FOXBORO — Eight games down, eight to go.

Surely the opening half of this New England Patriots’ season hasn’t gone the way anyone thought. After the Pats posted an undefeated regular season last year and came within a sack-avoiding, helmet-pressing catch of winning the Super Bowl, it was logical to think that the Pats would simply pick up where they left off, albeit with a heck of a chip on their collective shoulder.

But through the ups and downs, New England has won more than it’s lost, and heads into this week’s showdown with Buffalo in the thick of the AFC East race.

A look at who’s who and what’s what to this point:

BIGGEST GHOST: Tom Brady. He looms large over everything, and it’s easy to wonder what things would be like for the Patriots had Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard not ended the reigning MVP’s season just minutes after it began: Would the Pats have more wins? Would Randy Moss break his own touchdown record? Would 60 percent of the offensive line be headed back to Hawaii?

BEST GHOST-SLAYER: Stephen Gostkowski. Adam Vinatieri will, rightfully, always have a place in the hearts of Pats’ fans. But after hearing Vinatieri’s name time and again for nearly all his rookie year, some of his second year and even occasionally now, Gostkowski has been New England’s most consistent performer this year, converting 19 of 20 field goals, recording 13 touchbacks and showing that he’s every bit as good as his predecessor. His career field-goal percentage of 85.7 is best in franchise history, topping — you guessed it — Vinatieri.

BEST PROOF OF A MISCONCEPTION: Jerod Mayo. There was a long-held belief that the Patriots under Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli simply don’t draft linebackers high in the draft, especially inside backers, preferring battle-tested veterans. Pioli told reporters last month that was a media perception and not the truth; as exhibit A, there’s Mayo. New England chose him 10th overall in the draft, and he has exceeded expectations, playing nearly every snap in defense and leading the team in tackles.

MORE PROOF POSITIVE: Gary Guyton. Another rookie inside linebacker who’s been a pleasant surprise, and Guyton was undrafted. Each year, an undrafted rookie makes the Pats’ 53-man roster, and Guyton was this year’s winner. But he’s taken it a step further than those before him, contributing not just on special teams but in sub defensive packages initially. Now he’s working with the regular defense as well, splitting time with Tedy Bruschi.

ALL HE DOES IS CATCH PASSES: Wes Welker. Tom Brady? Matt Cassel? Doesn’t matter to Welker. After setting a franchise record and tying for the league lead with 112 catches last year, Welker is on pace for exactly that many this season, and with at least six catches this Sunday will set a new league record by recording six or more grabs in each of the first nine games of the season.

HEAD JANITOR: Kevin Faulk. After New England’s win over the Rams, a game in which Faulk had 60 yards rushing and 47 yards receiving, including the game-winning touchdown catch, Belichick said the 10-year veteran is all about team and would mop the floors at Gillette Stadium if that’s what New England needed of him. Asked to shoulder more of the rushing load in recent weeks, Faulk is still averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

BEST COMEBACK: Richard Seymour. The five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman came into the season declaring himself healthy for the first time in two years, and he’s gone out and shown it. Seymour is back to his disruptive best, beating offensive linemen and pressuring quarterbacks, totaling four sacks and nine quarterback hits.

‘SWEETEST’ QUOTE: Troy Brown. During his tear-filled retirement press conference, Brown was asked how he knew it was time for him to call it a career. “I couldn’t stop going to Baskin-Robbins,” for ice cream, he joked. “When June comes around, I am usually on a strict diet. When I (was) still going to Baskin-Robbins, I figured it was probably over.” New England will honor Brown and his 15-year career next Thursday night during its prime time game against the Jets.

smanza@projo.com