The New England Patriots are set to star in the biggest game on the NFL 's Week 13 slate when they travel to Orchard Park to take on the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football ...
Don't look now, but the New England Patriots might just be the best team in the AFC. With a 36-13 win over the reeling Tennessee Titans on Sunday, New England drew even with Sunday's opponents at 8-4...
Raiders vs. Browns, Patriots vs. Colts Scheduled for Week 15 Saturday Doubleheader
Nov 23, 2021
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 18: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots reacts during the game against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 18, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The NFL announced its pair of Saturday games for the Week 15 slate.
The Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 18, with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts to follow at 8:20 p.m. ET.
The league originally left five games open to flex into the two Saturday slots. Tuesday's news means these three games are locked in for Dec. 19:
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles
Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills
Schedule flexing has become commonplace in the NFL, and the practice carried over into the new 18-week regular season. The idea is that league officials might be able to position important games into prime-time viewing hours.
The Patriots (7-4) have a half-game lead on the Buffalo Bills for first place in the AFC. The Colts (6-5) might be out of a playoff position for the time being, but they're also riding a three-game winning streak into Week 12.
New England and Indianapolis could be jostling for wild-card positioning in one month's time.
Cleveland vs. Las Vegas may have lost some luster by then, on the other hand.
The Browns are last in the AFC North at 6-5, and a 13-10 victory over the Detroit Lions couldn't make people ignore Baker Mayfield getting booed by his own fans. Likewise, the Raiders (5-5) have dropped three games in a row amid a wealth of off-field problems.
Their encounter could be a meeting between two teams that have fallen short of the expectations they set for themselves heading into 2021.
Julian Edelman Reveals Tom Brady Tried to Recruit Him to Buccaneers in 2020
Nov 23, 2021
Former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman acknowledges fans as he runs onto the field while being honored at halftime of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Former NFL wide receiver Julian Edelman played for one team in his entire 12-year career. However, the former New England Patriots star revealed on the Manning brothers' broadcast of Monday Night Football that he was approached by former teammate Tom Brady to get out of Foxborough.
Edelman said that when Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to the 2020 season, the quarterback asked him to join him in Florida. Edelman said he quickly declined the offer.
"He hit me up the first day he signed there," Edelman said. "He's like, 'You wanna come down?' And I was like, 'Uh, absolutely not.'"
Edelman, a seventh-round pick out of Kent State in 2009, emerged as a favorite target of Brady in 2013. He had three career 1,000-yard seasons and finished with 90 or more receptions four times.
Edelman was a three-time Super Bowl champ and was named MVP of Super Bowl LIII after recording 10 receptions for 141 yards in New England's 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
He announced his retirement in April after an injury-plagued 2020 season, though Brady joked during NFL Network's virtual Draft-A-Thon a few weeks later that Edelman wasn't really hanging up his cleats for good.
"We know Julian didn't retire. Let's be honest," Brady said. "He's just too scared to tell Bill [Belichick] he wants to come to Tampa. I've been there."
Edelman responded on Twitter that his retirement was legitimate.
The 35-year-old would not have been the only former notable Patriots teammate to follow Brady to Tampa Bay had he gone. Tight end Rob Gronkowski ended his brief retirement to join the Buccaneers in 2020 along with receiver Antonio Brown. Had Edelman taken Brady up on his offer, the two would have celebrated a fourth Super Bowl win together.
The 44-year-old Brady has been doing fine without his former favorite target, though. He threw for 307 yards with two touchdowns and an interception as the Buccaneers defeated the New York Giants on Monday night to improve to 7-3.
The New England Patriots have been on a steady rise since their 1-3 start to the season. They've lost only once since then—in overtime to the Dallas Cowboys—and have rattled off five wins in a row...
For more than two decades, the New England Patriots have continually found ways to win against the Atlanta Falcons . On Thursday night, they had no trouble beating the Falcons once again...
Bill Belichick's Masterful Offseason Is Paying off Huge for Surging Patriots
Nov 19, 2021
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches play against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
After watching the New England Patriots dominate the NFL for two decades, more than a few fans outside the greater Boston metropolitan area quietly smiled when the 2020 Pats went 7-9 and missed the postseason.
Others smirked as the question of who was more responsible for all that success was settled for some when Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a blowout win in Super Bowl LV.
As it turns out, any dirt being thrown on Bill Belichick was all kinds of premature. Where some NFL teams are seemingly in a constant state of rebuilding (looking at you, Detroit), the Patriots took all of one year to get right back in the mix in the AFC. The Pats attacked free agency with a vengeance, had a phenomenal draft that included Brady's heir under center, and after taking care of an overmatched Atlanta Falcons team on Thursday night, the Patriots are 7-4, winners of five straight and right on the heels of the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.
The Patriots are surging. The Patriots are back. And Belichick is having one of the best years of his Hall of Fame career.
Thursday's 25-0 win over the Falcons was a flashback of sorts, in that there was an air of inevitability around the proceedings before the game ever began. The Venn diagram of people who gave the Falcons a chance in this game and the people who thought Tom and Jerry was a good movie is a circle. After blowing the doors off the Cleveland Browns last week at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots were expected to cruise.
And while it was at times a Thursday-esque effort, the Patriots met that expectation. And then some.
For the third time in as many weeks, the New England defense was absolutely dominant. The Patriots allowed just 165 total yards and held a third straight opponent to fewer than 10 points. Per the Fox telecast, it marked the first time the Falcons were shut out at home since 1988.
The centerpiece of Belichick's $160 million (in guarantees) free-agency spending spree in 2021 has been the MVP of New England's sixth-ranked defense.
(Yes, Dave Ziegler is the team's de facto general manager. But the Patriots don't order napkins for the equipment staff's break room without an OK from Darth Hoodie.)
The Patriots handed edge-rusher Matthew Judon a four-year, $54.5 million contract in free agency to anchor a pass rush that logged the sixth-fewest sacks in the NFL last year. After logging a sack of Matt Ryan on Thursday night, Judon isn't just the top dog for a defense that entered Week 11 inside the top 10 in sacks.
He's well on his way to having the best sack season by an edge-rusher of any player in the Belichick era.
Most sacks in a season during the Bill Belichick era:
T-1: Chandler Jones, 12.5 (2015) T-1: Mike Vrabel, 12.5 ('07) 3: Chandler Jones, 11.5 ('13) 4: Matthew Judon, 10.5 and counting ('21)
Judon may be the biggest free-agent get for the Patriots in 2021, but he's hardly the only one who has made an impact.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne came into the Atlanta game second on the Patriots in catches and leading the team with 520 receiving yards. Tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith had combined for over 50 receptions and 500-plus receiving yards. Nelson Agholor scored the game's only offensive touchdown Thursday and has provided the Pats with a vertical threat. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy is back after a year in Miami and had two sacks and a pick-six against Atlanta. Cornerback Jalen Mills has been a capable veteran presence in the secondary. The list goes on and on.
During an offseason in which the salary cap came down and many teams were reluctant to spend big money, the Patriots were easily the most aggressive franchise in the NFL.
Those moves have paid off massively.
Of course, even after all those signings, the Patriots still had one glaring void to fill. The quarterback position.
Yeah, it's handled, too.
You can say that Alabama's Mac Jones was a gift to the Patriots at No. 15 overall. And you would be 100 percent correct. But there were 14 opportunities to take Jones before Belichick and the Patriots pulled the trigger. Jones was the fifth quarterback selected.
Remember, there was a tremendous amount written and said about the possibility that the San Francisco 49ers mortgaged their future to draft Jones—and many pundits believed that would be a mistake.
To be fair, half a season isn't close to enough time to accurately assess the quarterback class of 2021. Trevor Lawrence could still have a fantastic professional career. So could Trey Lance.
But Jones hasn't just been the best rookie quarterback in 2021 by a country mile. Coming into Week 11, he was top-15 in passing yards and top-five in completion percentage (69.0) among every quarterback in the league. Guess what? His completion percentage improved after Thursday night's rout. Jones completed 22 of 26 pass attempts (84.6 percent), and his progression week to week is hard to ignore.
Jones has been an outstanding fit in Josh McDaniels' offense. His accuracy and decision-making have been superb. And you can tell that the rest of the New England offense has accepted him as a leader.
He's also not the only rookie making a sizable impact. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore leads all rookies in total pressures. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson notched the first 100-yard game of his career against Cleveland.
Bringing in all those new pieces is only part of the equation. A coach also has to fit those pieces together, and that may be the most impressive thing Belichick has done this season. When Brady left last year, there was speculation that his relationship with Belichick had soured. There have been players who were publicly critical of the "Patriot Way" and how Belichick treats his players.
If there are any issues between Belichick and his players now, they certainly aren't showing. As a matter of fact, Judon said earlier this week that both new faces and old have bonded as a family.
"I don't think there's a selfish person in that locker room," Judon said, per Chris Mason of Mass Live. "If there is, they haven't exposed themselves yet. So, I think everybody in there is a family and wanting to win."
We're about to find out exactly how good these new-look Patriots actually are. When the Pats take the field next, it will be at Gillette against the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Tennessee Titans. Then, it's off to Western New York for the first of two meetings in three weeks with the division-leading Bills.
Winning both of those games and stretching the winning streak to seven is a tall ask. But the Titans have struggled to generate offense of late after losing All-Pro running back Derrick Henry, and the Bills lost to the Jaguars in Week 9.
It's not impossible. Not by a long shot.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, the Patriots appear well on their way to getting back into the postseason. Winning the division isn't out of the question. And in a season where there isn't a dominant front-runner in either conference, the words "Super Bowl" and "Patriots" can be said in the same sentence with a straight face the way the team is playing.
Not many of even the most diehard Patriots fans would have predicted that a few months ago. But it seems we all forgot something.
Bill Belichick is really, really good at his job.
Rhamondre Stevenson, Damien Harris' Fantasy Outlook After Patriots' Win vs. Falcons
Nov 19, 2021
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) runs against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
It appears New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has taken a liking to rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson.
Stevenson entered Thursday night's 25-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons with 55 carries for 236 yards and three touchdowns. His biggest game of the season came last week against the Cleveland Browns when he rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
The 23-year-old followed up that performance with another impressive one against Atlanta, leading the Patriots with 12 carries for 69 yards despite Damien Harris (10 carries for 57 yards) being back in the lineup after missing Week 10 with a concussion.
So, given Stevenson's second consecutive big night, let's take a look at his and Harris' fantasy outlook.
At this point, Stevenson would appear to be a solid addition for fantasy managers entering Week 12, when he'll take on the Tennessee Titans. Mike Vrabel's defense is giving up 4.4 yards per carry this season, and Stevenson entered Thursday averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
Harris figures to continue being New England's top running back this season, though his fantasy ceiling is lower than it was a few weeks ago because Stevenson projects to take a decent chunk of his carries.
Neither is a must-start, but both are playable at RB2 or flex.
Other Patriots running backs include Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor, but Bolden had just three touches Thursday night, while Taylor didn't see the field.
Mac Jones, Patriots Earn 25-0 Victory over Falcons as Matt Ryan Struggles
Nov 19, 2021
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) works against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The New England Patriots earned their fifth straight win with a 25-0 road victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.
Rookie quarterback Mac Jones threw for 207 yards, a touchdown and an interception to lead New England, which improved to 7-4. The Patriots also remained undefeated in road games at 5-0.
Atlanta fell to 4-6 after its second straight loss. Matt Ryan threw for 153 yards and two interceptions, and he was replaced by backups Josh Rosen and Feleipe Franks for the final two minutes of the game. Both Rosen and Franks threw interceptions on their lone possessions.
It's just the second shutout loss of Ryan's 14-year career, and he remains winless against New England. The Falcons were without versatile running back Cordarrelle Patterson, who sat out because of a sprained ankle.
Notable Stats
Mac Jones, QB, NE: 22-of-26 for 207 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Nelson Agholor, WR, NE: 5 receptions, 40 yards, 1 TD
Kyle Van Noy, LB, NE: 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 35-yard INT return for TD
Matt Ryan, QB, ATL: 19-of-28 for 153 yards, 2 INT
Mac Jones' Efficiency Leads to Victory
Jones' numbers Thursday don't pop off the page, but his efficiency is what was most impressive. He finished the first half with just one incompletion and spread the ball around to multiple receivers.
HALFTIME: Patriots 13, Falcons 0
Mac Jones is 14/15 for 136 yards with a touchdown. He's completed passes to seven different players.
The Patriots defense is on fire with Matthew Judon, Kyle Van Noy and Kyle Dugger.
In his last six quarters of football, Mac Jones is 33-of-38 passing (86.8%!!) for 334 yards and 4 TDs. That's pretty good, right?
— Khari D. Thompson (kdthompson5.bsky.social) (@kdthompson5) November 19, 2021
The dink-and-dunk nature of the Patriots passing attack might be boring, but the safe game plan worked wonders for Jones. He ran into trouble when he tried to throw downfield into traffic.
Mac Jones has already become the NFL's most efficient dink-and-dunker. Seems to have no high-pick ego that demands he show off his arm strength on deep throws. So what happens on his 1st 20+-yard attempt tonight? Intercepted.
The New England offense is conservative, but it has proved to be hard to stop. In addition to Jones' efficient night, the Patriots ran the ball 30 times for 134 yards to control the line of scrimmage.
A balanced attack seems to be the winning formula for New England. With the defense clicking on all cylinders, it takes a ton of pressure off of Jones and the offense. The Patriots look to be a legitimate contender in the AFC despite having a rookie quarterback.
Falcons Offensive Line Struggles Against Patriots Pass Rush
It wasn't the Falcons' night, which might have been foreshadowed by the three-hour, 28-minute partial lunar eclipse set for Thursday night. No, seriously, it's the last time we'll see a partial lunar eclipse of that length for 648 years.
Atlanta's offense struggled throughout Thursday's game, mostly thanks to an abysmal performance by the offensive line.
Ryan was under duress the entire night. The rare times that the Falcons offense got any momentum going, an ill-timed sack put an end to it. Midway through the second quarter, Atlanta drove down into the red zone, but Ryan was sacked by Van Noy for a big loss. Younghoe Koo then missed the 50-yard field-goal attempt.
Matthew Judon, the Patriots' prized free-agent signing this offseason, got in on the action to set a new career high with 10.5 sacks this season. Right tackle Kaleb McGary struggled to keep him contained all night.
Matthew Judon is into double digits in sacks on the year! (10.5)
Why is #Falcons RT McGary on the guy with 9.5 sacks? Matt Judon came into the game with 9.5 sacks, 19 QB hits and 10 tackles for losses. He ran right around McGary. Should call him McScary.
After A.J. Terrell's interception gave Atlanta some life midway through the third quarter, the Atlanta offense stalled with a turnover on downs. The Falcons needed one yard to move the chains and came away empty, as the offensive line couldn't get a push on third or fourth down.
3rd and 1 unimaginative run. 4th and 1 unimaginative run. Just get off the field. https://t.co/5WxX2ERLWR
Ryan was visibly frustrated and yelled at his teammates on the sideline. The 36-year-old veteran later floated an ill-advised pass while under pressure that got picked off by Devin McCourty.
The Falcons tried to adjust by playing uptempo and getting the ball out quickly, but it didn't help. Thanks to the offensive-line woes, Atlanta averaged just 3.2 yards per play. Ryan took four sacks and 12 quarterback hits on 32 dropbacks.
The Falcons will have to shore up their protection if they hope to avoid another lost season. Patterson's eventual return will help open up the offense, but things won't change if the team gets bullied in the trenches like it did Thursday. Atlanta is on the verge of missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
What's Next?
The Patriots will go for their sixth consecutive win on Nov. 28 at home against the Tennessee Titans. The Falcons will look to bounce back that same day on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Trent Brown Says He 'Almost Died' Because of IV Mishap with Raiders in 2020
Nov 16, 2021
FOXBOROUGH, MA - NOVEMBER 14: New England Patriots offensive lineman Trent Brown (77) gets set for a play during a game between the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns on November 14, 2021, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown considered retirement after his IV mishap nearly killed him during the 2020 season when he was a member of the Las Vegas Raiders, according to MassLive's Chris Mason.
“To pass out and almost go into cardiac arrest was crazy,” Brown said. “I almost died, so it was scary. I was in Cleveland by myself in the hospital for a few days.”
He added: “I definitely thought about my kids. I even thought about retirement. It was that scary. I was about to be done with it.”
The incident occurred before the Raiders' game against the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 1, 2020. The mishap with his pregame IV caused air to enter his bloodstream, and he had to be rushed to the hospital.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr described the incident while speaking with reporters after that game.
"All of a sudden, we come in and they're wheeling him out, and I'm like, 'Bro, what is going on?' It was crazy, and so we prayed," Carr said. "As a team we prayed for him, we made sure he was OK, his family, because I'm sure they were scared to death."
The 28-year-old also said he didn't begin feeling fully recovered until eight months later.
The Patriots acquired Brown in March for a 2022 fifth-round pick. He spent the 2018 campaign in New England before joining the Raiders in 2019.
Brown has only appeared in two games for the Patriots this season. He injured his calf during a Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins and didn't return until Week 10 against the Cleveland Browns. The Georgia native played 69 percent of New England's offensive snaps against the Browns and 26 percent of special teams snaps.
Brown's presence on the offensive line made a significant difference Sunday against Cleveland as Patriots running backs rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-7 win. If New England wants to continue being successful on the ground, it'll be important Brown steals healthy.
The Patriots are 6-4 on the season entering Thursday's game against the Atlanta Falcons.
