Pats Pulpit
No turkey hangover for these Patriots. New England quickly put the New York Giants in a tryptophan funk after the visitors came out flat and the Patriots defense kept them flat all game long. LB Christian Elliss was flying around hitting everything in sight, old-school style. Hard not to love the full-pop energy, especially after a week of the media warning of a tough Giants pass rush vs. an injury-hamstrung offensive line. The ‘trap game’ flag was flying but the Pats grabbed it, throttled it, and lit it on fire. Next up they hit the Bye Week hard at 11-2 and on top of the league.
Week 14 is too late for a bye week. The injury bug didn’t hit the Pats where it hurts until the last few games – a testament to the coaching staff’s focus on treatment as well as some good old-fashioned luck. Health will be key going forward and as late as it is, the break from bodies taking a pounding will be welcomed. Lots of divisional games on the schedule this week. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the Bills, Broncos, Chargers and Chiefs, and a side eye on Ravens at Steelers. I predict the Pats win the bye week. Mike Vrabel will keep the team focused on finishing strong while they rest, recover and scout out the upcoming matchups.
GO PATS!!
Around the AFC East:
New England Patriots (11-2) -Bye Week
Buffalo Bills (8-4) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
Miami Dolphins (5-7) at New York Jets (3-9)
AFC Matchups:
Denver Broncos (10-2) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) vs. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
Baltimore Ravens (6-6) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)
Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
Houston Texans (7-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
Cleveland Browns (3-9) vs. Tennessee Titans (1-11)
1st – NFL Nation (ESPN): X factor for final stretch: Defensive tackle Christian Barmore. With starting DT Milton Williams on injured reserve because of a high ankle sprain for at least the next two games and No. 3 DT Khyiris Tonga slowed by a chest injury from Week 12, more of the burden falls on Barmore. Through the first nine weeks, the Patriots hadn’t allowed an opposing running back to gain 50 rushing yards in a game. But in Weeks 10-12, Patriots opponents averaged more than 5.0 yards a carry. — Mike Reiss. [+2]
1st – Pete Prisco (CBS Sports): They just keep on winning. They head to their bye on a 10-game winning streak. Up after the bye: the Buffalo Bills. They are rolling. [+1]
1st – Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk): The post-Brady/Belichick doldrums are officially over. [+2]
1st – Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News): The Patriots got a prime-time showcase again for Drake Maye’s MVP candidacy, strengthened by him picking apart the Giants at home on Monday night. They get a well-deserved bye in Week 14. [+2]
1st – Ralph Vacchiano (FOX Sports): *They toyed with the Giants as they rode their 10th straight win into the bye week....
