PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

PatsProp Preview – Christmas In Foxboro

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Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald

Happy holidays! The Patriots are back home this weekend as they take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, with a chance to tie up the AFC East if they can secure a win, and Miami loses/ties. Here’s your preview for Week 16!

One’s To Watch

Mac Jones

Mac had his most rookie-like performance last week against the Colts, but, he had an encouraging finish, but in reality, he wasn’t very good. It’s a good chance for him to bounce back against the Bills when just a few weeks ago he only threw the ball 3 times. In this game, with the running back group not in its best shape, I think it’s a safe bet Mac will be throwing, probably more than normal.

Damien Harris

With Rhamondre Stevenson in some doubt for Sunday with a non-COVID illness, Damien Harris will be vital for the team following his recovery from a hamstring problem caused in the first Buffalo game.

With the Bills inability to stop the run in the first meeting, the Pats should be focused on establishing a similar game plan from the off, and Harris will need to be full go to do that.

Offensive Line

The line need to be better, especially on the left side that Isaiah Wynn covers. I don’t think we’ll see any shuffling of the lineup, but I expect to see a much better game out of the group as they really didn’t support Mac well last Sunday.

Kyle Dugger

Losing Dugger last Sunday to a stupid ejection was big, and you could feel his presence missing for the remainder of the game. Dugger wasn’t suspended and will be back tomorrow, I think he’ll have a big role across the defense, especially tracking Allen when he gets on the move.

Angry Bills

Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Who for the Bills could cause problems for the Patriots?

Josh Allen

We know what Josh Allen can do, his rise as one of the best QBs in the league has been a fun watch, he’s now an accurate passer with the ability to kill you with his running. Whilst he has a lot of upside, he is prone to costly errors and is always good for an interception.

Stefon Diggs

With Cole Beasley out on the COVID list, Diggs will be even more important for the Bills this Sunday. Diggs still managed to make some catches in the first meeting this season, but expect him to be heavily targeted this time around, I think he could be the difference-maker if the Bills were to get the win.

Prediction Corner

@ShawMellors – Patriots 20 – Bills 17

The Patriots manager to overcome the COVID adversity and defeat the Bills with a late Nick Folk field goal. Pats 20 Bills 17. Merry Christmas!

@clazzyclare – Patriots 30 – Bills 10

It’s no secret the Bills are a decent team and the loss against the Colts was far from ideal. However, the Pats beat the Bills at home, in their own house, so a Gillette success is achievable. Pats 30 Bills 10. Merry Christmas!

The Patriots unable to reign in the Colts on the road at Indy

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Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Well hi there Patriots fans, I hope I find you well on this Sunday!

The winning streak, and the on-road winning streak, are all over for the Patriots in a crushing loss to the Colts.

It was said, going forward, this would be a difficult match up. These two teams were playing relatively even lately, and if the Patriots perhaps didn’t have such a slow start, this game would have been more of what I expected.

The Colts defense dominated the game, although in all fairness the Patriots defense didn’t completely lay down and roll over, but, the Pats offensive line didn’t have the best night, particularly Isaiah Wynn.

Mac Jones did not play the way he has been, airs of his rookie-ness were evident, possibly as a result of the offensive line issues, or maybe just as well as. Although, Carson Wentz didn’t exactly have a stellar game either.

This game recap is a difficult one to write, and not just because I need plenty of coffee, the “first three quarter Patriots” did not come to play this game. It took until the fourth quarter, but by then it was too late. 

We are back to a list of penalties, 8 for 50 yards, and 2 turn overs, not great Bob.

Sure, Rhamondre Stevenson had a couple of powerful runs, Ted Karras with a great block, and N’Keal Harry had an epic high jumping catch, but it just wasn’t enough against the Colts who played ahead for so much of the game. Even if Jamie Collins and Devin McCourty did have themselves a beautiful interception. 

Hunter Henry, always my favourite player, but he may have been Saturday’s best Patriot. Some great blocking, good catches, refusal to go down and oh, two touchdowns! 

But seriously, this wasn’t a pretty game if you’re a Patriots fan, a punt block for a return touchdown by the Colts can do that to ya, and I don’t know about you, but I am ready for a nap and a cup of “we are on to the Bills”.

Go Pats!

PatsProp Preview – Saturday Night Fever

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AP Photo/Steven Senne

Welcome back! The bye week was eventful, but it wasn’t the same without the Pats playing. With a week until Christmas, the Patriots head on the road for a tricky test in Indianapolis, hoping to further solidify their place in the AFC standings.

Here’s your preview for week 15!

One’s To Watch

Rhamondre Stevenson

With no Damien Harris, Stevenson will lead the rushing attack tonight, similar to the game against Cleveland in week 10 when Harris missed out last. Stevenson has really come on as a complimentary piece of the offense in the second half of the season, he’ll be due a heavy workload this evening.

Brandon Bolden

Again, in the absence of Harris, Bolden will be worth keeping an eye on, he’s been very useful this year, filling in for James White in that swiss army knife role out of the backfield.

Mac Jones

I was a little concerned to see Mac show up on the injury report this week for a thumb injury to his non-throwing hand, but, he quickly reassured me with his comical thumb wiggling routine in a presser midweek. Jones has had a week to study ahead of this game and I’m hoping he’ll get back into the thick of it following all the talk after the Buffalo game when he only passed three times.

Christian Barmore

Stopping Taylor tonight will be crucial, and I think Barmore will have a massive part of the defensive gameplan, he’s been electric so far in his rookie season, definitely one to watch tonight.

Dangerous Colts

Who for the Colts could cause problems for the Patriots?

Robert Scheer/IndyStar/USA TODAY Network

Jonathan Taylor

Probably one of the biggest threats the Pats will face this season is Jonathan Taylor. He was floating around the MVP conversation somewhat in recent weeks, which may be just hyperbole, but, it’s a high compliment for a running back. Taylor leads the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns and the Patriots will have to limit his play tonight, otherwise, he could run over them all game.

Michael Pittman Jr

The second-year WR has risen to be Carson Wentz’s top target for the Colts. At 6’3 he’s really lanky and can make athletic plays all over the field. TY Hilton commented this week that he’s never faced the Pats without being double covered, I think I can say that won’t be an issue in this game, Pittman will get most of the attention.

Prediction Corner

@ShawMellors – Patriots 24 – Colts 21

I see this being a close game with some up and down play, but in the end, I have the Pats coming out on top with a field goal win late on. Patriots 24 Colts 21

@clazzyclare – Patriots 27 – Colts 14

This match up should have me concerned, the Colts are a sneaky good team and have been doing very well. But I have a strange confidence that the Patriots have got this! Patriots 27 Colts 14.

Patriots Ups & Downs Week 13

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Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

By hook or by crook the Patriots are 9-4, top of the AFC East, and top of the AFC with the number one seed heading into their bye-week. A massive win in treacherous conditions last night, here are your Ups & Downs from Week 13!

Ups ⬆️

Damien Harris

Without his huge 64-yard touchdown run, the Patriots would have struggled to get the win last night, but Damien Harris came through for the team once again, with the support of his running mate, Rhamondre Stevenson.

Harris was dealing with a hamstring injury throughout the game, he returned a couple of times before being declared out, not before amassing 111 yards on the ground, along with the Pats’ only touchdown. Here’s hoping the bye week will allow him to recover and that the injury he suffered isn’t all that serious.

Rhamondre Stevenson

Boy can this kid run. One thing that sticks out to me when watching Stevenson every week is his ability to force through tackles and find yards out of absolutely nowhere. Another solid game for him last night as he helped the team rush for over 200 yards. Stevenson has shown the ability to have that rotational back role behind Harris, but also the skills to lead the running offense, something which he may need to do down the line as Harris battles injuries.

Nick Folk

I didn’t expect Folk to even attempt a kick last night, but he did, in fact, they were both field goals which he went 2/2 on, once again helping the Pats towards a close victory, this time in really testing conditions. He’s been brilliant all season, at minimum he’s the special team’s MVP.

Jakob Johnson

The German Warhammer was brilliant last night and really stood out for me in the almost all-run offensive game. Johnson has had a steady emergence as a useful piece in this offense since taking over from James Develin as the team’s lead fullback.

Downs ⬇️

N’Keal Harry

Without this mistake, the Patriots could have had a much easier route to victory last night, but it did happen and I still can’t quite figure out how the coaches put themselves in that position. Firstly, what is Harry doing out there, he doesn’t go to field the ball or call a fair catch. Instead, he lets it bounce, bends over towards the ball, and stumbles into the area the ball is moving, allowing it to graze his facemask before being recovered by the Bills.

The mistake is entirely on Harry, but I have no idea why he was back there, let alone sent back out for additional return plays after the turnover. I didn’t buy Bill’s explanation in the press conference either, I think he probably just wants to move on from what was a completely nonsensical decision, I mean, they have an all-pro punt returner on the roster, right?

Spoiler Alert: The Patriots win at Buffalo!

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The Patriots roll on the road with their seventh straight win!

(Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

So far this season the Patriots have had an on-the-road win streak for all six games. Mac Jones in a white jersey is plain and simple, hot.

Okay, so realistically, the win wasn’t all that. The game itself was a bit of a much for a nothingness. 14 – 10 isn’t a game full of sparkle, but as a Patriots fan, who has now finished watching the game, I’m mildly of caring, the Patriots win at Buffalo baby!

Whilst neither team blew, the wind seriously did at like 50 mph, and although the neither Patriots nor the Bills are un-used to poor weather, the ball went a little hinky here and there. And due to this, there was little to no air game for the Patriots, just 3 attempts. Josh Allen’s strength shined a little as he managed a few successful throws, 30 attempts, but this game should be known as The Run Game.

A few penalties for the Patriots again, 6 for 47 yards if you want the numbers. Looking at it IN the game though, Jonnu Smith erased a great run by Rhamondre Stevenson early in the third quarter. And that is how this game went really, there were no real bad players, just a few bad plays. Dont’a Hightower had an unnecessary horse collar tackle and a penalty called. But he redeemed himself with some great coverage afterwards. 

The Patriots did give Josh Allen a little bit too much time on the odd occasion and you can’t do that, the guy likes to get out to his right, and defenses just can’t let him unless they want to lose of course. 

Overall, it was a tricky game, but the Patriots did well! The Bills are a very good, strong team, as had been said over and over in all the discussions pre-match up. But the Patriots had plenty of pieces to look at in the positive light.

The brand new name of Daniel Ekuale chalked up the first sack of the game, boom, welcome to the Patriots!

Davon Godchaux played really well, 6 solo tackles and 4 assists. 10 tackles is a fab number for a single game, another notch on the belt of great signings by Coach Bill in the off-season! 

Christian Barmore pops up on my good list again, he was simply too much for center Mitch Morse and it was glorious to watch. 

Tight End Dawson Knox was pegged as an offensive weapon to keep a sharp eye on, and Adrian Phillips took this literally and watched that guy up close and personal. Phillips’ coverage of Knox was real good and he broke up most of those few plays that Allen managed to air out.

Speaking of tight ends (as I often do) there was a lack of a Patriots passing game which meant there was a severe reduction of tight endage action for li’l Clazzy Clare over here, however, Smith had that epic one handed pull the ball down for an awesome catch, and both tight ends were great with their blocking. Hunter in particular, sealed the edge and with Mike Onwenu in, Damien Harris made the touchdown.

And whilst on the subject of tight ends, I would just like to wish Hunter Henry a very happy birthday!

Rhamondre Stevenson, AKA ‘Mondre, is, plain and simple, a beast. There is no more “beast mode” it is now dubbed “‘Mondre mode”, which as you have probably guessed, is sheer power through the defense. It is, my friends, a beautiful thing to see. 

Ted Karras and Jakob Johnson are two names I have championed this season, and they owned up and showed up Monday night to help block and barricade for the run game. 

So there you have it Patriots Nation, a win at Buffalo, plain, nothing fancy, but delicious! A little like that first cup of coffee in the morning. Oh, speaking of coffee, time for another!

Go Pats!

Shipping back from Foxboro

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@ShawMellors

I’m back from an amazing trip to Boston where I saw our New England Patriots win their sixth-straight game as they beat the Titans 36-13, improving my own record at Gillette Stadium to 2-0 (The first win was against Dallas in November 2019).

I’d already been in Massachusetts for a week when game day came around, so jet lag wasn’t an issue. As it was a solo trip, I decided to use a coach company to get me to and from the game as Gillette Stadium isn’t the easiest place to get to from downtown Boston without a car! The trip was good and filled with mostly Pats fans, with a couple of Titans contingent braving forty-minute journey.

The coach arrived three hours before kickoff, so there was plenty of time to wander around the parking lots and experience the tailgating fun. The weather was crisp but pleasant as the crowds began to make their way to Patriot Place. One thing I should mention for those of you reading who don’t go to home games often or are planning to go for the first time in the future, what the Kraft family has done there is fantastic. Shopping, restaurants, bars, and movie theaters are all within walking distance of the stadium. This really adds to the experience, so it’s worth getting down early to see it all.

@ShawMellors
[Read more…] about Shipping back from Foxboro

Buffalo here we come!

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Patriots head to Buffalo for week 13: Preview and Predictions

As the Patriots head off to take on the mighty Buffalo Bills, plenty of Patriots Nation is determined, but nervous, at this match up.

Although a little up and down lately, the Bills are a very strong team, boasting one of the best defenses in the NFL at present and an offence with many weapons, not to mention their possibly strongest player, Josh Allen.

The Patriots are having themselves, although good, a little bit of an inconsistent season, but are currently on a winning streak, in particular all 4 of their road games.

Like the Bills, the Patriots have strengths on defense and offense, but the placing of Kyle Dugger on the COVID/reserve list creates a serious hole with the loss of such a strong player.

Neither team is at full capacity so let’s have a look at the most recent New England practice participation/injury report:

Friday 3rd December 

New England Patriots – 8 players with limited participation

CDavid AndrewsShoulder
DLChristian BarmoreKnee
LBJa’Whaun BentleyRibs
RBBrandon BoldenKnee
OTTrent BrownCalf
KNick FolkLeft Knee
LBDont’a HightowerAnkle
WRGunner OlszewskiAnkle

All that being said, anything can happen, as so far has within plenty of league games we have seen this season. 

And so, with that in mind, the Pats Prop crew have put forward their predictions. 

The Patriots go into a hostile Monday night game and manage to pull out a win in a close one, Mac leads a game winning drive late on.

Patriots 24 Bills 20

From Tom shaw-mellors

The Bills are a good team, it pains me to say it but it’s true, and this match up is one of the most worrying. However, the Patriots have been winning on the road and just hope they aren’t going to let me down after I said they would crush the Bills this season.

Patriots 33 Bills 30

From Clare ‘clazzyclare’ Cooper