Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your day.
It should be an eventful and newsworthy day in Foxborough for a few reasons, not the least of which is the fact that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is supposed to speak with the media for the first time since the ESPN story broke. Don’t expect any dramatics, but it’ll be interesting to see and hear how he responds to questions.
It will also be interesting to see who is at practice, and who might not be ready to go for Saturday night. Running back Mike Gillislee (knee) is a likely scratch, considering he hasn’t practiced to this point in the week. And while fellow back Rex Burkhead (knee) sounded optimistic Wednesday about his chances of playing, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reported that Burkhead has been limping in practice. It looks like defensive lineman Alan Branch is ready to return. And finally, the clock continues to tick on wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who wasn’t spotted at the start of the last two practices, and could be seeing his chances of returning for the postseason growing dimmer.
Now, on with the links...
1. Logan Ryan is ready to face his old teammates. He met the media in the Tennessee locker room Wednesday, and sounded very much like a guy who came of age in Foxborough. "Everyone's got to be on their P's and Q's; everyone's gotta do their job; and we've got to bring it, man," Ryan said of the looming challenge for the young Titans. "We can't be mentally defeated walking out there. You've got to go out there and believe in yourself, and kind of do your job to help the team."
2. DeMarco Murray has officially been downgraded to out, which means the Patriots should be ready for a healthy dose of Derrick Henry.
3. As for Henry, he aims to “keep it going” against New England.
4. The Titans don’t care about the fact they don’t seem to be getting much respect.
5. Video: Johnathan Cyprien and Kevin Byard say they hope to play a role in trying to slow Rob Gronkowski.
6. Speaking of trying to slow Gronk, don’t be shocked if Ryan is part of that defensive grouping come Saturday night.
7. The Titans have to hope that they get to the Patriots early, because New England’s fourth-quarter defense has been tremendous over the second half of the season.
8. On Wednesday, Branch and Burkhead sounded an optimistic note regarding their availability for Saturday night.
9. The Jags are looking to do everything they can to try and stop Le’Veon Bell.
10. And Bell sounds up to the challenge.
Extra Point(s)
The Steelers lost to the Jaguars 30-9 in Week 5
Since 2012, there have been 13 teams to face a team in the playoffs after losing to that team by 20+ points in the regular season
Those teams went 1-12 in the postseason rematch (2014 Ravens avenged 20-point loss to Steelers)
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 10, 2018
Marcus Mariota will make his 2nd career playoff start Saturday against the @Patriots
Since 2001, quarterbacks making their first or second career playoff start are 0-7 against New England#TENvsNE
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 10, 2018