For the past several years, we at BSMW have organized our Patriots pre-draft thoughts into specific categories, filling in players' names for when New England tends to pick "that guy." (Here's last year's column.) This method has helped with a few predictions, including cornerback Cyrus Jones (The Alabama Guy), defensive lineman Deatrich Wise (The Long-Limbed … Continue reading Patriots “That Guy” Draft Preview, Senior Bowl Edition

After over three hours of feeling my heart tumbling around in my chest like a UCLA gymnast, the Patriots put an end to the tension with a Rex Burkhead touchdown in overtime, sending Arrowhead Stadium fans home to contemplate the end of their season and whether or not they should continuing embracing the tomahawk chop … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Notes, Kansas City Coronary Edition

Wow. You're welcome, dear readers. A blowout, not nearly as close at the 41-28 final score indicates. Just like I called it last week: This has to turn into a nail-biter, right? Like, a 2014 Baltimore playoff, losing-feeling-in-my-fingers, stomach-on-spin-cycle type game ... (I predict) a late Chargers field goal attempt to tie it gets blown … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Notes, Chargers Review

I'm going to pick games for the upcoming divisional round this weekend. As I said to my wife on our honeymoon, based on my past performance, this will not be pretty. (All times in Eastern.) Colts at Chiefs (-5.5). Saturday, 4:35, NBC Colts looked sharp last week. They bring enough on defense to limit KC on a few drives; … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Notes, Pre-Division Edition

Well, not the worst way to ring in the New Year, right? A first-round bye, meaning an extra week for the Patriots to rest up while also advancing in the playoffs. Not too shabby. New England did what they needed to do, beating the flightless Jets to secure second place in the AFC. For a … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Notes, Jets And Happy New Bye Edition

Foxboro fans find themselves in the midst of truly happy holidays, as their Patriots have won their tenth AFC East championship in a row with a 24-12 home win over the Bills. New England has a chance to go 11-5 on the year by beating the Jets next Sunday at 1 p.m., which would also … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Notes, Bills And AFC East Champs Edition

I'm not even going to talk about the Miami Meltdown. Haven't read about it, don't want to hear about it, don't need to go over it. Okay, one thing. From now on, let's have safety Obi Melifonwu take the place of tight end Rob Gronkowski on the ol' Hail Mary defense. Melifonwu is a 6-foot-4 … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Notes, 2018 So Far Review

So, I guess the Patriots are a fourth-quarter team now. In both Sunday's 24-10 defeat of the Vikings and their 27-13 win over the Jets the previous week, New England found themselves tied in the third quarter, only to score two touchdowns while holding opponents scoreless the rest of the way. Once again, an imperfect-yet-satisfying … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Notes, Vikings Review

Well, it's official. When it comes to most of 2018, Patriots' first quarters resemble my daughter's tantrums: I watch because I have to; I can do nothing to affect it as it happens; only as it's ending might something get accomplished.  New England trailed New York 7-0 early before tying it up with 1:18 left … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Notes, Jets Review

It's not tennis. It's not golf. It's not darts, or bowling, or long-distance running. Football requires a full team. Perhaps the most positive outcome of New England's 31-17 besting of Green Bay came in the display of timely team contributions. The offense started with a more overwhelming pace than the opening of ¡Sabado Gigante! to … Continue reading Patriots Thursday Notes, Packers Edition