady era.
• Mike Reiss reports Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will call Sunday's game.
• Field Yates tells us Dan Koppen is expected to start for the Broncos against the Patriots Sunday.
• Christopher Price reports Dan Koppen says there will be no added incentive when it comes to facing his old team.
• Mike Petraglia notes that even without Aaron Hernandez, the Patriots still have the most toys of any offense in the NFL.
• Mike Reiss notes that even when things looked grim, the Pats stayed the course and turned it around.
• The Herald staff details how the Patriots forced six turnovers in Sunday’s 52-28 victory against the Bills.
• Field Yates passes along some observations after re-watching the Patriots' win over the Buffalo Bills: First half and Second half.
• Field Yates says hard-hitting linebacker Brandon Spikes is making a big difference for the Patriots' defense.
• Tony Massarotti isn't buying an improved Pats defense until they win against a legitimate top 10 NFL quarterback.
• Doug Kyed notices Ras-I Downling was missing in action again, but the secondary played strong without him.
• Shalise Manza Young reports the Patriots’ punt coverage unit had a good day, twice pinning the Bills inside their 10-yard line.
• Mike Reiss tallies the snaps played by offensive skill position players while analyzing what it means. Despite the fumble, Welker was remarkable.
• Mike Reiss looks at the snaps played by defenders Sunday, noting McCourty played every snap and rookie Jones only missed five.
• Mike Reiss analyzes the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots against the Bills.
• Mike Reiss updates his base vs. sub defense stats after Week 4.
• Field Yates recaps the impact from the Patriots top draft picks Sunday. Jones, Hightower and Wilson each had another strong game.
• Jeff Howe gives the game ball to the defense.
• Karen Guregian issues her Week 4 Patriots Report Card.
• Shalise Manza Young posts a terrific photo of Brandon Lloyd, airborne as he scores a TD Sunday, with a huge Deion Branch-like grin on his face.
• Mike Reiss and James Walker break down the Patriots' 52-28 division win over the Bills. (2.29 min. video)
• Chad Finn shares some of the ridiculous, negative-Nancy, sky-is-falling comments he dealt with in the online chat during Sunday's game. Yeesh.
• Tedy Bruschi posts the transcript of his weekly online chat. Shouldn't have picked the Bills to win Bru.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Patriots are prepping for the same Peyton Manning they're used to facing; Nate Solder has built up some confidence with a string of improved performances; Shane Vereen was happy to see some game action after dealing with a frustrating foot injury.
• Michael Vega Patriots Notebook: Belichick not 'real excited' about facing Peyton Manning again; Dan Koppen will be under center for the Broncos Sunday; Stephen Gostkowski hasn't lost the confidence of his coach; Belichick talks about the whole kicking process - that involves more than one guy - that has to be improved.

NATIONAL NEWS

• James Walker (ESPN) QBR: Brady shines, Sanchez flops.
• James Walker (ESPN) Seven-step drop: Patriots' second weapon.
• Joe Buscaglia (WGR 550) The Mario Williams Report. His performance against NE broken down in numbers.
• Sal Capaccio (WGR 550) Hot Reads: Bills/Patriots.
• Doug Tozier (Cold Hard Football Facts) Patriots vs. Bills: Five things we learned.
• Doug Tozier (Cold Hard Football Facts) Patriots vs. Bills: Hero and Zero of the game.
• Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) AFC East spin cycle: Week 4.
• Staff report (Cold Hard Football Facts) Seven from Sunday - Week 4. Drew Brees, Tom Brady make more history.
• Chris Burke (SI) First down, Fourth down: Week 4.
• Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) Ten takeaways from Week 4.
• Mike Pereira (Fox Sports) Refs deal with rust factor in return.
• Pat Kirwan (CBS Sports) Five from Sunday: Record scoring pace continues.
• Analysts Debate (NFL.com) Falcons-Texans in Super Bowl XLVII? Quarter-pole predictions.
• Brian Billick and Dennis Green (NFL.com) NFL first quarter awards. (3.50 min. video)
• Blair Johnson (Yahoo! Sports) John Gruden's bizarre Monday Night Football rant. (2.06 min. video)