TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino tells us what happened Wednesday at Gillette: Devin McCourty returned to practice, Mankins, Dennard, Dobson and Boyce sat out.
- Post-Regular Season Notes: Patriots finish 12-4 and earn second seed in AFC playoff field.
- Press Conference Transcripts: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
- Patriots Locker Room quotes.
- Patriots Today - McCourty returns, Mankins missing. (1.51 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Playoff preview: What if Cincy? (2.51 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Plays by pics: Bills at Patriots. (2.42 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Jeff Howe states the obvious, that stats don't detail Tom Brady's value this season, and his teammates appreciate the intangibles he brings.
- Mark Daniels notes Logan Mankins powerful presence is appreciated by his linemates both on and off the field.
- Karen Guregian talks about the youth movement on the Patriots this year, compared with the average age of the team during their Championship seasons.
- Tom E. Curran reports Devin McCourty was given full clearance to return to action on Monday.
- Mike Petraglia notes that Aqib Talib thinks the Pats' secondary has been playing well but still 'can play a lot better'.
- Mike Petraglia notes Devin McCourty is feeling alright and 'just happy to be back on the field.'
- Nick Underhill explores which is the best matchup for the Patriots in the playoffs.
- Mike Petraglia notes Tom Brady likes it when the 'great fans' at Gillette come to the stadium and 'let it rip.'
- Mike Whitmer notes Bill Belichick won't try to predict the outcome of the wild-card games this weekend.
- Howard Ulman notes Bill Belichick won't spend the bye week studying a team he may not face.
- Howard Ulman sees that New England has had its share of injuries and close games, but it has persevered.
- Christopher Price scouts potential playoff opponents: Kansas City Chiefs.
- Field Yates scouts possible playoff opponents: Indianapolis Colts.
- Mike Reiss tells us the Patriots have the second-fewest penalties in the NFL.
- Doug Kyed answers his weekly Patriots mailbag: Pats made out like bandits in trade with Vikings out of the first round of 2013 NFL Draft.
- Zack Cox reports Tom Brady, David Ortiz and Patrice Bergeron cement their star status in Boston's Top 10 games of 2013.
- Tom E. Curran reports the Patriots could see their former punter Zoltan Mesko in the playoffs, if Cincy knocks off San Diego this weekend.
- Mike Petraglia and Chris Price look ahead to the Patriots bye weekend. (3.12 min. video)
- Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Devin McCourty has been given full clearance to play; McCourty says concussions are just part of the game he loves; Patriots were more conservative than usual with their injured players during practice yesterday; Belichick expounded heavily on special teams and the extra point in his presser.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Devin McCourty returns to practice.
- Tony Grossi (ESPN Cleveland) The more things change, the more fixated on Bill Belichick the Browns become.
- Video (NFL.com) 2013 Elite performers: Best of Tom Brady. (1.49 min. video)
- Peter King (The MMQB) The playoff report: Everything you need to know about every team competing for the Lombardi Trophy this postseason.
- NFL Total Access (NFL.com) Better chance of reaching Super Bowl: Patriots or Panthers? (3.35 min. video)
- Justin Henry (Cold Hard Football Facts) NFL Wild Card snapshots: The path to Jersey commences.
- Chase Stuart (NY Times) A statistic behind every Super Bowl contender.
- Justin Henry (Cold Hard Football Facts) Cold hard autopsy: The Week 17 knockouts.
- Dave Dameshek (NFL.com) The Shame Report: Week 17. (4.47 min. video)
- Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) 2014 NFL Draft order: Top three needs for all 32 teams.
- Robert Mays (Grantland) The NFL Awards they should give. Coordinator of the year: Josh McDaniels.
- Doug Farrar (SI) The Audibles' All-Pro team. One single Patriot player gets a mention as an alternate, Rob Ninkovich.
- Chris Wesseling (NFL.com) Who made the leap in 2013? Chandler Jones gets an honorable mention.
- Mike Tanier (Sports on Earth) Assembling the NFL's 2013 All-Rookie team.
- Gary Najman (Football Nation) The NFL's top 10 worst referee calls of 2013.
- NFL Total Access (NFL.com) Most memorable moments of 2013. (2.12 min. video)
- Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agents take: The 2013 NFL contracts awards.