Pats face Jets on Thanksgiving Night

The Patriots close out a short week in a primetime matchup with the New York Jets on Thanksgiving night.

New England enters Thursday’s matchup with somewhat of a bruised ego, as All-Pro Tight End Rob Gronkowski, the focal point of the passing offense, has been sidelined for 4-6 weeks. Gronkowski broke his forearm on the Patriots’ final extra point in Sunday’s 59-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

New York headlines have found Gronkowski’s injury as something to give thanks for, as the New York Post’s headline on Tuesday simply read, “Thanks, Bill”. The Jets, as well as other teams around the league, believe that New England’s offense is stymied without the presence of Rob Gronkowski.

A New England fan, however, would find it hard to believe this to be true. The Patriots currently have 4 Tight Ends on the active roster, and can plug any of them in as needed in order to replicate Gronkowski’s presence. Furthermore, it is believed that Aaron Hernandez will return to the lineup vs. the Jets.

As for the Jets, I firmly believe that this is a make or break game for Rex Ryan. The Jets have lost three straight regular season contests; their last win came in a 28-21 upset at Gillette Stadium in the divisional round of the playoffs (I’m still not ready to talk about that game..)

There is reason to believe that the Patriots’ offense will come into Thursday’s game with more momentum than their initial Oct. 21^st matchup with New York. After dropping 59 on a pretty decent Indy defense, their confidence is sky high coming against an offense led by Mark Sanchez.

The loss of Rob Gronkowski will make very little difference; the Patriots should roll to victory very easily in the Meadowlands. 

Prediction:  Patriots 31, Jets 21 (8-3)

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski suffers broken forearm

Comcast SportsNet reported late Sunday evening that Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has broken his left forearm in Sunday’s win against the Indianapolis Colts.

The injury, which typically carries a 6 to 8 week rehabilitation period, would sideline Gronkowski until late December; perhaps mid-January.

Gronkowski's injury was believed to be sustained on a reception he made early in the 4^th quarter. Following Sunday’s win, Gronkowski had compiled 10 touchdowns on 53 receptions for a total of 748 yards.

Gronkowski had been a stalwart in the Patriots’ offense, and the workload now falls upon Tight Ends Aaron Hernandez, Visanthe Shiancoe, Daniel Fells, and Michael Hoomanawanui to replicate his production.

More to come on this story as it develops.

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Patriots release WR Deion Branch

On Saturday, the Patriots released veteran WR Deion Branch… again.

The move comes less than 24 hours before the Patriots’ matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Branch, the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX, was previously released just before New England’s week 1 matchup with the Tennessee Titans, only to be re-signed two weeks later.

The release of Branch seems strictly business, as the Patriots used Branch’s roster vacancy to activate newly acquired CB Aqib Talib. Additionally, the Patriots promoted WR Greg Salas from the Practice Squad. Branch must clear waivers before becoming a complete free agent. Judging by the shuffling of receivers this year, one would be hard-pressed to believe that Branch has played his final game in a Patriots’ uniform.

More to come on this story as it develops.

Pats' Preview vs. Indy; let Luck pass

After Colts owner Jim Irsay took it upon himself to gut the entire organization from the front office to the players, the Patriots welcome the new-look Indianapolis Colts into town. With QB Andrew Luck at the helm, this proves to be a rather intriguing matchup.

 The number 1 overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft has conducted himself in a Manning-like manner – promoting hard work, and quickly taking on a leadership role. Despite Andrew’s skills, as well as his will to win at the next level, it is hard to believe that there will be much luck at Gillette on Sunday.

Exceeding his expectations out of Stanford, Luck has drawn comparisons to Peyton Manning from every angle. While it is impossible to compare a rookie to a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Luck hasn’t quie fallen short of the outline set before him.

At 6-3, Luck has been a pivotal factor in each of Indianapolis’ victories – exhibiting heroic leadership along the way.

Be that as it may, Andrew Luck has the insurmountable task of going punch for punch with the one and only Tom Brady. It is because of this that his attempt at heroism in Foxboro will ultimately be unsuccessful.

While Luck is fully capable of carving up the Patriots’ secondary like a Thanksgiving turkey, the old adage stands: Rookies make rookie mistakes. Just a theory here, but with Colts RB Donald Brown questionable, the Patriots may be in the fortunate (perhaps unfortunate?) position of forcing Luck to pass more often by stifling the run. If the defense can exhibit more of a zone-blitz scheme than last week, the Patriots can pressure Luck into those second and third reads that rookie QBs often struggle to make. Containing Indy’s receiving corps – Reggie Wayne, in particular – will be of chief importance to make this plan work.  While the secondary catches a lot of heat for the defenses’ woes, a victory on Sunday will be up to the front seven and their ability to pressure Luck.

For a matchup vs. a rookie quarterback, this one will probably be closer than expected. The Patriots have just enough firepower on O to keep Andrew Luck at bay

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Prediction: Patriots 31, Colts 23 (7-3)

Patriots take on Bills on Veterans' Day

Week 10: vs. Buffalo Bills. Sunday, Nov. 11. 1:00 p.m. ET. CBS.

 

The second half of the Patriots’ 2012 campaign is officially underway. Historically, New England has enjoyed great success down the stretch in years’ past, and this season will be no different.

 The Buffalo Bills come to town for their second and final matchup with the Patriots for 2012, and will ultimately walk away empty-handed. After coming up short at home, the Bills will not be able to work past a Patriots defense that has grown into itself. Wilfork & Co. will stifle Fitzpatrick’s attempts at being a relevant NFL Quarterback.

In the Belichick era, the Patriots are 9-3 following a bye week. Much of this is credited to Belichick’s careful preparation during the week off. If you consider that the Patriots’ have one good game of notes against the Bills already, the team is pretty much set on a solid gameplan. It’s not easy to win in the NFL, but this one seems as close to a sure thing as anything this year.

The Patriots walk away from this one unscathed ready totake on the Colts in Week 11.

 

Prediction: Patriots 31, Bills 17 (6-3)

Patriots acquire CB Aqib Talib from Tampa Bay

On Thursday, the day of the NFL’s Week 10 Trade Deadline, the Patriots traded for Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ CB Aqib Talib.

The Patriots sent  a 2013 4^th round selection in exchange for Talib and a 2013 7^th round pick.

Talib, a 4-year veteran of the NFL, is considered to be in the upper-echelon of defensive backs. At 26 years of age, and a $1.825M salary, the move is very low-risk for New England.

The acquisition of Talib eases the struggles of a much maligned secondary that ranks 30^th in passing yards in the NFL. Patriots defensive backs lead the league in passes completed over 20 yards. Additionally, the secondary has been plagued as of late by an injury bug that has claimed both Patrick Chung and Steve Gregory. The move to acquire Talib is one of talent – as he is one of the better cover corners in the league – as well as depth, and flexibility. With Talib in the mix, McCourty can be bounced between Cornerback and Safety, a spot he has become familiar with over the past year.

Talib brings to the Patriots his own brand of swagger – one of confidence, as he’s proven in coverage and in his knack for the ball. Since being drafted in 2008, Talib has collected 18 interceptions over the course of his career. Other than CB Shawn Springs, that’s more than any other Patriots’ DB since the departure of CB Asante Samuel that same year. (Safety John Lynch did not appear in a regular season game for the Patriots.)

The move not only fills an obvious hole for the Patriots, but bolsters a position that has been sub-par for years. Should the acquisition pan out, it could end favorably for Belichick, who has recently been criticized for his handling of the secondary in recent years.