They will have no problem defending the run. That bodes well in the AFC East, where the quarterbacks may be lacking but the teams want to establish the run first to keep their passers out of long yardage. Good luck doing any of that against the Patriots. Belichick’s teams always have been tough against the run, but the Patriots appear to be even better this year. Vince Wilfork and Kyle Love are formidable in the middle. Ends Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones are much better at holding the edge than projected. And then there are the linebackers. In terms of stopping the run, it may be hard to find a unit better than Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, and Dont’a Hightower — save the 49ers and Texans. It’s promising that the Patriots are so good against the run, but this isn’t 2002. Teams now live and die by the pass. At least we know the Patriots will be forcing them to convert long yardages. That’s where you start.