New England Patriots links 10/29/21 - No need to ‘let Mac Jones cook’ vs. Chargers; Let the RBs eat

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Chargers Thursday Injury Report.
• Mike Dussault looks at five trade ideas that could make sense for the Pats.
• Mike Dussault’s Notebook: Hoyer embracing mentor role.
• Erik Scalavino catches up with Patriots DB Myles Bryant, who is finally getting visibility and recognition.
• Angelique Fiske reports Josh Uche speaks on and shares mental health resources for athletes with teammates.
• What They’re Saying: Los Angeles Chargers.
• Expert Predictions: Week 8 picks for Patriots at Chargers.
• Press Conferences: Jalen Mills - Isaiah Wynn - Bryan Hoyer.
• One-on-One with Damien Harris. (2.47 min. video)
• All Access: Bill Belichick mic’d up during win over Jets. (1.17 min. video)
• Patriots Unfiltered 10/28: NFL Week 8 picks, Chargers preview, Thursday practice report. (2 hours)
• Patriots Playbook 10/28: Previewing the Chargers and NFL Week 8 predictions. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Evan Lazar’s Patriots Game Plan: How Mac Jones is uniquely prepped for matchup with Chargers, Staley.
• Murph (E2GSports) Monster keys to Patriots vs. Chargers: Confuse, confound and aggravate Herbert.
• Alex Barth’s Patriots vs. Chargers key matchups: Who are the game-ruiners?
• Mark Morse (PatsFans) Week 8 Preview: Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers.
• Karen Guregian explains why this isn’t the best week to ‘let Mac Jones cook’, especially given the Chargers Achilles’ heel is having the NFL’s worst run defense.
• CBS Boston suggests what to watch for when the Patriots visit the Chargers on Halloween. 1. Pats need to hit the ground running.
• Khari Thompson thumbnails four Chargers to watch against the Patriots in Week 8.
• Andy Hart sees the ‘floundering Patriots’ and ‘upstart Chargers’ with plenty to prove in this week’s matchup.
• Hayden Bird hears from Rob Ninkovich explaining why he thinks the Patriots will beat the Chargers.
• Nick Goss notes J.C. Jackson said the Chargers offense “is not really a big challenge. We just got to do what we do best. Play our football and trust each other.” /Okayyyy...
• Zack Cox compares the rookie seasons of Mac Jones and Justin Herbert: Jones is off to the best start of any 2021 rookie QB. Last season, that honor belonged to the Patriots’ next opponent: Justin Herbert.
• Matt Cassel ranks Mac Jones and Justin Herbert among the top 10 QBs drafted since 2018.
• Jenna Ciccotelli notes Brian Hoyer calls Mac Jones ‘a very mature 23-year-old’ and thinks he should be having more fun.
• Mike Cole thanks Mac Jones’ solid play for saving the Patriots from Deshaun Watson trade rumors.
• Phil Perry suggest five CBs the Patriots should consider before the trade deadline.
• Darren Hartwell simulated New England’s upcoming slate as they enter a challenging stretch in their schedule, and came away with some encouraging results.
• Nick Goss points to some stats that show rookie Christian Barmore’s impressive impact on the defense.
• Andrew Callahan Jamie Collins opens up to the Herald about returning to the Patriots yet again.
• Ryan Hannable notes Matthew Judon explains why he’s been so accessible to media this season, “Honestly, I think y’all keep it fair.”
• Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Chargers RB Austin Eleker added to injury report: What it may mean for the Pats.
• Ryan Hannable points out there were no changes to the Patriots injury report, but Chargers star RB Austin Ekeler missed Thursday because of a hip injury.
• Zack Cox addresses his Friday Patriots Mailbag: Trade deadline targets, X-factor DB, O-line outlook; More.
• Dakota Randall reports Ian Rapoport directly refuted Seth Wichersham’s Patriots-Jimmy Garappolo rumors.
• Adam London relays Bill Belichick on how he feels about facing former Patriot Asante Samuel’s son this Sunday. “Makes me feel old,”
• Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Bill Belichick mic’d up during the Patriots Week 7 win.
• Ryan Hannable notes Bill Belichick praises N’Keal Harry while mic’d up vs. Jets
• Zack Cox relays a story in The Athletic from ex-Patriots punter Zoltan Mesko sharing a funny story about Belichick and Brady. Mesko was asked to moonlight as superstar defensive end J.J. Watt, delighting his coach ‘I’m going to pay you 100 bucks every time you swat that ball’ and infuriating Tom Brady.
• Dakota Randall explains why Bill Belichick apparently hands out ‘green balls’ to Patriots coaches.
• Ricky Doyle highlights ex-Patriot Steven Jackson detailing his unexpected 2016 locker room speech, after Bill Belichick called upon him to address the team.
• Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Former Patriots WR Chris Hogan posts retirement video.
• Eric Wilbur tells us what NFL experts are predicting for Sunday’s Patriots-Chargers game. If New England lays an egg in Los Angeles, last week’s humiliation of the Jets will be for naught.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Ben Linsey (PFF) NFL Week 8: Key matchups and storylines for all 15 games. Pats-Chargers, Matchup to watch: RB Damien Harris vs. Chargers’ run defense; Biggest storyline, More.
• Albert Breer (SI) GamePlan: NFL trade deadline notes, the Latest on Deshaun Watson; Plus, this week’s best games, story lines to follow, a look at cap space around the league and more.
• Preview (NFL.com) Week 8: Patriots vs. Chargers preview: Everything you need to know. (4.15 min. video)
• Doug Kyed (PFF) Week 8 Mailbag: Potential Marlon Mack trade, Maxx Crosby’s ascension, Patriots adding secondary help and more.
• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) 2021 NFL trade deadline: One deal that each team should make; 32 scenarios for buyers and sellers. Patriots: Buy: CB Kyle Fuller (Broncos).
• Nick Shook (NFL.com) NFL’s top 10 QB-pass catcher combos in 2021. No. 6, Justin Herbert, Mike Williams.
• Will Brinson (CBS Sports) NFL Week 8 odds, picks. Patriots win 24-21. “... If the Chargers get a big lead early taking the Pats is a problem but given how New England defended Justin Herbert last year I’m willing to take the points against a team without an actual home-field advantage.”
• Matt Youmans, Dave Tuley (LA Times) Chargers vs. New England Patriots: NFL betting odds, lines and predictions. Both pick Patriots to win.
• Report (ESPN) Roger Goodell was paid nearly $128M after navigating league through labor peace, media deals in past two years.