FOXBOROUGH -- You guys are probably getting sick and tired of me saying this, but Wednesday was another instance of perfect attendance at the start of practice for the Patriots. Couldn't be a better situation for New England, as the AFC title game is now four games away. (Remember this time last year when Tom Brady cut his hand in the days leading up to the AFC championship contest?)
Here's a look at the first injury report of the week. As healthy as you can be at this time of year if you are the Patriots -- only Deatrich Wise, who continues to struggle with an ankle issue.
Brett Favre knows where Tom Brady is coming from. That's why he wasn't surprised to hear the Patriots' quarterback say "everyone thinks we suck" following the divisional playoff win over the Chargers. In his mind, it's part of what great quarterbacks do.
"I did say all year long, ‘Do not count the Patriots out,’ and Tom Brady, obviously, is included in that," Favre said on SiriusXM Radio on Wednesday. "Until he retires, that’s when I count him out, and the same can be said for (Bill) Belichick. They’ve proven, yet again … now, I know there’s still two games left. But they have proven yet again, don’t count them out.
The forecast for Sunday is for temperatures in the single digits and wind chill below zero. How does that impact preparations for the game?
Do you mind playing in severe cold?
Is there any difference at all in preparing for a team that you already faced in the regular season compared to a team that you haven’t seen recently?
Compared to that game in October, the weather and location will be vastly different. Are the teams also vastly different from what they were then?
The Chiefs were 3-for-4 on fourth down last week and 12-for-15 for the year. How does their ability to not only go for it but succeed so frequently on fourth down maybe change the way you guys will approach the game, or does it at all?
Having coached against Andy Reid for so many years, how much does his willingness to implement new things and incorporate stuff that he’s seen throughout his career play a factor in his success as a coach?
They have a corner that hasn’t played a whole lot for them this season in Charvarius Ward, outside of starting the last three games for them. What have you seen from him in the time that he’s played and what do you think has allowed him to catch on and establish a role?
How different is the pass-catching aspect for their running backs out of the backfield with Damien Williams as opposed to Kareem Hunt?
Damien Williams came here for a visit back in 2017, I believe. Is there anything that you remember about him during that time that sticks out?
How important has it been for your defense to have Dont’a Hightower out there consistently and has it allowed the defense to build in terms of some things you may have added to it late in the season?
Your last visit to Kansas City back in 2014 was not a good memory. Can that game be used for you and Tom Brady as motivation at all?
More updates throughout the afternoon...
