Skip to main content

Three Things to Watch This Week - AFC Championship Game

The New England Patriots play Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham and the Denver Broncos in the Tom Brady Memorial AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High Sunday January 25th at 3:00 PM.

Big hugs!

To say the Patriots have exceeded expectations so far this season is an enormous understatement. As recently as a year ago I remember wondering if they'd ever host a home playoff game again. Having said that, now that you're this close and playing the other team's backup quarterback in the AFC Championship Game, go out and get it.

Also, Mike Vrabel now the longest tenured coach in the AFC East. I kid you not.


Odyssey Power Rankings:

1) 2001: A Space _____

2) The _____ (Homer)

3) Honda  _____


Here are three things I'm a little concerned about this week:

1) Drake Maye - He's been fantastic this season. A+. We couldn't have asked for more in his second year. A pleasure just to watch. Having said that, please hold on to that football, Drake Maye

2) Playing in Denver - traditionally not a strength for the New England Patriots.

3) Defense - Just keep doing what you've been doing.


Did the Patriots score 30 points last week?

No.  But... pretty close. Given the conditions, I'll allow it.


My prediction: Pats 27, Broncos 13

*****

Michael George Vrabel inherited from his defensive background every trait, except the stray inexpressible few, that made him worth while. Matriculating at Ohio State, he was twice the recipient of All-American honors. And yet, during his professional playing career, he was perfectly capable of lining up as an eligible receiver and catching a touchdown. Twelve of them, in fact.

After retirement as a player, yet still a young man, he hovered in the background of the coaching business for many years, achieving a moderate success with the Gentleman Titans of Tennessee. And now, find himself with a second opportunity in Foxboro as a leader of men in his charge, he has a shot at real, lasting greatness.

An excerpt from This Off-Sides of Paradise by M. Mike Fitz-Vrabel. Reprinted without permission.

*****

It's cold outside. Stay in a read a book.

The Lady in the Leaves

Just Monsters

Additional ebooks by P. Canole available here:

https://pcanole.blogspot.com/


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Three Things to Watch This Week - Week 1

The first place New England Patriots play the Oakland   Los Angeles   Oakland  Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette on Sunday September 7th at 1:00 PM. Patriot first round pick tackle Will Campbell. Douglas Power Rankings: 1) Adams 2) DeMario 3) Michael  4) The Lincoln–Douglas debates 5) Illeana  After back to back 4 - 13 seasons, you are allowed to feel a little skeptical about this team. What do we, as Patriots fans, have to look forward to in 2025? Returning:  Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf is somehow still here. Last year, the two wide receivers he drafted in 2024 combined for 13 catches. And one of them is no longer with the team. I'm against it. Coach Mike Vrabel. His career record as a coach is 56–48. This was seen as a significant upgrade over what we had in place. Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels. He's back! Again! Not returning: Coach Jerod Mayo. It was both a bad situation AND he didn't do a great job with it. That's ba...
Post a Comment
Read more

Five Things to Watch This Week - Week 1 (Game 1)

The Patriots play their first regular season game at LP Field against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday September 9th at 1:00 PM. So... Um... Yeah.  Let's not get too hung up on how last season ended... It's a new year.  Like Coach Belichick says... We're focusing on next week.  We're moving on. It's also an election year.  Republican or Democrat...  Liberal or Conservative...  Let's not lose sight of the one thing that unites us all...  That the Jets are horrible. Gronk seems to be enjoying the benefits of being famous. Let's dive right in! The Patriots signed both Gronkowski AND Hernandez to long term deals ( ed. note - phew ) in the off-season.   They also added extra Tight Ends Jake Ballard, Daniel Fells, Michael Hoomanawanui and Visanthe Shiancoe. At this rate, we'll soon be fielding the NFL's first ALL TIGHT END OFFENSE!  (It's the logical next step in the evolution of the game...) Josh McDaniels - Welcome back!  You...
Post a Comment
Read more

Five Things to Watch This Week - Week 5

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 b...
Post a Comment
Read more