Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your Thursday. Grab your coffee and let’s get to it.
This week will mark the third consecutive opportunity for the Patriots to clinch the division title -- the old hat and T-shirt game. (Copyright Tedy Bruschi.)
The "AFC East Champions" gear has followed them from Miami to Pittsburgh, and now, to New England. Given the nature of the last-second losses the previous two weeks, it's likely been a very stressful postgame situation for equipment guys, who take pride in making sure the championship gear is ready to go as soon as players show up in the locker room afterward. Remember this video of them rushing around to get the swag into the lockers in the wake of the dramatic division clincher last year in Pittsburgh? Now, imagine that sort of last-minute decision-making taking place in back-to-back weeks.
Thursday’s Schedule
12:30 p.m.: Media availability at practice
4-4:45 p.m.: Approximate time for player availability (locker room) and Devin McCourty media availability (media workroom)
Now, on with the links...
1. I did a ton of math to try and figure out where the Patriots when it comes to slowing opposing QBs in the run game. Why? Because New England is slated to face one of the best running quarterbacks in the league on Sunday.
2. Greg says the fact the Patriots are making so many mistakes at this stage of the season is mind-boggling. The good news? There's a historical precedent for them still find their footing and make a comeback. Check out his reasoning here.
3. Miguel's latest salary cap recap looks at New England's shrinking space.
4. The notebook opens with the Patriots' ridiculous run of good health, includes what Bill Belichick told Steph Gilmore when he called him to let him know he made the Pro Bowl, and some comments from Buffalo coach Sean McDemott.
5. Here's the transcript from Belichick's Wednesday press conference, and here are the transcripts from Patrick Chung and James White's press conferences.
6. Regardless of the dip in his numbers the last two weeks, White remains a key to the Patriots offensive production.
7. The Patriots replaced offensive lineman Eric Smith on the practice squad with Toby Weathersby.
8. The folks at Bovada released some NFL odds on Wednesday -- we highlighted the Patriots'-related ones here.
9. Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News wonders if the Bills are catching Tom Brady and New England at the right time.
10. Buffalo is a little worked up regarding the fact it didn't have anyone on the team named as a starter for the Pro Bowl. "I think it's BS, to be honest. If you look at the production that our guys have had and the numbers. As a whole, our defense has played phenomenal and it's one of the top-ranked defenses in the league," wide receiver Zay Jones said of the Bills' defense.
Extra Point:
Win or lose, no one covers the @Patriots better than @BostonSportsBSJ. I have 10 different tabs open of content from @GregABedard & @cpriceNFL - awesome job!
— Dan (@dsiuda) December 17, 2018