Stephon Gilmore, Eric Rowe and Harvey Langi are all out for tonight's game.
Brady Cooks, Butler Serves, Trump Got the Bill: Official 2017-18 New England Patriots Season Thread
- Thread starter William F. Russell
- Start date
“Brandin’s got great speed, but Brandin does a lot of things really well – not only speed, quickness and such a smart player,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady says about the receiver. “I’ve loved having the opportunity to work with him. We’re still growing, I would say, and still working to find ways to get him the ball more often. I mean, he’s done such a great job for us this year. It’s just been really fun working with him.”
“He works hard, very diligent, tough, durable, a smart guy that will do whatever you ask him to do,” head coach Bill Belichick says about Cooks. “Whatever you ask him to do he wants to know exactly how you want it done. He tries to do it that way. He’s a pleasure to coach.”
Brandin Cooks makes learning the Patriots offense look easy
“He works hard, very diligent, tough, durable, a smart guy that will do whatever you ask him to do,” head coach Bill Belichick says about Cooks. “Whatever you ask him to do he wants to know exactly how you want it done. He tries to do it that way. He’s a pleasure to coach.”
Brandin Cooks makes learning the Patriots offense look easy
. Just need a couple more losses by pitt and kc and #1 seed gonna be ours.
Over the past three weeks, New England’s much-(rightfully)-badmouthed defense went from allowing an average of 32 points a game from Weeks 1-4 to allowing 14 points to the Bucs, 17 points to the Jets, and holding last year’s league leader in points scored (guess who...the Falcons!) to 7 points in garbage time on Sunday.
And oh, by the way, that’s with New England’s starting three corners the past couple weeks checking in as an undrafted rookie from West Alabama, an undrafted second-year man from Auburn, and the new guy, Johnson Bademosi, who couldn’t crack the field on defense for the Browns or the Lions.
The Patriots red zone defense in the last 3 weeks is too good to last
And oh, by the way, that’s with New England’s starting three corners the past couple weeks checking in as an undrafted rookie from West Alabama, an undrafted second-year man from Auburn, and the new guy, Johnson Bademosi, who couldn’t crack the field on defense for the Browns or the Lions.
The Patriots red zone defense in the last 3 weeks is too good to last
I AM WARHOL
Veteran
shyt
Barack Dracobama
Banned
wtf bruh
This shyt is actually crazy 
These injuries...:patsfrancis:
1. Replacing Dont’a Hightower
The good thing for the Patriots is the Chargers are 30th in the league in terms of rushing, so the loss of Hightower likely won’t be that big at least for Sunday. It will be a good opportunity for players like David Harris, Cassius Marsh and potentially Elandon Roberts to become more comfortable with their expanded roles. It will be worth monitoring how the communication is since Hightower was the leader of the unit in this regard.
2. Protect Tom Brady
The Chargers have two of the best pass rushers in the game in Melvin Ingram (8.5 sacks) and Joey Bosa (7.5 sacks). The Patriots players and coaches have noted both of them this week and know what a challenge they present. A lot of pressure will be on tackles Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon to help protect Brady, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Rob Gronkowski stay in and block more than usual — similar to the game against Houston earlier this year.
3. Continue to limit big plays
This was the biggest issue with the Patriots defense earlier in the season, but has improved dramatically of late. It will be interesting to see what the defense does with Johnson Bademosi if Stephon Gilmore is able to return. Bademosi played very well filling in for Gilmore the last two weeks. San Diego isn't known for stretching the field, but Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams have the ability to make big plays and should not be discounted.
Patriots vs. Chargers preview: 3 keys to the game, fun facts, prediction
The good thing for the Patriots is the Chargers are 30th in the league in terms of rushing, so the loss of Hightower likely won’t be that big at least for Sunday. It will be a good opportunity for players like David Harris, Cassius Marsh and potentially Elandon Roberts to become more comfortable with their expanded roles. It will be worth monitoring how the communication is since Hightower was the leader of the unit in this regard.
2. Protect Tom Brady
The Chargers have two of the best pass rushers in the game in Melvin Ingram (8.5 sacks) and Joey Bosa (7.5 sacks). The Patriots players and coaches have noted both of them this week and know what a challenge they present. A lot of pressure will be on tackles Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon to help protect Brady, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Rob Gronkowski stay in and block more than usual — similar to the game against Houston earlier this year.
3. Continue to limit big plays
This was the biggest issue with the Patriots defense earlier in the season, but has improved dramatically of late. It will be interesting to see what the defense does with Johnson Bademosi if Stephon Gilmore is able to return. Bademosi played very well filling in for Gilmore the last two weeks. San Diego isn't known for stretching the field, but Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams have the ability to make big plays and should not be discounted.
Patriots vs. Chargers preview: 3 keys to the game, fun facts, prediction
Patriots vs Chargers inactives: Gilmore OUT; Amendola, Cannon ACTIVE
Patriots' inactives:
DT Malcom Brown
OT Cole Croston
OT Cameron Fleming
CB Stephon Gilmore
DE Geneo Grissom
LB Dont'a Hightower
CB Eric Rowe
Patriots' inactives:
DT Malcom Brown
OT Cole Croston
OT Cameron Fleming
CB Stephon Gilmore
DE Geneo Grissom
LB Dont'a Hightower
CB Eric Rowe
Last edited:
madness
Taking my talents to South Beach
Who’s gonna have a better game today, Cooks or Hogan? Cooks gotta face Casey Hayward
I think Cooks will get some early looks from Brady but Hogan becomes the top receiver as the game goes on given his chemistry with Brady.