-by DNOMN8R314
Despite the quick turnaround from Sunday’s win over Washington, the Patriots have a pair of advantages this Thursday: they’ve faced new Giants starting quarterback Daniel Jones already (in the fourth preseason game this year), and Tom Brady has played on a lot more short weeks than Jones. The 2-3 Giants have picked up some wins since their quarterback switch from Eli Manning, so Bill Belichick and company will not be underestimating them whether Saquon Barkley returns from injury or remains out. With New England banged up, they’ll be relying more than ever on under-the-radar contributors, some of whom can be found in the list below.
The rich get Richards: I can’t name anyone who was fond of the Jordan Richards reunion, but the guy did fill in well on special teams against Washington. With Nate Ebner out, Richards resumed his regular special teams role and made one tackle on the third unit. Due to the short turnaround, it will be unsurprising if Ebner misses Thursday’s game, meaning Richards should have just as big a role on special teams this week. Let’s see if he can keep it up.
Edge-a-sketch: The Patriots’ offensive line has been an unfortunate weakness in recent weeks, and tackles Marshall Newhouse and Marcus Cannon will have another test ahead of them. The Giants have added to their edge rush department in recent years, bringing Markus Golden from Arizona in free agency and drafting Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines in the last two third rounds. Tom Brady’s most difficult games have been those where he’s kept under pressure and knocked off his spot, meaning Newhouse and Cannon, along with the rest of the offensive line, will as always be responsible for keeping Brady upright, this time from a new set of defenders trying to knock him down.
Bolden the beautiful: Even when the rest of New England’s running backs have been helpful, Brandon Bolden has been good for a handful of touches a game. With Rex Burkhead inactive Sunday, Bolden touched the ball on offense six times: five rushes for 13 yards and one 29-yard touchdown catch. Given the short week, it’s entirely possible Burkhead is scratched again, a roster decision which would likely increase Bolden’s role on offense again. Since Bolden, like Burkhead, has value as a rusher and receiver, his presence on the field won’t tip off the play call, something Belichick values in his running backs. His return to the Patriots his year has brought a nice sprinkling of touches, and that should continue throughout the season.
With their pumped-up kicks: Mike Nugent’s first scoring kick attempt as a Patriot resembled several of Stephen Gostkowski’s this season: a missed extra point. Nugent did make his remaining kicks – two field goals and three extra points – but he did bounce one of those XPs off the upright and through. The presence of Younghoe Koo on the practice squad suggests Nugent’s hold on the kicking job is not secure, and Sunday’s kicks mean it’s even more questionable whether Nugent will retain his role. With a short week, the Patriots may not make a roster move, but Thursday’s kicks will play a big role in determining whether the team will keep Nugent as their kicker or make a change agan.
Brooks and done: With Patrick Chung also having missed Sunday’s game, Terrence Brooks has been the next man up at strong safety. (While Duron Harmon may have had more snaps, he like Devin McCourty plays more like a second free safety.) Brooks was expected to play a core special teams role when signed but has had a bit role on defense throughout the season, a role that comes more into spotlight if Chung is out again. But even if Chung returns, Brooks’ ability to step in at safety will be worth watching against a Giants offense with a new rookie quarterback in the spotlight.
BoSoxJim TUMS-O-METER Prediction:
Plucked from the comments section: “My quick TUMS prediction: 1 case. Why? Short week, injuries and maybe bad weather. I’d be interested to see who makes the official prediction and what they predict when I get back.”
Surprise, MAC – it’s still you!
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great punt by the Bucs
Ugghh
Chargers vs Steelers on SNF, boring game
Winston turned the ball over? I don’t believe it 🙂
The coach is saying “Why are you the way you are?”
on his first throw, into zone double coverage
That’s an horrible decision by Winston. He is clueless.
Winston 1st pass ——> INT
I think I’m about 3 minutes behind, still LOL Winston.
I’m watching the game on live portuguese TV
the new Tottenham stadium is amazing
they just need a better soccer team 🙂
I like the Sex Pistols’ version of God Save the Queen more.
Through five weeks of regular-season action, the NFL is averaging 16.4 million viewers for its broadcasts. That’s a 6 percent jump over last year. On Thursday night, in a head-to-head matchup with playoff baseball, Giants-Patriots drew 16 million viewers, and Rays-Astros generated 3.67 million. And while football appeared on a three-letter broadcast network with more distribution than whatever cable platform carried baseball, the Patriots were 17-point favorites in the NFL contest, and the Rays and Astros were playing a postseason elimination game. Besides, Wednesday’s Nationals-Dodgers elimination game aired on FOX, and it had an audience of only 5.86 million. Then… Read more »
SUNDAY MORNING FOOTBALL
NFL network, not on my cable. Was watching USA/Tonga rugby… for a bit, then I made the mistake of going online and found out it wasn’t being televised live.
https://nflbite.com/tampa-bay-buccaneers-vs-carolina-panthers-live-stream/
Thanks, looks like a non scammy stream.
they usually have good streams, some are even really HD
NFL Bite is what used to be r/nflstreams. They’re pretty solid.
NFL Sinday kicks off at 9:30 AM. TB-Carolina
Excellent typo
wake up
hi PPB MAC 🙂
in yahoo’s half PPR standard scoring league… the patriots defense is the second best fantasy player so far this year… thats including the week 6 points but still… they have 127 points… next best defense is SF with 60
Anyone else excited for that epic WAS-MIA matchup tomorrow?
the Toilet- Bowl
They should play it on Idaho State’s field and call it the Ti-D-Bowl.
There are some quite interesting games tomorrow. KC/HOU, PHI/MN, SF/LAR, NO/JAX.
I think i’m pulling for Hou, Min, SF, and No
I like the Saints, I tend to root for them when they aren’t in the way of the Patriots or Bears. Yeah, you gotta go for the Texans over the Chiefs. Having 2 games in hand on the Chiefs would be sweet. And I like Jimmy G, I root for SF now for the first time ever. I should be rooting for the Eagles to beat the Vikings, as that would help the Bears, but I have over a dozen family members in northern Minnesota who are avid Vikings fans, so I tend to root for them unless they are… Read more »
You have a very complicated NFL fan life….
Root for the Pats….or STFU!
OK, but rooting for the Pats sometimes calls for rooting for other AFC teams to lose. Gotta cover all the bases.
Exactly, it is complex! That’s why I have to watch so many games every weekend. Can you please explain this to my wife for me?
Clearly the schedule maker WAS MIA when putting that one down.
if the pats wanted to trade for eifert… it would only make sense to trade our own injured TE Matt Lacosse and make it an even swap
The game clock did what the UMass defense could not….hold La. Tech to a FG. It is 52-14 at the half.
DINGOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!! Flowers for Bergeron!
UMass on the warpath! It’s now 42-14 with about 6:30 left in the 2nd qtr.
49-14
2:20 left in the 2nd
🙁
If the UMass performance wasn’t enough to make you laugh, here is something that will do the trick…
Sam Mckenzie
@Sam_MckenzieNFL
#nflrumor mill is heating up. Hearing Bill is offering up Jonathan jones and a 5th round pick for Tyler Eifert. Bigger target still in play. More to come. @Bengals
@Patriots
What??? Please don’t be true!
Well, the Pats would first have to get a 5th round pick before they can use it in a trade. And they aren’t trading for someone more fragile than, well, there really isn’t anybody more fragile for a key piece to the Pats secondary.
So, why post that you cruel, cruel individual!?!
Umm no
Eifert hurt his ear when he heard he was on the trade block and is now going on IR.
Twitter is tearing this one to shreds.
im gonna be honest… i would rather the pats dont acquire anybody if they’re going to have to get rid of one of their current players who is balling out on defense… dont trade High, or Jones, or anybody (bennett would be a maybe just because he’s not needed… but even that im hesitant)…
when your defense/st’s is averaging a TD a game… you don’t start sending guys away
Miguel, among others, pointed out that the Pats don’t have a fifth this coming draft. This is as bogus as can be.
If that happens, there won’t be enough tequila in Mexico for me to drink.
UMass losing 42-0 with just under 11 minutes left in the 2nd qtr! Yikes.
UMass just returned a kickoff 87 yards and are threatening to prevent the shutout!
It’s going to be one hell of a story.
obligatory: so you’re saying there’s a chance
regarding the AB situation… the one thing that is crazy to me- the NFL hasn’t even spoken to Brown yet.
I know he’s a clown and all… but come on NFL… regardless of what he’s been accused of, if you’re going to interview his accusers, there’s no reason to have not at least had a meeting with him to let him explain his side in the 4 weeks since the allegations came out
He’s not currently an NFL player the league has no jurisdiction to ask him to do anything.
but he was employed by the NFL and he may return to the NFL… they could certainly interview him as a “potential employee of the NFL”
DINGGGGGOOOOAAAALLLL!!! Shop at Nordstrom!
All Nordstrom’s shall be on sale!!!!
The Broons scored the goal and the Devils paid for it!
DINGOOOOAAALLLLL!!!! Marchand!
98-0 or GTFO!!!
That could be how much UMass loses by tonight. They are getting slaughtered in the 1st qtr.
If the NFL clears AB – https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27827529/sources-antonio-brown-wants-field-issues-resolved-nfl-return – unfortunately I think the Pats will bring him back
Lol, he’s not getting off the legal stuff anytime soon.
Seahawks activated Jake Hollister ->
Hope this doesn’t affect Dissly, my TE in fantasy.
Pete Carrol treating Matt disslyspectfully.
Forgot he was in Seattle.
At least A&M is giving ALA a bit more competition. 34-20
Clemson is killing Florida St. 42-0.
Call the national gurard
15 yard personal foul for invoking Shannon Sharpe!
Penalty declined for relevance
You can’t decline a penalty that you incurred! That’s another 15 yards!
I’ll take the penalty like a man,
Just got a call in from New York. The penalty is overruled on replay as Jim is not a licensed referee.
Matt has been ejected!
A fan has run onto the field and…he’s down!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sciEmFJE6hE
Darren Rovell
@darrenrovell
·
1h
William Hill took two massive bets on the Georgia moneyline. On Monday, $35,000 to net $1,458. This morning, $45,000 to net $2,500. Georgia loses in double OT.
LMAO! Whoever did this is a moron and deserved to lose. 🙂
Wait, I don’t know much about betting. Someone bet $45,000 to potentially win $2,500?
Yes.
degenerate level
oh my goodness that’s hilarious. If only there were some way in the universe you could get a 5% return on investment….
dumb ass bet. moneyline bet on a big favorite its probably not a great idea
I’m no gambler, but I’d think that betting to get outperformed by the S&P 500 is a dumb bet
hi
howdy
No longer wrecking relationships; it was wrecked before I arrived.
that’s an improvement
I apologize for being for a dbag. Not a good look for me.
It’s alright. You’re understanding what’s going on and using that to grow. That’s the right way to react.
Chargers waived Stephen Anderson.
Wont mid taking another look.
Won’t solve the blocking issues
Georgia lost
Mattjis De Ligt.
Sunshine not having a bad today.
Gamecocks win!
My cousin’ll be thrilled. (He goes to SoCar)
My buddy grew up in South Carolina and he’s a huge fan. Just texted him.
I don’t believe that Bill will be drafting either kicker.
I tell you, it’s Feaster famine with this South Carolina running back.
You combined f’ing with Easter. Same thing I say to my wife when she makes me dress up for Easter dinner. I’m calling it Feaster from now on. Thanks. 🙂
How’s CFB going?
Not bad- how are you doing DNOM?
Okay. Kind of a down day after a good week – wrote up an article for tomorrow here and an article for (hopefully) tomorrow on Twinkie Town. A bit sad for no reason. But the coming week should be good – Columbus Day is an off day for schools, so I have a date set for then.
How’re things going your way?
All good here- glad to hear that you have plans this weekend- should be fun!
🙂
Sounds like a CFB Saturday, alright.
Gurley out tomorrow————->
Looks like he will never be healthy enough. Poor kid.
He’s done- an arthritic knee will never be good.
Horrible decision
SC got lucky
OT.
UGA got lucky
Well guess they feel Maurice cant help .
Sure he’s healthy now because he worked out for Vikes yesterday.
I thought we will bring him back after week 6 since we couldn’t sign him till then because of injury settlement he received.
Didn’t sign with Vikes so might still be a chance.
I don’t know if “after Week 6” means “after the Patriots’ Week 6 game” or “until after every Week 6 game.”
Pat’s, he could had sign with anyone after week 3 .
Georgia ties the game!
Didn’t realize Muschamp moved to SC. Impressive if they can win this road game.
Jets waive Luke Falk
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/12/jets-waive-luke-falk/
I would like the Patriots to take a chance on him if he clears waivers. He seems to the be right kind of QB who can thrive in the Patriots system. PS candidate or waive Kessler.
Kessler is way better than him
It’s about ceiling not who’s better right now.
I would prefer to have Kessler if somehow Brady have to miss games
bite your tongue
Stidham is the guy Pats should focus about ceiling
And we could keep Stidham and have Falk PS.
Amen.
no disrespect but what part of his horrible play tells you he would thrive in the Pats system
He is a rookie and far from a finished product.
He’s been shuffled around in the NFL way too much to have any continuity. His college tape shows that he can mentally handle the game, and has capability for skill improvement. I still recollect Brady as raw when drafted, and it took the coaches to recognize the talent. Under a right system, Falk can produce.
You mean Kessler has shuffled around?
BB talks all the time about how hard it is to judge a college QB coming from the spread offense. Falk was in the spread at Washington State. I think Falk is worth a look as a PS player.
this is Faulks 3rd team
Right but he has only seen action in 3 NFL games. This is his first year he has really played play.He was placed on injured reserve on October 5, 2018 with a wrist injury.
He is only in his second year and did not play at all the first year. I consider him a rookie.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FalkLu00.htm
fair enough I don’t see it but I don’t watch college so you know more than I do
I agree. He has PS eligibility. Bring him in and see what he can do.
Falk would be a good fit for the PS.
Nah
He is a rookie. I think he could be a decent backup in the NFL if given some time.
To me he looks too slight
6′ 4″ 215. Same height and about the same wt as TB12 when he was a rookie. Him on the PS would allow the Pats to add another player to the 53 if needed.
Didn’t realize he was that tall
why would he be a good fit?
It would allow the Pats to add a player to the 53 and still have Falk as a PS QB.
He had a good college career and I think he could improve . He is a rookie and far from a finished product.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/luke-falk-1.html
Right now, the biggest concern for me is the run game. This is a power run team predicated on guard-fullback blocking. There are no decent halfbacks who can do the job in the FA market, so they have to look at internal options. Izzo struggles at zone blocking, so maybe they try him out as a halfback. That can produce enough uncertainty to wrinkle in play-action passing.
The question is not whether a move TE can play halfback, the question is whether Izzo can do it.
you mean fullback right?
Unless they find some rookie gem at fullback, the Patriots have to look at decent halfbacks to play the role. Fullback is a rare commodity in the market.
I do understand the confusion, I am posting this as a continuation of my last night’s post below. Assuming Develin is done for the season and so is Jacobson, the Patriots can move Izzo to play halfback during power run, or split him outside for zone run. Not sure if Izzo is effective.
Other option is trade but FBs as I mentioned now are rare and teams value them.
I meant to say “I do understand the confusion” not “I don’t”
This is why I wanted Beck. But he got scooped off waivers. Not sure if Izzo can handle it, but at this point, why not give it a shot?
WSH TE Jordan Reed being placed on IR——–>
“I would think they are going to add more of a receiver than a tight end,” he said. “Maybe you could find a tight end, but Mohamed Sanu comes to mind as somebody who would fit what they do perfectly because he’s a big inside receiver. He’s on the last year of his contract and if Atlanta continue to plunge down, maybe they want to dump that asset. Maybe they want to get some pick for him before they lose him. … Emmanuel Sanders, if Denver continues to lose, do they take a draft pick now as opposed to waiting… Read more »
For those hoping the Patriots will get Emanuel Sanders, Elways says no players are on the trading block. So you can scratch that one. Or you can believe this is what many GMs say right before a purge. One or the other.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27824915/john-elway-says-no-broncos-trading-block-slump
It’s good GM’ing by Elway. It tells the team he believes in them, while raising the price of potential trade targets. If he says, yeah we are open for business, the side-effects of that for his team are mostly undesirable.
It’s been done!
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/12/sports/eliud-kipchoge-marathon-record.html
Unless you drop dead like Pheidippides, you just aren’t trying hard enough.
Not legit – he had pace-setters
It’s not WR official because of the rabbits and the course details. But he did the deed, good enough for me
I don’t think Gronk is coming back to the Patriots this year.
I don’t think Antonio Brown will be resigned by the Patriots.
I don’t think Trent Williams will be traded to the Patriots for a 6th round pick.
Did I miss and any conspiracy theories? 🙂
That post was inspired by listening to talk radio the last couple of days. 🙂
what do you expect them to talk about for hours on end?
How about some in depth analysis of the poor O-line play? Would the team be better off abandoning the zone blocking plays? These guys talk about shallow subjects because they don’t know football well enough to do anything else.
they talk about shallow subjects because they know what pays the bills. the audience would rather listen to gronk or AB possibly coming back rather than talk about Marshall Newhouse.
Its why the kardashians show is popular. it speaks more about the audience than the talk show itself
All I know about the Kardashians is she is married to Bruce Jenner
IMO, the Pats just wanted to make one positional change and that is why they put Newhouse at LT after Wynn’s injury. It may be t time to but Cannon at LT and Cunnigham at RT. As much as I like Wynn we still don’t know if he is the answer at LT.
We?
If you convinced that he is a starting LT in the NFL after 5 quarters of football then that’s fine . I’m not.
Who said I didn’t expect it? I am just commenting on what they did talk about.
The Patriots will not trade Tom Brady and make Jordan Richards their starting QB.
Washington just beat the Cardinals in St. Louis.
I just heard that the Patriots are clearing cap space to sign Gronk.
Oh, wait, that was me talking out loud………..
As much as I love the guy, even if he came back this year, I am skeptical that he would be even a fraction of his prime self.
Ah, give him a week to put on 40 pounds of muscle and he’ll be good.
The one concern I have with both Fullbacks on IR is that the run game was predicated on power running with the tailback hitting the space created by the lead fullback. I noticed somebody mentioned here that Michel needs to hit the hole decisively, that’s because the Patriots tried to employ zone blocking which makes the running back decide on the hole to hit. I don’t think that is Michel’s strong suit, he’s more well suited for a power scheme. The offensive line is not built for a zone scheme either, the run game predominantly depends on the guards and… Read more »
The lack a good blocking TE makes outside zone reads tough for a zone team too.
I fear the gap at FB and RB between this season and last season may break the run, even with an outworldly defense. To top it, they lost the center and the left tackle. Patriots have to improvise, I am curious to see what they do.
May have to rely more on the pass. In which case, another receiver may be needed.
It seems far more likely to me that, if healthy, Develin would contribute a lot more to NE this season than Harry, who last practiced in August.
Honestly I agree. But i think the reports are that his injury may be legitimately season ending.
Any injury involving the neck is scary as hell.
Which is why I think it is less likely Devlin will come back this year.
Wow Sanchez has a no hitter going against the Cardinals in the 8th.
Not anymore.
shame
Have you watched any of the game? Sanchez has four mean pitches, including something called a butterfly slider. Very entertaining to watch. Cardinals were walking away from the plate shaking their heads.
Admittedly I have not. Was gonna go watch at a bar but opted against.