BSJ Daily Briefing 10.30.17: Patriots earn bye week with 4th-straight victory

Good morning!

A few lingering thoughts while I try not to get blown away by the high winds outside:

• Doesn't seem to matter if it's Norv Turner, Mike McCoy or Anthony Lynn, it always seems like the Chargers implode at various times when they face the Patriots.


• The Patriots' red-zone offense is really scuffling at this point. The bye is coming at a perfect time. Expect Josh McDaniels and his offensive assistants to be burning away on that.


• The bye is also coming at a good time for Chris Hogan, Rob Gronkowski, Marcus Cannon, Malcom Brown and a few other players. Those bodies need some rest.


• Trade deadline is tomorrow at 4 p.m.


• Like most people, I've been hoping for a little bit more defensive help, maybe in the pass rush. But after Sunday's game, I'm changing my tune.


• Given the red-zone struggles, the declining point output and the fact that outside of a fatigued Rob Gronkowski — not exactly a beacon of durability — the Patriots have absolutely nothing at the tight end position, I think that's the position that needs to be addressed the most.


• Can you imagine where the Patriots would be if Gronkowski were to go down again?


• This World Series has been tremendous. If you couldn't find a way to stay up until 1:39 a.m. (that would be most of you), find a way to at least watch the highlights.

• Every Friday, Dr. Jessica Flynn will answer your injury questions about all four teams, or any other injury questions you have. You can submit those questions at any time via email (docflynn@bostonsportsjournal.com), or you can Tweet them to her here.


• Mr. PatsCap himself, Miguel Benzan, will also be doing a weekly mailbag with all your funky cap-related inquiries. Hit him up via email or Twitter.


• A ton of our best work is available for free in our preview section if you're still on the fence about subscribing. Or if you have friends you want to join you as a member, send them that link to check us out.


• iOS app. Android app. (Both have 5-star reviews)


• You can subscribe here.


• You can give a gift subscription here.


• If you wish to upgrade your subscription to any of our other levels at any time, hit My Account at the top of the screen and then click Upgrade Subscription through a browser. In the app, click the settings thingy in the upper right-hand corner, click My Account, and then Upgrade Subscription.


• We're going to kick in our advertising plan very soon. We're looking for advertising partners who realize the unique value of BSJ, and like to support small, home-grown businesses. For more information, go here. For this model to work, we need advertisers to help offset our travel budget. It's crucial.


• Find a typo? Let us know at typos@bostonsportsjournal.com.


• Need help? Drop us a line at help@bostonsportsjournal.com