https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2017/10/23/5-takeaways-from-the-patriots-satisfying-win-over-the-falcons

"VAN NOY CONTINUES TO DELIVER

When the Patriots divulged that linebacker Kyle Van Noy had received a two-year contract extension last month, the news was met with some questions. Just days earlier his struggles had seemed to contribute to the Patriots’ problems against the Chiefs, and at that point it might have been hard to see him as a centerpiece of a competitive defense.

That’s no longer so difficult to do. Sunday night marked Van Noy’s fourth straight game with seven tackles, two of those resulting in losses, and one of those blowing up Tyler Gabriel’s end-around attempt with the Falcons trying some trickery on fourth and goal from the 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

Preserving what was then a 20-0 advantage, that play effectively put an end to Atlanta’s hopes of a comeback, and highlighted Van Noy’s emergence as a playmaker at the heart of the defense. He has taken over a leadership role, taking some of the burden off Dont’a Hightower, and also helping the Pats survive the absence of the oft-injured Hightower, who missed time in Sunday’s second half after hurting his shoulder.

Since that Chiefs game he hasn’t been made to look like a liability in coverage, and he’s already set a career high with 3.5 sacks. Put it together and, at age 26, Van Noy is starting to not only look worthy of being the Patriots’ second highest-paid linebacker, but a piece to build around moving forward."