Good read from Chris Price and more on this topic of the rookie class coming from yours truly in tomorrow’s B/R column which will be up later tonight.
New England Patriots’ Wideout Brandon Lloyd Is Silencing Critics with His Play | Oliver Thomas
New England Patriots’ Wideout Brandon Lloyd Is Silencing Critics with His Play | Oliver Thomas
Good read on Brandon Lloyd’s “breakout” game this past weekend. For all the talk of the need for a “deep threat” last off-season what the Pats really needed was just an X who could challenge a defense outside the numbers and beat man coverage. Lloyd’s ability to do both were on display Sunday night. Opponents in the playoffs will have to take notice.
Dennis & Callahan talk Pats, 49ers, and Jaguars with Greg Bedard (by WEEIVideo)
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/dennis-callahan-talk-pats-49ers-and-jaguars/
Predicting the AFC playoff race
With just two weeks to go there’s a lot of speculation of where the Patriots will end up in the AFC, and what their path to the Super Bowl will be. So here’s our take on how the chips will fall for anyone looking to do a little NFL betting.
1. Houston Texans (14-2)
Even if Houston loses one of their final games they won’t lose two and they have the head to head tie breaker over the Broncos. We can pretty much lock them in for the top seed.
2. New England Patriots (12-4)
The Patriots won’t lose either of their last two games but they’d need help and that means…
3. Denver Broncos (12-4)
Denver is going to lose to Kansas City. I know it might sound crazy, but Romeo Crennel has a history of giving Peyton Manning fits. Last time four weeks ago the score was just 17-9. Call it a hunch. Call it homerism. But I think Romeo and Scott Pioli are going to send the Pats one final thank you.
4. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
Has any team dropped back to earth more in the last few weeks? Ray Lewis’ return should help, but they seem like Super Bowl long shots now after looking like favorites early in the season. They’re in for a tough one against a Giants team that needs a win this weekend.
5. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
Colts should beat the Chiefs but drop the finale to the Texans. They’re unlikely to make it past the Wild Card round but talk about a season that exceeded everyone’s expectations.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
I’ve got the Steelers beating the Bengals and Browns to get in at 9-7, though both games will be closer than most would think. Pittsburgh is a secret scary team as the 6th seed. No one will want to play them with that defense.
White Christmas? Hell no! I’ll be dreaming of a Rainy Patriots Christmas instead.
Get ‘em while they’re still wet over at the Townie News Store.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/townienews-white-christmas-hell-no-ill-be/
NEW PatsPropaganda & Frenz today 11am EST: 49ers Buzzkill Recap
NEW PatsPropaganda & Frenz today 11am EST: 49ers Buzzkill Recap
Join me and Frenz as we try to figure out what happened against the 49ers and try even harder to get excited about the Jaguars game.
Patriots will be better next time vs. 49ers if there is a Super showdown – Patriots – Boston.com
Patriots will be better next time vs. 49ers if there is a Super showdown – Patriots – Boston.com
Encouraging wrap up from Bedard, but this issue remains the prime concern:
On defense, the Patriots started in their 4-3, then switched back and forth with a 3-4 while going through constant changes in the front seven, especially on the line, that kept the unit from getting in a flow. That led to the most problematic factor, and most concerning if there is a rematch, for the Patriots: a distinct lack of pressure from the defense. Despite blitzing the 49ers on 40 percent of the dropbacks, the Patriots only came up with pressure on 16.7 percent of the dropbacks. The latter figure is what the Patriots do against Mark Sanchez of the Jets (16.7 in first matchup, 15.4 in the second). It’s OK against a quarterback who has accuracy problems, but Colin Kaepernick is far from that — and he wasn’t flawless against the Patriots.