:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52605627/usa-today-9549837.0.jpeg)
TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino shares the news, notes and locker-room buzz from Wednesday at Gillette: Patriots bye-ing time this week.
- Press Release: Julian Edelman named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
- Bryon Morry looks back at the 18 home playoff games played in Foxboro in the 21st century.
- Patriots Today - Matthew Slater learns that he is the winner of the Bart Starr Award. (2 video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Christopher Price addresses 10 questions about the Patriots heading into the postseason: 1. What’s the biggest difference between this year and last year?
- Karen Guregian gives us five keys that will pave the way for a Patriots Super Bowl victory: 1: Say healthy, especially No. 12. /*sobs* remembering 2015.
- Danny Picard wants to see the Giants in Super Bowl LI vs the Patriots.
- Karen Guregian points to Julian Edelman as the ultimate chain mover for the Patriots. Edelman finished tied for second-best in the league for 3rd-down receptions.
- Jen McCaffrey talks up Trey Flowers' increased role on Patriots defensive line and how he's making the most of the opportunity.
- Mike Reiss notes the Patriots held a rare full-pads practice that reflected the health of the roster and desire for a strong, finishing kick.
- Phil Perry gives us a practice update: Danny Amendola (ankle) returns, Brady (thigh) absent.
- Adam Kurkjian finds veteran newcomers Chris Long, Chris Hogan, Shea McClellin and Barkevious Mingo ready for their first taste of the postseason
- Mark Farinella hears from Chris Hogan on what it's like to prepare for the playoffs for the first time.
- Doug Kyed notes Chris Long has opted to grow a playoff mustache instead of the traditional beard.
- Jake Mackey (BeantownBlitz) Patriots regular season awards.
- Doug Kyed presents his Patriots year-end awards and superlatives.
- Mark Farinella takes time to recognize the Patriots unsung heroes for 2016.
- Miguel Benzan (PatsFans) Once again the New England Patriots take care of their practice squad players – this time Woodrow Hamilton.
- Michael Hurley examines the case against the Patriots' annual "tomato can game" and shoots it down like the flimsy, empty target that it is.
- James Conway (PatsPropaganda) Coffin Corner: NEVER FORGET! /An all-caps warning against over-confidence.
- Zack Cox relays some surprising advice from Bill Belichick about playoff experience.
- Jeff Howe talks about the value of personnel czar Nick Caserio and how the Patriots can’t afford to lose him.
- Ryan Hannable writes that one year following Chandler Jones' synthetic marijuana incident, Bill Belichick is proven right for trading him.
- Adam Kurkjian reports on how Matthew Slater was touched to receive the Bart Starr Award.
- Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Trey Flowers’ rising star can shine in spotlight; Amendola returns to action; Edelman wins AFC Offensive Player of the Week; More.
- NESN posts a clip of Rob Gronkowski in high school that shows he was always unreal. (1.50 min. video)
- Cameron McDonough tells us how we can all sleep in Tom Brady's pajamas.
- Kevin Dillon looks back at every one of Tom Brady's TB Times headlines this season.
- NESN reports that according to Jim Kelly, the one thing the Bills need for their playoff drought to end is for Tom Brady to retire. /I was thinking absolution from Doug Flutie, but this might work too.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Layden (SI) An unimaginable loss, an unexpected letter: A heartbroken family’s link to Tom Brady.
- Tadd Haislop (Sporting News) Bill Belichick's truth bomb about NFL playoff experience still applies.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Danny Amendola returns to practice.
- Tim McManus (ESPN) Eric Rowe trade weakened Eagles' secondary, strengthened Patriots.
- Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) 10-Point stance: In the NFL, bad owners make for bad franchises.
- Sam Monson (Pro Football Focus) 2016 NFL All-Pro Team.
- Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) 2016 NFL All-Pro team, with seven unanimous first-team picks.
- Staff (SI) NFL award roundtable: Who should win MVP, Coach of the Year, more?
- Peter King (The MMQB) The MMQB 2016 NFL Awards. /Stunned by Jason Garrett over Bill Belichick.
- Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) QB Index: Tom Brady owns No. 1 in year-end rankings. "The insanity of this Tom Brady season gets taken for granted because of the insanity of his entire career."
- Chris Burke (SI) Playoff X-Factors: Players who will make or break all 12 teams' Super Bowl hopes.
- Claire McNear (The Ringer) Your guide to adopting an NFL playoff team.
- John Breech (CBS Sports) 2017 NFL Playoffs, wild-card picks: Giants stun the Packers, Texans top the Raiders.
- Tadd Haislop (Sporting News) NFL playoffs predictions 2017: Picks from wild-card round through Super Bowl LI.
- David Gonos (SportsGrid) 7 Best 2017 Super Bowl matchups we’re dying to see.
- Vote (NFL.com) Vote here for your FIVE favorite plays of the 2016 season (from the list provided).
- Mark Maske (Washington Post)The moment is right for Patriots’ Josh McDaniels to be an NFL head coach again.
- Jaime Viens (Pitt News) On player discipline, NFL has a long way to go. /Great read.
- Sheilla Dingus (Advocacy for Fairness in Sports) The Blitz: All the latest sports law links.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Wide receiver Hall of Fame waiting list grows.