New England Patriots links 1/07/19 - Patriots-Chargers hype week begins

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart previews the Los Angeles Chargers headed to Gillette Stadium in the divisional round on Sunday.
• Andy Hart and Paul Perillo debate which Patriot other than Brady is most important to the team’s success in the playoffs.
• Angelique Fiske reports Devin McCourty surprised a young friend battling sickle cell with two tickets to this year’s Super Bowl.
• Don Banks’ Snap Judgments, Wild Card Weekend: Musings, observations and the occasional insight on a low-scoring but nevertheless riveting first round of the NFL playoffs.

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: Tom Brady spends time with throwing coach during playoff bye week.
• Ryan Hannable’s Sunday 7: History shows Rob Gronkowski can turn things around, have monster divisional round.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots Sunday news, AFC East notes: Since 2001, the Patriots have had 13 byes, the most in the NFL.
• Michael Hurley tells us all we need to know about the Los Angeles Chargers: They’re good.
• Doug Kyed previews Patriots vs. Chargers: What gives New England the playoff edge?
• Tom E. Curran gives us five things to know and/or ignore this week about Pats-Chargers: Gus Bradley matters.
• Ryan Hannable believes the Patriots got the worst-case scenario, having to face the Chargers in the divisional round.
• Karen Guregian also calls the Chargers the worst-case scenario, for the Patriots to have as their next opponent.
• Tom Keegan suggests we pray for ice, snow and bitter cold at Gillette Stadium as apparently bad weather is the Patriots’ best hope to beat the Chargers.
• Christopher Simoneau (FullPressCoverage) Reports of Patriots’ death just another internet rumor.
• Andrew Callahan offers his first impression of Patriots-Chargers, with kickoff set for Sunday, Jan. 13, at 1:05 p.m.
• David Latham (LastWordOnSports) Patriots to face off against Los Angeles Chargers in AFC divsional round.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Chargers beat Baltimore, sets up great matchup with New England: These aren’t your dad’s Bolts.
• Matt Dolloff says now that the divisional round is set, all that’s left to do this week is hype it all up.
• Joshua Schrock notes Philip Rivers and the Chargers ‘really don’t care’ about the Patriots’ dynasty. “Any squad, any place... we’ll be there next Sunday.”
• David Latham (LastWordOnSports) Why Tom Brady is poised for another playoff hot streak.
• Kevin Duffy calls the Chargers the most accomplished divisional round opponent for the Patriots in the past decade.
• Zack Cox agrees and adds since losing to the Jets at home in 2010, New England has gone a perfect 7-0 in the divisional round, with the win over the Ravens the only one worth remembering.
• Bob George (PatsFans) After a crazy weekend, Patriots are on to the Chargers.
• Joshua Schrock suggests Tom Brady will struggle against the Chargers because even though he won both playoff games in the past (last time in 2007) he struggled in those games.
• Nick Goss also points out that Tom Brady’s playoff stats vs. the Chargers aren’t encouraging.
• Tom Brady posts an Instagram message to the Chargers: “See you next Sunday in Foxboro! Let’s have some fun! #LFG”
• Karen Guregian tosses out some superlatives that help capture the 2018 Patriots season.
• Mike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) A quick look ahead to the Patriots 2019 offseason: There’s no better weekend than wild card weekend when you’re on the bye week.
• Evan Lazar and Alex Barth explain why the Los Angeles Chargers will be the toughest test for the Patriots. (6.45 min. video)
• WEEI notes that the Patriots’ point spread is the closest of all divisional round games.
• Evan Lazar shares his film notes on Trent Brown to see if the Patriots should resign the left tackle this offseason.
• Steve Doerschuk (CantonRep) Josh McDaniels very interested in Browns job.
• Joshua Schrock NFL Rumors: If Josh McDaniels leaves, Kliff Kingsbury could be replacement. /Could this be the Brady/Kliff?

NATIONAL NEWS

• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady, Philip Rivers will be oldest pair of playoff starting quarterbacks.
• Brad Gagnon (Bleacher Report) Chargers finally giving Philip Rivers clear road to elusive Super Bowl title.
• Gary Gramling (SI) Sunday Freakout - Wild-Card playoffs takeaways: The cruelest end for the Bears, Ravens offense solved, Dak gets it done.
• Albert Breer (SI) Monday Morning QB: The Eagles, Chargers, Cowboys and Colts advance—and look dangerous.
• Peter King (ProFootballTalk) FMIA Wild-Card Weekend: Double-doink misses, grass-green stains and one golden grab.
• Will Brinson (CBS Sports) Sorting the Sunday Pile: Nick Foles magic rolls on, Philip Rivers gets revenge, Lamar Jackson boos unfair.
• Around the NFL (NFL.com) Twelve things we learned from Wild Card Weekend.
• Jay Cohen (AP) Rivers versus Brady in divisional round of NFL playoffs.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) All four home teams favored in divisional round.
• Marcus Spears and Damien Woody (ESPN) Who do you trust in the playoffs: Brady, Mahomes or Brees? (1.37 min. video)
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Patriots prepare for Josh McDaniels to leave (unless he doesn’t, again).