New England Patriots links 12/06/16 - Don't dismiss the Patriots defense

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino shares his film breakdown of New England's Week 13 win over Los Angeles.
• Paul Perillo tells us who won their matchups Sunday.
• John Rooke Nitpicks and Nitwits: Three things we're all talking about...recurring headaches...and a tie in Carolina was a bigger story than it should have been...
• Jeremie Smith reports how the Patriots surprised lifelong fan Jo Guenard with a special guest and viewing party of Sunday’s Patriots game to celebrate her 100th birthday.
• Lauren Williams recounts how a fan donated a goat to charity for every Pats TD vs. the Jets.
• Conference Call Transcript: Bill Belichick.
• Patriots locker room celebration following the win over the Rams. (1.29 min. video)
• WEEI Patriots Monday: Tom Brady (21.35 min.) - Dont'a Hightower (12.02 min.) - Bill Belichick (18.53 min.)

LOCAL LINKS

• Jeff Howe has seen ample growth on the Patriots defense and suggests we don't dismiss it because of who the Patriots have played.
• Ben Volin Patriots Replay: Film breakdown of key plays from Pats-Rams.
• Mike Reiss observes how Jabaal Sheard raised his level of play two weeks after being a healthy scratch.
• Mike Reiss talks about how the Patriots were able to disrupt the Rams through disguise, only rushing more than five players seven times.
• Doug Kyed Patriots Film Review: Six big plays that show how the Patriots were finally able to get more aggressive on defense.
• Kevin Duffy mentions how New England's defense allowed only 162 yards vs. the Rams, its best mark in over a decade.
• Mike Reiss tells us how the lighter defensive load could help the Patriots defense as the Ravens await.
• Ryan Hannable highlights Dont'a Hightower on WEEI: Last 3 games Patriots 'growing together as a defense'.
• Sam Benson Smith (PatriotsWire) Jared Goff is better than Andrew Luck: 4 crazy statistics from Patriots win over Rams.
• Christopher Price thumbnails the top 10 most memorable moments of the Patriots-Ravens rivalry. /I agree with his No. 1.
• Zack Cox notes Julian Edelman says he's expecting a 'fistfight' when the Patriots meet the Ravens on Monday.
• Ryan Hannable notes Tom Brady confirms Rob Gronkowski has worked with Alex Guerrero in the past to help with flexibility.
• Michael Hurley picks out 16 victories that define Tom Brady's career.
• Phil Perry reports that congratulatory messages roll in for Tom Brady after his record-breaking 201st career victory . . . but none from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
• Ricky Doyle notes that even Antonio Cromartie can't help but admit Tom Brady is the best QB ever. "I played against Brett Favre. I played against Peyton Manning. Tom tops it all,"
• Mike Reiss hears Tom Brady pick which of Tom Brady's victories is the most meaningful to him. /It has to be this game.
• Tom E. Curran explains why he thinks it takes a certain mentality to succeed in New England. (3.28 min. video)
• Ryan Hannable highlights Bill Belichick on WEEI: 'It's really special' to coach during the recent run of Boston championships.
• Adam Kurkjian Patriots notebook: Danny Amendola reportedly will be out until playoffs.
• Ron Borges issues his Week 13 Report Card: Easier than an open-book test so passing grades 'hardly a reason for a parade'.
• Michael Colangelo (PatriotsWire) Patriots vs. Rams defensive report card: Pressure and turnovers make for better results.
• Adam Kurkjian lays out the playoff scenarios for the Patriots heading into Week 14.
• Steve Buckley gets bogged down with Tom Brady's exit plan and how it will happen compared to other great athletes before him.
• Joy Manning (BostonSportsChick) How time zones affect NFL outcomes.
• Dave Garofalo (TheSportsPolice) The thriller in the blizzard. /Nice first-hand account of the Pats-Raiders Snow Bowl game.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Tanya Ray Fox (SportsGrid) Tom Brady already holds one of the NFL's most impressive records.
• Bobby Peters (ThePetersReport) How the Patriots capitalize in the red zone.
• Ross Tucker (Sports on Earth) Gronk may not have been built to last.
• Will Brinson (CBS Sports) Tom Brady reveals the most rewarding win of his NFL record 201 victories.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Bill Belichick never considered pulling Tom Brady with late lead.
• Nunzio Ingrassia (Fox Sports) Tom Brady is taking his Christmas tree cutting 'to the next level'.
• Bill Barnwell (ESPN) Contender kryptonite: Weaknesses of likely playoff teams. Patriots problem: Pass rush.
• Jamison Hensley (ESPN) Ravens not intimidated by challenge of playing Tom Brady in New England.  /yeah, yeah... that'll be their mantra all week.
  
• Daniel Popper (NY Daily News) Bryce Petty takes over for Ryan Fitzpatrick, will start Jets' last four games. /Including Week 16 vs. Pats.
• Manish Mehta (NY Daily News) Darrelle Revis' inexcusable effort latest example of how he duped Woody Johnson and Jets. "Bill Belichick, meanwhile, is giggling like a hyena at his Foxborough fortress..."
• Mark Maske (Washington Post) First and 10: A dissection of the league’s most important developments from Week 13.
• Robert Mays (The Ringer) The NFL Week 13 Recap: Wild-Card-Weekend threat index.
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) The Debrief, Week 14: Raiders, Cowboys most watchable teams. Patriots 6th, behind Tennessee.
• Dave Dameshek (NFL.com) The Shame Report, Week 13. (3.53 min. video)
• Greg Bishop (SI) NFL players detail their painful, gritty post-game recovery routines.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Zeke, Dak, Brady, Brown, Carr are Top 5 in fans’ Pro Bowl voting.
• John Breech (CBS Sports) NFLPA salary cap chart shows Patriots are money smart, Eagles aren't.
• Zac Jackson (ProFootballTalk) NFL reverses course, will allow Titans and Browns players to wear special cleats.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL clubs spent nearly $545 million per team on players from 2013-16.