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Boston Patriots Houston Antwine. (Photo courtesy New England Patriots)

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Both the New England Patriots and Boston Bruins are playing very, very well right now. Tom Brady and the Patriots are 11-3 and sitting atop the AFC and AFC East with only two games to go in the regular season. Meanwhile, Zdeno Chara and the Bruins have won five in a row and are also sitting atop their conference (the Eastern Conference).

So which team is the best in the city?

Only in Boston can we take two successful teams and pit them against each other for supremacy. Why? Well, because it’s Boston, where we only breed winners. Anything less than a championship is not acceptable. Right now, both the Patriots and Bruins are looking like they have a shot at bringing home yet another title.

Let your voices be heard and vote in our poll! Tell us who is better – the three-time Super Bowl champs or the six-time Stanley Cup Champs! 

For more New England Patriots and Boston Bruins coverage, visit our Pats and B’s team pages and blogs, Pats Pulpitand Stanley Cup Of Chowder.

Gotta run!.

Read More: Andre Carter (DE – NEP), New England Patriots

The New England Patriots officially  placed defensive end and team sack leader Andre Carter on injured reserve on Tuesday.

The obvious question about his replacement was posed to head coach Bill Belichick. He was not giving anything away in his response.

“Whatever 11 guys are out there, they’re going to have to get the job done, whoever it is,” said Belichick. “We don’t know what plays they’re going to run, so whoever we put out there will have to defend whatever plays they choose to call.” (via CSNNE.com)

Belichick was also asked about Carter returning to the Patriots next year because of his play this year. The New England coach thought it was too early for any talk about next season.

“We’ll deal with next year, next year. Right now, we’re just trying to get ready for Miami.”    

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

By Jay King

– Newsdesk Contributor

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Dec 20, 2011 – After defeating the Denver Broncos on Sunday for their sixth straight victory, the New England Patriots improved one spot to No. 4 in SB Nation’s Week 16 NFL Power Rankings. 

The Pats have now won six straight and they finish off the season against the Dolphins and Bills, which means they should enter the postseason on an eight-game winning streak. As usual, they’re getting hot at the right time. 

New England’s 41-23 win against Denver clinched the AFC East division title, the ninth time New England has earned the divisional crown in the 11 seasons since Tom Brady became the team’s starting quarterback. The Patriots have not lost since Week 9, a 24-20 defeat against the New York Giants on Nov. 6.

New England returns to the field on Saturday afternoon at home against the Miami Dolphins.

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page or our blog, Pats Pulpit. 

Read More: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots

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Read More: Deion Branch (WR – NEP), Sebastian Vollmer (OT – NEP), Brandon Spikes (LB – NEP), Shane Vereen (RB – NEP), New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins

The injury news for the New England Patriots wasn’t good on Saturday afternoon, as five players were downgraded to out for their key matchup with the Denver Broncos. According to the New England Patriots Twitter page, key guys like Deion Branch, Brandon Spikes and Patrick Chung will not be taking the field on Sunday:

@realpatriots: Patriots announce 5 players downgraded to out: Patrick Chung, Shane Vereen, Brandon Spikes, Sebastian Vollmer & Deion Branch

There was some hope earlier in the week that Chung might take the field for the first time since November 6, but his foot injury will keep him out again. Spikes will also be missing his fifth straight game because of a knee injury. Branch, who was injured against the Washington Redskins last week, won’t be able to take the field because of a groin injury. The injuries on the defensive side of the ball will be the most worrisome for the Patriots, as their secondary has struggled against the pass throughout the season.

For more updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more on this game, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report and Patriots blog Pats Pulpit. For news from around the NFL, visit SB Nation’s NFL news hub.

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Just two words say it all for the New England Patriots—Rob Gronkowski.

The Patriots tight end had a monster game on Sunday, December 11 as New England defeated the Washington Redskins by the score of 34-27. New England improves to 10-3 on the season after having won five straight while Washington slips to 4-9 on the year.

Gronkowski was the hands-down hero of the game recording six receptions for 160 yards and a pair of touchdowns. With three games remaining in the season he has already set the NFL single-season record for touchdowns by a tight end with 15 on the season thus far.

Quarterback Tom Brady had another typical outstanding performance completing 22 of 37 pass attempts for 37 yards and three touchdowns. His one interception was his first since November 6, which led to a heated exchange between he and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.

With any other quarterback on any other team, an interception would surely be a disappointment but this was Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The two do not make mistakes on offense and when they do happen, they are not taken lightly.

Frankly, it was a game much closer than it should have been.

Washington dominated time of possession controlling the football for 36 minutes compared to New England’s 24 minutes. The Patriots also lost the battle in total yards with Washington netting 463 to New England’s 431.

The difference was turnovers whereas New England’s only mistake was Brady’s interception that could have led to a tie game sending the two teams into overtime. For the Patriots, they took advantage of a Rex Grossman fumble in the first quarter, recovered by Vince Wilfork for a touchdown.

Regardless, all that matters in the end is the final score, which went in favor of the Patriots. New England is now two games ahead of the New York Jets in the AFC East.

New England will have a battle on their hands next week on Sunday, December 18 when they travel to take on the red-hot Denver Broncos led by Tim Tebow. Can Brady and company pull of the victory or will Tebow summon another miracle for the Broncos?

More New England Patriots Commentary from this Contributor:

Patriots end slump, defeat Jets: A fan’s reaction

Patriots lose second straight in loss to NY Giants: A fan’s reaction

New England Patriots fall short in loss to Pittsburgh: A fan’s reaction

Sources:

All stats provided by NFL.com

Paul Rados is an avid New England Patriots fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.

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Read More: James Ihedigbo (DB – NEP), Dan Connolly (G – NEP), Wes Welker (WR – NEP), Kyle Arrington (CB – NEP), Danny Woodhead (RB – NEP), Matthew Slater (WR – NEP), Ryan Wendell (C – NEP), Julian Edelman (WR – NEP), Sebastian Vollmer (OT – NEP), Brandon Spikes (LB – NEP), Devin McCourty (CB – NEP), Dane Fletcher (LB – NEP), Stevan Ridley (RB – NEP), Shane Vereen (RB – NEP), New England Patriots, Washington Redskins

The New England Patriots are heading into Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins with a fair amount of players being limited in weekday practices.

After being unable to participate altogether at Wednesday’s practice, Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes’ knee injury had improved to the point where he was able to engage in a limited practice on Thursday. Running back Stevan Ridley was out of both practices for non-injury issues and tackle Sebastian Vollmer also missed both days with back and foot issues.

Here is the full laundry list of Patriots injury statuses from Thursday’s practice report:

Did Not Participate in Practice

RB Stevan Ridley – Not Injury Related
T Sebastian Vollmer – Back/Foot

Limited Participation in Practice

CB Kyle Arrington – Foot
S Patrick Chung – Foot
G Dan Connolly – Groin
WR Julian Edelman – Back
LB Dane Fletcher – Thumb
S James Ihedigbo – Shoulder
CB Devin McCourty – Shoulder
WR Matthew Slater – Shoulder
LB Brandon Spikes – Knee
RB Shane Vereen – Hamstring
WR Wes Welker – Knee
CB Ryan Wendell – Calf
RB Danny Woodhead – Abdomen

To keep up to date with news and information regarding the New England Patriots, please visit Pats Pulpit. For news and information regarding the Washington Redskins, head over to Hogs Haven.

There is the quick update of the day.

Read More: James Ihedigbo (DB – NEP), Kevin Faulk (RB – NEP), Devin McCourty (CB – NEP), Sergio Brown (SS – NEP), New England Patriots

The New England Patriots inactive list for its game against the Indianapolis Colts is out, and again safety Patrick Chung will miss his fourth straight game. Reports have rookie Sterling Moore playing in Chung’s place. Currently, the Patriots are thin at the position, as James Ihedigbo and Sergio Brown are the only other two active safeties.

Those fans who thought that rookie quarterback Ryan Mallet could see some action Sunday against the 0-11 Colts, well, it will not happen as he’s listed as a healthy scratch.

Some good news is that after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury, corner back Devin McCourty will be active. Also, veteran running back Kevin Faulk will be active.

Here’s the rest of the Patriots inactives:

S Patrick Chung (foot)
OL Dan Connolly (groin)
LB Dane Fletcher (thumb)
LB Brandon Spikes (knee)
QB Ryan Mallett (healthy scratch)
RB Shane Vereen (hamstring)
OL Sabastian Vollmer

For more New England Patriots coverage, visit our team page and blog, Pats Pulpit

What are your opinions.

If anybody needs tickets to games, remember to click the tickets link at the top.

Tom Brady threw two touchdown passes
to Rob Gronkowski as the New England Patriots defeated the
Kansas City Chiefs 34-3 to extend their National Football League
division lead.

Gronkowski hauled in touchdown passes of 52 and 19 yards,
Julian Edelman scored on a 72-yard punt return and the Patriots’
defense had three interceptions last night at Gillette Stadium
in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

New England improved to 7-3 with its second straight win
and moved two games ahead of the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills
atop the American Football Conference’s East Division. The
Patriots trailed 3-0 after the first quarter before rebounding
with 34 unanswered points to send the Chiefs (4-6) to a third
consecutive loss.

“We got some turnovers on defense and got a big punt
return for a touchdown,” Brady, who finished with 234 yards
passing, said in a televised interview. “It’s frustrating when
you come out on offense and don’t play the way I think we’re
capable of, but we’ll try to get it corrected and move on.”

None of the Patriots’ final six regular-season opponents
has a winning record, with the Philadelphia Eagles (4-6) next on
the schedule on Nov. 27.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Erik Matuszewski in New York at
matuszewski@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Michael Sillup at
msillup@bloomberg.net

Gotta run!.

The New England Patriots not only won a game Sunday night, they survived a war of attrition. New England displayed an aggressive defensive attack not yet seen through their first eight games of play; led by AFC defensive player of the week Andre Carter, who established a franchise record 4.5 sacks and frustrated the New York Jets on way to a 37-16 rout. The win helped wrangle the division lead from their heated rivals; completing a two game sweep of Jets and lock up a key playoff tie-breaker which becomes more important as the playoffs approach.

Sunday’s game was clearly one that the fans would be unable to identify many of the players in the defensive backfield without a game program. The NFL’s last ranked defense in yards allowed played perhaps their most complete game; more impressive considering the players that missed action on Sunday night. Starters Brandon Spikes and Patrick Chung missed the game; while Kyle Love, Kyle Arrington and James Ihedigbo left the game due to injury.

The series of injuries provided a national spotlight for previously unknown names such as Jeff Tarpinian, Sterling Moore, Antwaun Molden and Tracey White; all of whom played well in their limited roles. The situation in the defensive secondary became so dire that reserve wide receiver and special team contributor, Julian Edelman was inserted as a slot cornerback late in the game. Edelman made an immediate impact with his tackle of Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson; which resulted in Tomlinson limping off the field with a leg injury.

The linebackers stepped up their performance as well against the Jets; led by Rob Ninkovich, who intercepted Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez twice; returning one for a touchdown to put the game out of reach.

The outlook for New England was not very positive heading into week 10, as the team was looking to avoid the first three game losing streak in 10 years. As much as underperformance and inconsistency has hampered this team, the effort on Sunday provided a much needed spark and generated some measure of optimism; as the remaining schedule for the Patriots is the easiest in the entire league.

The lack of consistency and a healthy roster will continue to be key factors in determining how far this team goes in 2011. If the young reserves can continue to hold down the fort while the starters return from injury, the Patriots will be better prepared for a playoff push with a game-tested roster. Performances by Carter and Ninkovich give hope that the defensive front seven is ready to improve on their previously lackluster defense. This edition of the Patriots have several vulnerabilities thus far and do not compare with that of their championship predecessors; but a weak schedule with prove beneficial as the team competes in a wide open AFC; where inconsistency has been the norm.

With a potent offense and a defense filled with many young unproven players, there are many games left in the season for Belichick to form a defense that can build on Sunday’s win and make another run at a Lombardi trophy.

Scott Duhaime is a fan and follower of the New England Patriots for over 30 years, witnessing the team’s ascent from league irrelevance to among the league’s elite franchises. His professional career includes a solid foundation of analytics that contributes to a better appreciation of player and team contributions.

Sources:

Yahoo! Sports New England Patriots roster, schedule, and player statistics

Yahoo! Sports NFL Box Score: New England Patriots 37 @ New York Jets 16

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By Jay King

– Newsdesk Contributor

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Nov 15, 2011 – In beating the New York Jets on Sunday, the New England Patriots reestablished themselves as the AFC East favorites and surged up the SB Nation Week 11 NFL Power Rankings. 

After the Patriots’ thorough dismantling in New York, the Patriots moved from No. 10 to No. 7 in the latest rankings. “It’s looking like a familiar refrain in [the AFC East],” writes Joel Thorman.

The Patriots (6-3) have only one game remaining against an opponent with a winning record. Considering that the Patriots will have six straight games against sub-.500 teams before ending the season against Buffalo, New England could potentially clinch the AFC East before meeting the Bills in Week 17.

With Buffalo struggling and the Jets basically two games behind the Patriots (due to the Patriots’ season sweep), even the Jets believe the AFC East is New England’s to lose.

“We win this game, we got kind of a stranglehold on the division — and you let it slide,” Jets safety Jim Leonhard said. “So obviously there’s a lot of frustration. 

“It was a big goal of ours to go ahead and win this division, and we put ourselves in a hole again. Not saying it can’t happen, but it’s unlikely to happen at this point.”     

– For more Patriots coverage, visit our team page, or our blog Pats Pulpit.

Read More: New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers

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Jets (5-3) vs. New England Patriots (5-3)
Week 10
Today, 8:20 p.m.
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
TV: Channel 4
Radio: ESPN 1050-AM

THIS WEEK’S GAME REVOLVES AROUND …
Mark Sanchez

The Jets QB said it himself last week after Eli Manning directed the Giants down the field for a last-second, comeback victory over the Patriots. Sanchez called it “awesome.”

“It’s always going to take a good game by the quarterback to beat that team and that defense,” Sanchez said of New England. “Whether it comes down to the last drive or just being accurate all game, that’s what it takes to beat them.”

So there you have it. Against the Patriots, something always seems to go wrong for the Jets’ offense. A few third downs aren’t converted, an errant interception is thrown. But it’s up to Sanchez to step up and control these situations like he has in big games in the past.

Last week, Jets WR Santonio Holmes made reference to a calmer and more under control Sanchez, and in order to seal the deal against the Patriots today and put the Jets in the divisional driver’s seat, Sanchez will need to limit costly mistakes, pace his offense and keep Tom Brady off the field.

THE SAVVY FAN IS WATCHING …
Aaron Maybin

The popular refrain says the only way to beat Tom Brady is to unleash a relentless pass rush. For the Jets, one of the best at doing that has been Maybin, especially in obvious passing downs. Maybin says he’s been working on making himself more than just a pure speed-rusher, combining bull moves and some other techniques in practice. We’ll see how much that comes into play today.

PAST MEETINGS

10. Sept. 9, 2007. Patriots 38, Jets 14
9. Dec. 16, 2007 at New England. Patriots 20, Jets 10
8. Sept. 14, 2008. Patriots 19, Jets 10.
7. Nov. 13, 2008 at New England. Jets 34, Patriots 31
6. Sept. 20, 2009. Jets 16, Patriots 9
5. Nov. 22, 2009 at New England. Patriots 31, Jets 14
4.Sept. 19, 2010. Jets 28, Patriots 14
3. Dec. 6, 2010 at New England. Patriots 45, Jets 3
2. Jan. 16, 2011 at New England. Jets 28, Patriots 21
1. Oct. 9, 2011 at New England. Patriots 30, Jets 21

Remember when …
These two teams met late last season, with the same record, in a prime-time game? The Jets sure do. On Dec. 6, 2010, the Jets were pummeled, 45-3, by the Patriots on “Monday Night Football” in what was the most embarrassing loss of Rex Ryan’s head-coaching career. Defensive tackle Sione Pouha referred to it as humble pie that “tastes like a car tire, and goes down like peanut butter.” Two days after losing safety Jim Leonhard for the season with a broken leg, this game seemed like the lowest point the team had faced all season, one that spawned a stretch where they lost three of four.

WHAT THE PATRIOTS DON’T WANT THE JETS TO KNOW

1. Tom Brady is throwing more interceptions this season
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said he has noticed the Patriots QB getting a little more “anxious” in the pocket than in years past. It could be attributed to some injury issues on the offensive line, or a change in opposing defenses, but nonetheless Brady has already thrown six more interceptions than all last season. His receivers insist there’s nothing different and that, as a team, there has been a tickle-down effect due to a lack of execution. But as New England comes limping in with a two-game losing streak, it does make one wonder.

2. The Patriots do not lose three straight
The last time New England lost three consecutive games was 2002. Rohan Davey was Tom Brady’s backup, Antowain Smith was the primary running back and Deion Branch was a wide-eyed rookie out of Louisville. A lot has changed since then, but one thing that remains consistent is Bill Belichick’s ability to buckle down, make adjustments and coach his team out of a losing skid. Branch said last week that, despite two wrenching losses in a row, the locker room atmosphere has remained consistent and focused.

3. They are opportunistic
It is widely known the Patriots possess a basement-dwelling pass defense again this season, but just like 2010, they have a healthy amount of interceptions (10, tied for seventh) and Kyle Arrington is tied for the league lead with five. Jets coach Rex Ryan says the Patriots pass defense, which gives up 314 yards per game, is misleading. So many times they get a substantial lead and it forces opponents to throw the ball more against a softer prevent defense.

POSITION BREAKDOWNS

Quarterback
When 20 TDs, 10 INTs and a 337 yards-per-game average is a bad first half, you know you’re doing something right.
Edge: Patriots

Running back
Shonn Greene has slowly, but surely, climbed up the rankings and is now 18th in yards, three slots higher than BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
Edge: Jets

Wide receiver
Wes Welker is, with little debate, the best receiver in the NFL this season.
Edge: Patriots

Offensive line
The margin between QB sacks (Jets have given up more) and rushing offense (Patriots have more yards) is too slim.
Edge: Push

Defensive line
The Jets are younger and quicker, but the Patriots have monster tackle Vince Wilfork.
Edge: Push

Linebacker
David Harris and Bart Scott are playing their best football of the season right now.
Edge: Jets

Cornerback
The Patriots’ secondary is struggling and filled with undrafted free agents.
Edge: Jets

Special teams
Joe McKnight continues to stretch the field on returns and Nick Folk has missed just one field goal all season.
Edge: Jets

FOUR DOWNS WITH …
Tight end/fullback Josh Baker

1. Your first NFL catch came last Sunday, how did it feel?
It was kind of crazy because I got moved to fullback, so the whole week last week I was in the fullback room and I didn’t see any of the tight end plays, so for my first time getting thrown out there, and to go out as a tight end, it was kind of crazy.
It was definitely a surprise because when I saw Dustin (Keller) get hurt, obviously I was concerned for him because of how he landed. But when they told me to go in, I just went in and did all I could do, and thankful the plays sounded familiar.

2. Was the “hybrid” role tough for you to get used to?
It’s fine. There’s some carry-over from the motion tight end, that position and their protections in the backfield. It’s just all about getting the lingo and the play calls on offense and translating it to the field, but I mean it’s not too tough.

3. Did you keep the ball? Do anything cool with it?
Nah, actually I didn’t. It was a little 5-yarder, but hopefully it’s not my last. If there’s any significance going forward I’d definitely keep it but I didn’t even think about keeping this one. … I probably should have, though (laughing).

4. How much experience do you have as a fullback and interior blocker?
In college I was the wildcat back at Delaware, and at (Northwest Missouri State) we messed around with it a little bit. And I did some fullback in college, too, so I’ve pretty much played every position from fullback to slot to tight end. I kind of bounced around.

ONE MORE THING ……

The Patriots and Jets have played 105 times, meeting for the first time in 1960. Does it come as any surprise that the series is at a complete deadlock? After the Patriots’ victory earlier in the season, the all-time series is at 52-52-1. The Patriots are 24-27 all-time in road games against the Jets.

Conor Orr: corr@starledger.com

That’s all for today.

The New England Patriots released
defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, the Boston Herald reported.

Haynesworth, 30, was acquired from Washington in July. He
had clashed with Redskins coach Mike Shanahan last year, and was
suspended for the final month of the National Football League
season.

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Jay Beberman at
jbeberman@bloomberg.net

There is the quick update of the day.