#new-england-patriots

#new-england-patriots

Being an Atlanta Falcons fan is a curse. This Thanksgiving weekend may have been one of the best weekends of football from the entire league, from massive upsets to incredible performances throughout the weekend, the NFL showed why it is the preeminent sports league in the country. But if you're a Falcons fan, there's always that tinge of disappointment surrounding the weekend because this lowly franchise can't figure out how to finish a very winnable game against the Jets.

"I think in an AFC this year where it's wide open, the Patriots are just as good as anybody. They have, right now, the best chance [to win the AFC] because being [at Gillette Stadium on Monday night], that atmosphere is different. Different than even when I was there,"

That aspect of Henry's offense was seldom more clearly manifested than in the 26-20 away win against the Cincinnati Bengals. In that tilt, Henry provided seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown. It was his first 100-yard receiving game this season, and it couldn't have come at a better time for his team. Hunter Henry is consistently good for Drake Maye and the Patriots

The New England Patriots were expected to blow the doors off the hapless New York Giants in their Monday Night Football matchup, and they met those expectations by putting up 30 first-half points in a 33-15 beatdown that was worse than the scoreline would indicate. Head coach Mike Vrabel was brought in as part of an attempt to bring the team back to its winning ways, even bringing Josh McDaniels back as offensive coordinator.

However, they nearly beat the Lions last week in a game that went into overtime, with QB Jameis Winston throwing for nearly 400 yards and two touchdowns in Detroit. It looked like that could be a problem for New England's defense, but they might run into bigger trouble now that rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has cleared concussion protocol and will be the starter on Monday Night.

Throughout the 2024 offseason, it was clear the New England Patriots were going to use the third-overall selection in the upcoming NFL Draft on a quarterback. After the failed experiment with Mac Jones, whom the team picked in the first round in 2021, it was time to find the next franchise quarterback after Tom Brady, and they were fortunate to have a list of options in their grasp.

Safety Rodney Harrison, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, and kicker Adam Vinatieri were named as three of the 26 semifinalists in the running to enter Canton as part of the Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. Harrison, Wilfork, and Vinatieri were also tabbed as semifinalists last season, with Harrison advancing all the way to the final round before once again coming up short. The selection committee will next reduce the list to 15 finalists, who will be voted on before the Super Bowl in February.

Milton Williams has been worth the price that the Patriots paid this offseason to lure the former Eagles standout lineman to New England - with the 26-year-old Williams helping turn Mike Vrabel's defense into one of the stingiest in the league against the run. A young defensive lineman capable of both generating pressure up the middle and clogging up running lanes was one of the priorities for the Patriots last offseason as Eliot Wolf and Co. tried to shore up multiple holes across the depth chart.