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The New England Patriots are on to the 2019 AFC Championship Game thanks to a dominating performance against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. But while the team’s performance on game day was impressive, the preparation leading up to the divisional round matchup certainly also played an essential role in the win. As a result of their work, six men received practice player of the week honors.
QB Brian Hoyer
WR Damoun Patterson
OG Ted Karras
LB Calvin Munson
DE Trent Harris
SS Obi Melifonwu
Four of the six players honored this week also were part of the group of practice players after the Patriots’ regular season finale against the New York Jets: wideout Damoun Patterson and defenders Calvin Munson, Trent Harris and Obi Melifonwu were both recognized for the role they played helping New England prepare for its 16th game of the year — and now again for the 17th.
Patterson, a taller receiver at 6’2, likely helped the Patriots’ defensive backfield for the tall weapons on the Chargers’ roster. Munson and Harris, meanwhile, might have emulated Los Angeles’ dangerous pass rushing duo of Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa, while Melifonwu likely helped prepare for the team’s quarters package.
The two new players listed today, backup quarterback Brian Hoyer and offensive lineman Ted Karras, probably helped their teammates prepare for L.A. passer Philip Rivers and the players lining up in front of him. New England’s defense certainly looked well prepared going against the Pro Bowler and the linemen blocking for him.
Week 1: DL Trent Harris, OL James Ferentz, DB Keion Crossen, DL Geneo Grissom, DL Deatrich Wise Jr., DB J.C. Jackson
Week 7: RB Kenneth Farrow, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, OL James Ferentz, DB Nate Ebner, DL Frank Herron
Week 8: LB Calvin Munson, DL Derek Rivers, DB David Jones, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, OL Ted Karras
Week 9: DE Trent Harris, WR Phillip Dorsett, TE Stephen Anderson, QB Brian Hoyer, DT Frank Herron, LB Calvin Munson, SS David Jones, CB J.C. Jackson
Week 10: RB Rex Burkhead, WR Phillip Dorsett, QB Danny Etling, SS Obi Melifonwu, WR Damoun Patterson, DE Ufomba Kamalu
Week 13: TE Stephen Anderson, CB Duke Dawson, DE Trent Harris, DT Frank Herron, OL Ted Karras, LB Calvin Munson, WR Damoun Patterson, DE Derek Rivers, DE Ufomba Kamalu
Week 16: CB Duke Dawson, RB Rex Burkhead, OL James Ferentz, QB Brian Hoyer, DE Trent Harris, DE Derek Rivers
Week 17: DE Trent Harris, WR Damoun Patterson, TE Stephen Anderson, QB Danny Etling, SS Obi Melifonwu, LB Calvin Munson, DT Frank Herron