Tom Brady is suspended for another game. Jimmy Garoppolo has a sprained shoulder and Jacoby Brissett has a torn ligament in his thumb. And the Patriots might just keep on winning anyway.

The Patriots have been looking at T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree, or they might use Julian Edelman, who was a quarterback at Kent State.

What can’t be argued is Belichick’s track record with quarterbacks.

During his many years as a head coach (including his time with the Browns) Belichick six times has gone into battle with a quarterback making his first start as a pro. His teams have won all six of those games.

Of those quarterbacks, moreover, only one (Garoppolo) was selected earlier than the third round.

BELICHICK: QUARTERBACKS MAKING FIRST START
YearPlayerOppScoreYardsTDInt
1992Todd Philcox, Clev.at Rdrs.W 28-1620030
1995Eric Zeier, Clev.at Cin.W 29-2631011
2001Tom Brady, N.E.Ind.W 44-1316800
2008Matt Cassel, N.E.at NYJW 19-1016500
2016Jimmy Garoppolo, N.E.at Ariz.W 23-2126410
2016Jacoby Brissett, N.E.Hou.W 27-010300

—Ian Allan