TEAM TALK
- Patriots-Steelers Wednesday Injury Report.
- Erik Scalavino tells us what happened Wednesday at Gillette. Kelly, Washington, Vereen practicing again.
- Wednesday Pressers: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
- Matchup of the Week - How will Gronk matchup with Polamalu? (3.30 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Belichick breaks down Miami win. (6.22 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Locker room chatter. (3.27 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Sopoaga checks in. (3.19 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Vereen, Kelly return to practice. (2.19 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Christopher Price notes Tom Brady says the time is coming for the Patriots to get some separation from the rest of the field.
- Mike Reiss sees some promising signs for Patriots at the midpoint.
- Mark Farinella reports that the offense is still sputtering, even with Gronkowski.
- Jeff Howe reports relief is on the way as Isaac Sopoaga participated in his first practice yesterday, and Tommy Kelly returned after missing four weeks.
- Christopher Price says Isaac Sopoaga does a 'fast & the furious thing' to get to Foxboro as soon as possible.
- Doug Kyed thinks Isaac Sopoaga could take snaps from the rookies, and ten other Patriots thoughts.
- Karen Guregian notes the teeter-totter changes in targets for rookies Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson.
- Danny Picard talks with Kenbrell Thompkins about the lessons he learned from his cousin, Antonio Brown, on the Steelers.
- Doug Kyed catches up with the rookies at midseason: Ryan Allen says he can't get complacent in the NFL.
- Karen Guregian says Devin McCourty shines as a new breed of safety.
- Christopher Price notes Devin McCourty could be on the verge of making history - becoming a Pro Bowler at two positions.
- Mike Reiss posts some soundbites from a 'rather chipper' Bill Belichick.
- Field Yates reports Troy Polamalu remains a big focus for the Patriots.
- Mike Reiss posts the Pats' penalty breakdown, in comparison with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Rob Gronkowski is still catching up with the offense; Tom Brady explains his decision to dress as the Cowardly Lion for the Pats' Halloween party; Shane Vereen returned to practice but is ineligible to play in a game until Week 11; Pats had perfect attendance at practice for only the second time; Armstead and Harrison have not begun practicing yet.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) Big Ben calls next Pittsburgh Steelers game 'must win'.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Patriots continue to not acknowledge Brady's hand injury.
- Bill Barnwell (Grantland) Thank you for not coaching, Week 8. BB gets a positive shoutout.
- David Steele (Sporting News) Top 10 offseason regrets blowing up in teams' faces.
- Tom Pelissero (USA Today) 10 key questions to ponder for second half of season.
- John Clayton (ESPN) Mailbag; are NFL trades worth making?
- Chris Burke & Doug Farrar (SI) Cover-Two: Taking stock of the division leaders from AFC East to NFC West.
- John Breech (CBS Sports) NFL division power rankings: AFC West still dominating at midseason.
- Analysts Report (NFL.com) NFL midseason predictions: MVP, Rookie of the Year and more.
- Elliot Harrison (NFL.com) Peyton Manning, J.J. Watt head 2013 midseason All-Pro team.
- Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) The Quarterback Index: Midseason rankings.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Midseason All-Pro team.
- Vinny Iyer (Sporting News) NFL All-Bargain team.
VIEW FROM PITTSBURGH
- Alan Robinson (Tribune-Review) Steelers' Roethlisberger, Patriots' Brady hardly mirror images yet wildly successful.
- Ralph N.Paulk (Tribune-Review) Steelers Notebook: Pryor's TD run still haunts Steelers.
- Ed Bouchette (Post-Gazette) Antonio Brown is down after his drops against Raiders.
- Alan Robinson (Tribune-Review) Steelers hoping to flip the script; parting ways with punter Mesko.
- Ray Fittipaldo (Post-Gazette) Steelers lineman could play against New England.
- Dejan Kovacevic (Tribune-Review) Get Jarvis Jones back on the field.
- Gerry Dulac & Ed Bouchette (Post-Gazette) Tom Brady and Pats are beatable, but... (5.14 min. video)
- Mike Prisuta and Bob Labriola (Steelers.com) Agree to disagree - At New England. (5.23 min. video)