LOCAL LINKS
- Christopher Price writes a good rant about the officials' handling of Rob Gronkowski this season: "It's undeniable the big tight end has gotten hosed".
- 98.5 the Sports Hub guest Jeff Howe states there is no debate, NFL is 'absolutely' targeting Rob Gronkowski.
- Doug Kyed believes the Patriots will again be the NFL's most dominant team after their injured stars return.
- Eric Wilbur tells us why Sunday night's loss is the perfect recipe for Bill Belichick.
- Karen Guregian says the Pats' big picture is not as gloomy as it seems: The cavalry will return for games that really count.
- Phil Perry updates us with Rob Gronkowski's knee injury (minor knee strain) which, according to multiple reports, should only keep him sidelined for a week or two.
- Mike Reiss details all of the OPI penalties called against Rob Gronkowski to see whether he is being held to a higher standard.
- Ryan Hannable explains how vital Dont'a Hightower is to the Patriots' run defense.
- Tom E. Curran agrees the Patriots 'absolutely have a gripe' with officiating.
- Adam Kurkjian talks about the frustrating calls that had a hand in the Patriots' first loss.
- Jeff Howe dissects the game film and offers some thoughts: Logan Ryan was fantastic in single coverage against Demaryius Thomas for a good chunk of the game.
- Doug Kyed presents his Patriots film review: Dont'a HIghtower injury was defensive game-changer.
- Matt Dolloff reminds us not to forget about Stephen Gostkowski's clutch kick in the snow in Denver.
- Mike Reiss explains Bill Belichick's frustration with the refs at the end of Sunday night's game primarily was about a lack of communication.
- Mike Cole finds Tom Brady as 'pissed off' as ever after that tough loss to the Broncos.
- Rich Garven takes a critical look at the Patriots' time management against the Broncos.
- Ryan Hannable points to the Broncos' halftime adjustments for forcing Tom Brady off his game.
- Ron Borges issues his Week 12 Patriots Report Card: Grades slip to unhealthy level.
- Adam Kurkjian, Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Patriots still in the hunt for a bye week in the playoffs; Patriots-Bengals-Broncos tie-breakers; Dont'a Hightower appears healthier than initially feared; Chris Harper was cut yesterday, and could be brought back to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Eric Edholm (Yahoo! Sports) Controversial plays in Patriots-Broncos that had Tom Brady 'pissed'.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Report: Dont’a Hightower suffered sprained MCL.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Minor knee strain for Rob Gronkowski.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) After Gronk knee injury, Brady says rules force low hits.
- First Take (ESPN) Skip blasts officiating in Pats vs. Broncos game. (1.37 min. video)
- Adam Schein (NFL.com) Patriots, Panthers, Cardinals most likely to win Super Bowl 50.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Kubiak "real concerned" about the number of hits Osweiler has been taking.
- Chris Burke (SI) Sour Rankings: Top Week 12 lowlights.
- Ken Fang (Awful Announcing) NFL announces primetime flex for Week 14.
- Conor Orr (NFL.com) What to expect from Wednesday's owners' meetings.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL convening "health and safety" call on Tuesday.