BSJ Daily Briefing 11.05.18: More thoughts on Pats over Pack; Sox still on duckboats

Good morning! 

A few random thoughts while I wonder what other iconic Boston events the Champion Red Sox can ride duckboats into ... St. Patrick's Day Parade, St. Anthony's Feast, Head of the Charles, The Fourth on the Esplanade? Hey, I think we're onto something here ...

• So the Patriots came away with a very decisive victory over the Packers.


• Excellent win. It may look a little bit different if the Packers don't make the playoffs, but anytime you can beat and fluster Aaron Rodgers, it's a good day at the office.


• I came away most impressed with Brian Flores and the defensive gameplan. They changed things up, it was a big risk because it could have blown up in their face, but the players executed. Tommy Points all around.


• Price was keen on the offense, which, without Rob Gronkowski and Sony Michel, basically threw the kitchen sink at Green Bay. I also think it had something to do with Mike Pettine being on the other side. I miss Rex and Pettine in the division for this reason: they always tested and stretched the Patriots.


• I'm not sure what it says or if it will matter, but the Patriots used gimmicks to basically score all their points. That's not sustainable and, I'm guessing, the plan is to do this sort of thing until the offense gets clicking — and it hasn't come close to hitting on all cylinders yet. That's good news.


• Does Cordarrelle Patterson gaining 51 yards in a half help or hurt the Michel Truthers? I've lost count. Look, he's a good player and they're better with him (especially since they don't have any other running backs). That's the bottom line.


• One thing that got glossed over last night but probably won't this week: The Patriots limited James White to 99 touches total each of the previous two seasons. He's at 121 through nine games and dealt with a knee issue last night. If White had a car temperature gauge, it would look like this ...

• On that note, and related to something I said about Rob Gronkowski ... this team is desperate need of their bye week.


• Celtics are in Denver tonight to face the 8-1 Nuggets. B-Robb is on the scene to see how the C's bounce back from that disappointing loss at Indiana.


• The Red Sox were at Gillette last night and, of course, their owners were front and center. Yes, the Krafts have been part of the Fenway festivities ... all right, I'll shut up now.


• The Packers are 3-4-1 now. If I know Packers fans like I think I do, it's going to be a long week in Wisconsin, especially for Mike McCarthy.