TEAM TALK
- Game Preview - Patriots vs. Texans. Broadcast info, series history, team connections and which players to watch for.
- Patriots release CB Rashaan Melvin; Release TE Joseph Fauria from practice squad.
- Patriots Today - Patriots host 22nd Annual Children's Holiday Party. (2 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian picks five spots where the Patriots need to improve fast.
- Ben Volin looks at the film and says the Texans should be very recognizable to the Patriots.
- Sam Galanis notes Josh McDaniels has found there is no area of the game where J.J. Watt isn't a significant factor.
- Mike Cole reports Bill O'Brien has his Texans team sounding just like Bill Belichick's Patriots.
- Tom E. Curran notes Bill O'Brien says his team's familiarity with the Patriots gives them no edge, but the Patriots know that Houston knows what the Patriots know, ya know?
- Jen McCaffrey points out the Patriots are ready to face a lot of familiar faces in Houston.
- Pat Bradley looks at the Week 14 playoff scenarios: Patriots can clinch a playoff berth with a win vs. the Texans.
- Mike Reiss looks at whether Brandon LaFell deserves the criticism he received for not finishing his pass routes.
- Rich Garven notes the hits keep coming for Tom Brady, who unfortunately is not a Broadway playwright.
- Kerry J. Byrne gives us three shocking statistical highlights about Rob Gronkowski
- Joey (PatriotsExtra) James White: The new Dion Lewis?
- Jerry Thornton has enlarged on his respect for Bill Belichick and his best quote ever.
- Rich Garven sees lots of self-inflicted wounds for the Pats receivers in that loss to the Eagles.
- Rich Garven notes Belichcik showed his respect of Danny Amendola, calling him 'as tough of a player as we have.'
- Rich Levine argues that creative play calls -- like the failed drop kick -- are what make Bill Belichick the legend that he is, and continue to inspire him to coach in the NFL.
- Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: DeAndrew Hopkins poses a serious challenge; There will be a lot of familiar faces on the Houston sideline Sunday night; Pats OL has come under fire with Tom Brady getting hit 36 times in the past three games; Belichick lauded the efforts of Danny Amendola who gutted it out even though he was less than 100%.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Oliver Thomas (247 Sports) Josh McDaniels preps for J.J. Watt's Texans defense.
- Tania Ganguli and Mike Reiss (ESPN) Can the pupils challenge their mentors as Texans face Patriots Sunday night?
- Mike & Mike (ESPN Radio) Gruden: Pats may have to win on D. (1.03 min.video)
- Chris Wesseling (NFL.com) Next Gen Stats notebook: Pats receivers failing Brady.
- Marty Callinan (ESPN Stats & Info) Why a Patriots losing streak should worry opponents.
- Michael Stridsberg (Football Nation) Does Tom Brady really rely on his kicker in clutch situations? /Interesting article.
- Mark Schofield (Inside the Pylon) Decision making doesn't happen in a vacuum.
- Oliver Thomas (247 Sports) Danny Amendola recalls Tom Brady's 'athletic' catch.
- Bob Snowdon (Goal Line Gazette) Patriots: Moving on without any excuses.
- Oliver Thomas (247 Sports) In first game back, Jamie Collins 'ready to go' for Patriots.
- Oliver Thomas (247 Sports) Rodney Harrison 'frustrated' by Brandon LaFell's inconsistency.
- Joel Corry (CBS Soports) Agent's Take: Tom Brady leads list of NFL's most underpaid of 2015.
- Kevin Van Valkenburg (ESPN) How the Patriots' Malcolm Butler made the greatest play in Super Bowl history and beat the Seahawks. /Good read.
- Kevin Koczwara (Rolling Stone) Scott Zolak's second act: How a backup QB conquered Patriots Nation.
- Sean Wagner-McGough (CBS Sports) Charles Woodson has never discussed tuck rule with 'good friend' Brady.
- Ben Fawkes (ESPN) Las Vegas favors Panthers, Patriots to win Super Bowl 50.
- Seth Wickersham (ESPN) For the Patriots, winning is business, not revenge.
- Greg Bishop (SI) How a book on stoicism became wildly popular at every level of the NFL.
VIEW FROM HOUSTON
- Aaron Wilson (Houston Chronicle) Texans still control their playoff path with four games remaining.
- Drew Dougherty (HoustonTexans.com) Texans have high level of respect for Tom Brady.
- Aaron Wilson (Houston Chronicle) Texans trying to cut down on penalties.
- Drew Dougherty (HoustonTexans.com) Bill O'Brien's step back/leap forward in New England.
- Aaron Wilson (Houston Chronicle) Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork coming off his best game, concerned about defensive adjustments.