New England Patriots links 12/23/16 - Patriots display sense of urgency

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino shares the news, notes and locker-room buzz from Thursday at Gillette: Floyd 'focused and working hard.'
• Andy Hart presents a few potential keys to keep an eye on tomorrow vs. the Jets: Limit Jets run game.
• What They're Saying: New York Jets.
• Paul Perillo and Andy Hart debate which newcomer, or playoff newcomer, will be most important for the Patriots.

LOCAL LINKS

• Tom E. Curran points out how last season’s letdown in the final two games against the Jets and Dolphins leads to this year's sense of urgency.
• Nick O'Malley gives us 5 reasons the Patriots will (and won't) beat the Jets.
• Phil Perry reports Tom Brady admits that the more you can limit the number of hits Julian Edelman absorbs, the better.
• CBS Boston reports Tom Brady said that he and new WR Michael Floyd have put in as much work as they can to get him up to speed.
• Tom E. Curran notes Patriots WR Michael Floyd says it’s about learning from his mistake.
• Mike Reiss relays Bill Belichick's thoughts on activating Jacoby Brissett: "Nobody needs insurance until you need insurance."
• Ryan Hannable thinks the activation of Jacoby Brissett is setting the stage for a potential Jimmy Garoppolo offseason trade.
• Mike Reiss notes Martellus Bennett has been on the injury report since Week 5, but hasn't missed a game. 'When you're losing, you hurt more."
• Christopher Price gives us a timeline of Martellus Bennett's 12 best quotes as a member of the Patriots.
• Ryan Hannable catches Martellus Bennett comparing winning the AFC East to a 'good one night stand.'
• John Waller says Martellus Bennett didn't disappoint Thursday when talking about Christmas presents for his daughter, Jett.
• Jeff Howe hears enough in the locker room to know there are players who take media criticism to heart and others who tune it out. The defense has been listening... and laughing.
• Kevin Duffy can sense a little extra motivation from Malcolm Butler by his Pro Bowl exclusion.
• Mike Reiss tallks about how Barkevious Mingo has been making his mark on special teams, even though he has been out of rotation on D.
• Mike Reiss mentions how the Patriots are carefully managing the health of Dont'a Hightower.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Linebacker Dont’a Hightower sits out practice, but will be ready for Jets.
• Mike Petraglia talks up Matthew Slater, a man of integrity with his priorities firmly in the right place.
• Ryan Hannable shares a funny Facebook video posted by Tom Brady, promoting TAG Heuer.
• Jim Lazar states that the Patriots can't afford to be stupid these next two weeks, and makes his Week 16 picks. Pats win 34-10.
• CBS Boston sports staff make their predictions for Saturday's Patriots-Jets matchup at Gillette Stadium. All pick Pats to win.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Sheil Kapadia (ESPN) Biggest Week 16 questions, stats and predictions: 39: The number of offensive line combinations the New England Patriots used last year, according to ESPN Stats & Information -- most in the NFL. No one unit played more than 135 snaps together. This year, the Patriots have used just nine combinations.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Bowles: Jets likely "getting killed" if Christian Hackenberg plays.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL is "reviewing everything" relating to Michael Floyd DUI arrest.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) New Spring League isn’t an NFL production.
• Elliot Harrison (NFL.com) NFL Week 16 game picks. Patriots win 28-10.

VIEW FROM NEW YORK

• Kimberley A. Martin (Newsday) Jets hoping to end mistake-filled season on high note.
• Brian Costello (NY Post) Spread-denying Jets trying to ignore Patriots’ dominance.
• Daniel Popper (NY Daily News) Rookie QB Christian Hackenberg could be active vs. Patriots.
• Daniel Popper (NY .Daily News) Jets secondary doomed by lack of turnovers, inability to stop the big play.
• Kimberley A. Martin (Newsday) Rough season for Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer.
• Brian Costello (NY Post) Jets’ safety on his regression: ‘I’ve got nothing to prove’.
• Joe Manniello (Newsday) NFL Week 16 picks: Jets will cover big number (16.5) vs. Patriots.
• Connor Hughes (NJ.com) New York Jets vs. New England Patriots: NFL picks, predictions for Week 16.