Opponent Scouting Report

Let’s Go Get a GD Snack: Week 16 Scouting Report vs. New York Jets

December 21, 2016 by Adam Magnacca

What a satisfying win. Everyone keeps talking about how this win feels old fashioned, behind a stout defense and a balanced and effective offensive attack. The Broncos are also a team every Pats fan wanted to see squished by the big foot of TB12/BB. Now with a first round bye (holla) and the fate of their seeding in their own hands, I don’t expect to see them to take their foot off the gas. That’s not Belichick’s style. Plus, better to only rest guys who are hurting in Week 17, you don’t want them to get too rusty sitting on their couches in January for too long. The Jets games are always an intense battle but the Patriots are riding high and could seriously feast here.

Here’s everything you need to know about the NY Jets, aka, “The Slaves of Ryan Fitzpatrick.”

Week 16 vs. New York Jets

Saturday December 24

1:00 pm, CBS

Low 40’s/High 30’s, minimal chance of precipitation, 12 mph winds

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Grudge Match: Week 15 Scouting Report: The Denver Broncos

December 14, 2016 by Adam Magnacca

After a long week with an extra day of recovery, The Pats are now on a short week to prepare for the Denver Broncos. This game doesn’t feel like it has the last few years, partly because Peyton Manning is gone, and partly because the Broncos have certainly lost a step. The Patriots could knock the Broncos out of playoff contention so they’re fighting for their lives here. There is nothing I love more than being the spoiler for Denver this season so let’s get to it.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Denver Broncos, aka, “John Elway’s Free Agent Frenzy”

Week 15 at Denver Broncos

Sunday December 18

4:25 pm, CBS

Low 20’s (Patriot football weather), Minimal chance of precipitation, 6 mph winds

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The Beginning of The Season: Week 14 Scouting Report of the Baltimore Ravens

December 7, 2016 by Adam Magnacca

This season so far has been a typical Pats year for the second half of the BB/TB12 era. A September Stinker, ups and downs with how talented the offense/defense is, hot takes galore on Brady and BB, a clear lead in the AFC East, and an important injury. Now that we’re through all of that muck, the season sort of really begins. The Patriots now have a clear mind of the playoff picture and not that the games before didn’t matter, but we know exactly what is at stake for these games now. The games matter, the teams are better, and the end of the season is closer. Here’s where the season really begins.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Baltimore Ravens, aka, “John Harbaugh and The Rule Changers”

Week 14 vs Baltimore Ravens

Monday December 12

8:30 EST, ESPN

High 30’s, 80% chance, 12 mph winds

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Week 13 Scouting Report: Los Angeles Rams

November 30, 2016 by Adam Magnacca

willie mcginest sb36

The Patriots have defeated the Jets, got three turnovers, and made a clutch defensive play to end the game. All is right in the world and it is time to turn the page. This upcoming week, the team will be celebrating their 15 year anniversary victory over the (formerly known as) St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. There will be plenty of pageantry, but the team will be sure not to lose focus on the game in front of them. The only player on the roster from that victory is the GOAT himself, TB12. Talk about a throwback for the 39 year old who was only in his second year when he watched Adam Vinatieri kick the game winning field goal. Those teams now are both long gone and this is a new game, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be nice to watch highlights from the Super Bowl while Tom Terrific and BB thrash the Rams of today.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Los Angeles Rams, aka, “Jeff Fisher’s 7-9ers”

Week 13 at Los Angeles Rams

Sunday December 4

1 pm EST, FOX

Low 40’s, 5% chance of rain, 10 mph winds

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Week 12 Scouting Report: The New York Jets

November 23, 2016 by Adam Magnacca

The Patriots handled San Francisco about as well as we all hoped they would. The defense redeemed themselves in a pretty solid overall performance and the offense proved they could be just as intimidating sans Gronk and Chris Hogan. Now, here might be where the trap game comes. The Jets, while only having won three games, should not be overlooked. No team in the NFL is a gimme but this one might look pretty tempting. There is something about an away division game that could make for a more exciting game than Pats Nation may be comfortable with.

Here’s everything you need to know about the New York Jets, aka, “The Team of Many QBs (none of which are good).”

Week 12 at New York Jets

Sunday November 27

4:25 pm EST, CBS

High 40’s, 20% chance of rain, 9 mph winds

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Redemption Round: Week 11 San Francisco 49ers Scouting Report

November 16, 2016 by Adam Magnacca

Okay so last week’s loss was tough. But let’s look at it realistically:

It was a battle to the end. Came down to the very last play.
The Seahawks are one of the three best teams in the NFL aside from New England
#noinjuries (except maybe Gronk but I’m deciding he’s officially fine lalalala)

So now, the team has a chance to right the ship, and historically, Belichick is great after his team loses.

Here’s everything you need to know about the San Francisco 49ers, aka “The NFL’s Punching Bag”

Week 10 at San Francisco 49ers

Sunday November 20

4:25 pm EST, CBS

High 50’s, 80% chance of rain, 7mph winds

Opponent/Patriots Stats
49ers: 1-8

Notable Games: The 9ers lone win of the season came Week 1 when they put up 28 points on the Rams defense and blanked them on offense. Their least ugly loss (they’re not in good shape) was last week against the Cardinals with a final score of 23-20.

Common Opponents: Arizona Cardinals (Pats won, 49ers lost both contests), Seattle Seahawks (both teams lost), Buffalo Bills (49ers lost, Pats won 2nd time, lost 1st match up).

History vs. Pats: Tom Brady never played at the famed Candlestick Park, his hometown field, before it was torn down to make the current Levi’s Stadium. The Patriots have only played the 49ers 3 times in the TFB/BB Era with a 2-1 record. The last time the teams met was in 2012 with a win by the Kaepernick led 49ers.

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Week 8 Scouting Report: Buffalo Bills

October 26, 2016 by Adam Magnacca

What a busy Tuesday in Pats Nation (or Bill’s Mafia as Doug Kyed penned) yesterday was. The Patriots dealt away TE AJ Derby, my training camp binky, to the Broncos for a 5th round pick in 2017, and traded for Lions LB Kyle Van Noy and a 7th rounder in exchange for a 6th rounder. We won’t get into draft/trade talk here, but just keep in mind BB might not be done wheeling and dealing just yet.

The Bills have slowly turned into a worthy adversary, being the only real contender in the AFC East. Sexy Rexy is notorious for throwing his best at Tom Brady and the Buffalo offense has come to life under an inspired running game. This will be a great challenge for Brady and Co.

Here is everything you need to know about The Buffalo Bills aka, “The Only Team to stop Jacoby Brissett”

Week 8 at Buffalo Bills

Sunday October 30

1 pm EST, CBS

Low 50’s 80% chance of rain, 16 mph winds

Opponent/Patriots Stats
Bills: 4-3

Notable Games: In Week 2 Rex Ryan fired then OC Greg Roman and since their Week 4 shut out win against NE, the Bills have turned it around and proved their worth.

Common Opponents: Arizona Cardinals (Both teams won), Miami Dolphins (Pats won, Bills lost).

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