The New England Patriots have been far from perfect over the first half of the season, starting with a stunning, season-opening setback to the Kansas City Chiefs that quickly quelled the preposterous prediction of going 19-0.

What they have been is pretty resilient when it comes to dealing with adversity, be it a lack of communication on defense or a lack of continuity on offense. That has them sitting at 6-2 during their bye week, good for first place in the AFC East and tied for tops in the conference.

Running back James White, signaling a first down during the second half of New England's win over San Diego on Oct. 29, has been one of the Patriots' standouts in the first half of the season, despite somewhat limited opportunities. Associated Press/Michael Dwyer

Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches a pass in front of cornerback Stephon Gilmore on Sept. 24, a common sight in a disappointing Patriots debut season for Gilmore. Associated Press/Steven Senne

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But it’s not a stretch to think they could be anywhere from 2-6 to 5-3.

Perhaps Brandin Cooks doesn’t make that phenomenal, winning catch against the Houston Texans. Maybe the New York Jets are the recipient of a favorable call rather than the Patriots. Or the Atlanta Falcons or Los Angeles Chargers don’t take themselves down with self-inflicted wounds.

With that in mind, let’s hand out the midseason grades:

QUARTERBACKS (B+)

Tom Brady leads the league in attempts (309), completions (206) and yards (2,541). He’s tied for second in fewest interceptions (2), tied for third in touchdowns (16) and is fifth in completion percentage (66.7). Those are super stats. But Brady stunk against the Chiefs and was so-so against the Jets and Chargers with under- and overthrown passes. For some reason, he has frequently hung Chris Hogan out to dry with high balls, and were it not for inept defensive backs, he’d have another three or four picks.

RUNNING BACKS (B)

James White leads the team and ranks second among the league’s running backs with 43 receptions. He has also excelled in pass protection. Dion Lewis hardly played in the first four games, but has since emerged as the lead back and is averaging a robust 4.7 yards a carry. Rex Burkhead missed four games with injured ribs, but nonetheless has 12 receptions and looks like a keeper. Not so for fellow newcomer Mike Gillislee, who has been undependable in short-yardage situations despite rushing for four touchdowns.

RECEIVERS (B+)

The depth of talent at this position has been on full display, with Julian Edelman out for the season and Malcolm Mitchell yet to play. Cooks (33 catches), Hogan (33) and Danny Amendola (31) are a true triple threat. Cooks is averaging 17.1 yards per catch, good for fifth in the league among those with 20-plus receptions. Hogan has five touchdown receptions, tying him for sixth. Amendola has caught 74 percent of his targeted passes and produced a first down on 65 percent of his receptions.

TIGHT ENDS (C)

Split grade here. Rob Gronkowski is back to his usual defense-destroying self after undergoing back surgery last season. Despite missing a game, he’s tied for fourth in receptions (34) and is second in yards (509), touchdowns (5) and yards per catch (15.0) among all tight ends. Give him an A-minus as he’s had penalty issues and a couple of drops. Dwayne Allen, whom the Patriots erroneously traded for rather than re-sign the productive Martellus Bennett, has no catches. Give him a D-minus as his blocking has been OK.

OFFENSIVE LINE (B-)

The chemistry returned from last season. The consistency has not. The Patriots are tied for 21st in the league in yards per carry (3.9) and have struggled in short-yardage situations. Some of that is on the backs; much of it is on the line. Brady has been sacked 21 times, the good news being only five times in the last three games. Left tackle Nate Solder has struggled in pass protection, and right tackle Marcus Cannon only regained his All-Pro form in mid-October before being felled by an ankle injury.

DEFENSIVE LINE (C)

Lawrence Guy has been a pleasant surprise at tackle. The same can’t be said for the frequently underperforming tandem of Alan Branch and Malcom Brown. Plenty of pressure was placed on third-year DE Trey Flowers entering the season. He hasn’t wilted, collecting 36 tackles, 31/2 sacks and 91/2 additional quarterback hits while expending high energy in playing 91 percent of the defensive snaps. Rookies Deatrich Wise Jr. (3 sacks, 10 QB hits) and Adam Butler (sack) easily have exceeded early expectations.

LINEBACKERS (C-)

Dont’a Hightower was misused early, being deployed at end. Then he got injured, returned and shined in the middle – notably improving communication – before suffering a season-ending injury. All in all, it was a wasted year. Kyle Van Noy is second on the team in tackles (55), tied for first in sacks (31/2) and hardly ever leaves the field. That makes him the best of an average lot by default. Elandon Roberts continues to be injury prone and a liability in pass coverage. David Harris has been a disappointment.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (C-)

The secondary improved in October when it came to communication and coverage after a dreadful September, so there’s hope yet. Stephon Gilmore has obviously been a high-priced bust, unable to adapt to the Patriots’ game-plan approach. Conversely, the hustling Malcolm Butler has overcome a shaky start to pile up 32 tackles, 2 interceptions and 5 additional passes defensed. Safeties Devin McCourty (57) and Patrick Chung (34) rank 1-4 on the team in tackles, but surprisingly have had lapses in coverage.

SPECIAL TEAMS (B+)

The kick and punt coverage units rank sixth and seventh in the league. They’ve provided the Patriots with the edge in field position. Amendola is tied for fifth in punt returns (11.2 average) and Lewis, on the strength of a 71-yarder, is seventh in kick returns (24.2). Cassius Marsh and Lawrence Guy blocked field goals, and Brandon King recorded a safety. Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 58-yard field goal, but missed three FGs and an extra point. Punter Ryan Allen has had his share of shanks.

COACHING (B-)

Bill Belichick and his staff have adjusted as well as can be expected following season-ending injuries to Edelman and Hightower. And there’s no doubt the Patriots improved defensively from September to October. However, the offense regressed during that time. Despite having months to prepare, the game plan was a mess in a season-opening loss to the Chiefs that could be costly come the playoffs. Then there are low marks for the failure to coach up Dwayne Allen and Gilmore.

STAR PUPILS

RB White: The hero of Super Bowl LI has continued to star this season – when given the opportunity, as White inexplicably had a supporting role against the Chiefs, Texans and Jets.

DE Flowers: The 6-foot-2, 265-pound Flowers only knows one way to play, and that’s all out. He’s a true impact player. There is some concern he’ll wear down in the second half.

CLASS DUNCES

TE Allen: Allen played 56 percent of the offensive snaps and caught 35 of 52 targeted passes for the Colts last season. He’s at 33 percent and 0 for 6 with the Patriots.

CB Gilmore: By all accounts, Gilmore works hard. It just hasn’t worked out thus far. It’s imperative that changes because there are $65 million reasons why he isn’t going anywhere soon.

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