Daily news and links for Friday
TEAM TALK
- Patriots-Broncos updated Injury Report.
- Mike Dussault’s Three to Watch: Patriots take on Broncos in AFC Championship game.
- Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel selected 2025 Pro Football Writers of America Coach of the Year.
- Expert Predictions:AFC Championship picks for Patriots at Broncos.
- Press Conferences:Mike Vrabel – Josh McDaniels – Zak Kuhr – Jeremy Springer – Kayshon Boutte, TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson, Morgan Moses.
- Player Interviews:Craig Woodson – Efton Chism III.
- AFC Championship game preview:Scouting the matchup between Pats and Broncos. (12 min. video)
- Throwback: Top 5 Patriots AFC Championship plays from the 2000s. (2 min. video)
- Patriots Unfiltered:Broncos preview, AP Honors, Vrabel presser/reactions, Championship picks. (2 hrs)
LOCAL LINKS
- Thomas Murphy posts his Monster Keys to the AFC Championship, a Patriots victory and a trip to the Super Bowl. 1. Hit the mute button. How do you shut up a rabid fanbase? Get up first – get up by two scores. Drop the hammer on their fans… Turn mile high into a church on Friday; More.
- Steve Balestrieri analyzes the Patriots–Broncos key matchups: Patriots RBs vs. Broncos front seven — Edge Denver; Patriots WRs vs. Broncos secondary — Edge New England; More!
- Mike D’Abate notes Drake Maye’s toughest opponent may ultimately reside within himself, with his ball security issues. Maye knows he needs to get back to fundamentals to reverse that trend.
- Doug Kyed finds the Patriots having high expectations for Drake Maye despite recent fumbling woes
- Matt Dolloff writes this is Mike Vrabel’s biggest test of the season; All the pressure rests on his shoulders.
- Andrew Callahan’s Friday Five: Why Drake Maye’s timing will decide AFC title game and more Patriots thoughts.
- Alex Barth’s Friday Five Things: Patriots return to playoff house of horrors with Super Bowl bid on the line.
- Ian Logue’s Patriots Notebook: Ball security remains Vrabel’s focus; Injury updates, Broncos prep; More.
- Alex Barth highlights Josh McDaniels discussing the struggles of the young offensive players so far in this year’s NFL playoffs.
- Mike D’Abate reports veteran receiver Mack Hollins 21-day window for his potential return from IR has now been opened.
- Ethan Hurwitz traces back how one Patriots trade links Drake Maye and Jarrett Stidham.
- Ryan Garvin reports Christian Barmore is good to go for Sunday’s game, but his recent issues with blood clots will be closely monitored in Denver.
- Doug Kyed helps us get to know fullback Jack Westover who made a successful position switch from TE.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Matt Verderame (SI) Championship Sunday preview, predictions: Seahawks, Patriots enter as favorites. If the Broncos are going to score enough points to win on Sunday, Payton must be bold. Denver will need to create good field position and perhaps steal an easy score. Look for a trick play or two, whether it’s a special teams fake or offensive razzle-dazzle.
- JP Acosta (CBS Sports) Patriots defense wreaking havoc: How they kicked up their performance a notch en route to AFC title game.
- Zachary Pereles (CBS Sports) Patriots vs. Broncos AFC Championship preview: Who has the edge at each position?
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Patriots designate Mack Hollins for return from injured reserve.
- Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) CB Carlton Davis has a limited practice as he returns from a concussion.
- Kevin Patra (NFL.com) Patriots coaches not taking Jarrett Stidham lightly: ‘He could be the starter for a number of teams’.
- Brooke Cersosimo, et al (NFL.com) Playoff picks, score predictions & matchup breakdowns. All five pick Pats to win. /Click for commentary.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) 2025 NFL Conference Championship picks. Florio: Broncos win 27-23; Chris Simms: Patriots win 24-17.
- Nate Davis (USA Today) Championship game picks straight up and against spread. 4 of 6 pick Pats to win.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Broncos are biggest home underdogs ever in a conference championship game.
VIEW FROM DENVER
- Christopher Hart (Mile High Report) Scouting the Enemy: New England Patriots.
- Patrick Saunders (Denver Post) Broncos’ offensive line is backup QB Jarrett Stidham’s security blanket for AFC championship game.
- Sean Keeler (Denver Post) How can Broncos’ Jarrett Stidham beat the Patriots? Gary Kubiak, Bubby Brister see a path.
- John Heath (Broncos Wire) Broncos vs. Patriots: 5 storylines to watch for in AFC title game. The Elliss bowl; Broncos center situation; Drake Maye’s ball security; More.
- Mark Schofield (Mile High Report) Patriots-Broncos playoff history shows why AFC Championship stakes are so high.
- Parker Gabriel (Denver Post) Broncos DC Vance Joseph on offenses attacking with TEs: ‘Been that way for two years’.
- Playoffs Roundtable (Mile High Report) What Broncos players have to step up the most vs. the Patriots?
- Playoffs Roundtable (Mile High Report) What concerns you the most about facing the Patriots?
Category: General Sports
