New England Patriots Links 12/28/12 - Will Fins Follow Jags' Plan Against Pats?

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Dolphins Thursday Injury Report.
• Erik Scalavino shares his practice and locker room notebook from Thursday at Gillette. Pats practiced outside in helmets and shells.
• AP Report: Tom Brady finds a positive in recent struggles.
• Patriots Today - Almost perfect at practice. (1.57 min. video)
• Patriots Today - What will Ridley do? (3.05 min. video)
• Locker Room Uncut - Talking Pro Bowl, Miami and more. (3.51 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Matt Chatham explains exactly what the Jaguars did to confuse the Patriots and wonders if Miami will copy the Jags game plan.
• Michael Whitmer doesn't think the Dolphins are scared off by cold weather.
• Jeff Howe looks at the hits Brady has taken the last two games and says pass protection has become a concern.
• Jeff Howe notes Aaron Hernandez knows he has struggled the last two games and vows a return to form.
• Christopher Price separates more fact from fiction heading into Sunday's Pats-Fins game. Myth No. 1: Momentum matters going into the postseason.
• Mike Rodak shares some quick hits from the Patriots locker room yesterday.
• Christopher Price tries to measure the impact of Aqib Talib on the Patriots defense.
• Field Yates points to some pluses that came from Jermaine Cunningham's absence.
• Nick Underhill focuses on the relationship between Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
• Mike Reiss posts the transcript of his weekly online chat. Some terrific insight here, as usual, and worth a read.
• Tedy Bruschi recaps his weekly Patriots chat.
• Christopher Price ranks the QB situation for all 32 NFL teams.
• Jim Lazar believes the Hooded one flexed his muscles to flex his game, and makes his Week 17 picks. Pats, 31-16.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Aqib Talib has been dedicated to treatment for his ailing hip; Talib is greatly looking forward to his playoff debut; Brian Hoyer will make his first career start Sunday when his Cardinals meet the 49ers; The Pats perfect practice attendance streak (5) ended when Marquice Cole (finger) missed the last session.
• Shalise Manza Young Patriots Notebook: It's unclear whether Aqib Talib will play Sunday or not; Matthew Slater was happy to be voted in to the Pro Bowl but would rather be in New Orleans instead; Vince Wilfork reiterated the need for the Patriots to get off to a stronger start Sunday; Players practiced outside in the wind and rain yesterday.

NATIONAL NEWS

• James Walker (ESPN) On Patriots' potential playoff opponents.
• Countdown Daily (ESPN) Inside the numbers: Dolphins-Pats. (1 min. clip)
• Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) Old foes Manning, Brady posted as co-favorites to win the Super Bowl.
• Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Possible dream matchups are within reach for first round of playoffs.
• Chris Burke (SI) NFL predictions for 2013. Patriots will beat the Packers in the Super Bowl.
• Michael Rosenberg (SI) Filling out the 2013 sports calendar ... in advance.
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) Bruce Arians dark-horse candidate for top coach honor. Bill Belichick ranked 'close to award-worthy'.
• Eric Edholm (Pro Football Weekly) Still plenty to determine in Week 17.
• Russell S. Baxter (Cold Hard Football Facts) Week 17 Matter of Facts: Texans look for first win ever in Indianapolis.
• Peter King (SI) Weekend pickoff: Week 17. Patriots 27, Dolphins 20.
• Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) Cheat Sheet: Week 17 full of drama.
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) Week 17 Game Rankings: Washington put it all on line.
• Experts (CBS Sports) Week 17 NFL Picks straight up. All eight pick New England to win.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Week 17 picks. Patriots 31-14.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Week 17 picks. Both pick Patriots over Dolphins.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Raiders place Richard Seymour on IR.

VIEW FROM MIAMI

• Chris Perkins (Sun Sentinel) Dolphins' Joe Philbin a blend of organization, discipline and a bit of humor.
• AP Report (Sun Sentinel) Plenty at stake in Dolphins-Patriots finale.
• Andy Kent (MiamiDolphins.com) D-line getting a big push from Odrick.
• Dave Hyde (Sun Sentinel) Staff predictions: Dolphins vs. Patriots. Unanimous Pats over Fins.