When the Patriots were splitting snaps between Welker and Julian Edelman in the first two games of the season, one wondered if perhaps Welker’s importance to the offense would be lessened. If anything, it’s gone in the other direction. With Edelman missing time because of a hand injury, Welker didn’t have to split reps and has shown he is still the go-to guy in the got-to-have-it situations – and all situations for that matter.