Category: Patriots

Though they did it with more difficulty than most foresaw, the Patriots defeated the Texans, 34-16, in a hard-fought divisional playoff match. New England advances to the AFC Championship for a record sixth year in a row, taking on Pittsburgh Sunday evening at 6:40. As someone who predicts these games with all the assurance of … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Observations, Texans Review

The lack of excitement surrounding New England's playoff premiere seems a little … weird? Looking at both teams, the Patriots should win their tilt with Houston Saturday night. Plenty of statistical evidence backs them up, from their win over the Texans in Week Three, to the addition of Tom Brady since then, to the Space … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Observations, Playoff Bye Week

We go into every season knowing that, some day, some year, another team in the AFC East will overtake the Patriots. That year was not 2016. As they have since 2009, Tom Brady and friends won the division, this year finishing atop the NFL standings with a win over a division rival. (For a fun look back, … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Observations, Dolphins Review

  In a game with about as much suspense as a first-grader's knock-knock joke, New England stepped on New York early and kept the pressure on their foot, piling up both Patriots points and Jets turnovers in a 41-3 gift to Gillette fans. Or, as play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle put it at the two-minute warning, … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Observations, Jets Review

This past Sunday, New England turned their perennial nightmare venue into a dream showcase, using all three facets of their game to beat conference rival Denver 16-3. In the process, they won the AFC East for the eighth year in a row and secured a first-round bye. (It says a lot about the expectations of … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Observations, Broncos Review

Amazing how much a late comeback can change one's point of view. Trailing 17-16, the Patriots strode down the field with help from the arm and brain of quarterback Tom Brady, who needed all of three minutes, eight seconds to go 83 yards resulting in the winning TD pass to rookie Malcolm Mitchell. Defensive end … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Observations, Jets Review

"Well, that is how you go into a bye week."  That's what I typed Sunday evening to begin my column. Just a simple, easy line marking the enthusiasm that abounded in New England after the Patriots smacked the Bills, 41-25, gaining a league-best 7-1 record and a three-game lead in the AFC East heading into … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Observations, Bills Review

A brief history seems in order here. In 1981, your New England Patriots went 2-14, earning the nickname "The Patsies." They played the Baltimore "Dolts" in the season finale, with both teams ending the season at 2-14 (Baltimore's two wins coming against New England). In the strike-shortened 1982 season, the Patriots went 5-4. They managed … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Observations, Steelers Review