Adams' success comes as no surprise to Belichick, who believes "all the stars are in alignment" for the 25-year-old receiver to be one of the game's best for years to come.

Quick and elusive off the line of scrimmage, Adams' footwork and ability to stress the secondary deep have made him a problem for opposing defenses. Twice against the Rams, Adams had momentum-turning catches of more than 40 yards in key third-down situations.

He's also become an outspoken leader in a young receivers' room consisting of three rookies, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown and J'Mon Moore, who all were called upon to step up during the recent absence of Cobb and Allison.

This year, he's made it a point to broaden his leadership, recently speaking to surging rookie cornerback Jaire Alexander to "let him know how much of a player he is." Adams did it to elevate Alexander's confidence, mimicking a similar speech Rodgers once gave him as a rookie.

"I think he's really, really come into his own. You could see that last year," said Head Coach Mike McCarthy of Adams. "He's a force to be reckoned with. New England will definitely have a plan for him. I think the young guys have really taken to him and I think Davante's leadership continues to grow, not just in the wide receiver room but throughout the football team."

Adams is on pace for 118 catches, 1,577 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns through Green Bay's first seven games. With those types of numbers, Adams knows he'll likely get extra attention from the Patriots and top cornerback Stephon Gilmore Sunday.

Adams openly embraces that challenge. Four years ago, he enjoyed a career day early on against single coverage. Now, he wants to match that production regardless of what New England throws his way.

"It's kind of cool how it goes full circle," Adams said. "You go from having production because you were the No. 3 and nobody is kind of paying attention to you, so I can squeeze through the cracks, to now I'm sure they'll be game-planning for some of the things I've done.