Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your Monday. Grab your coffee and let’s get to it.
In my experience, most regular-season losses for the Patriots can be put into three categories:
1. The In-Season Super Bowl: This is when the other team -- usually a decent bunch -- puts all its eggs into one basket and treats the game against New England like their Super Bowl. That game is usually away from Gillette, and the emotion and intensity from a quick start carry them through. There's almost always the inevitable letdown afterward, but the win over the Patriots was enough to make their season. This year's Jacksonville game is the best example.
2. The Freakish Loss: Because of injury, poor execution, and an occasional career day on the other side, all the forces seem aligned against New England. That loss is almost always against a team that won't make the playoffs, almost always on the road, and occasionally involves a player or coach who wants some sort of revenge on the Pats. The fact is New England always seem to lose 1-2 games like this every season. Odd stuff happens -- poor special teams play, bad game for the quarterback. Games like Detroit this year; Miami in 2017; Buffalo in 2016. Games that start weird and before you know it, end up as a loss. Bumps in the road.
3. The Hindsight Game: These are losses that don't appear to make complete sense when they happen, but can only really be appreciated when you look at the game with some perspective. They're usually against a team with some talent that inevitably gets the better of the Patriots for one reason or another. These losses can only really be understood with the value of hindsight. "Oh, I can see now how they would lose this one." Denver in 2015; Seattle in 2016; Kansas City in 2017.
My first thought? The Patriots weren't at 100 percent, and they were facing a team they likely underestimated. And honestly, they're a beat-up team that's looking forward to the bye week. All that means that 34-10 loss might be a good candidate for the second category. But depending on how the rest of the season plays out (and how Tennessee finishes this year), this one could ultimately land in the third spot. We'll have to see. Regardless, it was a forgettable afternoon for New England, which heads into the bye week on a down note.
Monday’s schedule (players are off)
2:30 p.m.: Conference call with Bill Belichick
Now. on with the links...
1. I had the game report from a contest that had very little in the way of good things for the Patriots, other than the fact it looks like there are no more former Belichick assistants and/or ex-Patriots left on the schedule.
2. Greg spent some quality time after the game with a frustrated Chris Hogan, who is enduring a rough stretch of football.
3. I had live coverage humming all afternoon long. Read it at your own risk.
4. Greg says Sunday's road flop leaves them with a tough path if they want to make it back to the Super Bowl.
5. I'm running what could be the feistiest edition of "Overreaction Monday" this week. We kick things off at 1 p.m. Get your questions in ASAP because it's going to be epic.
6. We have video from Julian Edelman, Brady and Belichick after Sunday's loss.
7. When it came to the #StayCovered Defensive Play of the Game, we had to give it to Gilmore for his second-half sack on Marcus Mariota. On an afternoon where the defense had all sorts of issues, it was maybe the one highlight.
8. One last plug for my weekend notebook, which includes a look at how much the Pats' offense had started to speed things up, where New England stands when it comes to this unprecedented offensive explosion this season, and a few numbers that caught our eye this week. There’s also a quick spin around the AFC East and some updated penalty info.
9. Our buddy Mike Reiss says the Patriots shot at home field is hurt with the loss to Tennessee on Sunday.
10. And Greg wanted to clear up any misconceptions people had when it came to his statements on Malcolm Butler over the last few months.
Extra Point: I think Dion Lewis really enjoyed beating his old team on Sunday.
Is it personal, Dion Lewis? ‘hell yeah it’s personal. That’s what happens when you go cheap. You get your ass kicked.” The #Titans RB very happy about beating his former team #patriots
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) November 11, 2018
— Dion Lewis (@DionLewisRB) November 11, 2018