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.
Slow Wednesday at Gillette Stadium, with a low-speed walkthrough and not a lot of faces in the locker room. We'll see if that picks up a bit on Thursday, as we close in on this weekend's regular-season finale against New York.
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 workroom)
Now, on with the links...
1. I took a look at the Patriots' record against winning teams and playoff-bound clubs, and see how it stacked up against the rest of the AFC elite. Turns out, New England's schedule is full of more than just tomato cans.
2. Miguel examines what it will take for seven Patriots to hit their incentives in Sunday's regular-season finale.
3. Tom Brady told his pal Jim Gray he wants to play in 2019.
4. Notebook: The Patriots held a modified walkthrough on Thursday, while Bill Belichick was asked about Brady's comments when it came to the quarterback playing in 2019.
5. Greg spent some quality time with the fellas on 98.5 The Sports Hub Tuesday afternoon.
6. Video - James White stopped by the media workroom after Wednesday's practice and talked about the challenge of facing the Jets and the importance of finishing the regular-season strong.
7. Are we going to see White's touches spike again after a brief dip earlier this month?
8. Here are the transcripts of White and Pat Chung's media sessions on Wednesday afternoon.
9. Our buddy Manish Mehta says one of the reasons the Jets' head coaching job could be attractive is the anticipated decline of the Patriots.
10. Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media include Josh McDaniels -- as well as Brian Flores and Joe Judge -- as names to watch when it comes to the upcoming coaching carousel.
Extra Point:
.@Patriots #TomBrady and all the national “NOISE” about a QB in decline: are you really watching the games? I offer you a sampling of plays where the QB looks fine; but his surrounding cast looks less than stellar. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/iNhBW2O5wI
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 26, 2018