TEAM TALK
- Game Preview: Texans at Patriots. Broadcast info, series history, tale of the tape, and more.
- Erik Scalavino breaks down the film, quarter-by-quarter, from New England's Week 2 road win in New Orleans.
- John Rooke's View from Above: Next "men" up for New England...Romo's righteousness...and SoCal could use a wake-up call for pro ball...
- Andy Hart tackles this week's Ask PFW Mailbag: Back on track.
- Conference Call transcripts: Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia.
- Lauren Spencer tells us 10 fun facts about Rex Burkhead, following a Q&A session with high school students at the Hall at Patriot Place.
- Angelique Fiske shares how a Texas second grader had to draw his ideal landmark for a homework assignment, and it's one Patriots fans would all give an A+.
- Angelique Fiske reports the Patriots and Southern New Hampshire University again teamed up to give a pair of Worcester schools brand new tech labs. Patriots players were on hand to unveil them on Tuesday.
- Bob Socci previews the Houston Texans. (1.16 min. video)
- Player profile: Brandin Cooks. (4.46 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian points out a reminder that even Malcolm Butler and Alan Branch have to earn their way onto the field.
- Ryan Hannable wonders if Malcolm Butler will be the next Jamie Collins.
- Quick Slants guest Devin McCourty says everyone needs to 'chill' with the speculation on Malcolm Butler. (1.24 min. video)
- Zack Cox scouts the Texans: Familiar opponent boasts elite defense, woeful offense.
- Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) 5 First Impressions of the Texans: Patriots are favorites in rematch.
- Mike D'Abate (Cover32) Patriots Week Ahead: Pats head home to host Houston.
- Mike Reiss revisits the history of Belichick-coached teams facing rookie QBs, noting Deshaun Watson will start against a Patriots team that is 8-0 at home against rookie QBs under Belichick.
- Evan Lazar calls Foxboro an ugly place for rookie QBs to venture across the line of scrimmage.
- Stephen Hewitt notes Matt Patricia is impressed with Houston QB Deshaun Watson's speed and ability extend plays.
- Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: Expect Pats to bottle up Deshaun Watson.
- Stephen Hewitt notes Eric Rowe and Jonathan Jones - not Malcolm Butler - get praise from the Pats coaches.
- Doug Kyed hears that NFL teams are game planning around rookie Deatrich Wise.
- Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Film study: 5 things you may have missed in Patriots' win over Saints.
- Brent Schwartz (PatriotsWire) AFC East standings and analysis: Patriots remain resilient.
- Zack Cox mentions how LB David Harris has been glued to the bench so far.
- DJ Bean throws out a few early trade suggestions for the Patriots to help with depth.
- Mike Reiss notes Bill Belichick has a "ton of respect" for former Saint Steve Gleason, whom the Patriots coach was able to catch up with following last Sunday's win.
- Phil Perry reports Phillip Dorsett suffered a knee injury against the Saints, but he's hoping he'll be able to practice this week.
- Doug Kyed reports the Patriots sign a free-agent safety/punt returner to fill the open spot on the practice squad.
- Mark Farinella explains that kicking isn't as easy as it looks.
- Nick O'Malley offers a breakdown of Tom Brady's top 10 passing days, which actually have a bit of variety, including one loss.
- CSNNE guest Mike Florio says that Tom Brady won't have a farewell tour because he doesn't want anyone to know when his final year will be. (1.15 min. video)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady named AFC offensive player of the week.
- Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) 10-Point Stance: 3. Don’t take greatness (Brady) for granted.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Matt Patricia on Malcolm Butler: It’s all about this year.
- Eric Edholm (ProFootballWeekly) Is Malcolm Butler on the outs in New England?
- Joseph Ferraiola (Inside the Pylon) New England, Mike Gillislee and fourth and short.
- David Carr (NFL.com) Offensive player rankings, Week 3: Return of Tom Brady.
- Bill Williamson (FanRagSports) Examining the best offenses in AFC.
- Shaun O'Hara (NFL.com) Offensive Line of the Week: Raiders unit utterly dominates Jets.
- Alex Marvez (Sporting News) Peterson to Saints, Glennon to Bears among worst of big NFL offseason mistakes.
- Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Former NFL player blames limited time in pads for the league’s wretched OL play.
- Kevin Clark (The Ringer) How football stopped being fun: Completion percentage is at an all-time high, but watchability is trending in the other direction.
- Andrew Beaton (Wall St. Journal) Why scoring has nosedived in the NFL.
- Zach Kram (The Ringer) The Giants are boring. Stop giving them prime-time games.
- Shea Serrano (The Ringer) A guide to pretending to do things after scoring a touchdown.
- Rhiannon Walker (The Undefeated) Boston’s five major sports teams, from the Patriots to the Revolution, launch initiative to combat racism.
- Around the NFL (NFL.com) NFLPA re-elects DeMaurice Smith as executive director.