New England Patriots links 10/31/19 - Pats D, Ravens O ‘haven’t seen anything like’ each other before

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Ravens Wednesday Injury Report.
• Mike Dussault shares the news, notes and locker-room buzz from Wednesday at Gillette: Patriots defense prepares for dynamic threat Lamar Jackson.
• Press Conference transcript: Bill Belichick.
• Ross Bautista reports on the Patriots getting in Halloween spirit at a party for pediatric cancer patients.
• Angelique Fiske reports Jamie Collins and Shilique Calhoun help kids in need shop for new winter coats.
• Patriots score highest regular season TV rating in four years.
• Highlights: Bill Belichick’s road to 300 wins. (5.34 min. video) /Pretty cool.

LOCAL LINKS

• Phil Perry takes a look at Harbaugh vs. Belichick: Analytics guy vs. ‘less than zero’ analytics guy.
• Rian Queen (LastWordOnSports) Patriots win by unleashing Jamie Collins.
• Nick Goss points out the Ravens have dominated opponents in primetime games at home over the last 10 years, losing only once.
• Matt Dolloff presents the 2019 Ravens, by the numbers.
• Doug Kyed attempts to figure out why the Patriots best pass rusher isn’t rushing the passer more this season. Jamie Collins leads the team with six sacks through eight games.
• Tom E. Curran considers whether the 2019 Patriots defense can break the 2000 Ravens’ record for points allowed.
• Nick Goss notes Ravens TE Nick Boyle made some comments on the Patriots defense that might find their way into the locker room: “We’ll see how good they are once we play them. I don’t think they’ve seen anyone like our offense or like Lamar.”
• NESN notes Devin McCourty seemed to agree with Nick Boyle’s comments but adds, it may be the Ravens offense who hasn’t seen anything yet.
• Zack Cox notes Raven-turned-Patriot Justin Bethel has the inside scoop on Lamar Jackson.
• Matt Vautour notes ten days ago Justin Bethel was a Raven, getting ready to play New England, but now he’s handing out Patriots gear to his new teammates. “Hey, I’m all in.”
• Nick Goss reports Isaiah Wynn is back at practice, in a positive step towards his return.
• Nick O’Malley relays Mohamed Sanu on if he’s getting on the same page as Tom Brady: “I’m working my way,” Sanu said. “I’m slightly on, like, the first couple letters of the sentence, but I’m getting there.”
• Doug Kyed hears from Mohamed Sanu offering a positive first impression of N’Keal Harry.
• Zack Cox explains how Ben Watson is expanding his skill set to help the Patriots at age 38.
• Zack Cox reports Stephon Gilmore earns the Patriots’ second straight Defensive Player of the Month award. Devin McCourty won it in September.
• Mac Cerullo takes stock of the Patriots at the halfway point: Why the team could go undefeated and why they probably won’t.
• Ryan Hannable tells us what he makes of the Patriots offense through 8 games this season. No identity yet; Not as productive as some think; A revolving door of pass catchers; More.
• Jim Hackett says the notion that Belichick the GM hurts Belichick the head coach is utterly preposterous.
• CBS Boston reports Tom Brady pops up on the Patriots’ Injury Report with a right shoulder issue.
• CBS Boston notes Tom Brady reveals his Halloween costume on Instagram.
• Michael Hurley makes his Week 9 picks against the spread: Celebrating Tom Brady’s decline. “And that decline absolutely kicks ass. It slays. It is the most badass decline in the history of declines.” /Ha! Couldn’t agree more.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Crossover edition - Mike D’Abate joins up with Locked On Ravens to discuss Sunday’s matchup. (42 min.)

FanPulse: Week 9

NATIONAL NEWS

• Jenny Vrentas (SI) Stephon Gilmore is the NFL’s best cornerback, and he’s finally ready to say it. /Nice read.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Stephon Gilmore named AFC defensive player of the month.
• Jamison Hensley (ESPN) Ravens expect to give Patriots ‘run for their money’.
• Jamison Hensley (ESPN) The NFL’s ultimate cheat code: A Lamar Jackson scramble.
• Grant Gordon (NFL.com) McCourty has ‘never seen’ a QB like Lamar Jackson.
• Todd Karpovich (SI) Patriots won’t even try to emulate Lamar Jackson in practice.
• Maurice Jones-Drew (NFL.com) RB Index, Week 9: Sony Michel poised for second-half breakout.
• NFL Nation (ESPN) Biggest Week 9 injury questions for all 32 NFL teams. Patriots: Shaq Mason (ankle).
• David Purdum (ESPN) Bets pouring in on Patriots to finish unbeaten.
• Marc Sessler (NFL.com) Pleasant surprises, disappointments at 2019 season’s midpoint. Makes fun of “Belichickphiles”.
• Staff (The Ringer) 2019 NFL midseason playoff and awards predictions: The Patriots look like the Patriots once again, and Russell Wilson is the early MVP-frontrunner.
• Analysts (NFL.com) 2019 NFL playoff predictions and awards.
• Andrew Brandt (SI) Business of Football: When it comes to contracts or trades, NFL players see increased leverage—If they are elite.
• Jimmy Traina (SI) Confessions of a RedZone Channel hater.