TEAM TALK
- Andy Hart tackles this week's Ask PFW Mailbag: A healthy Patriots playoff outlook.
- Patriots sign rookie S Cedric Thompson and WR J.J. Worton to the practice squad; release WR DeAndre Carter from the practice squad.
- Andy Hart highlights Bill Belichick's Tuesday presser: 'We'd love to have everybody back'
- Paul Perillo highlights Tom Brady's Tuesday presser: 'Have to have our best week.'
- Tuesday Pressers - Bill Belichick (14.14 min. video) - Tom Brady (6.20 min. video) - Rob Ninkovich (6.55 min. video).
- Media Availability Transcripts: Tom Brady, Rob Ninkovich, Danny Amendola, Malcom Brown, Steven Jackson, James White.
- Lauren Williams shares Davio's recipe for Clam Chowder.
- Press Pass: Patriots on Chiefs. (1.15 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian writes Tom Brady's drive for 5 is stronger than ever.
- Doug Kyed reports Tom Brady believes that practicing in cold conditions gives the Patriots a mental edge.
- Ryan Hannable notes Andy Reid talks about the challenges of facing Tom Brady: 'He's playing out of his mind.'
- Mike Reiss focuses on the mutual respect and close friendship between Bill Belichick and Andy Reid.
- Matt Dolloff speculates how Julian Edelman will look when he returns from a broken foot by looking at how two recent athletes fared with the same injury.
- Christopher Price warns there are no guarantees for Julian Edelman: History shows jumping back into action in postseason produces mixed results.
- Jeff Howe looks at the key matchup between Julian Edelman vs. Sean Smith and Marcus Peters.
- Doug Kyed notes Malcom Brown isn't hitting the rookie wall because of his love of football. Brown is one of 12 Pats to suit up for all 16 games.
- Jeff Howe tells us how the Patriots can beat the Chiefs defense.
- Mike Dussault (Pats Propaganda) Can the Patriots win a playoff game without a takeaway?
- Ian Logue (PatsFans) Rob Ninkovich on Julian Edelman's playoff beard: "It's not a full effort."
- Mark Daniels reports Bill Belichick is also working his way back from injury.
- Doug Kyed reports the Patriots made changes to their practice squad, signing WR J.J. Worton and S Cedric Thompson and releasing WR DeAndre Carter.
- Rich Thompson mentions how Jimmy Garoppolo has been doing his best to perform like Alex Smith.
- Kerry J. Byrne warns not to underestimate Alex Smith's efficiency.
- Matt Burke talks up 'Mr. Ball Protection' Alex Smith.
- Kevin Duffy reports Jeremy Maclin, Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and Spencer Ware sat out of Tuesday's Chiefs practice.
- Ryan Hannable questions how Jeremy Maclin went from fearing he tore his ACL to having an ankle sprain.
- Kevin Duffy finds the Chiefs have been feasting on bad quarterbacks.
- AP Report: Chiefs, Patriots still alive thanks to interchangeable parts.
- Mike From Woburn wonders what else the NFL will let Mike Tomlin and the Steelers' coaching staff get away with.
- Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Rob Gronkowski missing from Tuesday's practice; Nate Ebner returned to practice wearing a hard cast on his right hand, wrist and forearm; Rookie DT Malcom Brown has become a staple up front; Brown said he's not feeling any fatigue.
- Erin Smith and Laurel J. Sweet report Chandler Jones was rushed to Norwood Hospital Sunday morning after he showed up at the Foxboro Police Department with a medical emergency.
- Erin Smith and Laurel J. Sweet report that details of Chandler Jones' ER visit remain murky.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Richard Deitsch (The MMQB) The mad scientist doesn't wear makeup: Go inside the football mind of Bill Belichick.
- Kevin Clark (Wall St. Journal) Look out! Tom Brady wants to play catch.
- Mike Reiss and Michelle Steele (ESPN) Gronk's absence and O-line health are key. (2.33 min. video)
- Braden Campbell (Law 360) Bleacher Report accused of flouting Rob Gronkowski's pics' copyrights without permission.
- Peter King (The MMQB) Alex Smith is not a game manager: Kansas City at New England preview. (2.05 min. video)
- Manish Mehta (NY Daily News) Sorry, Patriots — Tom Brady and his injured teammates won’t repeat as Super Bowl champions.
- Gary Myers (NY Daily News) Peyton Manning, Tom Brady won't be denied in AFC playoffs, but expect Seahawks and Cardinals in NFC.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Chandler Jones was hospitalized Sunday, practiced Monday.
- Jay Boice and Nate Silver (FiveThirtyEight) 2015 NFL Predictions.
- Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) 2015 NFL All-Pro team: Coaches crown the season's best players.
- Tadd Haislop (Sporting News) Off-beat NFL awards for the 2015 season.
- Matt Chatham (Football by Football) Bad football in Wild Card weekend gives coaches teaching ammo: Ball security isn't a suggestion.
- Editorial Board (USA Today) Bengals' Burfict gets off too easy: Our view.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) League has far bigger stake in future of game than players.
- Daniel Werly (The White Bronco) The biggest wildcard in deflategate? Adrian Peterson. /Interesting read.
- Dick's Sporting Goods (DSG.com) The Football Jersey Report. Tom Brady is still number one.
VIEW FROM KANSAS CITY
- Bill Speros (Kansas City Star) What makes Boston sports so special? Start with the Patriots’ pile of championships.
- Randy Covitz (Kansas City Star) Deflategate? Coach Bill Belichick says the Patriots try to play by the book.
- Staff Report (KMBC) Patriots coach: Chiefs will be tough to plan for.
- BJ Kissel (Chiefs.com) Chiefs vs. Patriots: 10 Stats to know.
- Vahe Gregorian (Kansas City Star) Chiefs’ Chris Conley is ready to serve as Jeremy Maclin’s understudy.
- Staff Report (KMBC) Maclin's uncertainty to test Chiefs again against Patriots.
- Terez A. Paylor (Kansas City Star) Chiefs receiver Jeremy Maclin has a ‘mild’ high ankle sprain.
- Pete Sweeney (Chiefs.com) With Jeremy Maclin day-to-day, the "next-man-up" philosophy may continue for Chiefs.
- BJ Kissel (Chiefs.com) Versatility and depth along OL making the difference for Chiefs.
- Terez A. Paylor (Kansas City Star) Chiefs’ dynamic duo at running back is wearing out opponents.
- Pete Sweeney (Chiefs.com) How Andy Reid chose his six playoff captains.