BSJ Daily Briefing: Merry Christmas! A Pats win with C's on deck

Good morning!

Just a friendly reminder that if you're headed out to a family gathering (or maybe you left someone on your Christmas list) and you forgot to get a Boston sports fan a gift they'll literally use every day, then check out our affordable gift options! Just enter YOUR information. Check your email (including your spam folder) for the email you can forward to them, or print out our handy gift card and you're all set!

A few random thoughts while I thank goodness that my wife is a master of all things, including being the Christmas maven:

• When I went out to say hi to a few folks before kickoff, I was very impressed by everyone's Christmas game at Gillette. Saw a ton of different festive outfits even with the cold weather. That's the spirit!


• Oh hey Joe!

• Even after he caught my eye as a Pitt player — I had dreams at the time as a Packers beat writer of what Mike McCarthy could do with a talent like that — Dion Lewis continues to amaze with his ability to make people miss. Here's hoping his good health continues into the New Year and he can strut his stuff on the big postseason stage.


• Kelvin Benjamin was open all day and he could barely run. That's not good.


• There are times that Tyrod Taylor has the accuracy of Tim Tebow.


• He needs players, but Sean McDermott is a good coach and has the Bills on the way to being competitive for a long time. ... if he can find a quarterback. Taylor and Nathan Peterman are not what he needs.


• I've been a pretty big Jimmy Garoppolo fan for a while, but even I didn't see this coming. How he's resuscitated a downtrodden franchise has been nothing short of amazing. Still want to see the film to see how good he was against that Jaguars defense because that shouldn't have happened.


• I'd have to say the Saints are the favorite in the NFC right now.


• Can Bill O'Brien give old boss Bill Belichick a big fat Christmas present with a win over the Steelers today?


• The Chargers would be a frisky AFC wild card if they can get in.


• Still can't believe the Rams are going to the playoffs. What a job by Sean McVay.


• Considering how that Rams offense runs through Todd Gurley, you could make a compelling MVP argument for him with Tom Brady throwing interceptions in five-straight games. Still think Brady's season-long excellence should win out and hold off the trendy pick.


• Kyrie Irving vs. John Wall today. Merry Christmas indeed.


• Look for an Alex Cora feature by Sean McAdam posting at 11 a.m.


• Thank you all for a wonderful first five months for BSJ. Our start has been better than we ever dreamed, and we have so much more we will be doing in the New Year! Have a great day with family, friends and, of course, BSJ!