by Brent Schwartz
With the first full Sunday slate of NFL games in 2023 just a few days away, few teams (maybe none) feel like they're at a crossroads moment as much as these New England Patriots. It's been three years since Tom Brady left what is still the 21st century's most successful North American sports franchise. But … Continue reading 2023 New England Patriots Preview: Make or break season?
With three weeks to go in the NFL season, the games, similar to the NBA, have become an afterthought to the sudden surging of COVID-19 cases across the country, giving the nation a March 2020 feel, when it comes to news of the virus. Even with the 2020 NFL season being played with virtually no … Continue reading Gut Check Time: Two key Week 16 divisional battles may decide AFC East, AFC North
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Monday's night's showdown in Buffalo marked the biggest AFC East game in a decade, maybe more. The New England Patriots (9-4) and Buffalo Bills (7-5) would battle it out in the first of two meetings that would likely decide the division. However, it would be the weather, that would decide the … Continue reading NFL Tuesday Morning Madness Week 13: Patriots out-muscle, out-game Bills in windy, situational football
The marquee 'TV ratings' matchup in the Sunday late afternoon window delivered a classic on Sunday. Cowboys 35, Patriots 29, in overtime, in Foxboro, Massachussetts. It was the Cowboys' first win in six tries versus Bill Belichick's Patriots, and it was Dallas' first win over New England since a 12-6 victory over the Pats in … Continue reading NFL Tuesday Morning Madness Week 6: Cowboys-Patriots classic featured two teams in wildly different places
An hour or two after an emotional game that bookended a taxing, emotional week, Tom Brady summed up what we all expected was the case for him. "I'm tired" the seven-time Super Bowl champion, and former Patriot, told NBC Sports' Peter King. "I'm really tired. For a regular-season game, that was pretty intense...God is it … Continue reading NFL Tuesday Morning Madness Week 4: Three leftover thoughts on Brady-Belichick, Mac Jones & Bucs-Pats
Week 2 in the NFL this season had a flair for the dramatic, with the late afternoon window in particular featuring wild finishes out west in Los Angeles, Arizona and Seattle. There's still a few weeks left to play before any rash conclusions or predictions can be made, as many call September the "extended preseason." … Continue reading NFL Monday Morning Madness Week 2: Drama-filled Sunday provides extra excitment
Sunday marked the return of the NFL in full tilt for its 102nd campaign. Stadiums filled with fans across the league after a pandemic-alerting season in 2020 blocked them from doing so this time last year. The last year-plus has been a tragedy due to the countless lives lost. And although it's quite a sobering … Continue reading NFL Monday Morning Madness Week 1: Reflecting on 9/11 + NFC West makes a statement
In an attempt to reboot the team after a 7-9 transition season in a post-Tom Brady world, during a pandemic, Bill Belichick hurled an NFL-record $159.6 million of guaranteed money in free agency to attempt to fix his team on both sides of the ball. Some criticized the move, calling some of the contracts "overpays," but the moves were strategic, as the Patriots were one of just a couple teams with the available cap space in 2020 after the salary cap shrunk in an attempt to make up for lost revenue from a lack of fan attendance during last season.
When Cam Newton was sacked on 4th down late in New England's 22-12 loss in Miami on Sunday, the Patriots already-slim playoff chances went down with him. Technically, the Patriots entered Sunday's contest with just a three percent chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN's Football Power Index, but the NFL community has certainly … Continue reading NFL Monday Morning Madness Week 15: Where do the Patriots go from here?
A Week 1 game in the NFL should follow with this disclaimer — "Do not overanalyze, as often times things are not what they appear." And in a NFL season during a year in which the world is turned upside down, the words above should ring even more clear. Heck, there were no preseason games … Continue reading NFL Monday Morning Madness Week 1: Breaking down Cam, Brady + Lamar’s passing masterclass
No Guts No Glory 