TEAM TALK
- Patriots-Raiders Thursday Injury Report.
- Erik Scalavino shares the practice notes and locker-room buzz from Thursday in Colorado Springs: Prep continues with a walkthrough practice.
- Paul Perillo scouts the matchups: Patriots hold the edge in aerial assault.
- What They're Saying: Oakland Raiders.
- Coffee with the Coach: Bob Socci chats with Bill Belichick on the win against Denver and his impressions of the Oakland Raiders. (3.45 min. video)
- One-on-One: With Rex Burkhead. (2.41 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Jeff Howe calls attention to how the Patriots are on a run of delivering demoralizing late-in-the-half scores.
- Ryan Hannable talks up just how good a group of running backs the Patriots have.
- Mike Reiss sees some clarity in a crowded backfield as Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead have taken over lead RB roles in recent weeks.
- Phil Perry claims Rex Burkhead's big night in Denver was no fluke and figures it would make sense for the Pats to try it again against the Raiders.
- Mike Reiss notes DT Alan Branch says he's eager to face "one of the best" running backs of the last decade, comparing Marshawn Lynch to a 36-oz steak.
- Mike Reiss notes that Stephon Gilmore is fitting right in with the close defensive backs group, and Duron Harmon explains why.
- Mike GIardi says Stephon Gilmore's situation with the Patriots is 'getting better all the time.'
- Mike Reiss details the Pats' unique week of practice and assures they haven't lost sight of their mission -- to beat Oakland on Sunday.
- Mike Reiss hears from Rob Gronkowski on practicing in high altitude: 'You can feel it.'
- Doug Kyed notes Devin McCourty on why the Patriots play their best late in the season.
- Kevin Duffy reports Greg Cosell of NFL Films believes Brandin Cooks could be in for a big game on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.
- Ryan Hannable notes the Patriots will likely be without three of their better players Sunday: Marcus Cannon, Chris Hogan and Matthew Slater.
- Joshua Schrock relays Steve Young explaining the one way the Raiders can beat Tom Brady and the Patriots.
- Mike Reiss looks at how the team would fill a David Andrews void if they had to. Ted Karras probably would get nod at center.
- Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Center David Andrews calls in sick for practice.
- Jeff Howe Friday Mailbag: Predicting a Tom Brady contract extension for next offseason.
- Doug Kyed Patriots Mailbag: Why secondary could be strength by end of season.
- Ulises Harada tells us that in Mexico, the Patriots are a very popular team.
- Jim Lazar predicts the Patriots will roll with the run game against the Raiders in Mexico, and makes his Week 11 picks. Pats win 34-22.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Chris Booker (Las Vegas Review-Journal) Raiders QB Derek Carr sees Mexico City as home-field advantage.
- Eric Gomez (ESPN) In Mexico, it's: 'How about them... Patriots'.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Mexico City’s altitude will affect Patriots’ and Raiders’ special teams.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Jack Del Rio on Mexico City altitude: Preparing in Oakland makes sense for us.
- Steve Wulf (ESPN) How the NFL's first foray into Mexico went south, and back north.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Bill Belichick: Marshawn Lynch “looks good on every run”.
- Conor Orr (SI) Antonio Brown, explosive Steelers' offense provide hope it's not a one-team race in AFC.
- Mike DeCourcy (Sporting News) Obsession with Steelers' Patriots problem makes Pittsburgh seem weak.
- Alex Marvez (Sporting News) Suffering from poor quarterback play, AFC stuck in troubling slump.
- Kenneth Arthur (Sports on Earth) Top ten Super Bowl contenders. Patriots rank 4th, behind Saints, Eagles and ... Steelers? /Yeesh.
- Ross Tucker (Sports on Earth) In defense of Thursday Night Football.
- Adam Kilgore (Washington Post) To sign with Patriots, Martellus Bennett beat the system and got what he wanted.
- Joe Lucia (Awful Announcing) There isn’t much good news for networks when looking at NFL pregame show viewership.
- Will Leitch (Sports on Earth) NFL confidence pool: Week 11. "The real question is when the Patriots play the Eagles in the Super Bowl, will Carson Wentz be able to hold down his lunch?"
- Staff (SI) NFL Week 11 Picks. All six pick Patriots.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) PFT’s Week 11 picks. Florio picks Patriots 34-20; MDS picks Patriots 35-31.
EXTRACURRICULAR
- Sheilla Dingus (AdvocacyForFairnessInSports) Motions filed to address NFL concussion settlement delays.
- Michael McCann (SI) What is the NFLPA's game plan after losing Ezekiel Elliott's case?
- Sheilla Dingus (AdvocacyForFairnessInSports) Report details anti-labor stance within NFL players union. Cyrus Mehri’s report “chronicles the reckless spending of the NFLPA, following the money trail from NFLPA leadership to law firms with anti-union agendas on the receiving end.”
- Todd Archer, et al (ESPN) Owners to devote session to Roger Goodell deal at Dec. 13 meeting.
- Staff (ESPN) Players to Goodell: We'd like a jet, lifetime insurance and $50 million, too.