Patriots – Syndication Server

Causes for concern as the Bills take on the Patriots in Week 16

The Buffalo Bills will host the New England Patriots in Week 16 at Highmark Stadium.

The Bills (11-3) and Patriots (3-11) have trended in different directions this season. The Bills have won eight of their last nine games while the Patriots have lost five of their last six.

Even though Buffalo is favored to win the game, there are always a few things that make winning difficult each week. The Bills will need to be wary of them.

Here are three causes for concern for the Bills against the Patriots in Week 16:

Question marks in the secondary

What would make Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s day a bit easier on Sunday would be if the Bills are down members of their secondary. Safeties Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp, along with cornerback Rasul Douglas, all missed Week 15’s win over the Detroit Lions.

Although the Bills won last week, they allowed almost 494 passing yards from Lions QB Jared Goff to go along with five touchdowns.

Douglas, Hamlin, and Rapp all are listed as questionable heading into Week 16. Buffalo’s linebackers are banged up a bit, too. Matt Milano, Dorian Williams, and Baylon Spector all are carrying the same designation.

Containing QB Drake Maye

The Bills have yet to face the rookie quarterback out of the University of North Carolina. Maye has been a bright spot on an otherwise dim Patriots season. He has shown poise and instincts as a young signal caller and he can beat you with both his arm and legs.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott has had success going against rookie quarterbacks in his career with an 8-3 record. Maye is one of the more challenging ones. We’ll see how the Bills game plan for him.

Overlooking an opponent

The Bills are coming off a win over the Lions, whom many consider to be the best team in the NFL. Combine that with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this year and the Bills have proven they can beat anyone.

What’s difficult is bringing the same intensity for a Week 16 matchup with the Patriots as you did in a “Super Bowl preview” type of game. The Bills’ discipline and execution will be tested by a division rival looking to play spoiler.

[lawrence-related id=144510,144507,144504]

NFL announces date for Chargers vs. Patriots Week 17 game

The Chargers will have nine days to rest before their next game after they face the Broncos.

The Week 17 game between the Chargers and Patriots will be played next Saturday, Dec. 28, at 10:00 am PT, the NFL announced Tuesday.

The league announced a tripleheader featuring matchups between the Broncos and Bengals, along with the Cardinals and Rams.

The game will be televised on NFL Network. Chris Rose, Ross Tucker and Steve Wyche will be on the call from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.

The last time the Chargers and Patriots met was in 2023, and Los Angeles won, 6-0. New England leads the overall series, 27-16-2.

Terron Armstead, Alec Ingold both active vs. Patriots

The Dolphins will have their left tackle and fullback in the lineup Sunday against the Patriots.

The Miami Dolphins will have left tackle Terron Armstead and fullback Alec Ingold in the lineup Sunday against the New England Patriots.

Both players were listed as questionable for the contest. Armstead played against the Las Vegas Raiders after missing the week’s practices and missed all three practices again this week.

Ingold missed the Dolphins’ last two games due to a calf injury.

With kickoff 90 minutes away, here are the players ruled out by each team for Sunday:

Dolphins inactives

RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
CB Ethan Bonner
CB Kendall Fuller
LB Mohamed Kamara
OL Andrew Meyer
TE Jack Stoll
WR Dee Eskridge

Patriots inactives

DE Titus Leo
QB Joe Milton (3rd quarterback)
WR K.J. Osborn
G Tyrese Robinson
DT Jaquelin Roy
DE Deatrich Wise

The Dolphins elevated offensive lineman Jackson Carman from the practice squad for Week 12 with Armstead listed as questionable. Carman was also elevated in Weeks 10 and 11, but only saw the field on special teams.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Dolphins vs. Patriots broadcast map: Where will the game be on TV?

Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta will be on the call Sunday when the Dolphins take on the Patriots.

The Miami Dolphins are looking to extend their win streak to three Sunday when they host the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium.

The rematch between the AFC East rivals comes seven weeks after the Dolphins managed to escape Foxborough with a win by a literal inch. But plenty has changed since then. The Patriots handed the reins to rookie Drake Maye, who has been impressive in his first NFL starts. Miami has Tua Tagovailoa back in the lineup and the offense has churned back to life.

Coverage will be provided by CBS and in-market fans can stream the Dolphins’ Week 12 game on fuboTV. Spero Dedes will be on play-by-play coverage in the booth with Adam Archuleta providing analysis.

Fans in the yellow area on the map below will have the Dolphins vs. Patriots game on their local CBS station at 1 p.m. ET. Via 506sports.com:

Those who aren’t in an area highlighted yellow will need NFL Sunday Ticket, now offered by YouTube, to watch the Dolphins as an out-of-market game.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey full participants in Thursday practice

Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey were upgraded to full participation in practice Thursday.

The Miami Dolphins provided some positive updates in their Thursday injury report.

While three players — offensive tackle Terron Armstead, defensive lineman Calais Campbell, and cornerback Kendall Fuller — were still missing from the practice field, Jordan Poyer returned on a limited basis and two star players, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, were upgraded to full participation.

Thursday participation

DNP

OT Terron Armstead (knee)
DT Calais Campbell (rest)
CB Kendall Fuller (concussion)

Limited

FB Alec Ingold (calf)
DT Benito Jones (shoulder)
G Robert Jones (knee/groin)
S Jordan Poyer (rest)
G Isaiah Wynn (quad/knee)

Full

OLB Tyus Bowser (knee/calf)
C Aaron Brewer (shoulder/calf)
LB Jordyn Brooks (wrist)
TE Julian Hill (shoulder)
WR Tyreek Hill (wrist)
S Jevón Holland (hand/knee)
S Patrick McMorris (calf)
RB Raheem Mostert (hip)
CB Jalen Ramsey (knee)

Armstead was listed as questionable for the Dolphins’ Week 11 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, but played in the contest. On Wednesday, Miami coach Mike McDaniel said he was pessimistic about Kendall Fuller’s chances at playing Sunday against the New England Patriots.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Sony Michel reflects on pressures of playing with Tom Brady during his Patriots tenure

Sony Michel reflects on pressures of playing with Tom Brady during his Patriots tenure w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to former New England Patriots running back Sony Michel, who played with the team from 2018 to 2020, winning a Super Bowl during his rookie season.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Michel—who recently teamed up with Kingsford to host the ‘Kingsford College Football Tailgate Tour’ at the recent Georgia vs. Tennessee SEC matchup in Athens, Georgia—explained the partnership and reflected on playing with Tom Brady while starting his career in New England.

“I haven’t used many other products, but Kingsford makes it so much easier. There is no other product that I would want to try because this is so simple; if it’s not broken, you don’t fix it,” said Michel. “It’s one of the terminologies we use. Kingsford seems to be my style, and I love it in the smooth; you talk about preparation, and it’s super simple. You get the grill started. It’s an easy way to start it up on the I use kind of the chimney smoker to get it going.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCZbpBVpH0g/?igsh=MWs5cGl6MXphZTdtZA==

Michel had the unique opportunity of playing immediately as a rookie alongside arguably the most accomplished quarterback in league history. He reflected on his time with Brady and adjusted to his playing style throughout the pressures of his final run in New England.

“100%. It’s definitely pressure; you’re playing with one of the best quarterbacks ever to play this game; you want to be on point,” Michel explained. “You want to be perfect. You want to be able to affect the game, if not just as much as he did. He brought that form of leadership that raised your level of play. So it was a little uncomfortable at first until I embraced it, and I think that’s when I was able to really catch my stride and really enjoy it.”

For more information on Kingsford, log on to Kingsford.com and follow on Instagram & X

Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster shares his thoughts on recently signed wide receiver

Kansas City #Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster shares his thoughts on Tyquan Thornton | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs made changes to their practice squad with the addition of former New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. Former Patriots teammate and current Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster opened up about Thornton’s signing while speaking with reporters on Wednesday.

“He’s got a good opportunity to come here for Tyquan (Thornton). I think he’s a great dude. Played with him in New England.” said Smith-Schuster. “Young dude loves to work. Another guy who can stretch the field, too, and you’ll see him out there, doing his thing. So I’m just excited; he’s here to be in the building, excited to work and just get it going. ”

Thornton was a 2022 second-round pick out of Baylor, who clocked in at an impressive 4.28 time in the 40-yard dash at that year’s NFL combine. He never panned out with the Patriots, accumulating 13 starts in 28 games and 39 receptions for 385 yards and two touchdowns. He only had four catches for 47 yards through six games this season in New England.

Smith-Schuster spent last season with New England before being released during training camp this year. Since re-signing, he has remained a steady veteran presence on the Chiefs.

Terron Armstead, 3 other Dolphins sit out Wednesday practice

Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey were among the Dolphins players limited in practice Wednesday.

Four Miami Dolphins players sat out practice Wednesday, although only two were due to injury.

Veteran cornerback Kendall Fuller missed practice as he recovers from his second concussion of the season and coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Wednesday that he’s “pessimistic” about Fuller returning in Week 12.

Left tackle Terron Armstead sat out practice and is listed with a knee injury. The 33-year-old lineman was questionable for Week 11, but played through the injury.

The other two players who were missing Wednesday — defensive lineman Calais Campbell and safety Jordan Poyer — were given the day off for rest:

Wednesday participation

DNP

OT Terron Armstead (knee)
DT Calais Campbell (rest)
CB Kendall Fuller (concussion)
S Jordan Poyer (rest)

Limited

WR Tyreek Hill (wrist)
FB Alec Ingold (calf)
DT Benito Jones (shoulder)
G Robert Jones (knee/groin)
CB Jalen Ramsey (knee)
G Isaiah Wynn (quad/knee)

Full

OLB Tyus Bowser (knee/calf)
C Aaron Brewer (shoulder/calf)
LB Jordyn Brooks (wrist)
TE Julian Hill (shoulder)
S Jevón Holland (hand/knee)
S Patrick McMorris (calf)
RB Raheem Mostert (hip)

Wynn and McMorris are both on injured reserve and would each have to be moved to the active roster to be available to play Sunday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Sony Michel recalls his performance in the 2018 AFC Championship Game vs. Chiefs

Sony Michel recalls his performance in the 2018 AFC Championship game vs. the Chiefs w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to former New England Patriots running back Sony Michel, who played with the team from 2018 to 2020, winning a Super Bowl during his rookie season.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Michel—who recently teamed up with Kingsford to host the ‘Kingsford College Football Tailgate Tour‘ at the recent Georgia vs. Tennessee SEC matchup in Athens, Georgia—explained the partnership and reflected on one of the best games of his career at the Kansas City Chiefs’ expense.

“Oh man, this partnership was awesome. When it was brought up to me, I thought it was a great opportunity to get a chance to get a chance to get back on the grill,” said Michel. “I just recently moved after post-retirement, and I needed a grill, you know, for Saturday and Sunday’s football. So, you know, that was a cool opportunity. Then, I could return to Athens and partner with them to have one of the best tailgates. So I thought that was cool.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCZbpBVpH0g/?igsh=MWs5cGl6MXphZTdtZA==

Michel took some time to share his experience during the thrilling 2018 AFC Championship game vs. the Chiefs. He notably ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries in the 37–31 overtime road victory.

“The atmosphere was crazy. It was rocking,” Michel explained. “It was almost like a college atmosphere, and it was something I was completely used to playing in the SEC. The other big thing I remember, man, was that it was super cold.

It was like negative 12 degrees, the coldest game I’ve ever played. So, I had to bring a different level of mental toughness to that game, and knowing that I was going to carry the ball a good bit, I was going to stay warm for the most part. But even though I carried the ball so much, it was so cold that I still was freezing in that game.”

The Chiefs were infamously called offsides on the potential game-sealing moment defensively, allowing the Patriots to extend the drive.

“So I do remember that, and some of those big plays that happened in the game really impacted the game. It stands out to me,” said Michel. “One of them is that punt return from (Julian) Edelman. They were reviewing the play. It almost felt like 30 minutes of reviewing that play because that was one of the biggest points to the game that could have changed the outcome. That was an amazing game, an amazing memory.”

For more information on Kingsford, log on to Kingsford.com and follow on Instagram & X

Super Bowl champion Sony Michel discusses Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ evolution

Super Bowl champion Sony Michel discusses Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ evolution since first season w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Sony Michel, a Two-time Super Bowl champion and former New England Patriots running back.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Michel—who recently teamed up with Kingsford to host the ‘Kingsford College Football Tailgate Tour’ at the Georgia vs. Tennessee tailgate at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia— revealed his go-to grilling meals and his thoughts on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’s growth after facing off with him twice during his first MVP season in 2018.

“I won’t say I have a specialty or a go-to; it’s all about what I’m feeling at the moment,” said Michel of his grilling preferences. “Sometimes you can be so versatile, throwing some wings on a grill. I’m a big wing guy; last night, I just decided, man, let me throw some burgers and hot dogs on for the kids, and myself and that’s what I did. The cool thing about it is that it is super easy and super simple; it’s just that it makes cooking so easy.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCZbpBVpH0g/?igsh=MWs5cGl6MXphZTdtZA==

Michel faced off against Mahomes and the Chiefs twice during the quarterback’s MVP season in 2018, including the memorable AFC Championship overtime game at Arrowhead Stadium. He witnessed his evolution and its effect on the team becoming a dynasty today.

“I did (see the Chiefs’ growth), especially having a good quarterback,” Michel explained. “I’m a big believer that you gotta have a good quarterback to win football games. They have one of the best in the game, and he can continue to do great things. We’re seeing that today. So we all knew it. We were all prepared for it, like just seeing it back then. We knew how effective he was, so it’s no surprise where they are today.”

For more information on Kingsford, log on to Kingsford.com and follow on Instagram & X