#patriots

#patriots

One of the biggest weaknesses the Patriots tried to improve, and seemed to until injuries plagued the defense, was their pass-rushing group, and unfortunately, that will remain a top need going into the 2026 offseason. That's why the possibility that the Raiders could trade away Maxx Crosby has become a fixation for New England fans, but it's looking less likely as the weeks go on.

After all, they tend to blend together when you hoist six Lombardi Trophies in 20 years. But the North Andover native - then donning a Tom Brady jersey - still vividly remembers duck boats carrying the Patriots through the chilly streets of Boston after yet another triumph on football's highest stage. It's a sight that Bobo - now a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks - hopes doesn't play out for the seventh time later next week.

In an early preview of Super Bowl LX between the Patriots and Seahawks that was released on Monday, ESPN included a list of 12 analysts and experts' predictions for the game's outcome. While not a total surprise - Seattle is favored by Vegas oddsmakers - it was still notable that all 12 predictions were for a Seahawks victory. Titled "gut-reaction predictions," the list reflects the initial opinions of the group.

Boutte declined to say whether the catch was the greatest of his football career or not, telling reporters on Thursday he'll ponder that sometime down the road. "I don't know, I never really thought about it," Boutte said when asked if that's the best catch he's ever made. "I'll think back on it when the job complete."

Morgan Moses has been one of the top free-agent pickups for the Patriots this season, steadying New England's once-porous offensive line at right tackle. Beyond serving as a valuable mentor for a young O-line featuring two rookie starters in Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, Moses is playing his best football in the postseason. Even against Houston's potent pass rush on Sunday, Moses did not allow a single pressure in pass protection.

Bill Belichick's influence on the game, even in 2026, is still felt. Whether it be veteran players who are still holdouts from "The Patriot Way" or coaches scattered across the league, the greatest coach of all time has had his influence on football. One of those coaches who was once part of his staff was Nick Caley, now the Texans' offensive coordinator.

The conversation around NFL officials is always a hot topic throughout any season and only becomes more heated once the playoffs begin. Because the referees have been under fire for much of the last few years, despite commissioner Roger Goodell claiming they're doing their best work right now, it's, of course, something to discuss as the Patriots go into the divisional round.

The Patriots' defensive performance in their Wild Card matchup with the Chargers was an unexpected highlight of their win. Although they have some star power on that side of the ball, they have been a mostly inconsistent group this season, primarily due to the number of injuries they suffered, so they needed to play at a high level in this game now that they were at their healthiest.

Those wondering how Mike Vrabel's young team and quarterback would handle the pressure of a home playoff game in January got their answer on Sunday night. The New England Patriots are advancing largely because of their defense's ability to create relentless pressure on Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert. He was pressured 16 times, and that led to 11 QB hits, six sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Among the best performers was, unsurprisingly, cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who shut down every receiver he was covering all night. Considering one of those players was Ladd McConkey, it was another impressive showing from the Pro Bowler. But after a great pass breakup late in the game, Gonzalez appeared shaken up after the play and headed to the blue medical tent, and eventually, was ruled questionable to return.

The Chargers play in an open-air stadium, so it's not technically a dome, but it does have a canopy roof that mainly shields them from the elements. Even better, they play in Los Angeles, and that is not an area that gets New England cold or any extreme weather like sleet or snow. That won't be something they're spared on Sunday, as the weather report for Foxborough already looks like it will benefit the home team.

This year's coaching carousel could reach epic levels, with John Harbaugh now officially out with the Baltimore Ravens and presumably on the market. It only took 48 hours for the NFL's two known head coach openings, the Giants and Titans, to climb to seven, and the movement of up-and-coming assistants and coordinators across the league will be seismic over the coming weeks.

The calendars have been flipped for a few days now, but before we dive headlong into the 2026 sports media scene, your semiloyal scribe (that's me) wanted to jot down a few national and local people, places, and things that I enjoyed or appreciated from the past year on this beat. Twenty-six of them, in fact ... · NBC Sports Boston's "Quick Slants," especially Tom E. Curran's good-natured "Irrelevant Questions" segments with Patriots players. · Phil Perry's knack for good-naturedly shutting down Felger-generated Patriots hot takes with facts and insight. · Lou Merloni's #walkthedog social media clips that never fail to offer clear-eyed assessments of the state of the Red Sox.

Based on the slate of games for the weekend, the assumption has been that the Chargers are their likeliest opponents. Other than having the tall task of needing to beat the Broncos at Mile High Stadium, Jim Harbaugh has already stated that QB Justin Herbert won't be suiting up on Sunday, and it might be fair to assume other starters will sit out, too.