Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your day. Grab your coffee and let’s get to it.
It was a good day to be a Patriots fan.
First, New England made it official with its 27-13 win over the Jets, knocking New York out of the divisional picture. With the Dolphins loss, the Pats’ magic number to win the division dropped to two. And with the Steelers losing in Denver, New England moved into second place in the AFC playoff chase. (Pittsburgh fell all the way to fourth.) We’ll have a fully updated look at the standings after Monday’s clash between the Texans and Titans, but here’s how things look at the top of the AFC as of Monday morning:
1. Chiefs (9-2)
Remaining schedule: at Raiders (2-9), vs. Ravens (6-5), vs. Chargers (8-3), at Seahawks (6-5), vs. Raiders (2-9)
Opponents record: 24-31 (.436)
2. Patriots (8-3)
Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings (6-4-1), at Dolphins (5-6), at Steelers (7-3-1), vs. Bills (4-7), vs. Jets (3-8)
Opponents record: 25-28-2 (.455)
3. Texans (7-3)
Remaining schedule: vs. Titans (5-5), vs. Browns (4-6-1), vs. Colts (6-5), at Jets (3-8), at Eagles (5-6), vs. Jags (3-8)
Opponents record: 26-38-1 (.400)
--Under Bill Belichick, here’s a look at where the Patriots have stood every season after 11 games -- 2017: 9-2; 2016: 9-2; 2015: 10-1; 2014: 9-2; 2013: 8-3; 2012: 8-3; 2011: 8-3; 2010: 9-2; 2009: 7-4; 2008: 7-4; 2007: 11-0; 2006: 8-3; 2005: 6-5; 2004: 10-1; 2003: 9-2; 2002: 6-5; 2001: 6-5; 2000: 3-8.
Monday’s Schedule
2:30 p.m.: Conference Call with Belichick
Approx. 4:15 p.m.: Media Availability (locker room)
Now, on with the links...
1. Greg was encouraged by the sight of Rob Gronkowski on the field Sunday, but he says Gronkowski's play makes it clear that a red-zone revamp is needed for the New England offense.
2. Greg also has the complete BSJ Game Report, the quickest way to find out everything you need to know about what happened Sunday afternoon in North Jersey.
3. I have a look at the Patriots' running game putting a hurt on the New York defense -- and with cold weather right around the corner, I wonder if Sunday's contest is the start of bigger and better things for New England's ground attack.
4. The #StayCovered Defensive Play of the Game goes to Stephon Gilmore for his adroit second-quarter interception of a Josh McCown pass.
5. Cordarrelle Patterson had some choice words for New York defensive lineman Henry Anderson and the way he took him down (or maybe the fact he didn't move off Patterson as fast as Patterson would have liked) after a fourth-quarter run.
6. I had Live Coverage humming all afternoon long. Good times.
7. Video -- Duron Harmon and Julian Edelman talked about Sunday's victory over the Jets.
8. Greg was a talkative guy over the weekend, spending some quality time with Jason McIntyre of Fox Sports Radio, WFAN and the Patriots' Postgame Show.
9. One last plug for my weekend notebook, which hits on a bunch of stuff, including James White's workload, Jason McCourty's unique arc this season, and a bunch of other stuff.
10. This week's Overreaction Q&A should start around 5 p.m. Bring your coffee and questions, because it's going to be absolutely epic.
Extra Points:
Almost there... pic.twitter.com/t2HgiHBM5a
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) November 25, 2018
We get @wisehog94-he’s a ??♂️ on the field and magician off of it.?. Great win for the Patriots coming off the bye week. #GoPats pic.twitter.com/tUUgRzwTup
— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) November 25, 2018