News Patriots Team Notes

Patriots opponent preview: Panthers stats, record, players to watch, and more for Week 4

gettyimages-2234750711.jpg


The New England Patriots will stay at Gillette Stadium in Week 4 in an attempt to earn the first home win of the Mike Vrabel era and improve to 2-2 on the season. Standing in their way is a team also entering the game with a 1-2 record, the Carolina Panthers.

Let’s get to meet them.

Panthers key stats​


The one-win Panthers have a middle-of-the-road record. A look at the numbers shows that they are also a middle-of-the-road team from a statistical perspective, but one that has played some good football in certain areas.

Record: 1-2 (2nd NFC South)
Scoring differential: +9 (15th)
Turnover differential: -1 (20th)
Offense: 20.7 points/game (19th), 277.0 yards/game (24th), 6 giveaways (t-29th), -0.009 EPA/dropback (24th), -0.080 EPA/run (15th)
Defense: 17.7 points/game (8th), 334.3 yards/game (21st), 5 takeaways (t-4th), -0.105 EPA/dropback (4th), 0.007 EPA/run (24th)

Even though the Panthers just hung 30 points on the Atlanta Falcons, their offense has been nothing special so far (in part because seven of those points were provided by the defense). The unit is in the red in expected points added both in the passing and the running game, and has been among the NFL’s worst when it comes to ball security: six turnovers — three interceptions plus three fumbles — are tied for second-most in the league with Dallas and New England.

The defense, on the other hand, has been quite opportunistic and almost played a “bend but don’t break” style the Patriots employed for years. While Carolina has given up plenty of yards, the team ranks in the top 10 in takeaways, EPA per dropback and, most importantly, points.

Panthers 2025 season​


For a second straight year under head coach Dave Canales, the Panthers opened with a 1-2 record. They stumbled right out of the gate, suffering lopsided defeats at the hands of Jacksonville and Arizona (the second game was still a 12-point affair inside the two-minute warning).

Week 1: 26-10 loss at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
Week 2: 27-22 loss at Arizona Cardinals (0-2)
Week 3: 30-0 win vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)

After their issues early on, the Panthers bounced back big-time versus the Falcons. Carried by a defense that registered three takeaways including one pick-six, the team managed to dominate Atlanta from start to finish. Sure, the Falcons are not necessarily the definition of a quality opponent, but the W was still one that could possibly build some momentum for Carolina moving forward.

Panthers active roster​


(Note: Roster up-to-date as of Sept. 24, 5 a.m. ET; *indicates projected starter)

Quarterback (2): Bryce Young* (9), Andy Dalton (14)

Running back (3): Chuba Hubbard* (30), Rico Dowdle (5), Trevor Etienne (23 | PR/KR)

Wide receiver (7): Tetairoa McMillan* (4), Hunter Renfrow* (13), Xavier Legette* (17), David Moore (83), Brycen Tremayne (87), Jimmy Horn Jr. (15), Dalevon Campbell (81)

Tight end (4): Ja’Tavion Sanders (0), Tommy Tremble* (82), Mitchell Evans (84), James Mitchell (85)

Offensive tackle (4): Ikem Ekwonu* (79 | LT), Tylor Moton* (72 | RT), Yosh Nijman (77), Brady Christensen (70)

Interior offensive line (4): Damien Lewis* (68 | LG), Cade Mays* (64 | C), Chandler Zavala* (62 | RG), Nick Samac (60)

Interior defensive line (6): Derrick Brown* (95), A’Shawn Robinson* (94), Bobby Brown III (97), Jaden Crumedy (96), Tershawn Wharton (99), Cam Jackson (92)

Defensive edge (6): D.J. Wonnum* (98), Patrick Jones II* (91), Nic Scourton (11), Princely Umanmielen (3), D.J. Johnson (52), Thomas Incoom (48)

Linebacker (5): Christian Rozeboom* (56), Trevin Wallace* (32), Claudin Cherelus (53), Bam Martin-Scott (57), Maema Njongmeta (55)

Cornerback (5): Jaycee Horn* (8), Mike Jackson* (2), Chau Smith-Wade* (26), Corey Thornton (31), Akayleb Evans (29)

Safety (4): Tre’von Moehrig* (7), Nick Scott* (21), Lathan Ransom (22), Demani Richardson (36)

Specialists (3): Ryan Fitzgerald (10 | K), Sam Martin (6 | P/H), J.J. Jansen (44 | LS)

The Panthers are entering Week 4 with some injury questions, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Besides having lost two starting offensive linemen earlier this month — more on them below — they will also be without their No. 1 tight end, Ja’Tavion Sanders, and possibly miss starting perimeter receiver Xavier Legette for a second week in a row.

Similar to the Patriots’ roster, the Panthers’ is not particularly well equipped to handle losses like those. This, in turn, will put more pressure on quarterback Bryce Young and the available players around him.

Speaking of Young, he has been up and down so far. In three games so far, he completed 69 of 114 pass attempts (60.5%) for 603 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. His EPA per play of -0.009 is ranked just 24th in the NFL. That said, his connection with rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has shown some promise; the pair has hooked up 14 times for 216 yards, an average of 15.4 yards per catch.

McMillan is the Panthers’ primary weapon in the passing game. In the run game, that player is Chuba Hubbard, who has carried the ball 43 times for 168 yards so far (3.9 yards/run).

On the other side of the ball, cornerback Jaycee Horn is the most notable player. One of the better cornerbacks in football and the recipient of a four-year, $100 million extension in March, he is the team’s CB1 and one of five players registering turnovers so far — a title he shares with fellow CBs Mike Jackson and Chau Smith-Wade, ED D.J. Wonnum, and S Demani Richardson.

The pass rush, meanwhile, has been far less diverse. Wonnum and A’Shawn Robinson lead the team with nine pressures each, but only one player — Princely Umanmielen in Week 2 — has been able to register a sack this year.

Panthers reserves​


Practice squad (16): QB Hendon Hooker (12), RB DeeJay Dallas (20), WR Dan Chisena (88), WR Ja’seem Reed (86), WR Ainias Smith (80), TE Bryce Pierre (45), OT Michael Tarquin (71), OT Brandon Walton (73), OL Jarrett Kingston (71) DT Jared Harrison-Hunte (75), ED Boogie Basham (54), LB Krys Barnes (40), CB Kalen King (25), CB Michael Reid (35), S Israel Mukuamu (27), S Trevian Thomas (42)

Practice squad exempt (1): LB Mapalo Mwansa (58)

Injured reserve (6): WR Jalen Coker, OL Austin Corbett, OL Robert Hunt, DT Popo Aumavae, DT LaBryan Ray, CB Damarri Mathis

Physically unable to perform (1): RB Jonathon Brooks

The big names among the Panthers’ reserves both find themselves on IR. Starting center Austin Corbett and starting right guard Robert Hunt were both sent there after Week 2. Corbett suffered a torn MCL in the same knee he already hurt in 2022 and 2023, while Hunt tore his left biceps. The pair has since been replaced in the starting lineup by Cade Mays and Chandler Zavala.

Panthers coaching staff​


Head coach: Dave Canales

Coordinators: Brad Idzik (OC), Ejiro Evero (DC), Tracy Smith (STC)

The Panthers are in their second season under Dave Canales and have yet to reach .500 at any point in his tenure: the team started 1-2 last year as well before stumbling through the rest of the season en route to a 5-12 record. This year, Canales and company are also 1-2.

On offense, Canales and Brad Idzik are running a West Coast-style attack. Defensively, coordinator Ejiro Evero is using 3-4 principles, that are applied in a hybrid 4-2/2-4 setting with an emphasis on zone coverage.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/new-engl...hers-stats-record-players-to-watch-nfl-week-4
 
New England Patriots links 9/25/25 – WR shakeup on tap?

gettyimages-2236790165.jpg


TEAM TALK


LOCAL LINKS

  • Andrew Callahan why we will learn a lot about the Patriots on Sunday. ‘If the Pats want Sunday to be the cinch it should be, here’s the big key: hold on to the freaking football.‘
  • Michael Hurley spotlights the talent deficiency on the roster that’s still a glaring issue through 3 games.
  • Alex Barth looks at whether a shakeup is coming to the wide receiver room this week.
  • Phil Perry‘s Patriots Mailbag: When will young receivers see more opportunity?
  • Karen Guregian looks at what Christian Gonzalez’ impact will be when he returns. He won’t be able to fix bad angles or tackling or fumbling, but the team will be much better with him playing.
  • Mark Daniels relays Christian Gonzalez firing back at critics over false ‘narrative’ about his desire to play.
  • Doug Kyed tells us where Drake Maye ranks among NFL quarterbacks after Week 3
  • Mark Daniels explains why Drake Maye doesn’t care about his top-10 quarterback stats.
  • Karen Guregian notes Stefon Diggs is ready for a heavier workload, if that’s what the Patriots need.
  • Mark Daniels points out Stefon Diggs contributing as a blocker and embracing his leadership role beyond receiving stats.
  • Mark Daniels mentions how young receiver Kayshon Boutte shows maturity handling inconsistent targets.
  • Mark Daniels reports the Pats signed veteran offensive lineman Royce Newman as starting left guard jared Wilson deals with a knee injury.
  • A Clare Perspective podcast: Phil Perry joins to discuss what went wrong in Week 3 and more. (25 min)

NATIONAL NEWS

  • Albert Breer (SI) Week 4 Mailbag: Why Jared Goff Is the most under-appreciated QB in the NFL; Plus, potential trade candidates in Miami, and a must-win situation in Kansas City.
  • Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Week 4 QB Power Rankings. Drake Maye 17th: Ball control is a work in progress for the second-year prospect, but Maye at least looks the part as a play-extender, keeping the Patriots competitive. We might be a year away from a true breakout. (-2)
  • Myles Simmons (ProFootballTalk) Christian Gonzalez remains limited on Wednesday injury report.
  • Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette out of Panthers practice Wednesday.
  • Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) Which NFL teams need to worry? Chiefs, Cowboys lead panic meter readings. No Pats.
  • Nate Davis (USA Today) 10 players to evaluate as NFL trade deadline nears. No Pats.
  • Maurice Jones-Drew (NFL.com) 2025 NFL trade deadline: 5 running backs teams should target now.
  • Kevin Patra (NFL.com) 9 NFL players I still believe in despite slow starts in 2025. No Pats.
  • Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: 2025 contract-year players to watch — could Daniel Jones become the next $30 million QB?
  • MMQB Staff (SI) NFL Week 4 picks. 6 of 7 pick Patriots to win.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/new-engl...0017/patriots-links-9-25-25-wr-shakeup-on-tap
 
Patriots practice squad loses offensive tackle to Browns’ 53-man roster

gettyimages-2179739945.jpg


One day after linebacker Mark Robinson left to join the New York Jets, the New England Patriots’ practice squad saw another departure. Offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. has been poached by the Cleveland Browns, as was announced by the organization on Wednesday morning.

Munford, 26, was signed to the Patriots’ 16-man practice squad shortly after the NFL’s roster cutdown deadline in late August. He spent the better part of four weeks there but did not see any game action.

Now, Munford is headed to the Browns’ active roster. Cleveland signed him to bolster its offensive tackle depth after starter Dawand Jones was sent to injured reserve because of a season-ending knee injury. The Browns will be Munford’s third stop since he entered the league as a seventh-round draft pick out of Ohio State in 2022. During his three years with the Las Vegas Raiders, he saw action in 48 games with 10 starts.

With Munford and Robinson off the practice squad, the Patriots now have two spots open. They recently had a group of four players in town for tryouts, all of whom potential candidates to be added.

In addition, the Patriots also have one open spot on their 53-man roster.

With Munford gone, New England’s offensive tackle depth chart now stands at five deep. Besides starters Will Campbell and Morgan Moses, the team also has backups Marcus Bryant and Vederian Lowe on its active roster. Undrafted rookie Jack Conley provides an extra layer of depth on the practice squad.

The Patriots will host the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. Kickoff at Gillette Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/new-engl...patriots-practice-squad-browns-thayer-munford
 
‘Jitterbug’ Bryce Young to test Patriots’ defensive discipline

gettyimages-2237324352.jpg


Sunday will mark the 32nd start of Bryce Young’s career in the NFL. It has not been an overly successful one in terms of wins — the Carolina Panthers are just 7-24 with him at the helm — but that does not mean the former first overall draft pick is not a quarterback capable of making the necessary plays to lead his team to victory.

And with Young, those plays can take many forms. For the New England Patriots, the one element of his game that stands out, however, is his ability to extend plays.

“The quarterback, jitterbug back there,” said defensive tackle Milton Williams. “He can make all the plays. He can make all the throws. We just have to have everybody on the same page to stop the running game and try to contain the quarterback as much as we can.”

So far this season, Young has carried the ball seven times in non-kneel-down situations. The sample size may be small, but the results speak for themselves: he gained 52 yards on those plays for an average 7.4 yards per run, and also found the touchdown once in a 30-0 beatdown of the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday.

And while Young may have been a bit hit or miss as a passer so far this year, his scrambling skills and ability to keep plays alive is nothing the Patriots are taking lightly. Just look at it from this perspective: Young is ranked 27th in the league with a total of -14.65 expected points added per pass play, but 13th with an EPA of 3.07 in rushing situations.

“Super talented guy. Y’all got to see the tape,” said Williams. “He can make all the plays a quarterback can make. The biggest thing is going to be getting him on the ground. Feel like he one of the best at escaping. He’s a smaller dude, so you just got to be be ready for him to try to shake you when you get there. Coach has been harping on us, making sure we take the extra step and get him on the ground.”

Williams and the Patriots’ defensive line will be put to the test through Young’s escapability. However, the challenge extends beyond those tasked to containing him.

“It’s really all 11,” explained cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton. “It’s the rush — whether that be the upfront guys, whether that be blitzers — and then the coverage piece where the down is basically never over. You just have to assume that he’s going to be back there moving around and extending plays. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t. But I think the hardest thing for a DB to just maintain eye discipline, to have my eyes where they’re supposed to be on my coverage.

“At some point, you have a mental clock that says this play should be over by now. And the receiver’s still moving around. So, then that has to tell me, ‘I can’t look to see.’ It has to tell me that, ‘OK, he must be scrambling. I need to stay on who I’m on.’”

Hamilton added that Young’s ability to make or extend plays with his feet is not unique in today’s NFL, but that Young himself has a track record that exceeds other QBs.

“The guy extended all the way to being the number one pick and Heisman Trophy winner. He’s done it a lot,” he said. “We got to be on point and he’s going to present a good challenge for us.”
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/new-engl...-young-patriots-defensive-discipline-panthers
 
Ball security headlines Patriots’ X-factors against the Panthers

gettyimages-2235635130.jpg


Having lost two of their first three games this season, the New England Patriots are already under some pressure to perform entering Week 4. While a loss to the Carolina Panthers would not be the end of the world as far as the team’s playoff hopes are concerned, it would put head coach Mike Vrabel and his men in a challenging position heading into a three-game road stretch that starts in Buffalo in Week 5.

So, how do the Patriots avoid entering that portion of their schedule at 1-3? By improving across the board relative to last week’s loss versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, and by being able to come away on top in most of the key areas against a Panthers team that also has just one win under its belt at this point in time.

X-factor vs. Panthers: Ball security​


Football is an inherently complex game, but every now and then it can be quite simple. As simple as: the team that turns the football over five times will usually come out the loser.

The Patriots experienced just that last week against Pittsburgh, when Drake Maye (1 interception, 1 fumble), Rhamondre Stevenson (2 fumbles) and Antonio Gibson (1 fumble) all gave the ball away in what ended up a one-touchdown loss. It goes without saying that that is not a recipe for success regardless of opponent, be it the Steelers or the Panthers this Sunday.

As for the upcoming game against Carolina, it will feature a Panthers defense that has successfully taken the ball away on five occasions — tied for fourth in the NFL through Week 3. Four of those turnovers came in the form of interceptions, with starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson and Chau Smith-Wade catching one apiece, and edge defender D.J. Wonnum hauling in the other. In addition, safety Demani Richardson recovered a fumble.

The Panthers rank top 5 in turnovers forced, thanks largely to their secondary

Carolina has a competitive group of corners who've each picked off a pass this season

Jaycee Horn nearly had his 2nd INT last week, and rookie Lathan Ransom forced a late fumble pic.twitter.com/IEWjZU0IXf

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) September 24, 2025
Click to expand...

The Patriots’ issues holding onto the ball were a new problem in Week 3. In the previous two games, one Drake Maye interception in Week 1 was the only giveaway. The problem, from that perspective, does seem like a fixable one.

As Mike Vrabel pointed out this week, however, they are not leaving it up to chance either.

“We just put some more time into it,” he said. “I’m going to remind you that everybody else’s job is to protect the guy with the ball. We’ll have to practice that too, because that wasn’t good enough. Again, the easy thing to say is that we had three players fumble the football, which is obvious. We have to use great technique and then everyone else needs to strain to protect the player with the ball. And that’s what we’re going to get accomplished.”

Other X-factors this week​


Perimeter run game: On paper, the Patriots have the right mix to be successful on the ground. They have a mobile quarterback, potent trio of running backs, and a physical offensive line (albeit one that will be without one of its starters). And yet, they are the worst unit in football in terms of expected points added per run play (-0.397) and bottom half in several other categories as well. In order to right the ship versus Carolina, New England will need to steer clear of the Panthers’ defensive strengths. How can they do that? For starters, by identifying standout defensive tackle Derrick Brown and running away from him.

Most of the Panthers' big runs allowed have come on runs off/outside the tackles, and all have been away from Derrick Brown or with him off the field

The #Patriots run game featured tosses and speed option vs the Steelers' aggressive 3-4 front pic.twitter.com/RcvNrPAsBB

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) September 24, 2025
Click to expand...

TE Hunter Henry and TE Austin Hooper: Carolina’s pass defense has been solid this year, and quite opportunistic. There are definitive areas that can be attacked, though, and one of them is getting tight ends matched up against linebackers. Through three games, the Panthers have given up an average of six catches and 74 yards per contest to opposing tight ends, meaning that New England’s offense — which incorporated more two-tight end looks the last two weeks — could be trying to get the position group involved early and often.

RG Mike Onwenu and RT Morgan Moses: Unsurprisingly, the Patriots offensive line has had its ups and downs this season. The next challenge awaits on Sunday, with the aforementioned Derrick Brown a major threat along the interior defensive line. Primarily aligning over the offensive right, Brown brings serious strength and violence to the equation, which means that right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Morgan Moses need to be on their A-game. That is true for the rest of the line, too: Carolina likes to disguise its looks and run line games, challenging the communication and chemistry up front.

The #Patriots will IOL will face another big challenge in Derrick Brown (#95) after struggling vs Cam Heyward

The DT/odd DE plays with violence and has grown man strength to shed blockers. Brown also batted two passes vs Arizona, which has been an issue for Maye this season pic.twitter.com/4JrAoNns4w

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) September 24, 2025
Click to expand...

D-line discipline: Milton Williams called Panthers quarterback Bryce Young a “jitterbug” earlier this week due to his combination of small stature and ability to extend plays. While Young’s passing has been inconsistent so. far this season, his dual-threat skills are well documented and will put pressure on Williams and company to control their gaps and not allow any escape lanes to open up.

LB2: Robert Spillane played his best game of the season against the Steelers, registering a team-leading 15 tackles as well as an interception. While the 29-year-old has yet to prove his consistency, his position in the Patriots’ defensive lineup is set in stone. The same cannot be said about the spot alongside him. Originally held by Christian Elliss to open the season, the team decided to bench him early during last week’s game; missed tackles continue to be a problem for Elliss. Whether he returns to the lineup or not, the team needs better from its No. 2 linebacker.

CB Christian Gonzalez: Two months after injuring his hamstring in practice, Christian Gonzalez is set to make his season debut on Sunday. If so, he should be expected to see plenty of snaps facing off against Carolina’s No. 1 wide receiver, Tetairoa McMillan. A first-round draft pick earlier this year, McMillan is a big-bodied pass catcher capable of gaining yards after the catch. Under normal circumstances, Gonzalez should have the edge, but any signs of rust could play into the young wideouts’ — and therefore the Panthers’ — hands.

Tet McMillan is a big body who can move after the catch. The #Patriots must be wary of him over the middle, especially on his bread-and-butter digs

Most of McMillan's big plays have come while lined up at X, but he had two explosives from the slot vs ATL, including a pick fade pic.twitter.com/YlWzhX1F4p

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) September 24, 2025
Click to expand...

KR Antonio Gibson and KR TreVeyon Henderson: The Panthers have one of the best kickoff coverage teams in the NFL, in large part because of the technique used by rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald. His “knuckleballs” are challenging to field and have contributed to Carolina’s opponents having, on average, the worst starting field position in the league on kickoffs (at their own 21-yard line). For the Patriots’ returners, the goal will not so much be to try to turn those oftentimes shorter kicks into big plays but rather to be smart with their decision making and sound with their technique.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/new-engl...110116/patriots-panthers-x-factors-nfl-week-4
 
5 questions with Cat Scratch Reader: Is Bryce Young franchise QB material?

gettyimages-2234750778.jpg


The New England Patriots will welcome the Carolina Panthers to Gillette Stadium on Sunday in what will not only be a battle of 1-2 teams. It also will be a meeting between two relatively unfamiliar foes.

So, in order to find out more about Carolina, we reached out to Walker Clement of Pats Pulpit’s sister site Cat Scratch Reader — the SB Nation community for all things Panthers. Here is what he told us about the upcoming game and what to expect from New England’s Week 4 opponent.

1. How has Bryce Young progressed in his third season? Is he proving to be the franchise quarterback the organization hoped he’d be?

The jury remains out on Young. He ended last season as the obvious future of the Carolina Panthers if he maintained that level of play heading into this season. He opened the 2025 season looking completely lost again.

He’s slowly regaining his composure and returning to a competitive level of play, but at this point we don’t know if we can trust him to remain consistent. A lot of us are looking forward to watching him play this week to see if he takes that next step or if he falls apart again. Another lot of us are already over him and are ready to burn the entire zoo down again and start over.

2. What’s the plan if Tetairoa McMillan can’t play on Sunday? How crucial has he been to Carolina’s pass game?

McMillan is expected to play on Sunday, but there is no real plan if he can’t. Xavier Legette, last year’s first round pick at wide receiver is dealing with his own hamstring issue and has totalled eight receptions for ten yards this season, including one for negative two yards on eight targets in his last game.

McMillan is quickly becoming the engine of the Panthers entire passing game. Without him we’d just be hoping the team was already pointed downhill with a full head of steam.

3. How has DT Derrick Brown looked after missing last season?

In short, excellent. Brown is an absolute monster of a man who is a top 5 player at defensive tackle. There aren’t a lot of names that you should fear on the Panthers defense, but Brown’s remains at the top of the list.

4. Who are some underrated names Patriots fans should know heading into this game?

Cornerback Mike Jackson bounced around the league for awhile before landing with the Panthers. He is now playing as a top ten corner starting opposite Jaycee Horn.

Otherwise, expect to hear Christian Rozeboom and Trevin Wallace’s names a lot. That’s not a good thing for Panthers fans. The starting inside linebacker duo have combined for most of the defense’s mistakes and broken plays, spanning from bad coverage of tight ends and backs to big gains surrenderes in the running game.

5. The Patriots are currently 5.5-point favorites this weekend. What must New England do to avoid a losing streak? What must the Panthers do to pull off the upset?

Football games are weird and weird things happen during them. The Panthers could end up by 14 points three minutes into the first quarter or they could enter half time tied with zero points apiece. In either event, the key is to not panic. Lean on Henry and Stevenson and the Patriots will probably have little trouble winning the time of possession battle and, ultimately, the game.

Stop attacking the Panthers weaknesses and force the ball downfield? That’s a recipe for a Carolina win.

On the flip side, the Panthers two losses have come on the heels of soul crushing mistakes and turnovers from Young. If he can limit mistakes and keep the ball in the hands of his players then the Panthers will have a shot in any game.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/new-engl...uestions-patriots-panthers-preview-nfl-week-4
 
Pats Pulpit Debates: What is the best Patriots game you’ve watched?

debates01-1-1.jpg


The New England Patriots will play hosts to the Carolina Panthers this weekend, in a rematch of one of the best Super Bowls ever played. Super Bowl XXXVIII, the final game of the NFL’s 2003 season, is one for the ages — even though it tends to get overlooked because of some of the title games that followed since, including multiple that featured the Patriots as well.

That bring us to this week’s Pats Pulpit Debates question:

What is the best Patriots game you’ve watched?​


First some picks from our staff, and then it’s up to the comment section for your picks.

Bernd Buchmasser: Some games you just have to watch live to believe. New England’s Super Bowl against the Falcons in February 2017 is one of those. Was it the best game ever played by a Patriots team? No. Was it the best game played by that season’s Patriots team? Probably also not. Fact is, you don’t find yourself in a 28-3 hole in the late third quarter if you play a clean game.

But, the old saying about it being not about how you start but how you finish never rang truer than that day. And in just 20 minutes, the game went from, “This is a full-on disaster” to “Well, at least it won’t be that big of a blowout” to “This is getting interesting” to “They really might pull this off.” Tom Brady and company suddenly starting pushing all the right buttons, and by the time they fielded the opening kickoff of overtime the outcome seemed predetermined.

While Super Bowl XLIX against the Seahawks is a strong contender as well, the script written two years later is unparalleled.

Slot Machine Player: Best? In what manner?

Titans in the snow was FUN, and zero pressure or worry. Backups to the backups were getting 10 yards per play.

Seattle Super Bowl was the biggest RELIEF. Can’t win one after Spygate, my Aunt Fanny!

Brady dissecting the the Falcons the same year he was suspended was poetic. They finally started using the term GOAT.

Actually, I’m going Buttfumble game, because it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Can’t help butt laugh every time.

Pat Lane: Three of the best games ever played at Gillette I missed, which is funny, because I’m at so many. 2009 opener against the Bills on Monday night I was getting my Master’s degree, so I had class that night. They came back from down against the Bills, and Ben Watson had two touchdown catches in the fourth quarter. The Bills fumbled the kickoff after the first one.

The Saints game in 2013 with Kenbrell Thompkins, “Unicorns, show ponies, where’s the beef?!” I was at a wedding and my friend’s dad pulled his car around to the back of the venue and we listened to the final drive on the radio.

The 2014 AFC divisional game against the Ravens I left at halftime to take care of my 4 and 2 year olds because my wife got sick. That, of course, was the double pass game with two separate 14-point comebacks.

As for the best game I’ve ever seen in person: The Snow Bowl is up there, but my No. 1 all time will always be Pats vs. Vikings in 1994, Bledsoe goes 45-of-70 setting records for completions and attempts in a single game, and they come back from down 20-0 to win in overtime with a Kevin Turner touchdown in my end zone. Bledsoe threw the ball 52 times after halftime. My dad predicted they would win if Matt Bahr hit a field goal at the end of the first half when they were down 20-0. It’s the game where I truly fell in love with football, and the Patriots.


Now, it’s your turn: What is the best Patriots game you’ve ever watched? Please scroll down to the comment section below to share your answers, thoughts, and more.

If you want to know how to sign up to join the debate, please click here.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/new-engl...110169/patriots-discussion-best-patriots-game
 
Patriots rooting guide, open thread, and more for NFL Week 4

gettyimages-2163237746.jpg


And just like that, it’s Week 4. For the New England Patriots it will be another chance to get off the schneid in front of the Gillette Stadium crowd: after starting the year 0-2 at home, they will host the Carolina Panthers in the latest attempt to get Mike Vrabel’s first home win as head coach.

Naturally, that game is our main focus this week. Of course, there is plenty of other football on the menu as well, so here is who to root for and how to watch the 15 other games scheduled between Thursday and Monday.

Sunday​

9:30 a.m. ET​


Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers: Go Vikings! The NFL’s first ever game in Ireland will feature one representative from each conference. Naturally, we will be rooting for the NFC side in this one. | NFL Network

1 p.m. ET​


Washington Commanders at Atlanta Falcons: Go good game! Like Thursday’s all-NFC battle, this one also has no true impact on the Patriots. | CBS

New Orleans Saints at Buffalo Bills: Go Saints! While a Saints win might negatively impact the seventh-round draft pick the Patriots acquired from them through the Davon Godchaux trade, it is still preferable over New England’s division rivals taking the W. | CBS

Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions: Go Lions! Same story, different teams. Until further notice, we are going with the NFC side in games such as these. | FOX

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans: Go Titans! It likely makes little difference when it comes to New England’s playoff outlook, but a Tennessee win would improve the team’s strength of schedule. | CBS

Los Angeles Chargers at New York Giants: Go Giants! There are two reasons to root for New York in Jaxson Dart’s starting debut: they are an NFC team going against an AFC opponent, and a win would increase the Patriots’ strength of schedule. | CBS

Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Go good game! Another all-NFC game with no meaningful ties the Patriots. | FOX

4:05 p.m. ET​


Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Rams: Go Rams! AFC. NFC. You know the drill. | FOX

Jacksonville Jaguars at San Francisco 49ers: Go 49ers! Rinse, repeat. | FOX

4:25 p.m. ET​


Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs: Go Ravens! The Patriots own two of the Chiefs’ draft picks next year, which means that Kansas City missing the playoffs would be the best case outcome. That still seems unlikely, even if they start the year at 1-3. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t root for exactly that happening. | CBS

Chicago Bears at Las Vegas Raiders: Go Bears! NFC. AFC. You know the drill. | CBS

8:20 p.m. ET​


Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys: Go good game! Speaking purely from a Patriots perspective, there is no true rooting interest in this game. However, seeing Micah Parsons lead his new team to a primetime victory over the one that traded him away would be fun. | NBC

Monday​

7:15 p.m. ET​


New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins: Go… Dolphins? The Monday night double-header will start with a battle between two of the Patriots’ division rivals. Both are 0-3 at the moment, and somebody has to win, so let’s go with the team that already lost one game to New England and therefore still loses out on the head-to-head tiebreaker. | ESPN

8:15 p.m. ET​


Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos: Go Bengals! Both teams might be involved in the wild card battle with the Patriots further down the line, but there are too many variables at play to make a definitive call right now. We are going Bengals for the sake of the strength of schedule tiebreaker. | ABC


The following game already took place on earlier days:

Thursday​

8:15 p.m. ET​


Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals: Go good game! There might be a microscopically small link between this game and the Patriots’ playoff or draft outlooks, however you want to dissect it, but there is no use in going that deep into the matter. Just enjoy a good one, will you? | SEA 23, ARI 20


Now it’s your turn. Who are you rooting for this week? And what do you think about the games as they unfold? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts and discuss.
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/new-engl...patriots-rooting-guide-open-thread-nfl-week-4
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top