New England Patriots links 1/11/17 - McCourty: "Football game's not played in Vegas"

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino shares the news, notes and locker-room buzz from Tuesday at Gillette: Amendola 'getting ready' for playoffs.
• Andy Hart tackles this week's Ask PFW Mailbag: Through Houston to Houston?
• John Rooke Nitpicks and Nitwits: Be careful what you wish for.
• Broadcast information: Patriots vs. Texans.
• Press Conference Transcripts: Bill Belichick and Devin McCourty.

LOCAL LINKS

• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Five more Texans impressions: Miller may be the "X-Factor" for Houston’s offense.
• Jaydeen Allen (PatriotsWire) Reviewing the history of Patriots-Texans matchups.
• Danny Cox tells us why this Texans team is beatable.
• Doug Moore (ESPN NH) Five keys for Patriots against the Texans: Contain Jadeveon Clowney.
• Rich Garven thinks it will be key for the Patriots to stop the Texans rushing attack.
• The Herald analyzes the matchups: Nate Solder vs. Jadeveon Clowney.
• CBS Boston profiles five Texans who could give the Patriots some problems.
• Nora Princiotti breaks down how the Patriots balance using their 'explosive' trio of running backs.
• Mike Reiss notes Bill Belichick calls it a 'big challenge' for the Patriots to compete with the Texans.
• Evan Lazar says history shows a dangerous path for the top seed in the NFL playoffs: For just the fourth time since 1990, the divisional round pits the top four seeds in each conference.
• D.J. Bean warns fans that the Pats have lost to non-elite QBs in the playoffs before.
• Adam Kurkjian can't believe what a difference a year makes for the Patriots injury situation.
• Alex Speier makes us reach for the Tums as he explains how an underdog is able to knock off a No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
• Karen Guregian focuses on how Devin McCourty and his leadership fits right in the tradition of Bruschi, McGinest or any of the Patriots greats from those early championship teams.
• Phil Perry hears from teammates on how Trey Flowers is a rare talent.
• Joshua Schrock reports Bill O'Brien calls Malcolm Butler 'one of the best cornerbacks' in the NFL.
• Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Julian Edelman gets fans ready for Saturday with pump up video.
• Mike Reiss says Danny Amendola seems to be ready to return to the field.
• Ryan Hannable wonders whether or not Danny Amendola will play Saturday.
• Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: Danny Amendola feels good, ready to help if called upon; Devin McCourty on 15 1/2 point spread: "Football game's not played in Vegas"; More.
• Kevin Duffy gives us an injury update: Alan Branch missed Tuesday's practice.
• Mike Reiss highlights Bill Belichick sharing some thoughts on the national title game, and how one play can define a season.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Bill Belichick explains how Nate Ebner acts as 'quarterback' on special teams.
• Mark Farinella Patriots Notebook: Izzo has Texans' special teams just that.
• Ryan Hannable posts a clip of Tom Brady encouraging 'The Rock' to buy Under Armour pajamas.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Report: Josh McDaniels has 'inside track' for 49ers head coaching vacancy.
• Mike Petraglia reports Bill Belichick sings the praises of Bill O'Brien: 'One of the top coaches I've been around, period."
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Mood in Houston: Fans hoping for a respectable effort.
• Rich Thompson Texans Notebook: Vince Wilfork still says retirement talk needs to wait until season ends; Mike Vrabel is a wanted man; Wilfork talks about 'underdog' label.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Will Leitch (Sports on Earth) Pats-Texans preview: Um ... yeah.
• John Breech (CBS Sports) Vince Wilfork says Texans can upset Patriots because Giants did it in Super Bowl.
• Staff (Omnisport) Brady's Patriots to 'empty the tank' preparing for Texans.
• Kevin Seifert (ESPN) Patriots' LeGarrette Blount one of best values in NFL history.
• Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) Ranking the playoff QBs. /Tom Brady No. 2.
• Jeanna Thomas (SB Nation) All 16 potential Super Bowl matchups ranked from best to worst. "We’ve all had about enough of the Patriots, right?" /Um... no.
• Charlotte Wilder (SB Nation) This NFL season deserves to end with a Patriots-Cowboys Super Bowl.
• Good Morning Football (NFL.com) What has changed since Texans, Patriots played in Week 3? (4.25 min. video)
• Nick Schwartz (Fox Sports) Watch Patriots star Tom Brady try to impersonate The Rock.
• Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) DeAndre Hopkins earns rare praise from Belichick: 'Fitzgerald-type player'.
• Jeff Smith (FanRag) Cowboys, Patriots are No. 1 seeds, but Super Bowl roads aren’t similar.
• Chris Burke (SI) Around the NFL coaching carousel: Where the five open top jobs stand.
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) 2017 NFL Playoffs divisional picks: Falcons, Patriots, Steelers, Packers win.

VIEW FROM HOUSTON

• Sarah Barshop (ESPN) Texans players using 16-point line as motivation versus Patriots.
• Matt Young (Houston Chronicle) Don't laugh: Here's why the Texans could beat the Patriots.
• Sarah Barshop (ESPN) From Connor Cook to Tom Brady: Texans' QB challenge gets big upgrade.
• Aaron Wilson (Houston Chronicle) Texans' Benardrick McKinney has knack for timing hits.
• Aaron Wilson (Houston Chronicle) Texans' ball security on returns remains problematic.
• The Sports Xchange (UPI) Houston Texans try to quiet noise about Bill O'Brien's future.

DUMPSTER DIVE

• Sheilla Dingus (Advocacy for Fairness in Sports) Strikes for Kids Charity files emergency motion to compel deposition of Roger Goodell. /I always feel bad for filing Sheilla's stories in the dumpster.
  
• Clay Skipper (GQ) DeMaurice Smith on battling both CTE in the NFL and Roger Goodell.
• Michael Hurley calls out Giants' GM Jerry Reese for being a hypocrite when he called out Odell Beckham, Jr.