Tag Archives: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Recap of the Patriots’ First Preseason Win in Detroit

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Tonight’s game was a bittersweet game for the Patriots as they earned their first victory of the preseason against the Detroit Lions. Players showed evident improvement this week as they continue to prepare for the regular season.

A fast-paced start from the Patriots’ starting offense was quickly brought to a halt, at the sound of a whistle for an injury timeout. Julian Edelman went down in the opening minutes of the first quarter with an apparent knee injury and was shortly carted off into the locker room.

Ian Rapoport and mutliple sources have reported after the game’s conclusion that Edelman has suffered a torn ACL, and will undergo an MRI in the days to come.

With Edelman’s season likely over prematurely, fellow wide receivers Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola are expected to step up. Whoever takes over the role left vacant by Julian Edelman will likely run more complicated routes in the middle of the field, rather than simple fly routes like Brandin Cooks.

On a more optimistic note, on the other side of the field, the Patriots’ defensive starters showed marked improvement in this game compared to their last two matchups. Stephon Gilmore had a great performance early in the game, while only batting down a pass and recording a tackle he showed success in covering his assignment. The starting defense as a whole made key stops in order to shut out the Lions starters in the first quarter.

The backup defense appeared better this week, but the secondary squad allowed a comeback in the second half against the Lions starters. The influx of points let up by the backup squad was expected by Coach Belichick, but he saw it as a challenge for them.

Overall, the Patriots are showing the growth and development needed to live up to their high expectations this season.

New England Patriots v Detroit Lions : News Photo

 

The Patriots quest for an undefeated season

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ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?! These are the words that Patriots fans and football fans around the world long to hear every off-season leading up to week 1. The Patriots are coming off a super-bowl championship and a historic comeback against the Atlanta Falcons and are looking to repeat with an even better roster coming into this season.

With some major additions to this team such as Cooks, Ealy, Burkhead, and Gilmore, and the return of Malcolm Butler and Dont’a Hightower, this season has the potential to be a very special one. Being a HUGE Patriots fan I am looking forward to seeing what this roster can do and believe it could be an undefeated type of team. The current team looks like it could do what the 2007 team couldn’t, and that is to win the one last game, the biggest game of the year, the SUPER BOWL!

 

New England Patriots v Houston Texans

HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 19: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots warms up at NRG Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

 

Lets take a look at each game week by week and I will give my predictions and outlook for each game:

 

Week 1 – Chiefs @ Patriots

For a week one match-up to start the season this will be a good challenge to see what this Patriots team is about this season. The Chiefs always seem to play the Patriots tough whether it is on the road or at home and its largely in part to the coaching style of Andy Reid.

I personally think Alex Smith is no more than a system quarterback and is basically an average QB at best who does not throw a lot of touchdowns to his WR group. If the Patriots can shut down TE Travis Kelce then I think the defense and the offense will work together and make this game a one sided affair with the Pats secondary completely shutting the Chiefs down.

Prediction: Patriots 31 / Chiefs 13

 

Week 2 – Patriots @ Saints 

Week two features another exciting early season match-up that should test the Patriots on the road right away. With the addition of Adrian Peterson and a strong offense lead by Drew Brees and stud second year wide out Michael Thomas, the Saints offense should look to challenge the Patriots early on specifically trying to get the passing game opened up by a strong run game lead by AP.

Also in this match-up we see a return to New Orleans for ex-Saint wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Patriot fans get ready because Cooks can FLAT OUT BALL and is a burner down the side lines with a great set of hands and a HIGH FOOTBALL IQ. It will be fun all the way around to see how Cooks does in his first game back to NOLA. The Saints defense does not scare me one bit and I think Brady and the boys will look to mix the run game in but rely heavy on the passing game in this one.

Prediction: Patriots 24 / Saints 17

 

 

Week 3 – Texans @ Patriots 

Another good match-up here between a good Texans defense featuring big names like Cushing, Clowney, and Watt who will look to keep pressure on Brady all game and make him uncomfortable in the pocket. For me this game could be a BLOW OUT pending the offensive line play and the protection of TB12.

On the other side of the ball the Texans don’t do much to scare me other than making sure Hopkins and Lamar Miller are contained. I think this will be a one sided game in favor of the Pats especially playing in the House the Kraft built.

Prediction: Patriots 27 / Texans 10

 

Week 4 – Panthers @ Patriots 

One of the more intriguing match-ups to me on the schedule is when Cam and the Panthers come in to town. Anytime Cam Newton takes the field something special can / will happen but unfortunately for Cam he does not have much help on offense outside of Greg Olsen, Jonathan Stewart, and Kelvin Benjamin. On the defensive side of the ball you cant miss one of the best linebackers in the game in BC product, Luke Kuechly.

Again, this is another team where the defense shouldn’t change the Pats game-plan or worry them too much. Look for guys like Brady, Cooks, Edelman, and Gronkowski to have big games in this one. Also, look for Kony Ealy to have a good impact on the defensive side of the ball against his old team….. Pats win another one at home.

Prediction: Patriots 27 / Panthers 17

 

Carolina Panthers v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 

Week 5 – Patriots @ Buccaneers 

This one should be a no-brainer for the Pats and all 3 phases of the ball should fire on all cylinders. The only thing that could worry me in this game is the Buc’s young offense featured by stud QB Jameis Winston, star WR Mike Evans, another good WR in Da’sean Jackson, and RB Doug Martin (who is sketchy to say the least).

The Pats offense should have its way in this both on the ground and in the air. I look for Tommy to come out and have a MONSTER game in the sunshine state and blow the Buc’s out of the water.

Prediction: Pats 31 / Buc’s 20

 

Week 6 Patriots @ Jets (LOL)

There is not much more I can say about this Jets team besides LOL. This is a team who has a starting QB that was kicked out of practice for not properly breaking the huddle. Quite frankly Julian Edelman could play QB this week and we would still win hands down. This prediction is a quick one.

Prediction: Pats 24 / Jets 3 

J-E-T-S / SUCK SUCK SUCK!

 

Eeek 7 – Falcons @ Patriots (The Re-match)

This is the game all football fans want to see, a re-match of the super-bowl. Yes, the same super-bowl  match up and saw the Falcons blow a 28-3 lead against TB12 and the Patriots with 2:08 remaining in the 3rd quarter. This game is going to be tough, dirty, hard fought, and gritty. Buckle up football fans, this is what is all about.

On the Falcons side not much has changed besides guys like Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman, and Julio changes out for revenge and blood. The Falcons are stacked in all 3 phases of the game and make for one of the two most difficult match-ups the Patriots will have this season (the other being the Raiders).

With this game being a home game and a re-match of the Super Bowl, expect there to be fireworks coming from Tommy and the boys. I believe this will be a high scoring game that eventually turns away from the run and ends up in the air with bomb after bomb coming from both teams.

The match-up to watch is this game is going to be whichever corner covers Julio Jones. To me the best bet to cover him is the taller corner in Gilmore, but come on….is there really any stopping Julio Jones? As the late, great Stewart Scott use to say, “You cant stop him, you can only hope to contain him.”.

Prediction: Patriots 28 / Falcons 24

#NeverForget ….. LETS GOOOOOO!!!!!!

 

Week 8 – Chargers @ Patriots

The match-ups with the Chargers always seem to be fun due to the intensity level a guy like Philip Rivers can bring to a game. For me this game is an easy one to predict as the Patriots offense should beat up on a weaker defense lead by stud defensive end Joey Bosa.

The Chargers come with some good offensive fire power in the form of Rivers, Melvin Gordon, Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin, Hunter Henry, and the ageless wonder Antonio Gates. If the Patriots can limit a good running back in Gordon in this game then I think the Patriots linebackers and secondary can handle the passing attack of the Chargers which will lead to the Patriots offense scoring a bunch against their defense especially in a home game.

Prediction: Patriots 35 / Chargers 17

 

Week 9 – BYE WEEK (PATRIOTS STILL SOMEHOW WIN LOL)

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - Round One

 

Week 10 – Patriots @ Broncos 

Typically this is a BIG time match-up between two teams who CLEARLY dislike one another but with Peyton gone it just doesn’t have the same type of feel to it. Luckily for football fans there still is the threat that is the Broncos defense.

The Broncos have two good cornerbacks in Chris Harris, and Aqib Talib (formerly of the Patriots) and also have one of the dirtiest players in their secondary in T.J. Ward who can also flat out ball at his position. Besides the secondary there are a few other keys players that will be looking to plant Brady on his backside and those two guys are Von Miller and Brandon Marshall.

Personally for me if the Patriots O-Line can limit the attack on Brady and keep him upright then I think the Patriots can do damage in the running game which will open up the skies for TB12 to throw some bombs in this one. As far as the Bronco’s offense they have two good WR’s in Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas but we also possess what could be the best secondary in the league which I don’t think will have any problem locking them down.

Lets also not forget the Broncos don’t have the best guy leading the charge in Trevor Siemian, or Paxton Lynch. Look for the Patriots to blitz and blitz a lot in this one. The run game will also need to step up as a former stud RB is in the backfield for the Broncos in the form of Jamaal Charles teaming with an always dangerous C.J. Anderson.

Prediction: Patriots 21 / Broncos 17

 

Week 11 – Patriots @ Raiders (IN MEXICO)

This game should be one of the more exciting games in the league all year long. Not only do we have a young, stacked, beast-mode lead Raiders team going against The Goat and his crew but there is always the treat of some cartel activity in Mexico!

All jokes aside this will be the toughest match-up for the Patriots besides the match-up against the Falcons. Not only are the Raiders young and lead by a great QB in Derek Carr but they have fire power on offense in Marshawn Lynch, Michael Crabtree, and Amari Cooper. On the defensive side of the ball there is Khalil Mack (Best LB in football), Jealni Jenkins, Bruce Irvin, Reggie Nelson, and Sean Smith.

This game will be a back and forth slug-fest between 2 of the leagues better teams and ultimately I have the Pats winning the game and facing the Raiders in a re-match in the AFC Championship game. I believe the Pats offense and their experience will be too much for the Raiders to handle on a neutral field in this match-up.

Prediction: Pats 27 / Raiders 24

 

Week 12 – Dolphins @ Patriots

Oddly enough these two rivals dont play one another until the later weeks of the season with the second match-up coming only two weeks later in week 14. With Tannehill going down on a non-contact knee injury and the phins’ bringing in Jay Cutler, the Patriots game plan should really only be stopping Jay Ajayi and limiting Jarvins Landry on offense and special teams. Also, the O-line needs to protect Brady from any dirty plays lead by non other than, Ndamukong Suh.

Patriots should have no problem squishing the fish in either match-up…

Prediction: Patriots 31 / Dolphins 10

 

Week 13 – Patriots @ Bills

Another in-division rivalry that starts later in the season, the Bills always give the Patriots a little bit of a hard time. Tyrod Taylor has good days and bad days and this year I think both match-ups will be bad days for him seeing as how they got rid of his only weapon in Sammy Watkins, and also let Gilmore walk out the door and walk into Gillette Stadium. Another sleeper for the patriots who could emerge huge in this game is RB Mike Gillislee.

Look for Brady, Gronk, Cooks, Hogan, Edelman, Gillislee, Gilmore, Butler, McCourty, Hightower ALL TO EAT IN THIS GAME

Prediction: Patriots 27 / Bills 13

 

Week 14- Patriots @ Dolphins

Another repeat of the first match-up, this time in what figures to be nicer weather, the Patriots win this one but with a little more difficulty since it is in Miami which usually gives the Patriots some issues.

Prediction: Patriots 20 / Dolphins 14

 

Week 15 – Patriots @ Steelers 

In what use to be a fantastic match-up between Big Ben and Brady it looks like Big Ben’s better days are behind him. The Steelers are ALWAYS a threat due to their offensive fire power lead by Antonio Brown and Le’veon Bell. This year will be a little different as the Steelers figure to have the talented / big-bodied WR back in Martavis Bryant who can always be a match-up nightmare due to his size and speed.

The Patriots offense should take complete control in this game seeing as how the Steelers don’t have much of a pass rush or secondary to really keep them competitive with Brady and the boys. These games use to be close but for some reason I see that trend as a thing of the past. If the Patriots shut down Bell like they did in the AFC title game before his random injury, then I think the linebackers and secondary can shut down their TE’s and WR’s.

Prediction: Patriots 27 / Steelers 17

 

Week 16 – Bills @ Patriots 

Again, the Bills just don’t have enough fire power or star power to compete with the patriots especially this late in the year during a playoff push and especially when its in Foxboro. Give credit to Bill’s Mafia for always making the tailgating fun to watch though….another blow out…

Prediction: Patriots 31 / Bills 14

 

Week 17 – Jets @ Patriots

LOL – ENOUGH SAID

Prediction: Patriots 28 / Jets 3

 

 

Post Season Predictions:

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP –

Raiders @ Patriots

Patriots 24 / Raiders 17

 

SUPER BOWL –

Packers @ Patriots

Patriots 34 / Packers 24

 

OUTCOME:

Patriots go UNDEFEATED and WIN their 6th Super Bowl and TB12 is named MVP….. LETS GOOOOOO!!!!!

 

 

 

5 players to watch in Patriots preseason game No. 2 vs. Texans.

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We have reached week two of the preseason. In last week’s preseason matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, there were a couple of rookies putting on a clinic. Both Austin Carr and Jacob Hollister made big plays, therefore making their case that they deserve a roster spot.

This week the Patriots are taking on the Houston Texans. Once again players on the bubble have a shot to prove their value. With Bill Belichick’s “Next Man Up” mentality there is always an opportunity on this team. It is also a safe bet that we’ll see more of the starters this week.

That being said, here are five players to watch closely in the Patriots second preseason game:

1.) RB Rex Burkhead

Last week Dion Lewis got a bulk of the carries. According to NESN’s Doug Kyed tomorrow nights workload should belong to Rex Burkhead, who is expected to make his Patriots debut.

Burkhead was brought in during the offseason for his versatility. Belichick loves players that can contribute in multiple ways. He is a key special teams contributor and has even split out wide.  Also with Gillislee still out, he has received a majority of running back reps on handoffs with the first-team offense. Look for him to make some plays against that Texans defense.

2.) DE Kony Ealy

Kony Ealy will look to bounce back after a disappointing preseason debut. Ealy did suffer a shoulder injury this week, but returned to the practice field and appears to be okay. With the recent head injuries to rookie defensive ends Deatrich Wise and a knee injury to Derek Rivers (who is now out for the season,) Ealy will receive more opportunities to see the field.

According to CSNNE’s Mike Giardi, Ealy is coming around.

Ealy is a former second-round pick and has all the talent in the world to succeed at this level. The time is now for Ealy and he’s expected to see plenty of snaps on Saturday night.

3.) CB Cyrus Jones

Cyrus Jones played about as bad as it gets in last weeks preseason opener. After getting burned for a 97-yard touchdown fans are ready to give up.

But allow me to remind you how bad Marcus Cannon once looked. Before he turned his career around he was thought to be a bust. Cannon has since then turned himself into one of the Patriots best offensive lineman. Cyrus Jones looks to take a page from Cannon’s book. He’s still a very young player in only his second season. Jones has to bounce back. This is a very important game for Jones and his tenure with the Patriots with so many people calling for Belichick to cut the young cornerback. It’s becoming must watch because he’s either going to muff a punt, give up a huge play, or finally bust open a big return.

4.) QB Jimmy Garoppolo

So looking at Garoppolo’s stat line, you’d say he played pretty well last week. He finished 22-of-28 for 235 yards, with two touchdowns, and no interceptions. However in the words of Bill Belichick, “stats are for losers.”

Some people, such as WEEI’s Ryan Hannable got a little giddy.

But was he really that impressive? Garoppolo started out slow and struggled against the Jaguars starters on defense. It wasn’t until after the first quarter and well into the game that Garoppolo finally got into a groove. Garoppolo missed multiple routine throws. It also shouldn’t go unnoticed that he didn’t play well until he was throwing against Jacksonville’s second and third-string secondary.

Here’s a prime example:

We’ll see if Belichick decides to give Tom Brady the start. If I was a betting man, my money would be on Brady sitting out this game because of the injury risk against that tough Texans defense. However, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, the plan all week has been for all of the starters to play.

As for Garoppolo, look for him to build off last weeks performance. He has certainly shown flashes, but he needs to show some consistency.

 

5.) LB David Harris

Harris may very well be the Brandin Cooks acquisition of the defense. With all of these injuries piling up, Harris is a compelling piece to the Patriots defense. He gives them a solid linebacker behind Hightower with experience and toughness.  The only question now is whether or not Harris can still move. He was a tackling machine his entire career, but is he savvy enough not to get burned in coverage? I’m looking for the Patriots to give him plenty of snaps in these next couple of games to see if he’s picking up their system.

OPEN LETTER TO THE G.O.A.T – TB12

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Dear Tommy (or should I call you GOAT),

In the year 2000 at the NFL Draft a certain name would be called out loud that would become embedded into the brains of Patriot fans and NFL fans around the world. “With the 199th pick in the NFL draft, the New England Patriots select, Tom Brady, Quarterback from the University of Michigan.”  No one knew that this announcement would change the NFL and is storied history forever.

Bledsoe down, Brady up

I will never forget the year 2001.   In the seventh grade, I watched the Patriots play the New York Jets with Drew Bledsoe at quarterback. A young unknown was sitting on the bench that day wearing #12,  just waiting for the opportunity to play and prove more doubters wrong. Little did #12 know that his time to shine would come sooner rather than later thanks to a late hit delivered to Drew Bledsoe from the Jets Mo’ Lewis.

Many Patriot fans watched the game that day and figured it was just going to be another bad season for this team since its starting quarterback had gone down with a serious injury.   Then trotting on to the field came a guy no one knew existed, number 12, Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr.  I remember watching this young guy head to the sidelines in his first ever NFL game and I thought to myself, “Who is this guy? He must be terrified.” Little did I know nor did anyone else know that he would evolve into our cold-blooded, fearless, GOAT.

Claiming the Throne

Tommy, once you hit the field in 2001 and led us to a Super Bowl run you knew you would never look back.  The starting quarterback job for our beloved Patriots now belonged to you and you ALONE. I have watched you lead us to five Super Bowl wins, countless AFC Title games, and a number of other historic personal and team moments.  I STILL get chills every time I have the opportunity to watch you play. You have been through the wringer at the hands of the NFL and its red-nosed Commissioner.   You’ve had haters from every fan base and media outlet in the world saying you aren’t the best.  You’re a system quarterback, you’re only good because of your coach, the list goes on and on.  But even as you continue to get older, you strive for greater heights and continue to prove them wrong.

40 is the new 20?

You’re now at the ripe age of 40 and doing things most quarterbacks and athletes wish they could do when they were younger — to compete at a high level and more importantly, WIN at a high level. You show no signs of slowing down and you continuously leave it all on the field every week.  You truly are an inspiration and a hero to every kid or adult who dreams to achieve greatness and live life with a purpose every day.

You are LITERALLY a god and a savior in every sense of the word in New England.  On behalf of a fan base and a nation, I want to be greedy when I tell you to never stop and to never leave us. But I know someday this eventuality will turn into reality. I know you’re not a kid anymore and the days of watching you play will begin to wind down.  I will appreciate watching every snap you have left to take, knowing I am witnessing greatness and watching the best signal caller to ever play the great game of football.

A once-in-a-lifetime player

I want to say thank you for the memories I have of you as a kid and now to a man.  It has been a pleasure watching you play and compete at such a high level for as long as you have.  For playing the game the right way and being a great role model on and off the field. I’ve watched you hoist the Lombardi Trophy vs the Rams, Panthers, Eagles, and Seahawks and watched your historic/monumental comeback against the Falcons.  One thing is certain.   You, sir, are the GOAT and there will NEVER be another Tom Brady.

In closing I would like to wish you the best of luck this season and however many more seasons you end up playing in the NFL. Winning five trophies is epic, since there are great players who never got a single one.   But I’m fully aware that your career does not stop at five.  You have more hunger and drive in you.  Winning number six is NEVER out of the question. On behalf of ALL #PatsNation, thank you for all you have done and all you will  continue to do.

OH AND TOM, ONE MORE THING…..

LETS GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

 

SINCERELY,

ALL OF PATS NATION

#KissTheRings