TEAM TALK
- Patriots-Bills Thursday injury report.
- Erik Scalavino listens as Stevan Ridley candidly speaks to the media after practice.
- The New England Patriots announced that they have released veteran CB Marquice Cole.
- Patriots.com highlights what the Buffalo Bills are saying about their upcoming game with the Patriots.
- Patriots Today - McCourty, Boyce not spotted. (1.33 min. video)
- Locker Room Uncut - Ridley and Arrington chat Buffalo. (3.17 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Erik Frenz scouts the Buffalo Bills.
- Matt Chatham sees the Bills' D-line as a big challenge for the Patriots this week, and the toughest one they'll face this year. /Good read.
- Glen Farley notes Buffalo has gone 0-for-Gillette, losing 19 of the last 20 games in their series with the Patriots, and never having won in Foxborough.
- Obnoxious Boston Fan says this Patriots season is the gift that just keeps on giving.
- Jonathan Comey notes the Patriots' defense keeps making stops despite key injuries.
- Mike Reiss reports Ed Hochuli will be the referee on Sunday.
- Mike Petraglia reports Stevan Ridley opens up about his benching: 'I put myself there.'
- Mike Reiss notes Stevan Ridley stays strong after his benching.
- Jeff Howe reports Stevan Ridley is aware that no one can fix his fumbling for him, and he has committed himself to correcting that flaw.
- Phil Perry highlights LeGarrette Blount and Stevan Ridley's ability to chew up yards after contact.
- Michael Whitmer writes about the Patriots' point of emphasis: Takeaways.
- Field Yates notes Rob Ninkovich was limited at practice with an ankle injury.
- Paul Kenyon finds that every week the focus with the Pats defense shifts because of another injury: This week it's the safety position.
- Nick Underhill says New England could be in a tough spot if Devin McCourty is unable to play this week.
- Mark Daniels believes Devin McCourty's absence at safety could be a huge blow to the secondary.
- Tom E. Curran gets Jerod Mayo to explain '51's the Mike' and the difference between blitzes and pressures. (4.03 min. video)
- Christopher Price thumbnails seven Patriots who have exceeded expectations in 2013.
- Tom E. Curran makes the case for Brady over Manning for MVP.
- Nick Underhill offers a look back at the top Patriots stories of the year.
- Ricky Doyle predicts Tom Brady will earn his fourth Super Bowl ring, plus 13 other sports predictions for 2014.
- Phil Perry writes Duron Harmon is growing up fast in the Patriots defense.
- Field Yates reports the Patriots waived veteran DB Marquice Cole.
- Mike Reiss posts the transcript of his weekly online chat.
- Tom E. Curran talks about the improvement covering the deep ball from last year.
- Mike Reiss charts the defensive groupings for the year, and highlights Kyle Arrington's play both in coverage and run support.
- Mike Reiss gives us his weekly stat check, and compares the Patriots to the Bills and where they stand.
- Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Aaron Dobson was quiet in his return, but said he felt great to be back out there; Players are paying their respects to Buffalo, even though they haven't lost a home game to the Bills since Brady was a 4th-string rookie; Rob Ninkovich popped up on the injury report with an ankle injury, which possibly occurred during yesterday's workout.
- Ron Borges believes the NFL should be made to give up its non-profit tax status.
- Jim Lazar offers up a few New Years' resolutions for the Patriots before making his Week 17 picks: Patriots 34-16.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Cian Fahey (Football Outsiders) Film room: Tom Brady.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) No decision on Bills quarterback yet.
- Russell Baxter (Cold Hard Football Facts) Matter of facts: Week 17 statistical onslaught.
- Gregg Rosenthal and Marc Sessler (NFL.com) Viewing tips for Week 17 games.
- Andy Benoit (The MMQB) Sunday slate: Analyzing Week 17 matchups.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Week 17 picks. Patriots over Bills 23-13.
- Don Banks (SI) Black Monday Primer: A definitive guide to 2014 NFL coaching carousel.
VIEW FROM BUFFALO
- Chris Brown (BuffaloBills.com) Belichick tips hat to Kyle Williams.
- Chris Brown (BuffaloBills.com) Marrone holding on QB decision for Sunday.
- Mark Gaughan (Buffalo News) With EJ hobbled, Lewis may start Bills' finale.
- Staff Report (BuffaloBills.com) Doug Marrone: "Our team realizes the challenge."
- Sal Maiorana (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle) Scott Chandler having solid season for Buffalo Bills.