Thursday Morning Third Down Back

The Patriots play their eighth game of the year at Gillette Stadium against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, October 26 at 1:00 PM. Well... That game was closer than it should have been.  But at least we didn't lose to the Jets last week.  Those loses really sting. Facts of Life Power Rankings: 5) Natalie 4) Blair 3) Tootie 2) Jo 1) Mrs. Garrett Here are five guys on defense I'll be watching this week: 1) Darrelle Revis - Hopefully he can make it to the game on time. 2) Akeem Ayers / Alan Branch /  Casey Walker / whoever else you want to pull in off the street - We're going to get run on.  It's not going to be pretty.  I've come to accept this. 3) Patrick Chung - Hasn't been a complete disaster this year.  Possibly even an upgrade over Steve Gregory. 4) Kyle Arrington - Somehow still on the team!  $4M a year seems like a lot for a guy who's probably your 4th or 5th corner.  But hey... It's not my money. 5) Vince Wilfork - They'

The Patriots play their seventh game of the year at Gillette Stadium against the New York Jets on Thursday, October 16 at 8:25 PM. Short week for Patriots this week.  Which means I've got to crank out a column on virtually no rest.  Exhausting. Costly win at Buffalo last week.   Jerod Mayo and Stevan Ridley are both out for the rest of the year. Brady is now 23 - 2 against the Bills for his career.  That is HOLY CRAP amazing. Patriots finally hit on the seemingly elusive DEEP BALL on Sunday.  43 yards to Tyms. Then Brady actually connected on the high five!  Double bonus! Here's five things I'll be watching for this week: 1) Brandon LaFell - Somebody other than Edelman showing up for the receiving corps!  And he has some size!  I like it. 2) Shane Vereen - Vereen will need to pick it up a bit with Ridley out. 3) Dont'a Hightower - It looked like his knee bent the wrong way two weeks back.  That probably hurt.  We need him back on the field as soon as

The Patriots play their sixth game of the year at The Ralph against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, October 12 at 1:00 PM. Whoa... Where was that team in Week 4?  That was the best game they played all year. Sky not falling.  World not ending. I think last week's game was pretty close to what I want this team to be.  Run the ball well.  Throw to the TEs.  Play good defense. We'll see how the next few weeks go. Aww yiss. Cosby Show Kid Power Rankings: 5) Rudy 4) Vanessa 3) Theo 2) Denise 1) Sondra Here's five things I'm looking forward to seeing this week: 1) Stevan Ridley - Ridley was pretty fantastic last week.  I'm just worried he's going to blow out an ACL some day doing his "kick in the door" touchdown celebration. 2) Tim Wright - Major Tim Wright sightings last week... like he was actually part of the game plan.  I'm in favor of this. 3) Rob Gronkowski - Gronk is back, right?  We're all feeling pretty good

The Patriots play their fifth game of the year at Gillette Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, October 5 at 8:30 PM. Not good times.  No game balls for anyone this week.  I'm having a hard time thinking of anything positive to say about that game last week. What does this team do well?  What are we good at?  Punting?  They need to find an identity fast. This is an 8 - 8 team at best.  (I should know... I have friends who are Cowboys fans). Sad Tom is sad. Brandon Power Rankings: 1) Walsh 2) Workman 3) Lee 4) LaFell 5) Browner Here's five things I'll be watching for this week: 1) Brandon LaFell - LaFell had a semi-solid game last week.  It would be nice to see them work him into the offense a bit more, just for the sake of variety. 2) Nate Solder - Solder is getting his ass whupped week after week.  This has to get better. 3) Running Backs - Why dress three WRs (well...3.5) last week then throw the ball all over the place?  (T