TEAM TALK
- Patriots place CB Stephon Gilmore on injured reserve.
- Patriots sign DL Isaiah Mack to practice squad; Release TE Paul Quessenberry from practice squad.
- Mike Dussault’s Unfiltered Notebook 12/23: Herron is latest rookie to see an expanded role.
- Press Conference Transcript: Bill Belichick.
- Angelique Fiske tells us how Patriots players gave back this holiday season.
- Press Conferences: Matthew Slater (16 min. video) - Jake Bailey (7 min. video) - Bill Belichick (15 min. video)
- Memorable Moments: LeGarrette Blount’s rainy day record vs. the Bills. (1 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Zack Cox looks at what the Bills can expect from Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham on Monday nigh: It’s unclear who will start at QB for the Patriots.
- Karen Guregian reports Bill Belichick is still not revealing which QB will be the starter for the Bills game.
- Jordan Cohn says the Patriots were completely left out of ESPN’s Bills-Pats promo video. /insert eye-roll emoji here.
- Doug Kyed thinks the Patriots are unlikely to lose JC Jackson this offseason. Jackson will be a restricted free agent.
- Nick O’Malley reports Devin McCourty is not retiring after 2020 season: ‘I plan on playing next year.’
- Zack Cox notes the Patriots know they have something special in Pro Bowl punter Jake Bailey.
- Zack Cox highlights why Nick Folk is one of the Patriots’ unlikeliest 2020 success stories: Folk has not missed a field goal since Week 2.
- Chris Mason points out that Nick Folk is a free agent in 2021 but not planning on retiring.
- Nick O’Malley highlights Devin McCourty saying it’s ‘unfair’ to put all the blame of the team’s struggles on Cam.
- Jerry Trotta (MusketFire) Stephon Gilmore’s injury further indicts Patriots for not trading him. /Stahhp.
- Doug Kyed talks about the Patriots succession plan after Jedd Fisch’s departure, and who could eventually succeed Josh McDaniels as Patriots offensive coordinator.
- Tim Kelly thumbnails ten NFL head coaching candidates for 2021, including Josh McDaniels.
- Phil Perry looks at what Josh Allen can teach us about the Patriots’ QB search.
- Tom E. Curran explains why Josh Rosen joining the 49ers matters in Foxboro.
- Zack Cox says the Jets Week 15 win probably cost them Trevor Lawrence. Here’s what that means for the Patriots and the AFC East.
- Danny Jaillet (PatriotsWire) Gimmie Him: Josh Allen would set up Patriots for future.
- Karen Guregian suggests the Patriots should take the Bills approach to the receiving corps.
- Matt Cassel thinks a No. 1 receiver should top the Patriots’ offseason wish list.
- Jerry Trotta (MusketFire) Boston radio hosts calling out Bill Belichick on Twitter seems like a bad idea. /Do folks still listen to these guys?
- Michael Hurley makes his Week 16 picks: It’s Christmas week. The NFL is going to finish its season, despite the pandemic. That’s wild. Patriots (+7) over Bills.
- Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Sara Marshall discuss the Pats bright spots, the struggles of their run defense, and why Cam Newton might still be the Pats’ best option at QB in 2020, and beyond. (42 min.)
- Patriots Talk podcast: Dissecting the NFL Draft’s top QBs and best Patriots fits. (1 hour)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Staff (ESPN) Arizona Wildcats hire New England Patriots’ Jedd Fisch as new football coach.
- Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) Your NFL Week 16 matchup guide.
- Albert Breer (SI) Mailbag: Justin Herbert or Justin Jefferson for Offensive Rookie of the Year? Plus, playing 2021 QB musical chairs with top draft picks, Carson Wentz, Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, Sam Darnold and more.
- David Carr (NFL.com) Offensive player rankings, Week 16: Offensive All-Rookie Team. Mike Onwenu listed.
- Cynthia Frelund (NFL.com) 2020 NFL playoff picture: Let’s use math to determine the most likely — or unlikely — outcomes for the biggest remaining questions.
- Tom Pelissero (NFL.com) NFL execs vote on awards: Who’s MVP? Coach of the Year?
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady on 300th game: I’m very blessed to still be doing it
- Bill Bender (Sporting News) NFL picks, predictions for Week 16: The Bills are AFC East champions, and now the opportunity to sweep the rival Patriots is there. The Bills might be the hottest team in the NFL, and Josh Allen continues the winning streak. Bills 28-20.
- Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) NFL picks, predictions Week 16: Bills pile on Patriots 24-14. “The Patriots are officially eliminated from the playoffs while the Bills, the new AFC East champions, know they can get the No. 2 seed in the AFC with the Steelers stumbling. They beat the Patriots once and want to do it again to put a stamp on the transition of power in prime time. The disparity at quarterback from Josh Allen to Cam Newton shows up here.”
- Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) NFL Week 16 picks. Bills win. “The only thing I worry about is the Bills losing focus...”