TEAM TALK
- The Patriots report LeGarrette Blount has been named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
- Patriots RB LeGarette Blount has been nominated for the NFL Week 17 FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
- The New England Patriots announced that they have signed WR Greg Orton to the practice squad.
- Andy Hart tackles this week's Ask PFW Mailbag: Bye-ing into New Year's.
- Tuesday Conference Call transcript: Bill Belichick.
- Patriots Today - Breaking down playoff scenarios. (3.22 min. video)
- From the NFL - Rob Ninkovich on Patriots playoff run. (3.10 min. video)
- From the NFL - How They Got Here: New England Patriots. (2 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian doesn't see a problem with continuity if Josh McDaniels leaves, as long as Brady is still the QB.
- Christopher Price looks at who could take over as offensive coordinator if Josh McDaniels leaves for Cleveland.
- Mike Reiss reports the Patriots fill their final practice squad spot with 6'3" WR Greg Orton, a taller target for the scout team in preparation for the playoffs.
- Mike Reiss posts the Patriots bye-week schedule.
- Dan Shaughnessy lays out how the Patriots will win in the playoffs.
- Erik Frenz offers a look at how the Patriots measure up against each of the other five teams in the AFC playoffs.
- Field Yates scouts possible playoff opponents for the Patriots: Cincinnati Bengals.
- Christopher Price scouts potential playoff opponents: San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.
- Erik Frenz breaks down Patriots-Bills with gifs and screenshots to show how dominant the offensive line was, paving big holes for the running game to take off.
- Mike Reiss answers his weekly reader mailbag: Best playoff matchup for the Patriots?
- Ricky Doyle predicts Tom Brady will finally earn his fourth Super Bowl ring, and 13 other sports predictions for 2014.
- Mike Reiss catches us up with former Patriots and how they performed this year with their new teams.
- Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: Josh McDaniels was given permission to interview with the Cleveland Browns; Patriots signed big receiver Greg Orton to the practice squad; Orton will provide a taller target for the players to practice against in preparation for the playoffs; Belichick doesn't consider the first year players as rookies any longer; LeGarrette Blount was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week; Scott O'Brien's special teams unit gets some praise for their hard work & preparation paying off in recent weeks.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) LeGarrett Blount is the AFC offensive player of the week.
- Ashley Fox (ESPN) Bill Belichick should win coach of year.
- Rick Reilly (ESPN) A revealing year in the NFL: Manning, Belichick and the Seahawks led the way in the 2013 NFL season.
- Writers (The MMQB) 2013 Reflections: Our writers share the experiences that impacted them most and best represent where they feel the game is at in 2013.
- Peter King (The MMQB) A backward pass at Manning's record; Tuesday Mailbag.
- Doug Farrar (SI) The All-22: Hidden gems for the AFC's wild-card teams.
- Staff Report (SI) 2013 NFL Season Awards.
- Around the League (NFL.com) What we loved about 2013, look forward to in 2014.
- Andrew Brandt (The MMQB) The stories of 2013, off the field.
- John McClain (Houston Chronicle) Bill O’Brien will be the Texans next head coach.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL playoffs should be seeded without regard to division championships.