Well, I guess hard work and good performance get rewarded in New England, as Albany native Dion Lewis has used a solid first three games to ink a new contract.

The deal breaks down like this:

It's been a great marriage between Lewis and the Patriots. Lewis signed a "Futures Contract" with the Patriots in January. That meant that he could join the Pats in offseason activities but wasn't eligible to play at the end of last season.

Lewis made the roster out of camp and earned the start in Week 1 against Pittsburgh. It helps that LeGarrette Blount was suspended for that game - and Lewis ran with the opportunity.

He gained more than 100 yards against both Pittsburgh and Buffalo in the first two weeks of the season. He's had at least four catches out of the backfield in every game this season as well. He has four touchdowns.

Playing with Tom Brady always helps too, as he loves to hit his backs in the receiving game.

The Patriots play the Cowboys this week.

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