■ Belichick could not possibly care less what anyone thinks of him. This is not a good character trait in a friend or public official. This works as an N.F.L. trait.

■ Opponent-specific game plans. The Jets have the league’s best run defense. Sunday, adjusting for sacks and scrambles, Josh McDaniels radioed in 59 passing plays and seven rushes. No N.F.L. team does a better job at tailoring tactics to the opponent.

Image The Patriots' offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, and Tom Brady during the Jets game. Let me guess: another pass? Credit... Charles Krupa/Associated Press

■ Liberal arts or high education? Belichick is a graduate of Wesleyan. Matt Patricia, perhaps the league’s smartest defensive coordinator, graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The owner Robert Kraft graduated from Columbia; and Jonathan Kraft, president of the team, from Williams. Belichick and the Patriots’ research director, Ernie Adams, met at Phillips Academy; Adams went on to Northwestern. Dallas Coach Jason Garrett went to Princeton, and Pittsburgh Coach Mike Tomlin to William & Mary — there are more well-educated personnel in N.F.L. management than might be guessed. But the Patriots are the top team in this regard.

■ Tom Brady. He’s always the first guy in the weight room. Brady has never thrown a public fit about less accomplished quarterbacks — Andy Dalton, Tony Romo — being paid more. With four rings, he appears totally focused on a fifth. Brady is a much better athlete than commonly understood — in the latest example, falling backward as he lofted a perfect touchdown pass to Gronkowski versus the Jets. And PSIcheated is such a motivator for him, Belichick* might have staged it.

Now here’s what T.M.Q. thinks is the most important distinction between the Patriots and the rest of the league: New England players are always moving.

For all the money and hype in the N.F.L., for all the year-round focus, it’s amazing how many downs feature at least one guy standing there doing nothing. Run back any snap of any team other than New England and look away from the ball — someone will be not pursuing, not blocking, just standing around watching. At New England, players never seem to stand around watching. Maybe Belichick gives them electric shocks if they don’t endlessly hustle. However accomplished, he gets more effort than any other N.F.L. coach.