JC Jackson - CLNS Media https://www.clnsmedia.com/tag/jc-jackson/ Covering Boston Sports Since 2009 Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:54:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 https://www.clnsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Favicon.png JC Jackson - CLNS Media https://www.clnsmedia.com/tag/jc-jackson/ 32 32 Takeaways from the Patriots’ Week 15 Loss to the Chiefs https://www.clnsmedia.com/takeaways-from-the-patriots-week-15-loss-to-the-chiefs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=takeaways-from-the-patriots-week-15-loss-to-the-chiefs Mon, 18 Dec 2023 00:33:32 +0000 https://www.clnsmedia.com/?p=132202 Following another strong defensive effort and stunning 2nd-half offensive collapse, the Patriots have fallen to 3-11. Though the team was officially eliminated from playoff contention last week, but they entered this game fighting for pride, respect, and potentially their head coach. NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran reported that, following New England’s Week 10 loss to [...]

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]]> Following another strong defensive effort and stunning 2nd-half offensive collapse, the Patriots have fallen to 3-11. Though the team was officially eliminated from playoff contention last week, but they entered this game fighting for pride, respect, and potentially their head coach.

NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran reported that, following New England’s Week 10 loss to the Colts in Germany, Robert Kraft decided to move on from Belichick after the season. According to Curran, the team planned “to play out the string, and at the end of the year, there would be a parting of the ways for a variety of reasons.”

NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport added his own perspective to the discussion on Sunday morning, saying that while Kraft “hadn’t come to a firm conclusion,” New England’s final stretch of games “could go a long way in determining what’s next.”

The odds weren’t in Belichick’s favor with the Chiefs coming to town, despite a 2-2 career record against reigning MVP and Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes. A banged-up receiver group saw Demario Douglas (head) and DeVante Parker (knee) return to the lineup, but JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) were ruled out. Left tackle Trent Brown (ankle/hand/illness) was also ruled out after rotating with Conor McDermott the past few games.

New England seemed like a sneaky candidate to upset the Chiefs, who entered this game having lost four of their previous six games. Instead, Team Tank is stronger than ever, particularly with the Panthers’ loss putting the Patriots one game away from #1 overall pick territory.

Here are my top takeaways from New England’s 27-17 defeat.

Patriots Defense Falls Short in Another Valiant Effort

The Patriots intercepted Patrick Mahomes twice, sacked him thrice, held Travis Kelce to 28 yards on five catches, forced two fumbles, and allowed 2.2 yards per carry on the ground. Despite another resilient performance from the group, it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

Marte Mapu made one of the game’s best plays after a mistake-prone start to his career, ripping a pass from Blake Bell for an interception.

Turnover-magnet Jahlani Tavai added a pick of his own later in the game, stealing a pass bobbled by Kadarius Toney.

Christian Barmore was a game-wrecker up front, totaling six tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss, and a pair of quarterback hits.

Mack Wilson’s post-bye hot streak continued, particularly when lining up on the edge. He tallied a sack, a quarterback hit, and a tackle for loss.

The Chiefs deserve plenty of credit, as Mahomes did his thing outside of structure, and Andy Reid dialed up some nasty plays in scoring territory, The defense also had communication lapses that led to big plays.

Still, New England stopped KC on two of their five Red Zone trips, held their offense under a 50% 3rd down conversion rate, and clamped down late in the 2nd half to create a comeback opportunity. Tip of the cap to the group for an impressive, if imperfect performance.

Where’s JC?

In a twist that surprised even his teammates, J.C. Jackson missed today’s matchup despite being in the locker room before the game. Players expected Jackson on the sideline but didn’t know what happened. Bill Belichick confirmed that Jackson was unavailable for the game but wouldn’t clarify why he was active.

MassLive’s Karen Guregian clarified the matter, reporting that the corner was absent due to a “personal matter.”

Alex Austin started over Jackson and Shaun Wade, who was a healthy scratch after missing time due to illness. The rookie was called for two questionable penalties but seemed solid otherwise.

Offense Collapses in 2nd Half (Again)

For the second week in a row, New England’s offense looked functional for two 1uarters, then reverted to incompetence when the clock struck halftime. After a low throw led to a three-and-out on the opening drive, Zappe seemed locked in and showed the most confidence I’ve seen from him as a pro.

He completed multiple downfield and tight-window throws to Hunter Henry, who ended the day 66 yards and a touchdown on seven catches, and DeVante Parker, who caught all five of his catches in the 1st half. These connections were highlighted by a backshoulder shot to Parker while fading away from pressure and a top-shelf pass to Henry that beat tight coverage for a 4th & goal score.

As effective as Zappe was, protection issues crept up early. Conor McDermott and Mike Onwenu allowed the edges to cave in for KC’s first sack, which turned a 1st & 25 into an even more impossible 2nd & 27. Zappe was sacked again to open the offense’s first scoring drive, but he overcame a 3rd & 12 with a completion over the middle to Henry.

But just like in Pittsburgh, these protection issues and Zappe’s performance took a nosedive in the 2nd half. The quarterback’s first throw of the 3rd quarter was an inexcusable interception that should’ve been thrown away.

He also should’ve been picked on a spray miss that soared over a wide-open Demario Douglas.

New England’s next drive was a three-and-out that included a 2-yard loss due to poor run blocking inside, a batted slant the Chiefs nearly intercepted, and a sack where no one accounted for a corner blitz. Zappe took his final sack on the next possession when Conor McDermott lost the edge, and Zappe stepped up into a spy.

The offense would go three-and-out on each of its next two possessions before turning a turnover into a score, but New England never felt like it had the firepower to pull off a comeback.

Zappe’s strong starts have provided hope that he can at least develop into a high-end backup, but his sharp declines can’t be overlooked. And the offense’s final few games could get even tougher with players at several spots banged up.

Injuries and Penalties Pile Up

No one’s making excuses for the Patriots, who didn’t execute enough in critical moments to earn a win in this game. But even Bill Belichick acknowledged how injuries and flags affected the outcome this afternoon while speaking to reporters. Cole Strange (knee), Conor McDermott (head), and Hunter Henry (knee) throughout the contest. Strange’s loss was especially demoralizing, as he required a cart and had played well since New England’s bye week.

Belichick told reporters the team was “worried about the pass protection and being able to execute” after losing three starters when asked about punting on 4th & 4 in the 4th quarter. And while he didn’t directly blame the officiating, Belichick noted how penalties wiped a turnover and touchdown off the board for the Patriots.

The first of these calls was a hold against McDermott that erased a Hunter Henry touchdown, forcing New England to settle for a field goal shortly after. The second was a highly debatable holding call that took away a Jonathan Jones forced fumble that Jabrill Peppers recovered.

There were other head-scratching penalties throughout the game, including a hold against Brenden Schooler that nullified a 46-yard opening kick return, a facemask penalty on Demario Douglas, and an illegal contact call that offset intentional grounding.

Once again, I’m not defending what was an insufficient performance from New England. But in a game that was so competitive, even throughout the offense’s struggles, these questionable calls were hard to ignore.

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]]> Scouting Report: Keys to the Patriots Containing the Chiefs https://www.clnsmedia.com/scouting-report-keys-to-the-patriots-containing-the-chiefs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=scouting-report-keys-to-the-patriots-containing-the-chiefs Thu, 14 Dec 2023 16:51:10 +0000 https://www.clnsmedia.com/?p=132108 The Patriots (3-10) will host the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs (8-5) in their first meeting since 2020. New England’s had such a disappointing season that this game and Taylor Swift were booted from primetime, but it could be a closer game than most expect. The Chiefs are favored on the road by more than [...]

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]]> The Patriots (3-10) will host the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs (8-5) in their first meeting since 2020. New England’s had such a disappointing season that this game and Taylor Swift were booted from primetime, but it could be a closer game than most expect.

The Chiefs are favored on the road by more than a touchdown, but they enter Gillette Stadium off back-to-back losses. They’ve won just two of their last six games, including a single victory since their Week 10 bye. Mahomes is still the best in the game, and Travis Kelce remains a game-changer despite some understandable dropoff at age 34. Kansas City’s defense has also been one of football’s most disruptive and mind-boggling. But like the Patriots, their offense suffers from a staggering lack of playmaking pass-catchers. Miscues from wide receivers have directly contributed to the Chiefs’ past two losses, and Mahomes has been visibly frustrated. A surging ground game could also be without Isiah Pacheco for the second game in a row.

These seem like the perfect ingredients for an upset, which New England is no stranger to coming off a road win in Pittsburgh. The Patriots’ defense hasn’t allowed 20 points since Week 9, albeit against some middling offenses. Jabrill Peppers and Jahlani Tavai have been turnover machines, while Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, and Anfernee Jennings have enjoyed breakout seasons in the trenches. Kyle Dugger and Mack Wilson have also been making splash plays near the line of scrimmage lately, and Jonathan Jones is playing great defense as he continues to look healthier.

New England’s offense looked better than it had in months early against the Steelers, generating big plays consistently and scoring three touchdowns through the air. However, positive results hid some shaky accuracy from Zappe. This, paired with poor decision-making and shaky line play, brought the group’s positive momentum to a screeching halt later in the game. While Zappe still has plenty to improve, getting Demario Douglas and DeVante Parker back could be a significant boost. JuJu Smith-Schuster is also coming off his best performance as a Patriot and could keep that streak going against another former team.

Team Tank could implode if the Patriots upset the defending champs and start stacking wins. With the team officially out of the playoff race, wins are short-term relief for long-term concerns. But New England has made it clear they won’t go down without a fight, which could be truer than ever, with reports indicating Bill Belichick’s fate with the organization was sealed in Germany.

Make Mahomes’ Receivers Beat You

Few defenses, if any, have challenged Patrick Mahomes as consistently as the Patriots. New England is 2-2 against the Chiefs with #15 under center, holding the quarterback without a touchdown in at least one half of each game. The only game decided by more than one possession was their last meeting in 2020 when Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham combined for four turnovers and a defensive touchdown.

One of the keys to this success has been a heavy dose of man coverage, with Mahomes facing zone on fewer than half of his dropbacks in each career start against New England. This is a strategy Belichick uses consistently against top quarterbacks. Instead of occupying space and getting picked apart by cerebral passers, the defense forces receivers to beat tight, physical coverage and make contested catches.

Throwing off timing and minimizing space will be huge against Travis Kelce, who Jerod Mayo called “one of the best ever” at finding holes in zones. Mayo also highlighted how the tight end’s toughness and savvy make him a challenging cover 1-on-1, which was on full display against the Bills last week.

The Patriots have done a solid job containing Kelce in the past, allowing one 70-yard performance and a single touchdown in their past four meetings. A similarly effective performance should keep this matchup competitive, especially with the Chiefs’ subpar wide receiver group.

Since the Chiefs exited their bye in Week 11, Mahomes ranks 3rd in the NFL with an 87.1 passing grade against man coverage. But according to raw stats, he’s been one of the league’s passers in such situations.

Kelce and Rashee Rice, who’s primarily been an underneath threat, are the only Chiefs receivers with more than three catches, 40 yards, or a touchdown against man since Week 11. The group has also combined for one missed tackle forced over that span.

This sets up an ideal matchup for the Patriots, who are tied with Dallas for the most man coverage snaps since Week 12. It must be acknowledged that New England hasn’t faced a duo like Mahomes and Kelce over that span, and J.C. Jackson is still good for at least one coverage bust a game. That said, the group has been highly competitive and reduced the missed tackles that plagued them mid-season.

In past matchups, Kelce would be shadowed by a corner with size or safety experience like J.C. Jackson, Jason McCourty, or Joejuan Williams. Based on that history, the tight end should spend most of his time against hybrid defensive back Jalen Mills.

For the most part, Mills has been sticky in 1-on-1 coverage, allowing a 76.1 passer rating on 13 targets. But a closer look at the tape reveals issues on scramble plays.

Belichick highlighted Kelce’s chemistry with Mahomes when asked what makes the tight end so dangerous, saying, “A lot of [Kelce’s] plays come on extended plays, loose plays…The play starts, and then something happens, and then he adjusts the route. Or, Patrick scrambles, and then he finds him.”

With Mahomes’ off-schedule playmaking a clear emphasis this week, expect Belichick and the defensive coaches to harp on “plaster” technique, where defenders keep their eyes glued to receivers throughout the play.

Deatrich Wise also highlighted this week how a strong, disciplined pass rush prevents these big plays off scrambles. He told reporters that the team tries to collapse the pocket against mobile passers but prioritizes getting in their vision and keeping movement lateral if they manage to escape.

Christian Barmore’s ability to generate quick wins and collapse the pocket will be key to disrupting KC’s passing game.

He trails only Aaron Donald and Kobie Turner in pass rush win rate among interior defensive linemen with 75 such snaps since Week 12. The Patriots have also shown better timing and execution on blitzes and line games, as we saw on Peppers’ interception last week.

Look for the Patriots to attack right guard Trey Smith, whose 8.5% pressure rate allowed since Week 12 is the 6th-highest at the position. He struggled both 1-on-1 and when facing line games against Buffalo.

If Mills can avoid any crucial errors against Kelce, the cornerbacks keep the wide receivers quiet, and Mahomes doesn’t run wild, it could be another frustrating night for Mahomes and company.

Don’t Sleep on KC’s Run Game

If the Patriots continue their man-heavy approach against the Chiefs, it will put a lot of stress on the defensive front to build a wall against the run with most defenders’ backs turned. They should be up to the task, as New England has been one of the most dominant run defenses of the past decade.

Last week was another dominant performance from the group, pinning Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren between the tackles and minimizing run lanes.

Team tackles for loss-leader Anfernee Jennings had a career game, recording three tackles for loss, while Davon Godchaux and Lawrence Guy served as immovable boulders inside. Well-timed blitzes from Jabrill Peppers and Myles Bryant also created disruption and forced backs to make quick decisions.

The defense will need another strong performance against a Chiefs offense that trails only the 49ers in rush EPA since Week 11. Top rusher Isiah Pacheco missed last week’s game and Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder injury, putting his status this weekend in question. But he can’t be overlooked after being tied for 5th in explosive runs (6) and rushing touchdowns (3) from Weeks 11-13.

Belichick called the second-year back a “really tough runner,” noting his vision and contact balance. Similar to Marshawn Lynch, Pacheco runs with a wide base that makes it especially difficult for tacklers to bring him down. He’s primarily an inside runner who presses gaps to move defenders before quickly redirecting, but he also has the burst and awareness to exploit soft edges of cutback lanes.

Even if Pacheco doesn’t play, the defense must be on point against a physical interior in center Creedy Humphrey, guard Trey Smith, and old friend Joe Thuney. Wise touched on the Chiefs’ size up front when asked about their rushing attack, saying the defense’s goal is to plug gaps, hold double teams, and meet backs at the line. He also mentioned backup running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, calling him and Pacheco “strong and fast runners” who are elusive and difficult to bring down.

While stopping the run might seem like an odd key against a Mahomes-led offense, the only thing more dangerous than an elite quarterback is an elite quarterback with a wide-open playbook. If the Chiefs’ backs get loose, especially while defenders’ backs are turned in man coverage, things could get ugly quickly. But if the Patriots’ stout front continues its impressive hot streak, it will pressure KC’s wideouts to carry the offense.

Contain Chris Jones and the Chiefs’ Aggressive Front

The Patriots’ pass protection put on a show early last week, keeping a disruptive Steelers front remarkably quiet for most of the 1st half. It was the latest in a string of impressive performances from Cole Strange since the bye, who battled injury and inconsistency since returning full-time in Week 7.

This strong start ended when Sidy Sow missed a looping Elandon Roberts for a sack, killing a two-minute drive. Sow and David Andrews lost to a twist on the next possession to end another series. These breakdowns and a Bailey Zappe interception led to minimal passing in the 2nd half.

It was the opposite story for New England’s rushing attack, which struggled against blitzes and line games early before finding a rhythm.

Ezekiel Elliott had to make a defender miss at or behind the line of scrimmage on most carries, which seems to be a trend over the past two games.

Bill O’Brien acknowledged this on Tuesday, telling reporters, “Yeah, some of the [unblocked penetration] did happen a couple of times in the Pittsburgh game, and I think we adjusted to that pretty well as the game went on.” O’Brien also touched on how well the offense has run the ball in recent weeks and likened the Steelers and Chiefs for their blitz-heavy tendencies.

Most Patriots fans are familiar with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who led the 2007 Super Bowl onslaught against Tom Brady. Players and coaches have raved about his scheme’s versatility, variety, and aggressiveness this week. Belichick

Chris Jones headlines the Chiefs’ defense, with Belichick calling the First-team All-Pro a “major problem.”

Jones is the third elite pass rusher New England will face in as many games, and the interior’s toughest assignment in weeks.

Jones can overwhelm linemen 1-on-1 or fitness past them with calculated strikes. He’s a remarkable mover at 330 lbs, giving him the flexibility to play on the edge in certain packages.

Strange and Sow have been pretty reliable on an island, but both have suffered some quick passes hidden by timely throws. Most of the offense’s protections will likely focus on Jones. But Spagnuolo will find ways to get him solo matchups, so the young guards, Andrews and potentially Mike Onwenu, will need to be on their A-game.

Jones is a handful on his own, but Spagnuolo’s unit is one of just three defenses with more unblocked pressures than New England. Cornerback Trent McDuffie, who plays outside in base groupings but kicks to the slot in sub packages, is key to that success. He has at least twice as many pressures (15) and quarterback hits (6) as the closest corner, making him someone who must be accounted for when he’s near the line of scrimmage.

Belichick called McDuffie “a pretty productive blitzer,” saying, “He’s an instinctive guy. He’s quick. He’s been productive for them, disguises, he’s a smart player, and he plays smart in there.”

Zappe has identified and adjusted to slot blitzes well, but Elliott struggled when asked to pick up Derwin James in Week 13. This will be a great opportunity for the back to bounce back.

Of course, a strong run game takes a lot of pressure off pass protection, and Elliott is playing his best football at the right time. The former Cowboy told reporters he’s “excited to play some winter ball in the Northeast,” and he should get plenty of opportunities against a KC run defense ranked last in EPA per play (0.030) and positive EPA rate (44.3%) allowed. The Chiefs have also struggled to create negative plays on the ground, recording the fewest tackles for loss or no gain in the league.

The Bills generated two explosive runs using “trap” concepts, which we saw a lot of from New England last week, where a lineman pulls to kick out an edge defender. The Packers ripped off their own pair of big plays on zone concepts where the back pressed inside before cutting back against an over-aggressive defense.

If New England’s blockers keep their eyes up and pass off KC’s blitzes, Elliott should have some sizable lanes to run through and keep the offense on schedule. Not only would this take pressure off the passing game, but it would also keep Mahomes and Kelce cool on the sideline.

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]]> Takeaways from the Patriots’ Week 14 Win at the Steelers https://www.clnsmedia.com/takeaways-from-the-patriots-week-14-win-at-the-steelers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=takeaways-from-the-patriots-week-14-win-at-the-steelers Fri, 08 Dec 2023 07:23:28 +0000 https://www.clnsmedia.com/?p=132001 The Patriots have broken their five-game losing streak after a surprisingly high-scoring affair in Pittsburgh. In a game where little was expected from either crumbling dynasty, several Patriots players stepped up and delivered in a tough road environment. New England entered this game with a bare cupboard offensively. Rhamondre Stevenson will miss a few weeks, [...]

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]]> The Patriots have broken their five-game losing streak after a surprisingly high-scoring affair in Pittsburgh. In a game where little was expected from either crumbling dynasty, several Patriots players stepped up and delivered in a tough road environment.

New England entered this game with a bare cupboard offensively. Rhamondre Stevenson will miss a few weeks, and possibly the season, after suffering a high ankle sprain. They added an extra body to the backfield, elevating second-year back Kevin Harris from the practice squad, but were severely shorthanded at wideout.

Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte missed their second straight game on a short week. Week 13’s top target, DeVante Parker, was ruled inactive with a knee injury before the game. This left a highly unproven receiving corps of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor, Ty Montgomery, and Malik Cunningham.

Defensively, stopping the run was expected to be the top priority for New England’s top-ranked ground defense. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have been the league’s best backfield combo since November, and Kenny Pickett being out with an ankle injury virtually guaranteed a run-heavy plan.

Contrary to expectation, the Patriots offense came out firing on their first possession, scoring their only touchdown on an opening drive of the season.

The Steelers answered with a field goal powered by a Trubisky scramble and a JC Jackson penalty, but both offenses quickly returned to Earth.

After exchanging three-and-outs, an up-and-down drive from Zappe ended New England’s third drive. But a well-designed Patriots pressure sprung Kyle Dugger on a blitz, leading to a Jabrill Peppers interception on a poorly thrown ball.

The Patriots capitalized two plays later, with Zappe gifting Hunter Henry a touchdown on the reliable tight end’s 29th birthday. Zappe must’ve felt generous as he hit Henry on a frozen rope for another score three drives later.

Pittsburgh answered with its first touchdown on an eight-play, 75-yard drive, punishing an all-out Patriots blitz with a deep shot to Diontae Johnson.

The Patriots’ hot offensive start, which saw multiple players put up season-best numbers, began to stall during a two-minute drive. , with another takedown ending their first drive of the 2nd half.

This pressure seemed to affect Zappe’s processing, as he threw a bad pick on New England’s next possession. This miscue sparked an onslaught of sloppy football, nearly letting Pittsburgh back in the game. But Ezekiel Elliott’s best game as a Patriot and another strong defensive performance secured a 21-18 victory.

Team Tank may be devastated tonight, but winning has always been New England’s locker room goal. After the game, David Andrews told reporters, “No one’s quitting in this locker room,”  saying, “We’re fighting, we’re working, we’re trying to get better.” Jabrill Peppers stood up for Bill Belichick amid speculation that the team could move on its head coach, saying, “I feel good we could get it done for Bill and the rest of the coaches. … I don’t really like all the flak he’s been getting.” Peppers also highlighted the team’s preparation: “It’s on us as players to go out there and execute. I personally feel like the game plan has been phenomenal week in and week out.”

Team Tank may be in shambles, with the Patriots two wins away from the projected #1 overall pick and tying the Cardinals with three victories. Luckily, Arizona is on a bye and edged out by strength of schedule, meaning New England retains the #2 pick this week. So, for now, Patriots Nation can breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy a rare bright spot from a tumultuous season.

Here are my key takeaways from the Patriots’ win in Pittsburgh.

Inactives

  • RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle)
  • WR DeVante Parker (knee)
  • WR Demario Douglas (head)
  • WR Kayshon Boutte (shoulder)
  • CB Shaun Wade (illness)
  • OT Vederian Lowe (healthy scratch)
  • RB JaMycal Hasty (healthy scratch)

Penalties

  1. 3rd & 6 at 50 (9:03 – 1st)  J.Jackson, Defensive Pass Interference, 11 yards, enforced at 50 – No Play.
  2. 3rd & 7 at NE 28 (5:57 – 1st) H.Henry, Offensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at NE 28 – No Play.
  3. 2nd & 5 at NE 35 (3:44 – 2nd) K.Dugger, Defensive Pass Interference, 5 yards, enforced at NE 35 – No Play.
  4. Kickoff (2:50 – 2nd) B.Schooler, Unnecessary Roughness, 11 yards, enforced at NE 22.
  5. 1st & 10 at NE 36 (7:18 – 3rd) C.McDermott, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at NE 36 – No Play.
  6. 1st & Goal at NE 8 (11:55 – 4th) J.Jackson, Defensive Pass Interference, 7 yards, enforced at NE 8 – No Play.

Dominant Defense Shuts Down Top Running Back Duo

All week I’ve been highlighting the Patriots’ decade-best run defense vs the dynamic backfield duo of Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris. Harris’ knee injury may have held him back a bit tonight, but New England asserted themselves throughout the game against both backs.

Harris averaged 2.4 yards on 12 carris. Warren, who continues to be underutilized, averaged just 1.6 on seven carries.

Anfernee Jennings proves weekly that he’s one of the league’s best run defenders. His hot streak continued with a whopping three tackles for loss.

Jahlani Tavai led the defense with six tackles and was consistently near the football. Ja’Whaun Bentley wasn’t far behind with five tackles of his own.

Deatrich Wise and Myles Bryant also showed excellent awareness shutting down a reverse that Pittsburgh showed esrlier in the game.

If Bill Belichick wants to make a case for returning, his run defense’s toughness and effort throguhout the season would be a great place to start.

Hunter Henry Gets a W and 2 TDs for His Birthday

Hunter Henry had three catches on his big day, but he made them count. Two went for scores, and he was directly responsible for Ezekiel Elliott’s touchdown that first put New England on the board.

With the Steelers playing man coverage in scoring territory, Bill O’Brien made a perfect call and used Henry to pick Elliott’s defender.

Given space and a head of steam, the big back dove into the end zone for six.

His first touchdown was a nice display of route running, using a pair of fakes to get wide open in the back of the end zone.

His second score was a thing of beauty, feigning a block on a fake RPO before taking off and extending for an impressive snag.

Really cool seeing Henry get a W and a pair of scores for his birthday.

Zeke Eats Good in Pittsburgh

Ezekiel Elliott was tasked with being the Patriots’ entire run game tonight with Rhamondre Stevenson out of the mix. Despite Kevin Harris being elevated from the practice squad, Elliott was the only person other than Bailey Zappe to register a carry, and his 22 carries were a season-high. He also led the team with eight targets, setting more season highs with seven grabs and 72 yards, as well as his first touchdown as a Patriot on the afroementioned pick play.

Bill Belichick was proud of his new top back’s efforts, saying, “We needed him to step up and carry the mail today, and he did. ..that was a pro performance today.”

Elliott’s 3.1 yards per carry average won’t wow from afar. But like his similarly efficient performance last week, he seemed to make up for some failings up front and consistently churned out more than what was blocked for him. He also continues to eat on screens and looked spry on a catch where he slipped a couple of tacklers.

Elliott’s effort and effectiveness have stood on their own as reasons to retain the soon-to-be free agent. But his effort on Zappe’s interception, which saw him chase down Mykal Walker for a score and game-saving tackle, may have wrapped it up. He’s been a joy to watch and a plasure to cover.

Bailey Zappe Cools Down After Hot 1st Half

Bailey Zappe entered tonight with just under 300 passing yards and two picks in five appearances this season. While his 1st half tonight wasn’t perfect, it was by far the best we’ve seen from a Patriots quarterback in 2023. He threw for 196 yards and three touchdowns, trying the most passing scores from Zappe or Mac Jones in a single game through 14 weeks. His touchdown throws to Henry were especially impressive, keeping Minkah Fitzpatrick out of his throwing lane on the first and delivering a perfect pass outside the safety’s reach on the second. He also had a scramble to convert an early 3rd & 9.

Zappe regressed to the mean in the second half as pressure increased, committing two turnover-worthy plays on inaccurate passes and being picked off on one.

His erratic placement and declining decision-making (and poor protection) led to a more conservative script in the final two quarters. While I think the latter half of the game is closer to the true Bailey Zappe, I’d love for the second-year signal caller to prove me wrong and build on this performance.

Regardless of the outcome, teammates seemed to rally around Zappe. Elliott told reporters arter the game that Zappe “commands our attention in that huddle.” That might be a surprise from afar, but it might not have been for Zappe, who apparenltly told the TNF crew he always knew he would be the starter. Whether or not he’s right, the guy’s got the right mindset.

Offensive Line Stalls Hot Start

I detailed in my scouting report how the offensive line’s communication and execution needed to improve against a formidable Steelers front. Zappe had all day to throw early due in no small part to T.J. Watt getting banged up early and Alex Highsmith leaving with a neck injury. But issues started creeping up before halftime.

After a promising start to the series, Sidy Sow missed former Patriot Elandon Roberts on a line stunt, giving the linebacker an unblocked lane to the quarterback. This turned 1st & 10 with 1:22 left in the 2nd quarter to an improbable 2nd & 20. New England would run on back-to-back plays before punting.

On New England’s first drive of the second half, a Conor McDermott holding penalty backed the offense up 10 yards after a 16-yard catch-and-run by Ezekiel Elliott, setting up 1st & 20. Elliott managed 13 yards on a pair of touches, but Sow and David Andrews quickly lost to a twist for another drive-killing sack.

As I mentioned earlier, Elliott also had his work cut out for him in the run game due to penetration up front. The unit has taken a step back recently, and I’m sure Adrian Klemm’s unfortunate departure has been a significant factor.

JuJu Smith-Schuster Shows Out vs Former Team

JuJu Smith-Schuster’s first season with the Patriots has been disappointing, but he had a breakout performance against his former team. The veteran wideout recorded a season-high 90 receiving yards on four catches.

The most impressive was a highlight-reel play where he came back to an underthrown pass and finished through contact.

He also caught a crossing route that Zappe missed last week and had a long run on a quick slant.

It’s too soon to expect this performance regularly, but it was nice to see a glimpse of the receiver New England paid over $25.5M for this summer.

Justice for J.C. 

I’ve been critical of J.C. Jackson for missed assignments in coverage, poor diagnosis, and questionable effort/decision-making since his return. I haven’t enjoyed it, as Jackson is highly accountable and has a history of success. Jackson struggled last week in ways that weren’t reflected in the box score, but I thought improved his performance overall. This week felt like the opposite.

The corner’s touchdown, where he got beat deep from Cover 0, was tough to excuse.

He appeared to get lulled to sleep early in the route, then waited too long before playing the hands, which I thought could’ve made the difference between a breakup and a catch. But that was the only blemish I noticed live.

His first penalty was just tough luck, as several high-level corners use the same tactic of using their backside arm to impede progress. But specific crews will call that more than others, and the margin for error felt slim tonight.

I thought the pass interference in the end zone was pretty whack, as Jackson was sitting on the route and broke on it with his eyes on the ball. Kyle Dugger was penalized in what I thought was a similar situation.

The tape will ultimately tell the tale, but I thought J.C. Jackson looked solid tonight.

Rough Night for Special Teams

Special teams have been an issue all season. They’ve fallen short of expectations since Joe Judge originally left New England. But when the prodigal son returned and switched to his niche on special teams, it was expected to change the course of a group that proved a severe liability in 2022.

Growing pains were expected with a rookie kicker and punter, but the addition of ace Chris Board and the retention of several primary special teamers were sure to balance things out.

That hasn’t been the case, with tonight being the most recent and glaring example.

Brenden Schooler lost his temper after a play, which has been a trend for him this season, and drew a costly unnecessary roughness penalty that backed New England inside its own 11-yard line with 2:46 left in the 2nd quarter.

Bryce Baringer put three punts inside Pittsburgh’s 20-yard line, but he also had two touchbacks, one landing well inside the end zone.

But these weren’t the headliners of a disastrous night in the game’s third phase. Ty Montgomery allowed a blocked punt on an individual loss, setting up the defense’s first +10-point game allowed in a month. Jahlani Tavai committed a blatant offsides penalty that was somehow called on the Steelers’ snapper, bailing New England out late in the 4th quarter.

Few cover special teams as highly as Bill Belichick. As tremendous as his defense’s effort has been, the lack of discipline and execution on special teams has been alarming for multiple years.

The post Takeaways from the Patriots’ Week 14 Win at the Steelers appeared first on CLNS Media.

]]> Scouting Report: Keys to the Patriots Finding a Spark vs the Chargers https://www.clnsmedia.com/scouting-report-keys-to-the-patriots-finding-a-spark-vs-the-chargers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=scouting-report-keys-to-the-patriots-finding-a-spark-vs-the-chargers Thu, 30 Nov 2023 22:00:37 +0000 https://www.clnsmedia.com/?p=131680 The Patriots seem to find a new rock bottom every week. The defense has allowed 10 points in back-to-back games, holding Colts’ and Giants’ offenses without their starting quarterbacks under 75 rushing yards. But the offense managed to squander comeback opportunities, with Bailey Zappe replacing Mac Jones due to poor, turnover-filled performances. Unlike in Germany, [...]

The post Scouting Report: Keys to the Patriots Finding a Spark vs the Chargers appeared first on CLNS Media.

]]> The Patriots seem to find a new rock bottom every week. The defense has allowed 10 points in back-to-back games, holding Colts’ and Giants’ offenses without their starting quarterbacks under 75 rushing yards. But the offense managed to squander comeback opportunities, with Bailey Zappe replacing Mac Jones due to poor, turnover-filled performances. Unlike in Germany, when Zappe came in for relief duty on the game’s final drive, the backup took over after halftime in New York. Leading into Sunday’s meeting with the Chargers, Zappe is expected to start for New England, with Malik Cunningham as the #2 option.

Last week, Zappe told reporters that not being a focus in game plan prep has been “one of the hardest parts” of entering games cold. Among quarterbacks with at least 25 attempts this season, Zappe is dead last with a 38.2 passer rating, throwing a pair of interceptions in limited downfield throwing opportunities. Ideally, a full week of preparation will set him up for greater success. But going off of the Patriots’ most recent games, we will likely see a run and screen-heavy plan that asks the quarterback to do the bare minimum. And with Demario Douglas likely out as he goes through concussion protocol, there’s even less incentive for New England to throw this weekend.

The Chargers’ offense will be the defense’s greatest test since Week 8 in Miami. Superstar quarterback Justin Herbert leads the NFL’s 9th-ranked scoring offense (24.5 points per game), an impressive feat with deep threat Mike Williams tearing his ACL in Week 3 and 1st-rounder Quentin Johnston struggling in Year 1. While LA’s defense vs New England’s offense isn’t exactly a strength vs strength matchup, the Patriots have a sneaky advantage that could keep them in this game.

Winning this game would be bad news for the Patriots’ draft position, with the team currently projected to pick 3rd overall in April. But tanking isn’t an option in a violent, prideful game like football, so here are my keys to the Patriots ripping back some of their pride against the Chargers.

Keep Leaning on the Ground Game

After ranking dead last in rush EPA (-0.292) from Weeks 1-5, the Patriots have skyrocketed to 3rd (0.063) behind the Ravens (0.163) and Lions (0.087). While rookie Sidy Sow has been inconsistent, it’s no coincidence this shift occurred when he entered a disjointed lineup at the top right guard. A formidable run-blocking unit was born once Mike Onwenu kicked out to right tackle. This change helped Rhamondre Stevenson regain form after an uncharacteristically slow start. He’s been one of the league’s best backs since Week 6, slipping and dragging tacklers more consistently by the game.

Bill Belichick was complimentary when asked about his top rusher on The Greg Hill Show earlier this week. He called Stevenson a “really good football player,” and explained, “He’s got good run skills — some of the best that we’ve had around here. Good balance, good power. Reads holes well. Just a good football player.”

Bill O’Brien noted how leaning on the ground game has allowed it to blossom through repetition, which wasn’t a luxury the front had when their lineup was changing weekly.

New England’s run at least 30 times in back-to-back games, tying a season-high with four explosive carries against the Giants. Sow was at the point of attack on each of those totes, with David Andrews, Cole Strange, Trent Brown, and Pharaoh Brown also providing key blocks.

While the Patriots’ offensive line has bulldozed opposing fronts at times, they’ve also played some of the league’s worst run defenses. Luckily, that pattern is set to continue, as no defense has a worse rush EPA allowed than the Chargers’ split-safety scheme (0.165). LA’s allowed 150 rushing yards in each game since their losing streak began in Week 10, including 200 against the Lions and 197 last week against the Ravens.

Both offenses earned big gains on outside zone to the right by feigning a cutback before pressing forward. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs had their best runs when they cut back left to exploit over-pursuit from LA’s defense.

The Patriots’ ground game largely centers around downhill runs that capitalize on their massive line. Their backs could create similar opportunities on these concepts, but Bill O’Brien could also dust off his Week 10 plan against the Colts. It wasn’t perfect, but New England had well-executed carries on a few outside zone and pin-pull runs away from DeForest Buckner.

Belichick called out two Chargers game-wreckers this week, saying edge defender Khalil Mack and do-it-all safety Derwin James have “ruined plenty of games, so got to do a good job on them.” Avoiding Mack will be a priority, as the future Hall of Famer leads the NFL with six tackles for loss or no gain against the run since Week 10.

Malik Cunningham looked like the second quarterback in practices open to the media this week, so we could see the undrafted free agent get another shot after a rough debut in Week 6 against the Raiders. O’Brien could take some ideas from Baltimore, who used the threat of quarterback runs and RPOs to put Mack, James, and the Chargers’ second level in conflict for explosive gains on the ground.

Cunningham’s process felt accelerated in his first game, but having gotten his feet wet in that opportunity and another full week of practice at quarterback could lead to a better result. He’s an exciting athlete who flashed in limited throwing opportunities under center this preseason. However, don’t expect to be overwhelmed by Malik Mania as the young weapon adjusts to the NFL game.

Harrass Justin Herbert

The Patriots’ pass rush is coming off its best performance in weeks, recording a season-high five sacks against the Giants. Losing Matthew Judon in Week 4 dealt a massive blow to the unit’s potency, but Deatrich Wise credited improved chemistry for their bounce-back performance. This was reflected on stunts and blitzes, where defenders attacked the pocket from multiple spots.

Situation, coverage, and Christian Barmore’s dominant play helped these rushes land, but it was a step in the right direction for a unit that desperately needed a spark. Anfernee Jennings, known for his work against the run, also had some solid rushes off the edge, using his long arms to keep tackles at bay and defeat blocks.

Admittedly, the Giants weren’t the toughest test, as they’ve allowed the league’s 3rd-highest pressure rate this season (41.9% ). But the Chargers’ front should be another confidence-builder, with LA allowing the 6th-highest pressure rate (35.5%). Their offense struggled to pick up stunts and blitzes last week against Baltimore, particularly inside, and New England will look to replicate their success.

Even when the Ravens generated heat, Justin Herbert often beat it with quick processing and God-given talent. Belichick, who is 2-0 against Herbert, praised the cybernetically engineered signal-caller this week, saying, “Offensively, Herbert can do everything you need a quarterback to do. He’s very athletic, can make all the throws. … creates some plays on his own when there really isn’t anything there. He pulls something out with a scramble or an extended play, or throwing into tight coverage that there aren’t too many guys who can get in there, but he can.” Belichick also noted how well Herbert has produced and spread the ball in new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s system.
Against a top-tier passer like Herbert, wreaking havoc inside and forcing him off his spot is a must. He’ll pick a defense apart between his massive arm, high QB, and deceitful eyes if given time to find open receivers and manipulate coverage. When these teams last played in 2021, New England generated a 43.6% pressure rate, the most Herbert had faced that season. Judon (10 pressures, 1.5 sacks) and Barmore (3 pressures, 0.5 sacks) did a great job getting after the quarterback and keeping him from finding a rhythm.
Getting after Herbert will be a taller task without the red-sleeved wonder, but Barmore’s hot streak could make him even more impactful than the last meeting. If Anfernee Jennings provides complimentary push off the edge and New England’s schemed pressures hit, the pass rush should take some pressure off an ailing coverage unit.
Contain Keenan Allen

When J.C. Jackson returned to New England after a brief stint with the Chargers, there were hopes that Mr. INT would reclaim his former glory as a semi-shutdown ballhawk. I thought there would be an adjustment period and was wary of some bad habits he seemed to pick up, but was hopeful he’d be, at worst, a solid presence on the boundary.

Jackson’s broken up a few passes, but the reclamation project has largely failed through six games. Coverage busts have happened weekly, with Jackson typically at fault, and his struggles go deeper than his already shaky stats suggest. His conduct and poor play then led to the corner being benched for two series against the Commanders and left stateside when the team traveled to Germany. The team reportedly hoped a two-week break would do Jackson some good, but his performance last week against the Giants was one of his worst this season.

He had a breakup, but he contributed to Jaylen Hyatt’s first career 100-yard receiving game, and the pass rush covered multiple other lapses. The issues last week were the same as they’ve been throughout his return to Foxborough: poor recognition, angles/tackling, and execution. Jackson will have a tougher assignment against NFL targets and receptions leader Keenan Allen this week.

Allen has missed the past two practices with a quad injury, but he can’t be overlooked as LA’s best and most reliable wideout. Bill Belichick believes the 5x Pro Bowler has stepped up to the plate with a career year, saying, “He’s a very difficult player to cover, very strong, great hands, instincts, hard guy to tackle. Obviously, Herbert’s got a lot of confidence in him.”

The 11-year veteran isn’t as explosive as he once was, but he’s still one of the league’s craftiest route runners. Moore’s scheme has also created several big-play opportunities for Allen, who’s gained over 100 receiving yards in three straight games, including three touchdowns.

When the Patriots and Chargers faced off in 2021, Allen got the better of Jackson on two targets against man coverage. He dusted the corner on a deep out-breaker and lost him on an “Arches” concept.

The receiver also exploited soft spots in New England’s zone coverage for a touchdown and two other conversions.

You can’t sleep on any of LA’s receivers with Herbert under center, but reducing Allen’s impact would force him to play with one arm behind his back. After weeks of subpar play, their secondary must be at its best to contain the Chargers’ passing attack. Herbert and Allen will make their plays, but the defense can’t provide freebies by dropping assignments. If the pass rush and coverage complement each other, we should get a competitive game in Foxborough.

The post Scouting Report: Keys to the Patriots Finding a Spark vs the Chargers appeared first on CLNS Media.

]]> Mac Jones Benched Again in Patriots Loss to Giants https://www.clnsmedia.com/mac-jones-benched-again-in-patriots-loss-to-giants/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mac-jones-benched-again-in-patriots-loss-to-giants Tue, 28 Nov 2023 02:10:12 +0000 https://www.clnsmedia.com/?p=131642 Join Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub and Brian Hines from Pats Pulpit on a NEW Patriots Beat as the duo recaps the Patriots 10-7 loss to the Giants where Mac Jones was benched for Bailey Zappe again. During the second half, Zappe stepped in for Jones, completing 9 of his 14 pass attempts [...]

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]]> Join Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub and Brian Hines from Pats Pulpit on a NEW Patriots Beat as the duo recaps the Patriots 10-7 loss to the Giants where Mac Jones was benched for Bailey Zappe again. During the second half, Zappe stepped in for Jones, completing 9 of his 14 pass attempts for a total of 54 yards, but also threw an interception. Jones had earlier completed 12 of 21 attempts, amassing 89 yards along with two interceptions in the first half. Alex and Brian discuss it all after the Patriots fell to 2-9 on the season.

This episode of the Patriots Beat Podcast is brought to you by:

This episode of the Podcast is brought to you by Fanduel Sportsbook, the exclusive wagering parter of the CLNS Media NetworkRight now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! So, visit https://FanDuel.com/BOSTON and kick off the NFL season. FanDuel, Official Partner of the NFL. 21+ and present in MA. Hope is here. First online real money wager only. $5 pregame moneyline wager required. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. GamblingHelpLineMa.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support. Play it smart from the start! GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234.

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]]> Patriots vs Giants Week 12 Postgame Show w/ Sophie Weller https://www.clnsmedia.com/patriots-vs-giants-week-12-postgame-show-w-sophie-weller/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=patriots-vs-giants-week-12-postgame-show-w-sophie-weller Mon, 27 Nov 2023 23:02:32 +0000 https://www.clnsmedia.com/?p=131637 Taylor Kyles from CLNS Media teams up with Sophie Weller, Patriots Beat reporter for AtoZ Sports, for a live postgame show to discuss the Patriots vs. Giants game. This episode of the Patriots Postgame Show is brought to you by: Fanduel Sportsbook, the exclusive wagering parter of the CLNS Media NetworkRight now, NEW customers get [...]

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]]> Taylor Kyles from CLNS Media teams up with Sophie Weller, Patriots Beat reporter for AtoZ Sports, for a live postgame show to discuss the Patriots vs. Giants game.

This episode of the Patriots Postgame Show is brought to you by:

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]]> Will Patriots Beat Giants? + Week 12 NFL Picks w/ Kyles & Kadlick | Presented by OddsR https://www.clnsmedia.com/will-patriots-beat-giants-week-12-nfl-picks-w-kyles-kadlick-presented-by-oddsr/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=will-patriots-beat-giants-week-12-nfl-picks-w-kyles-kadlick-presented-by-oddsr Sat, 25 Nov 2023 21:26:50 +0000 https://www.clnsmedia.com/?p=131564 Prepare for an in-depth analysis of the Week12 betting scene with our distinguished hosts, Taylor Kyles from CLNS Media and Mike Kadlick of WEEI. In this wagering segment powered by OddsR, Taylor and Mike will delve into the FanDuel Sportsbook odds for the match-up between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants as [...]

The post Will Patriots Beat Giants? + Week 12 NFL Picks w/ Kyles & Kadlick | Presented by OddsR appeared first on CLNS Media.

]]> Prepare for an in-depth analysis of the Week12 betting scene with our distinguished hosts, Taylor Kyles from CLNS Media and Mike Kadlick of WEEI.

In this wagering segment powered by OddsR, Taylor and Mike will delve into the FanDuel Sportsbook odds for the match-up between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants as well as other AFC East clashes. Their sharp insights aim to provide priceless guidance for those keen on betting or simply wishing to grasp a richer comprehension of the matches.

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Ever wished you could navigate the betting field with the confidence of a pro Download the Odds-R App! They’re not a sportsbook, but they’re the sports betting advisor you’ve always needed. Patriots Press Pass viewers get a 30-day free trial! Elevate your game day and join the smart betting revolution! Go get it at https://oddsr.com/presspass

The post Will Patriots Beat Giants? + Week 12 NFL Picks w/ Kyles & Kadlick | Presented by OddsR appeared first on CLNS Media.

]]> Post-bye week Patriots Mailbag https://www.clnsmedia.com/post-bye-week-patriots-mailbag/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=post-bye-week-patriots-mailbag Wed, 22 Nov 2023 21:26:09 +0000 https://www.clnsmedia.com/?p=131519 In the most recent episode of Patriots Daily, Taylor Kyles rides solo for a post-bye week Patriots mailbag! Taylor topics questions from Mac Jones, to the future of the team and more! He also takes questions from his LIVE viewers on YouTube! This episode of the Patriots Daily Podcast is brought to you by: Fanduel [...]

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]]> In the most recent episode of Patriots Daily, Taylor Kyles rides solo for a post-bye week Patriots mailbag! Taylor topics questions from Mac Jones, to the future of the team and more! He also takes questions from his LIVE viewers on YouTube!

This episode of the Patriots Daily Podcast is brought to you by:

Fanduel Sportsbook, the exclusive wagering parter of the CLNS Media NetworkRight now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! So, visit https://FanDuel.com/BOSTON and kick off the NFL season. FanDuel, Official Partner of the NFL. 21+ and present in MA. Hope is here. First online real money wager only. $5 pregame moneyline wager required. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. GamblingHelpLineMa.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support. Play it smart from the start! GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234.

Use code DREAMERSPRO for $20 off your first SeatGeek order! Visit SeatGeek.com and use code DREAMERSPRO when you checkout! With NFL, NBA and NHL seasons in full swing and the NBA starting soon, you don’t want to miss out – SeatGeek has your tickets to every game!

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]]> Patriots at the bye & Belichick’s possible landing spots https://www.clnsmedia.com/patriots-at-the-bye-belichicks-possible-landing-spots/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=patriots-at-the-bye-belichicks-possible-landing-spots Fri, 17 Nov 2023 17:00:09 +0000 https://www.clnsmedia.com/?p=131339 In the latest episode of the Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast with Nick Cattles, Greg and Nick analyze Mac Jones taking first team reps in Wednesday’s practice and its implications. They debate whether this signals anything specific, such as the likelihood of Jones not starting against the Giants. The conversation also turns to Dan Orlovsky’s insights [...]

The post Patriots at the bye & Belichick’s possible landing spots appeared first on CLNS Media.

]]> In the latest episode of the Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast with Nick Cattles, Greg and Nick analyze Mac Jones taking first team reps in Wednesday’s practice and its implications. They debate whether this signals anything specific, such as the likelihood of Jones not starting against the Giants. The conversation also turns to Dan Orlovsky’s insights about Bill Belichick’s future, suggesting Belichick already has plans for his next move. They explore the possible destinations that might be seeking a fresh start under new leadership.

Check Greg’s Coverage out over at www.bostonsportsjournal.com, for $50 on BSJ’s annual plan. Not only do you get top-notch analysis of all the Boston pro sports, but if you’re a Patriots junkie — and if you’re listening to this podcast, you are — then a membership at BSJ gives you access to a ton of video analysis Bedard does on the coaches film, and direct access to him in weekly chats.

This episode of the Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast w/ Nick Cattles Podcast is brought to you by:

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]]> The Patriots’ next coach and GM candidates with Jeff Howe https://www.clnsmedia.com/the-patriots-next-coach-and-gm-candidates-with-jeff-howe/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-patriots-next-coach-and-gm-candidates-with-jeff-howe Thu, 16 Nov 2023 23:38:23 +0000 https://www.clnsmedia.com/?p=131340 The Athletic’s NFL insider Jeff Howe joins Andrew to answer every listener question in a mega mailbag episode. Together, they tackle the top candidates to become the Patriots’ next coach and GM, potential Bill Belichick trades, whether Jerod Mayo is ready to take over and which players the team should prioritize this offseason.   You can [...]

The post The Patriots’ next coach and GM candidates with Jeff Howe appeared first on CLNS Media.

]]> The Athletic’s NFL insider Jeff Howe joins Andrew to answer every listener question in a mega mailbag episode. Together, they tackle the top candidates to become the Patriots’ next coach and GM, potential Bill Belichick trades, whether Jerod Mayo is ready to take over and which players the team should prioritize this offseason.

 

You can also listen and Subscribe to Pats Interference on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and at CLNSMedia.com every Tuesday!

This episode of the Pats Interference Podcast is brought to you by Fanduel Sportsbook, the exclusive wagering parter of the CLNS Media NetworkRight now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! So, visit https://FanDuel.com/BOSTON and kick off the NFL season. FanDuel, Official Partner of the NFL. 21+ and present in MA. Hope is here. First online real money wager only. $5 pregame moneyline wager required. First onlinereal money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. GamblingHelpLineMa.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support. Play it smart from the start! GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234.

ODDS-R! Ever wished you could navigate the betting field with the confidence of a pro? Enter OddsR. They’re not a sportsbook, but they’re the sports betting advisor you’ve always needed. It’s like having a playbook for smarter bets right in your pocket. I’ve been absolutely loving the experience, and I think you will too. Especially since Pats Interference listeners get a 30-day free trial! Elevate your game day and join the smart betting revolution! Go get it at https://oddsr.com/pats !

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