What is the story about?
TEAM
TALK
- Evan Lazar’s After Further Review: Breaking down the Pats defense’s playoff breakout, Reviewing Drake Maye, and Quick-Hit notes from the Divisional Round win vs. Texans. ‘After breaking down the film on the Patriots defense all season, it was impossible to see this level of dominance coming.’ /Good read.
- Mike Dussault reports Drake Maye earns PFWA All-AFC honor after his standout second season.
- Press Conference: Mike Vrabel – Kayshon Boutte, Craig Woodson, Christian Elliss.
- WEEI Patriots Monday: Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye.
- Postgame Celebration: Inside the locker room after the win. (1.22 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Andrew Callahan’s Patriots-Texans film review: How Mike Vrabel’s defense paved way to AFC title game.
- Jerry Thornton writes how ‘America’s Worst Nightmare is BACK.
- Conor Ryan says that with New England now just one win away from a 12th trip to the Super Bowl, the good ol’ days are back. And far sooner than anyone could have expected.
- Meredith Perri on the AFC Championship game: When do the Patriots at Broncos play?
- Karen Guregian notes Drake Maye & Co. are on to conquering the next dominant defense. The Broncos are a notch below the Texans at No. 2 allowing just 18.3 points per game.
- Phil Perry tells us what we learned in Pats-Texans: A new identity emerges for Vrabel’s club.
- Jerry Thornton’s knee-jerk reactions to Pats-Texans. Inexplicably, Stroud kept seeking out whomever Gonzo was in coverage on. …going after the Patriots top coverage guy would be a bold strategy if he was matched up with Collins. Against Jayden Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson, it bordered on self-harm.“
- Steve Balestrieri shares his Pats-Texans observations: As I predicted last week, despite Houston’s defense getting all of the laurels (deservedly), after this game we’d be talking about the Patriots’ defense. /All except Dan Orlovsky of course.
- Nick Goss details how a motivated Patriots defense proved it’s elite with masterclass vs. Texans.
- Khari Thompson updates his Patriots Stock Watch to see who stood out and who struggled on Sunday.
- Nick Goss talks about how rookie safety Craig Woodson has been huge draft steal for the Patriots.
- Mike D’Abate spotlights star receiver Kayshon Boutte, who has been one of the team’s most valuable pass-catchers and inspirational leaders this season.
- Mark Daniels notes Drake Maye and Kayshon Boutte recreated their first-ever touchdown in Sunday’s win.
- Ian Logue notes Rhamondre Stevenson downplays his eye injury from Sunday.
- Alex Barth tells us what Mike Vrabel sees in Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
- Mark Daniels hears from a small handful of Patriots who remember QB Jarrett Stidham.
- Darren Hartwell recaps the Jarrett Stidham timeline, from Patriots ‘heir apparent’ to afterthought.
- Alex Barth notes the Broncos could be getting running back J.K. Dobbins back from IR for Sunday.
- Mark Daniels reports LB Christian Elliss will be facing his brother, LB Jonah Elliss in the AFC Championship game. Elliss noted both play on special teams, so he hopes to get a chance to hit him.
- Jerry Thornton says RIP to the Bills Dynasty: It really IS officially over.
- Pats Procrastination podcast: Clare and Chudders wrap up Pats-Texans and take a quick look ahead to the Sunday Conference Championship match up in Denver. (44 min. video)
- Patriots Press Pass: Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick break down Drake Maye’s performance in the Patriots’ win over the Texans. (44 min. video)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Multiple Contributors (ESPN) AFC, NFC championship preview: Schedule, X factors, stats.
- Jeffri Chadiha (NFL.com) Why each contender can win Super Bowl LX; top offseason priority for 4 eliminated teams. Patriots – why they can win it all: Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye.
- Nora Princiotti (The Ringer) Gird your loins for another Patriots Super Bowl appearance; The Pats have ridden the NFL’s easiest schedule to the AFC title game. Is America emotionally ready for what comes next?
- NFL Countdown (YouTube) Drake Maye with Tedy Bruschi on how Mike Vrabel has developed him as a leader. (16 min. video)
- Bill Barnwell (ESPN) 11 key plays that decided the divisional round. 7. Drake Maye hits DeMario Douglas for a 28-yard touchdown. 8. Marcus Jones returns a Stroud interception 26 yards for a touchdown.
- Mike Kadlick (SI) The one key play that helped send each of the NFL’s final four to Championship Sunday. Patriots: Kayshon Boutte hauls in moon ball from Drake Maye to cement two-score lead.
- Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) Which storylines from the divisional round are valid or overblown? Patriots can overcome Drake Maye’s turnovers. Overreaction. Just because the Patriots have overcome them to this point doesn’t mean that’ll continue as they push deeper into the playoffs.
- Gilberto Manzano (SI) Five lessons from Divisional Round: Bills need to exercise patience with next head coach; Plus, the Texans let their defense down. /No Pats, lol.
- Dan Graziano and Ben Solak (ESPN) Divisional round questions, overreactions. /Click for Commentary.
- Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) Meet Jarrett Stidham, the former 5-star QB now tasked with leading Denver to Super Bowl LX.
- Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Sorry, Bills. It’s not the NFL without officiating controversy.
- Michael McDaniel (SI) Dolphins to hire Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as new head coach. /This article written by who?? Lol.
