An Independent Patriots Blog
On Monday night, the 6-8 New England Patriots host the 11-3 Buffalo Bills.
Date: Monday, December 28, 2020
Game Time: 20:15 EST
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Network: ESPN
All-time record: Patriots lead series 76-44-1
NO J.C. JACKSON? WTF? – But congratulations to the three Patriots who earned selections. There will be no actual Pro Bowl game in the new year, but let’s recognize the talent from this year’s roster.
I called for the #ProBowlBailey trend to get started at the beginning of the season, and I finally got something right! Jake Bailey has been arguably the best player on the Patriots roster this year.
Following Ryan Allen’s departure, Bailey has become New England’s most consistent player into his second NFL season. For his brilliant play this year, he’s earned his first Pro Bowl selection.
[Read more…] about Three Patriots earn Pro Bowl selections
For the first time since 2008, the Patriots won’t be enjoying postseason football. A defeat against Miami with a performance which pretty much summed up their season. Here are the ups and downs from Week 15.
Looking past the fumble that he had during the game, Meyers put in a solid performance yesterday. He went 7/11 for 111 yards and is continuing to show production since earning a starting role midway through the season.
A bright spot in what seems to be a disappointing end to the 2020 season, Meyers is here to stay.
News has emerged that Gilmore’s injury whilst better than first feared, will require surgery and end his 2020 season.
Here’s the injury from yesterday.
Rapsheet reports that Gilmore suffered a partially torn quad muscle in a non-contact play during yesterday’s game in Miami.
Better news for both Gilmore and the Patriots, as originally, the concern was that it may have been a serious knee injury. Thankfully the consensus is that he will be back to 100% for the start of 2021 pre-season, whether that be in New England or elsewhere.
After another pathetic offensive performance, Cam Newton should grab the clipboard and take a seat on the bench for the three remaining games.
With the postseason likely out of reach, it’s time for Bill Belichick to make a quarterback change.
Newton has not eclipsed 120 passing yards in 4 of his last 5 starts, and has a mere 56.60 completion percentage during that time frame. Newton has been inconsistent all the season, and the Patriots should be ready to officially turn the page.
Newton’s 12 starts with the Patriots have been a model of inconsistency. He’s missed reads, taken unnecessary sacks, missed open receivers, and at times, has been a liability. The former MVP and so called “superman,” has looked like a shell of himself, looking old and beat up.
Bill Belichick and the rest of the coaching staff has inexplicitly continued to praise and back Newton, even after his train wreck performances on offense.
Yes, there are limitations with the skill position players. They don’t have the personnel to be potent on offense, but at times, Newton has not done enough to set them up for success. At the end of the day, Newton has not been able to capitalize on some golden opportunities.
Look, there are a lot of issues with this Patriots team. Cam Newton is not PROBLEM NUMBER 1, but finding a franchise quarterback is PRIORITY NUMBER 1. Cam Newton is not the franchise quarterback, and Jarrett Stidham COULD be.
Nobody knows how good Jarrett Stidham is. Nobody knows how well he’d perform in game action, with a week of preparation, taking first team reps. It’s likely that Stidham will end up mounting to nothing, but before the arrival of Cam Newton, many pegged Jarrett Stidham to be the starter.
So, why don’t the Patriots want to give Stidham a look?
Are they afraid to lose the locker room? Do they feel like Stidham is incapable? Does it have to do with Belichick’s relationship with Newton? Are the Patriots worried about the perception across the league if they bench Newton? Or, do they truthfully feel like Newton is NOT to blame?
I feel like it could be a combination of all of that. But, even with all of those factors, Stidham still deserves to start.
On Sunday night, the 6-7 New England Patriots travel to Hard Rock Stadium to take on the 8-5 Miami Dolphins.
Date: Sunday, December 20, 2020
Game Time: 13:00 PM EST
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
Network: CBS
All-time record: Dolphins lead series 56-54 (including playoffs)
Since the Patriots beat the Dolphins in the season opener back in September, Flores has got Miami playing some good football, especially on defense. So let’s look at how they can beat them.
BALL SECURITY PLEASE!- I just want no pick-sixes or fumbles on Sunday. They go one, sometimes two (if they’re lucky) games without giving up turnovers, then fall back and cost themselves, it just kills any chance of victory in the game, especially when the offense can’t pull out comeback wins like the past.
I personally don’t think Miami’s offense has been great, however, I do think the game is more intriguing now Tua is the starting QB. He’s been really safe with the ball so far in his early career- having thrown only one interception. After making Justin Herbert uncomfortable in the scorching the Patriots gave the Chargers a couple of weeks ago, if the defense can do the same thing to Tua on Sunday, it’ll give an ailing Patriots offense a chance.
Run the ball, get it going, and don’t stop. I’ve given up hope that we’ll see a passing performance like the Seahawks/Texans game’s earlier this season, but, the most consistent offensive production has come on the ground. I don’t care if Harris does all the work and Newton pounds it in from the one, just get the points in the red zone.
Special Teams has bailed this team out so many times this season, I think they’ll play a part on Sunday again, further consistency needed.
TSM’s 5 Keys To Victory-
-0 Turnovers
-Pressure Tagovailoa
-Run, Run, Run
-Make red zone chances count
-Special Teams consistency
After being on such a high after the big win on Sunday, the Patriots crashed back down to earth last night against the Rams, and so did their playoff hopes. Here are the ups and downs from Week 14.
I can’t believe Gunner has been an up for two weeks straight, and, he’s earned it. His returns last night were one of the few high points of the evening. 5 returns for 47 yards, with one of them being a long of 21 yards, Gunner is beginning to show consistency, which he had been lacking before the team hit the West Coast.
Pro Bowl Bailey continues to have a good time in his young NFL career. Last night he averaged 51.7 yards from six punts, his longest, a 71-yard bomb which was just incredible. He seems a fan favorite right now, and can you blame them? He’s been one of the most consistent players on the pitch.
Bryant, a fan favorite through-out camp, who managed to stick around on the main roster, made the biggest play of his career last night. He read Goff’s pass to Robert Woods and managed to snag the ball from woods grasp for his first NFL interception.
One for the future here, I have a feeling.
[Read more…] about Patriots vs Rams – Player Ups & Downs