Today in Patriots History

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History: January 1​

January 1, 1995:
Cleveland Browns 20, New England Patriots 13
Wild Card Playoff Game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium

Bill Parcells met Bill Belichick in the first round of the 1994 playoffs. The protege had crafted a superior defense and came out on top, thanks in part to three turnovers.

Both clubs were culminating a rebuilding process. The Browns had gone through four straight losing seasons in the aftermath of The Drive and The Fumble playoff losses to Denver. The Patriots had five gone through five consecutive losing seasons, relocation rumors and embarrassing off field distractions.

Vinny Testaverde had replaced fan favorite Bernie Kosar at quarterback for the Browns. Leroy Hoard and Eric Metcalf were Pro Bowlers in the backfield. The defense was ferocious, with four more Pro Bowl players. The Cleveland defense led the NFL with a mere 12.8 points allowed per game.

This was the second season for Parcells as head coach in New England. 22-year old Drew Bledsoe was named to the Pro Bowl after passing for 4,555 yards and 25 touchdowns. All Pro TE Ben Coates was clutch all season, catching 96 passes for 1,174 yards. Michael Timpson and Vincent Brisby both had over 900 yards receiving as well.

The 1994 Patriots had a deficient running game though. Marion Butts rushed for 703 yards and eight touchdowns, but averaged only 2.9 yards per carry. Parcells inexplicably decided to bench Butts and insert practice squad RB Corey Croom into the starting lineup for this game. Croom had the same problems Butts did: no running lanes and being hit in the backfield behind a mediocre offensive line.

The Patriot defense led the NFL with 40 takeaways, driving the team to a seven-game winning streak after a 3-6 start.

Early in the second quarter Willie McGinest sacked Testaverde for a 10-yard loss. That forced a punt which gave the pats the ball at the 40. 18-yard pass completions to Brisby and Coates put the ball in the red zone. Bledose completed a 13-yard TD pass to Leroy Thompson, and the Pats were up 7-3.

Pat O'Neill's ensuing kickoff was short and returned to midfield. Testaverde scrambled twice for 14 yards and eventually threw a 5-yard TD to give Cleveland a 10-7 lead. Matt Bahr kicked a short field goal with 34 seconds left, but on first down Testaverde completed a 36-yard pass to Michael Jackson. Mike Pitts blocked Cleveland's last second field goal attempt, and it was 10-10 at halftime.

The Browns took the opening drive deep into New England territory, but the Patriot defense held. Harold Barnett forced an Eric Metcalf fumble and Pitts recovered to prevent any scoring. However the Pats went 3-and-out, and Cleveland then scored on a six-minute drive to take a 17-10 lead.

Early in the game a Bledsoe pass for Coates was intercepted by Louis Riddick. After an exchange of punts, Bledsoe was picked off on the first play from scrimmage, this time by Pepper Johnson. In both instances the Patriot defense responded to the challenge, with the Browns missing a 49-yard field goal this time.

Two plays later though Bledose threw his third interception of the game. Cleveland ran the ball on all but one play, with Ernest Byner rushing for most of the yardage. Matt Stover kicked a 21-yard field goal and the Browns were up by two scores with only 3:36 to play, 20-10.

Bledsoe connected on three straight passes to give the Pats a first down at the Cleveland 43. The drive stalled at the 15 yard line, and Bahr's field goal made it 20-13.

The first onside kick attempt went out of bounds for a five-yard penalty. The Patriots were able to recover the second attempt though, as Patriot fans rejoiced. Bledsoe completed passes to Coates and Thompson, and the Pats had a first down at 48-yard line. Belichick's defense was up to the task though, forcing four straight incomplete passes to hang on for the victory.


The Browns lost the next game at Pittsburgh to end their season. Belichick and Parcells met again in week one the following season, with Parcells and the Patriots winning 17-14 in Foxboro. Cleveland won their next three games and at that time were considered to be one of, if not the best team in the NFL. Art Modell then announced the Browns were moving to Baltimore, and they won just two more games the rest of the year. Parcells' Patriots dropped to 6-10 in '95, but did make it the Super Bowl a year later.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

The Patriots had five gone through five consecutive losing seasons, relocation rumors and embarrassing off field distractions.

Which immediately followed moronically releasing Doug Flutie, who went on to win bunches of MVP's and titles in the CFL.

 

[jmt57]

Today In Patriots History: January 1​

January 1, 2006: The Doug Flutie Drop Kick
Miami Dolphins 28, New England Patriots 26 at Gillette Stadium

The Patriots dropped to 10-6 in a meaningless season finale. Tom Brady played for just three first quarter drives and Corey Dillon was a healthy scratch as the AFC East champs simply wanted to be healthy for their next game versus Jacksonville.

Rookie Matt Cassel got his most playing time since high school, going 11-20 for 168 yards and two touchdown passes. Fellow rookie Bam Childress made his first NFL catch, and the wide receiver also gave up a TD while playing corner.

The season highlight came with 6:10 left to play. Cassel had just thrown a 9-yard TD pass to Tim Dwight on a drive that began with Dwight's 29-yard kickoff return, and included a 30-yard pass to Ben Watson. The score cut the lead to 25-19, but Miami called a timeout when Doug Flutie came on the field for the extra point.

Flutie stepped back several yards behind the line of scrimmage and booted a drop kick through the uprights for an extra point. While a bewildered Miami defense watched in confusion, Flutie was mobbed by his teammates and congratulated by a smiling Bill Belichick. It was the last successful drop kick in NFL history, and the first since 1941.

Andre' Davis led the Pats with two receptions for 46 yards, and Ben Watson and Deion Branch joined Dwight with touchdown receptions. Adam Vinatieri's two field goals gave him an even 100 points on the season. It was the lowest point total of his ten seasons with the Patriots; he would sign with the Colts in the following off-season.

The victory was the sixth straight for Miami, who finished 9-7 under Nick Saban. That six-game winning streak is the longest the Dolphins have had since 1992 (matched again in 2016).





January 1, 2012:
New England Patriots 49, Buffalo Bills 21 at Gillette Stadium

The Patriots picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick four times as they scored 49 unanswered points to defeat the Bills. The victory clinched the number one seed in the AFC playoffs for New England.

The Patriots finished the season 13-3, winning their final eight games in a row. It was the third straight game that the Pats fell behind early before coming back to win.

Rob Gronkowski had eight receptions on ten targets for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Gronk set an NFL record for receiving yards by a tight end in a single season, with 1,327. He also had 18 touchdowns, second most in Patriot franchise history. The final yardage came on a 22-yard completion from Brian Hoyer with 1:30 left, a play that Belichick called to give him a shot at the record.

Buffalo scored on their first three possessions while the Pats went 3-and-out twice to take a 21-0 lead. The Patriot defense held the Bills scoreless the rest of the way, forcing four interceptions, three punts, a turnover on downs and a missed field goal. Buffalo was able to convert just one of seven third down opportunities, though they did go 2-3 on fourth down. The Pats responded by scoring on seven of their next eight drives before an end of game kneel down.

Sterling Moore had two interceptions, including a 21-yard pick-six. Devin McCourty had another pick, and Antwaun Molden had an interception and six tackles. On the other side of the ball Aaron Hernandez had seven catches for 138 yards, including a 39-yard TD that closed the deficit to 21-14. Stevan Ridley led Patriot running backs with 81 yards rushing.



January 1, 2017:
New England Patriots 35, Miami Dolphins 14 at Hard Rock Stadium

The Patriots jumped out to a 20-0 lead and trounced the Dolphins, to finish 14-2. Tom Brady threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, good for a 130.4 passer rating. That gave TB12 61,582 career passing yards, surpassing Dan Marino for fourth place on the NFL all-time list.

Brady finished the season with 28 touchdowns and two interceptions, the best TD:INT differential in NFL history. It was his 51st game with at least three touchdown passes and no picks, tying him with Peyton Manning for the most in that category.

The Patriots dominated early, jumping out to a 20-0 lead. At that point the Pats had 17 first downs to just one for Miami, and a 238-30 advantage in total yards.

Miami finished the season 10-6 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and just second time since 2001. The loss was just the second in eleven games for the Dolphins. It was the first time in four years that the Patriots won in Miami.

Michael Floyd scored his only touchdown with the Patriots in the first quarter, catching a pass and bulling his way into the end zone for a 14 yard score. That was preceded by a TD pass to Martellus Bennett, for a 14-0 lead. Stephen Gostkowski added two field goals before Miami finally scored with 28 seconds to play in the half.

The Dolphins closed to 20-14 in the third quarter. Brady found Julian Edelman (8 receptions for 151 yards) for a short completion, and JE11 took it 77 yards for a touchdown. After both teams punted twice, Miami drove deep into New England territory. Devin McCourty forced a fumble and Shea McClellin returned it 69 yards to flip momentum and field position. A few plays later LeGarrette Blount ran it in for the final score of 35-14.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History: January 2​

Happy Birthdays:​

Harlon Barnett: January 2, 1967
Patriot S, 1993-94
Uniform #42
Barnett signed with the Pats in '93 for Bill Parcells' first year as head coach in New England. He played in 30 games with 28 starts, as well as in the playoff loss to Bill Belichick's Browns in the 94-95 post-season. While with the Pats Barnett had four interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He is perhaps most well known for being the foil on a famous Barry Sanders highlight play while with the Pats.



Barnett played in 99 regular season games and two playoff games over seven NFL seasons with Cleveland, New England and Minnesota. Since then he has coached high school and college football, and is presently an assistant head coach at Michigan State.


Craig James: January 2, 1961
Patriot RB, 1984-88
Pats 7th round (187th overall) selection of the 1983 draft, from SMU.
Uniform #32
James had already signed with Washington of the USFL when his college coach, Ron Meyer drafted him. James joined Raymond Berry and the Patriots the following year after Washington released him due to financial difficulties. In '85 he made the Pro Bowl as part of the first Patriot team to play in the Super Bowl. That year he totaled 1,587 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He was never the same after that though due to multiple shoulder injuries, and retired after the 1988 season. In 52 games with the Pats he averaged 4.2 yards per carry, with 13 touchdowns and 3,288 yards from scrimmage.

Fred Marion: January 2, 1959
Patriot FS, 1982-1989
Pats 5th round (112th overall) selection in the 1982 draft, from Miami
Uniform #31
Fred Marion was one of the most productive late round draft picks in Patriot franchise history. After two years as a backup and special teamer, Marion was a standout starting safety for the next eight seasons. He was a defensive leader on the teams of that era, starting in 101 consecutive games. Marion's 29 career interceptions still ranks as third most in club history, and the 457 yards returned ranks fourth. In his first full year as a starter Don Shula named him to the Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with 189 return yards on seven picks.

Marion is a member of the Pats All-1980s Team, the 35th Anniversary Team, and the 50th Anniversary Team. In 2012 he was a finalist for the Patriots Hall of Fame, losing out to Troy Brown.

Marion was prepared to tackle life after football

Raymond Clayborn: January 2, 1955
Patriot CB, 1977-1989
Pats 1st round (16th overall) selection in the 1977 draft, from Texas
Uniform #26

Raymond Clayborn elected into Patriots Hall of Fame

Clayborn was a three-time Pro Bowl player (1983, 1985, 1986) during his 13-year Patriots career that extended from 1977 through 1989. He was drafted by the Patriots in the first round (16th overall) out of Texas in 1977 and quickly established himself as one of the game's best cornerbacks, as well as a superb kickoff returner. He set a franchise record with 36 career interceptions, a record which Ty Law tied in 2004 and remains today, 28 years after Clayborn finished his Patriots career. His 555 interception return yards rank second in franchise history to Law's 583 return yards. Clayborn also returned 57 kickoffs for 1,538 yards and three touchdowns. As a rookie in 1977, he returned 28 kickoffs for 869 yards and led the NFL with a 31.0-yard return average and returned three kicks for touchdowns, both of which remain franchise records. He is one of just 20 NFL players since the 1970 merger to finish a season with a better than 30.0-yard average on kickoff returns (min. 20 returns) and is the only Patriots player to accomplish the feat.

Clayborn played a vital role in bringing the Patriots to respectability in the late 1970s and early ‘80s. During his 13 seasons in New England, he helped lead the Patriots to 10 winning seasons, including four postseason berths. In a 31-14 AFC Championship victory that propelled the Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance, Clayborn's performance helped end an 18-game losing streak to the Miami Dolphins in the Orange Bowl. Clayborn was a member of the Patriots' 1970s and 1980s all-decade teams. He also set a franchise record by playing in 161 consecutive games.​

Bob Gladieux: January 2, 1947
Patriot RB/ST, 1969-1972
Pats 8th round (188th overall) selection in the 1969 draft, from Notre Dame
Uniform #24.
Nicknamed 'Harpo' because his hair (remember, this was 1969) reminded some of Harpo Marx. Didn't see much playing time at running back (491 yards from scrimmage over four seasons), but was a fan favorite for his all out style on special teams. Most well known for being in the stands at a game at Harvard Stadium, just after being cut at the end of training camp. While his buddy went to get beers his name was announced over the loudspeakers, to report to the dressing room. Billy Sullivan had a contract dispute with another player (imagine that!), and Gladieux was quickly signed to play. His friend came back and was in disbelief when he heard over the PA system that Gladieux made the tackle on the kickoff.

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Others born today with New England connections include:

Frank Chamberlain (1/2/1978-11/17/2013)
After playing at Boston College, the linebacker was drafted by Tennessee in the fifth round of the 2000 draft. Played in 57 NFL games from 2000-05. Succumbed to brain cancer in 2013 at the age of 35.

Lake Dawson (1/2/1972)
Born in Boston, played wide receiver for the Chiefs from 1994-1997. Now works for the Buffalo Bills as their Assistant Director of College Scouting.

Warren McGuirk (1/2/1906-/19/1981)
Born and raised in Boston, went to Dorchester High School, St. Anselm's and Boston College. Was a tackle for the 1929-1930 Providence Steamrollers. He was the Dean of the School of Physical Education and Director of Athletics at UMass-Amherst from 1948 to 1971; the stadium there is named in his honor.

Cy Wentworth (1/2/1904-1/19/1986)
Salem native went to Salem High School, then Thayer Academy and UNH. He was a tailback in the early days of pro football, from 1925-29 with the Providence Steamrollers and Boston Bulldogs. One of only two alumni from Thayer to play in the NFL. His 48 career NFL points scored was far less than at UNH (166 points). Wentworth still holds UNH's single game record for points scored with 37, in 1923.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History: January 3​

Happy Birthdays!

Charles Johnson: January 3, 1972
Patriot WR, 2001
Uniform #81
Johnson was a first round pick by the Steelers in 1994. He started for five seasons in Pittsburgh and two in Philadelphia before signing with the Patriots. Johnson played 14 games with two starts for the Pats in '01. He had 14 receptions for 111 yards, and two receptions in the AFCCG against the Steelers that post-season. Johnson was the eighth player to catch an NFL touchdown pass from Tom Brady. It came in the second quarter of a November 25 game against the Saints that put the Pats up 20-0; it was Brady's 15th TD pass of the season. Over nine NFL seasons Johnson caught 354 passes for 4,606 yards and 24 touchdowns.


Darryl Usher: January 3, 1965 - February 24, 1990
Patriot WR/KR, 1988 off-season
Pats 7th round (181st overall) selection of the 1988 draft, from Illinois.
Usher did not make the team out of training camp. He signed with the Browns, then played with the Chargers and Phoenix Cardinals in 1989. Following that season Usher began dating a girl in Phoenix. Chiquita Burt was at Usher's apartment and called 911 due to concerns about her former boyfriend, Craig Gardner, who had threatened to kill her. Gardner found Usher's apartment and climbed in through a window. He shot and killed both Burt and Usher, and then turned the weapon on himself.



Other pro football players born today with New England connections:

Mackenzy Bernadeau: January 3, 1986
Born and raised in Waltham, he stayed local and went to Bentley College. The guard was drafted by the Panthers in the 7th round of the 2008 draft. Bernadeau played in 64 games over seven NFL seasons for Carolina and Dallas.

Dan Sileo: January 3, 1964
Sileo was born in Stamford and went to Stamford Catholic High School. The Bucs selected him in the 1987 supplemental draft, and he played 10 games for Tampa Bay that year. For the last twenty years he has worked as a highly opinionated sports talk radio host in various local markets, most recently in San Diego.

Gerry Zawadzkas: January 3, 1946 - September 3, 2008
Zawadzkas was born and raised in Torrington CT, and then went to Columbia Uinversity. He was a 16th round draft pick by the Lions in 1967, appearing in two games. While there he also had a bit part in the film Paper Lion. The tight end then put his Ivy League education to use, and got a master's degree in physics from City College of New York. Zawadzkas worked with lasers at the Exxon Research Center in New Jersey. He moved to Albuquerque in 1978 to work in nuclear and radiation research for Sandia National Laboratories before retiring in 2003.

Tom Whelan: January 3, 1894 - June 26, 1957
Whelan was born and raised in Lynn, and went to Lynn English High School and Worcester Academy. He played end, center and guard for the 1919-1920 Canton Bulldogs and 1921 Cleveland Tigers in the APFA (before it became known as the NFL). Whelan also played pro baseball, as a first baseman for the 1920 Boston Braves. Whelan returned to Lynn where he became a coach, athletic director and principal of Lynn English High School.

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Others born today include both Eli Manning and David Tyree (!), quarterbacks Jim Everett and DeShone Kizer.... and my brother: Happy Birthday Larry!

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January 3, 2000:
Bill Belichick was named head coach of the New York Jets, replacing Bill Parcells.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History​

January 4, 2000:

Remember When: Bill Belichick quit as 'HC of the NYJ' after one day

Marking the anniversary of Bill Belichick quitting the Jets after a single day | Boston.com


January 4, 1987 at Mile High Stadium
1986 AFC Division Round Playoff Game
Denver Broncos 22, New England Patriots 17

Stanley Morgan caught two touchdown passes from Tony Eason, but John Elway responded with a 48-yard TD pass to Vance Johnson on the final play of the third period. Denver's victory set up an AFC Championship game versus Cleveland better known as The Drive. In that game the Broncos went 98 yards in the final 37 seconds to tie the score, and then won in overtime.

Broncos Oust Pats | The Harvard Crimson
Late safety secured the Broncos' playoff win over Patriots in 1986 | Denver Post
Broncos Defeat Patriots | The New York Times




January 4, 1973: Lamont Warren was born in Indianapolis
Patriot RB for 16 games in 1999; uniform #27

January 4, 1973: Ray Mickens was born in Frankfurt, Germany
Patriot CB for four games in 2006; uniform #38

January 4, 1973: Todd Sauerbrun was born in Setaucket, NY
Patriot Punter for two games in 2006, filling in for Josh Miller
Patriots sign Sauerbrun - The Boston Globe

One other New England Birthday:
January 4, 1949: Vince Clements was born in Southington CT
Grew up in Southington and went to UConn
Was a RB with the Giants in 1972-73
Clear Field Ahead for Clements

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History: January 6​

January 6, 2002:
New England Patriots 38, Carolina Panthers 6 at Ericsson Stadium

The Patriots completed a worst-to-first turnaround with an easy blowout victory on a drizzly day in Charlotte. With the victory the Pats clinched the AFC East title for the first time since the 1997 season. A few hours later the Jets defeated the Raiders, elevating New England to the number two seed.

On Carolina's first drive Ty Law intercepted a pass intended for Steve Smith 46 yards for a touchdown to give the Pats a 10-0 lead. On the first play from scrimmage on the ensuing drive Otis Smith picked off a Chris Weinke pass and it looked like a rout early. However that drive stalled with a fumble on the one-yard line.

Footing was less than perfect on the field, and neither team was able to generate much offense on the next several possessions. After New England's first drive of the second half stalled, Ken Walter's punt pinned Carolina on their own one yard line.

The Panthers went three and out, then Todd Sauerbrun outkicked the coverage with a 61-yard punt to the Patriot 32. Troy Brown fielded the kick and raced up the middle of the field 68 yards for a touchdown, and the Patriots led 17-3. On their next drive Tom Brady hit Brown on completions of 9 and 17 yards, then Antowain Smith ran for a 32-yard score to make it 24-6.

Brown had six receptions to give him 101 catches on the season. At the time it was the most in franchise history, eclipsing Ben Coates' mark of 96 set in 1994. For Smith it was his 12th rushing touchdown of the season, and 13th TD overall. At the time it was the third most in club history, tying Steve Grogan (12 in '76) and bested only by Curtis Martin (14 in '95 and '96).

The fourth quarter was anti-climatic but plenty of fun for a less than half-filled stadium that was primarily Patriot fans. Backup Riddick Parker recovered a Weinke fumble deep in Carolina territory. Three plays later Jermaine Wiggins, who earlier had a 31-yard reception, caught a 5-yard touchdown pass.

Five minutes later 36 year old Otis Smith, the oldest starting NFL corner that season, picked off Weinke again and took it 76 yards to the house for the final score. For the day the Patriot defense forced six turnovers, held Carolina without a touchdown, and limited the Panthers to a combined 4-15 on third and fourth down.

Today's Birthdays​

Pierre Woods, January 6, 1982
Patriot LB, 2006-2010
Uniform #58 & #49
The Pats signed the 6'5 Woods as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan following the 2006 draft. He was primarily a special teams standout, appearing in 54 games, with eight starts.


Asante Samuel, January 6, 1981
Patriot CB, 2003-2007
Uniform #22
Pats 4th round (120th overall) selection in the 2003 draft, from Central Florida.
Samuel had ten interceptions for the Patriots in 2006, and was an All Pro corner in 2007. After five seasons in New England he played for Philadelphia for four years, and Atlanta for two. Samuel had 22 interceptions and three touchdowns for the Pats, but he is most well known for a play he didn't make. On the play right before the Eli to Tyree pass in Super Bowl 42, an off target Manning pass should have been a game ending pick. Instead it went through Samuel's hands, and the rest is bitter history.

Bo Scaife, January 6, 1981
Patriot TE, 2012 off season.
Scaife spent seven years with Tennessee, catching 251 passes and 12 touchdowns. After playing under the franchise tag in 2009 and 2010, he signed with the Bengals as a free agent. The 6th round pick of the 2005 draft suffered a preseason shoulder injury soon after, spent the year on injured reserve, and was released. The Patriots signed Scaife on June 7, 2012 but released him 11 days later, ending his NFL career.


Fred Sturt, January 6, 1951
Patriot G, 1976-1978
Uniform #63
Sturt played in 29 games over three seasons with the Patriots. His best years came after that, when he started with the Saints. Sturt played in 95 NFL games between 1974 and 1981. The Bowling Green grad was a backup and special teamer in two playoff games: with George Allen's 1974 Redskins, and with the 1976 Patriots. He was going to rejoin Chuck Fairbanks and block for Herschel Walker in the USFL, but blew out his knee in a practice. After retiring Sturt returned to his hometown of Toledo as a salesman for Yark Automotive Group.


Harold Jackson, January 6, 1946
Patriot WR, 1978-1981
Uniform #29
Jackson was 32 years old when Chuck Fairbanks traded for the receiver from the Los Angeles Rams. He had been named to five pro bowls, twice led the NFL in receiving yards, once in receptions, and once in touchdown receptions. In a 1973 game against Dallas he caught seven passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns.

Jackson teamed with Stanley Morgan and Russ Francis to form a potent receiving corps to perfectly complement the Patriots record setting rushing attack. In each of his first three seasons Jackson averaged over 20 yards per reception, catching 18 touchdown passes during that span. He never missed a game with the Patriots, and at the time his 3162 receiving yards with the Pats ranked fourth in team history. Jackson finished his NFL career with 579 receptions for 10,372 yards and 76 touchdowns, despite playing in an era that was not nearly as conducive to the passing game as today.

After retiring Jackson called Raymond Berry to congratulate him on getting the job as the Pats new head coach. One thing led to another, and Berry ended up making Jackson the team's wide receiver coach. He has remained in coaching since, most recently as head coach at Jackson State.

Roger LaLonde, January 6, 1942
Pats 8th round (61st overall) selection of the 1964 draft, from Muskingum University.
The defensive tackle from Ohio's Division 3 Fighting Muskies never played for the Patriots, signing instead with Detroit. LaLonde spent one season each with the Lions and Giants before playing two years in the CFL. In his final year of pro football LaLonde went out as a champion, part of the Grey Cup winning Hamilton Tiger-Cats.


Others pro football players with New England area connections:

Willie Clark, January 6, 1972
Clark was born in New Haven, but moved often as a child of parents in the military. He was a running back at Notre Dame, then converted to defensive back in the NFL. Clark spent five years in the NFL with the Chargers and Eagles; playing in 63 regular and post season games. He is now the Director of Student Services for the School District of Manatee County Florida, after previously serving as the Principal of Palmetto High School.


Howie Long, January 6, 1960
The Hall of Fame defensive end for the Raiders was born on this day in Somerville. Long grew up in Charlestown, and went to Milford High School. The longtime NFL television studio analyst was also in the middle of this epic 1978 fracas instigated by Patrick Sullivan.

Bill Anderson, January 6, 1921
Bob Masterson, January 6, 1915
Both played for the 1945 Boston Yanks.


Aside from Howie Long, there are several other notable current and former NFL players born today.
Jameis Winston (1994), Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB.
Derrick Morgan (1991), Tennesse Titans DE.
Ndamukong Suh (1987), Miami Dolphins DT.
James Farrior (1975); LB played 15 seasons with Jets and Steelers.
Keenan McCardell (1970); WR caught 63 touchdown passes.
Donnell Woolford (1966); CB had 36 interceptions, mostly with Chicago.
Charles Haley (1964); Hall of Fame OLB/DE won five Super Bowl rings with the 49ers and Cowboys.
Sean Landeta (1962); punter won two SB rings and appeared in 18 playoff games over 21 NFL seasons.
Sonny Randle (1936-2017); split end was named to four Pro Bowls with the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixties.

 

[italian pat patriot]

Bob Gladieux: January 2, 1947
Patriot RB/ST, 1969-1972
Most well known for being in the stands at a game at Harvard Stadium, just after being cut at the end of training camp. While his buddy went to get beers his name was announced over the loudspeakers, to report to the dressing room. Billy Sullivan had a contract dispute with another player (imagine that!), and Gladieux was quickly signed to play. His friend came back and was in disbelief when he heard over the PA system that Gladieux made the tackle on the kickoff.

i never forget this incredible episode of the past

 

[italian pat patriot]

The longtime NFL television studio analyst was also in the middle of this epic 1978 fracas instigated by Patrick Sullivan.

also this one is another episode impossible to forget

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Today in Patriots History: January 1​

January 1, 1995:
Cleveland Browns 20, New England Patriots 13
Wild Card Playoff Game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium

I had a great New Years Eve: mid-20s, out with friends, lots to drink...and the promise of waking up to turn on a Pats playoff game for the first time in years. Vinny Interceptaverde was sure to help deliver a playoff win, especially against a team on a 7-game winning streak. I was sure Bledsoe wouldn't throw another 4 picks like he did in their last loss before the winning streak began...against Cleveland, coincidentally. Turned out Vinny played well, Bledsoe would throw only three picks and that was that. Happy New Year!

Bledsoe threw 30 picks in 1994, including playoffs. Seven of them to Belichick's Browns.

Regards,
Chris

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History: January 10​

January 10, 1962:
Clarence Weathers was born in Greenville, South Carolina.
Patriot WR, 1983-1984
Uniform #82

Weathers came to visit his brother Robert, who was a running back with the Pats in 1983. Offensive Coordinator Lew Erber saw his athletic ability and signed him as a free agent, even though he hadn’t played any organized football since dropping out of Delaware State as a freshman. Weathers was with the Pats in 1983 and 1984, but was slowed down by foot and knee injuries. In two years with the Patriots he appeared in 25 games, with 27 catches for 494 yards and 5 touchdowns. He ended up playing nine years in the NFL, primarily with the Browns, mostly as a backup receiver and special teams player.



January 10, 2004:
New England Patriots 17, Tennessee Titans 14 at Gillette Stadium
Division Round of the 2003 Playoffs

The Pats advanced to the AFC Championship game for the third time in four years in a game that is most remembered for its frigid temperature. Adam Vinatieri’s 46-yard field goal with 4:11 remaining was the game winner on a Saturday night where temperatures hovered around zero with a wind chill of 14 below. Due to the conditions the Pats lifted their ban on bringing blankets and sleeping bags into the stadium, and free coffee and hot chocolate was made available in the parking lot. There were reports of beer freezing in the stadium before fans could finish drinking their beverage, though that may just be an urban legend.

It was New England’s 13th consecutive win, and they improved to 9-0 at home for the season. The win was Tom Brady’s 14th when tied or coming from behind in the 4th quarter in just 47 career starts, and his fifth of the 2003 season. Brady improved his record to 14-1 in games decided by seven or fewer points, and 35-12 for his career overall.

On the first drive Brady completed a pass across the middle to Kevin Faulk for a 19-yard gain, then burnt an early timeout when he was confused by Tennessee’s defensive coverage. The decision to call a timeout proved to be a good one; on the ensuing play Brady found Bethel Johnson open over the top for a 41-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead just four minutes into the game.

After Tennessee tied the score on a 5-yard run by Chris Brown the Pats drive appeared to stall. On a 3rd-and-13 Brady hit Johnson, who then cut back looking for a running lane; Brady threw a key block on the Titans safety and Johnson gained 14 yards on the play for a first down. Later in the drive Brady made a first down on a naked bootleg on a 3rd-and-3; two plays later Antowain Smithscored to give the Pats a 14-7 halftime lead. The score would have been closer if not for Richard Seymour’s block of a field goal late in the half.

Tennessee tied the score on an 11-yard pass from Steve McNair to Derrick Mason to make it 14-14 heading into the 4th quarter. Brady hit Troy Brown on a 4th-and-3 from the Tennessee 33 to get the ball close enough for Vinatieri’s clutch field goal, but there was plenty of time left. McNair drove the Titans to the New England 33 but two penalties left them out of field goal range. McNair threw a pass on 4th-and-12 to Drew Bennett who somehow was wide open at the 10-yard-line – but the ball bounced off his hands and fell incomplete.

The Pats defense harassed McNair all night. Willie McGinest had seven tackles and three sacks; Mike Vrabel had a sack; Rodney Harrison had an interception that led to a touchdown, five tackles, and several hits on McNair; and Tedy Bruschi had nine tackles.



January 10, 2010:
Baltimore Ravens 33, New England Patriots 10 at Gillette Stadium
2009 Wild Card Playoff Game

A week after losing Wes Welker to a knee injury, the Pats came out flat and were run over by the Ravens. Ray Rice rushed for an 83-yard touchdown on Baltimore’s first offensive play, and things went downhill from there. Tom Brady threw two touchdowns but also threw three picks and lost a fumble on one of three times he was sacked. About the best thing that can be said about this fiasco was that it was the final game of Adalius Thomas’ NFL career.



January 10, 1986:
Mike Rivera was born in Shawnee, Kansas.
Patriot LB, 2012
Uniform #52

The linebacker from the University of Kansas spent parts of 2011 and 2012 on the New England practice squad. He played in the first two games of 2012 for the Pats, was released, and signed with Miami. The Pats re-signed Rivera in October, and he ended up playing ten games that year with one start for the Patriots. Rivera also played in the two 2012-13 post-season games for New England. He was part of cuts at the end of the 2013 training camp, ending his pro football career.



January 10, 2015:
New England Patriots 35, Baltimore Ravens 31 at Gillette Stadium
2014 Division Round Playoffs

The Patriots twice came back from 14 point deficits to defeat the Ravens. This was the game that Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh cried foul over Patriot 'trick' formations, that was the impetus for the botched frame job a week later that became the witch hunt known as deflategate.

Baltimore limited the Pats to 14 yards rushing, but Tom Brady set franchise postseason records for completions (33) and yards passing (367). Despite the points allowed the Patriot defense did its part with four interceptions off Joe Flacco.

With the score 28-14 the Pats deployed an unusual formation, keeping only four offensive linemen on the field. TE Michael Hoomanawanui lined up in the traditional left tackle position. The Patriots put two players to the right side of the line of scrimmage, which meant the inside player (Shane Vereen) was ineligible to receive a pass - and Hoomanawanui, who was at the end of the line on the other side - was an eligible receiver.

Hooman caught passes for 16 and 14 yards, with the Baltimore defense in disarray. Harbaugh went ballistic - but did not call a timeout to gather his team on how to defend the formation. Rob Gronkowski caught a 5-yard TD, and the Pats had cut the Baltimore lead to 28-21.

The Ravens seemed unfocused and went three-and-out on the next series. Brady connected on short passes to Julian Edelman for 9 yards, and Vereen for 10. On the third play of the drive Brady passed to Edelman behind the line of scrimmage. The former college quarterback hit Danny Amendola for a 51 yard touchdown, and the score was tied.

Harbaugh was fit to be tied as well.

A Justin Tucker field goal put the Ravens back up by three with just over ten minutes to play. Brady completed eight out of nine passes on the following drive, as well as gaining a first down on a quarterback sneak. The winning points came on a 23 yard touchdown to Brandon LaFell. Duron Harmon's interception with 1:46 to play sealed the victory.

♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯​

January 10, 1943:
Jim Croce (Bad, Bad Leroy Brown; Time In A Bottle) was born in Philadelphia.

January 10, 1945:
Rod Stewart was born in London.

January 10, 1946:
Aynsley Dunbar, drummer for Journey and Whitesnake, was born in Liverpool.

January 10, 1948:
Donald ***en of Steely Dan was born in Passaic, New Jersey.

January 10, 1953:
Pat Benatar was born in Brooklyn.

January 10, 1956:
Elvis Presley made his first recordings for RCA Records, including Heartbreak Hotel.

January 10, 1964:
Brad Roberts of the Crash Test Dummies was born in Winnipeg.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

The Patriots

Happy Birthday, Neil Graff (Born January 12, 1950 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

Happy Birthday, Jarvis Pernell Green (born January 12, 1979)

January 12, 1986

Hard to think of a more glorious day in Patriots' History in the 20th century.

At the pregame rally before the team headed to Logan, Julius Adams stated, "I've just got one thing to say. We're going down here, we're gonna rip their faces off! Yeah!!"

And that's exactly what we did.

It is the last playoff game we won looking like the Patriots.

History of the Patriots Uniform

Our original, traditional AFL uniforms of the sixties, as the Boston Patriots

These were reprised in 1984, and worn very occasionally this century.

Our modern era uniforms in the National Football League as the New England Patriots, when we established ourselves as championship contenders for real, and for good.

Our throw-up, pathetic ugly fake uniforms, the unholy abomination perpetrated entirely by NFL people who have nothing but contempt, disdain and hatred for our team and our franchise.

Happy that Kraft bought the team, kept it here and hired BB, but his statement that he cares about "good name and reputation" is ludicrous.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯ ♪ ♫ ♮ ♯​

January 10, 1943:
Jim Croce (Bad, Bad Leroy Brown; Time In A Bottle) was born in Philadelphia.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Willie Germany, 69 (May 9, 1948)
Patriot S, 1976
Uniform #29
Germany appeared in ten games as a backup and special teamer. He had started the previous season for Houston and scored the only touchdown in the season opener at Foxboro, on a fumble return in a torrential downpour to defeat the Pats 7-0. Germany teamed with **** Conn to defend a desperation pass by Ken Stabler that momentarily appeared to clinch a victory over Oakland in the '76 playoff game - and then Ben Dreith threw his flag on Ray Hamilton for a bogus roughing the passer penalty...

"Well, it was a real "home job" out in Oakland today..."

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Today in Patriots History: January 26


January 26, 1986:

Super Bowl XX was played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, which would become a familiar venue for the Patriots; this was the first of 10 Super Bowl appearances for New England.

To date, it is the fourth, and most recent, Super Bowl where both teams were making their Super Bowl debuts. Presently, this would only occur again if the Detroit Lions faced either the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, or the Houston Texans.

The two weeks leading up to this game were filled with apprehension for me, to go along with the requisite anticipation. As the teams lined up for the opening kickoff, objectively I was in agreement with Pete Axthelm, as well as all of the pretend monks in the previous night's Saturday Night Live opening skit, that the Pats had zero chance with Tony Eason starting. It's one thing for a team to rise up and kick opponents around and protect a young, less than spectacular QB; quite another to win the biggest game of every year without the right man calling the signals. To our eternal consternation and frustration, that very man was in fact recovered, active, healthy and available for this game. Standing on the sidelines helmetless was none other than Steve Grogan, who called his own plays and was the single main reason New England was in contention in the 1985 season.

The 1985 Bears were an historically dominant football team. However, the 80's alone featured several unbelievable upsets in championship games in the pros, college and the Olympics. Each of those shocking underdog victors, unlike the Patriots, were focused, together and maximized their resources and abilities.

Raymond Berry was an innovative, excellent head football coach, with one, single, glaring Achilles' heel, a young man by the name of Tony Eason. Both 1986 and 1988 were outstanding Patriots seasons that saw them in contention for the world championship again, and each time they went down in flames with Eason starting over first Grogan, and later Doug Flutie.

It wasn't until 2001 that the team had a head coach who made the right decision about his starting QB...and in nine days, they have a chance to win the biggest game of the year for a record-tying sixth time.

I'm not worried or apprehensive about this game.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History: January 26​

January 26, 2000:
Bill Belichick drops lawsuit against Jets and NFL

Bill Belichick dropped the antitrust lawsuit he had filed against the National Football League and the Jets yesterday, one day after the judge in the case refused to grant a temporary restraining order that would have allowed Belichick to negotiate with other teams for a new job.

Belichick filed the lawsuit on Monday, hoping that the judge would grant him the freedom that N.F.L. Commissioner Paul Tagliabue did not when he ruled last Friday that the Jets still own Belichick's rights.

''The main purpose of the case from Bill's perspective was to seek emergency relief so he had the opportunity to coach now,'' Jeffrey Kessler, Belichick's lawyer, said. ''Since it became apparent the court wasn't going to give us that relief, we had to decide what other options we could pursue. That option didn't work out.''

. . . . .

'''His goal is not to not be a coach and get damages,'' Kessler said. ''He wants to be a coach. If necessary, if all else fails, then he will pursue his claim for damages. Right now, what he wants to do is be permitted to work again. He wants it very clear that what he is seeking was to become free. He's trying to avoid the damage. If it turns out he can't, we'll consider other alternatives.''


The Jets had no comment on yesterday's development.

Belichick's immediate future remains murky. A team that wants his services may have them, but it will have to pay compensation to the Jets. The New England Patriots, who asked for permission to speak to Belichick on Jan. 3, have had talks with the Jets to try to reach a deal, but so far those talks have produced no resolution.

Meanwhile, the Patriots have also had talks with candidates who would fill the general manager and head-coaching posts separately, the two jobs that Belichick would presumably fill by himself if he had the freedom to make a deal with New England. Yesterday, the Patriots met with Dom Capers, the defensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Patriots are one of just two N.F.L. teams that now need a head coach.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Pats Hire Bill Belichick​

January 27, 2000:
Patriots name Bill Belichick their 14th head coach in franchise history.

New England traded three draft picks, including a 2000 first-rounder, for two Jets draft picks and the right to hire Belichick as its head coach.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

the Patriots

Patriots removing Flying Elvis logo from helmets, jerseys in 2019


FOXBOROUGH (AP) -- The New England Patriots announced Monday they are dropping the Flying Elvis logo from their uniforms next year, bowing to decades of complaints that the sullen, deceased corpse caricature used since 1993 is disgusting, offensive and insulting to both the Patriots and revolutionary war veterans.

The move came after protracted discussions between team owner Robert Kraft and Massachusetts Historical Society President Catherine Allgor.

The dreary, aesthetically abhorrent logo will come off the team's jersey sleeves and helmets starting with the 2019 season.

"The Massachusetts Historical Society is committed to building a culture of diversity and inclusion, as well as historical accuracy, throughout the state," Allgor said in a statement. She said the logo "is no longer appropriate for on-field use."

The decision is unlikely to quell complaints from Patriots fan organizations and others who see the symbol as offensive.

The Patriots will continue to wear the Flying Elvis logo in 2018, and even after it is taken off the uniform, the club will still sell merchandise featuring the logo in the Boston area.

"I'm elated," Ian, administrator of Patsfans.com, said of the decision to stop using the Flying Elvis on the uniforms. "But at the same time, I think it should be this year. I don't understand why they're drawing this out. It doesn't make any sense to me, unless they want to continue to make what's basically blood money."

He added: "Just make the leap already."

Ian and others have demanded that the team go further and drop "Flying Elvis" from its Gillette Stadium entrance and team planes: "If they don't get rid of the thing, then you're still going to have fans going down there wearing blue and painting it on their faces."

National criticism and scrutiny over Flying Elvis grew in 2018, when the Patriots made the Super Bowl again and Allgor expressed her desire to have the team drop the symbol. After the game, a lawsuit was filed to have the logo and banned from American television. A judge dismissed the case.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's successful witch hunts in 2007 and 2015, in which he was, among other things, able to steal two first-round draft picks from the Patriots, putting them at a competitive disadvantage on the field, further heightened the debate.

"While we recognize many of our fans have a longstanding attachment to Flying Elvis, I'm ultimately in agreement with President Allgor's desire to remove the logo from our uniforms in 2019," Kraft said in announcing the decision.

The team will continue to sell Flying Elvis gear because if it stops doing so, it will lose ownership of the trademark and others will be able to use the symbol as they please.

Reaction to the announcement was swift on social media as fans took sides on a touchy topic that has become part of the Boston sports landscape for generations.

Every year, Some Patriots fans have expressed hopes of getting the Patriots not only to abolish Flying Elvis but to restore the team's original logo, Pat Patriot, the team's symbol since its inception in 1960, and which adorned their helmets for 32 years, before James Busch Orthwein, an owner whose sole intention the entire time he was in New England was to move the franchise to his hometown of St. Louis and rename it the Stallions, ordered a hasty, ill-advised makeover under the guise and false pretense propagated by the league and local and national media that the rebuilding Patriots were a national humiliation and a disgrace to the league.

Many fans are dedicated to preserving Flying Elvis and see the logo as a symbol of the Patriots' resurgence in the mid-1990s, despite the fact that the team accomplished exactly nothing as impressive as their predecessors in the three previous decades.

The presence of the Flying Elvis logo is likely to remain strong in the stands on caps, T-shirts and signs, and other Flying Elvis references in the stadium are likely to persist, including all the Super Bowl victory banners from this century. Many fans embrace and accept the Flying Elvis, despite its total resemblance to the intended replacement that was booed out of Schaefer Stadium in 1979; conjuring images of African-Americans who are somehow not offended by statues honoring and celebrating the confederacy.

The NFL's Washington Redskins have come under similar fire to change their Indian-head logo and name but so far have resisted. Last year, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in another case made it clear that the Redskins name cannot be stripped of trademark protection just because some find it offensive.

The New York Jets and Giants are among the NFL teams that have restored their classic, traditional logos and uniforms worn in the early 1960's at the dawn of modern professional football.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

December 15 Pats Birthdays

Nick Buoniconti - Wikipedia

Rodney Harrison - Wikipedia

Anybody who thinks all the anti-Pats propaganda has no tangible effect can explain why Rodney's not in the PFHOF.

 

[jmt57]

Congrats @Actual Pats Fan - for the moment I am back in this ancient but honorable thread.

Click on links in bold to get more info on person or game.

December 16:​

Happy 60th Birthday to Jim Luscinski,
Not a Patriot, but a New England native who was born Dec 16 1958 in Arlington MA.
After going to Norwich University in VT, he played for a while with the Jets.
A serious neck injury ended his pro football career.
After that Jim has had a successful post-football career as a mortgage broker, with a side interest as an author.

Hanover resident Jim Luscinski pens murder mystery novel


Happy 55th Birthday to Arnold Franklin, born Dec 16, 1963 in Ohio.
Franklin was a Pats Tight End for the three replacement games in the 1987 season. He was the all-time leading receiver for tight ends at Carolina with 78 catches.


Happy 52nd Birthday to Roger Brown, born Dec 16, 1966.
Number 47 on your scorecard played in all 16 games for the 2-14 1992 **** MacPherson Patriots, with two starts and one fumble recovery as a defensive back.



December 16, 1962: Raiders 20, Patriots 0
Entering the final weekend of the 1962 AFL season, the 9-3-1 Pats had a glimmer of championship hope, in second place in the East behind the 10-3-0 Oilers. Houston was on the road to face the Titans (Jets), while Boston was at Oakland against the 0-13 Raiders. The Jets would do the Patriots no favor, losing 44-10 and making the Pats-Raiders game meaningless. Oakland obtained their only win of the season, shutting the Pats out 20-0. Gino Cappelletti had five receptions for 53 yards, but was 0-4 on field goal attempts. On top of that the Pats turned the ball over five times, with QB Tom Yewcic going 13-35 for just 108 yards and two picks.


December 16, 1973: Colts 18, Patriots 13
Both teams were already eliminated, with the Pats finishing 5-9 and in third place - one game ahead of the 4-10 Colts and Jets. 12-2 Miami won the East and would go on in the post season to defeat Cincinnati 34-16, Oakland 27-10, and Minnesota 24-7 to win the Super Bowl. Jim Plunkett threw touchdown passes to Randy Vataha and Mack Herron to give the Patriots a 13-9 lead entering the 4th quarter, but Marty Domres led the Colts to a come from behind win.


December 16, 1979: Patriots 27, Vikings 23
Mosi Tatupu made a special teams tackle on a fake punt short of a first down in the 4th quarter, and the Pats immediately responded with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Steve Grogan to Harold Jackson. Statistically the Vikings dominated: 453 total yards to 291 for the Pats, and 30 first downs to 14 for New England. The victory gave Ron Meyer a final season record of 9-7 but the Patriots missed the playoffs, behind 10-6 Miami in the AFC East and 10-6 Denver for the wild card. For Bud Grant, his Vikings finished 7-9; it was Grant's first losing season since his first year as an NFL head coach in 1967.



December 16, 1984: Patriots 16, Colts 10
The Patriot offensive line had their way with Indy, running 73 plays from scrimmage (to 52 for the Colts) and controlling the ball for 38 minutes and 49 seconds (to 21:11 for Indy). Craig James ran the ball 30 times for 138 yards for New England. If you want an idea of how much the NFL game has changed, consider the two quarterback stat lines. Tony Eason went 11-17 for 123 yards with one TD, no interceptions, and seven sacks for a loss of 63 yards; his longest pass play went for 21 yards. Art Schlicter was 15-28 with one TD and one INT, three sacks for -14 yards. The Patriots had more rushing attempts (49) than the two teams combined had pass attempts (45).

The Pats finished the season 9-7, sixth best in the AFC - but missed the playoffs as only five teams from each conference qualified for the post-season at that time. Raymond Berry took over as head coach in mid-season for Ron Meyer, and his Patriots would make it to the Super Bowl the following year. Ironically Meyer would become a late season HC for the Colts in '85 - finishing 3-0 after Rod Dowhower began the '85 season 0-13; Dowhower finished his NFL career as head coach 5-24.


December 16, 1985: Dolphins 30, Patriots 27
Read about the game here: DOLPHINS WIN ON 47-YARD KICK


December 16, 1995: Steelers 41, Patriots 27
Read about the game here: Steelers Throw Some Big Plays at the Patriots : AFC: O'Donnell's 62-yard touchdown pass to Mills is the deciding factor as Pittsburgh wins eighth in a row, 41-27.
Read about the game here: Steelers 41, Patriots 27


December 16, 2001: Patriots 12, Bills 9 (OT)
The game when David Patten was knocked unconscious - but still made the reception on his back.
Ruling on David Patten fumble helps Patriots beat Bills - The Boston Globe


December 16, 2002: Titans 24, Patriots 7
PRO FOOTBALL; Titans Make Themselves Heard at the Patriots' Expense
Patriots vs. Titans - Game Recap - December 16, 2002 - ESPN


December 16, 2007: Patriots 20, Jets 10
Patriots Down New York Jets 20-10
Jets vs. Patriots - Game Recap - December 16, 2007 - ESPN


December 16, 2012: Forty Niners 41, Patriots 34
Final: 49ers 41, Patriots 34 | Boston.com
Colin Kaepernick vs Tom Brady: this one goes to the 49ers


December 16, 2018: Steelers 17, Patriots 10
Five Takeaways From the Patriots Loss to the Steelers - PatsFans.com
Steelers Down Patriots 17-10, Knock Them Out of a Bye - PatsFans.com