Patriots Pregame Thread Pre-Game thread - 2025 AFC Championship at Denver Broncos

Ross12 · Jan 22, 2026

Rob0729 said:
They don't have to make a roster move until they activate him. They have 21 days to do so. If he is playing on Sunday, he won't be activated until Saturday. Then they will cut someone.

Yeah, he will be exempt for a couple more days. I also think Jennings will be back too - same deal. So in all likelihood two guys will be cut.

SlowGettingUp · Jan 22, 2026

TommyD4207 said:
No corresponding roster move though, this is kinda weird.

He's practicing but not yet returned to the active roster. They have 21 day window to decide.

TommyD4207 · Jan 22, 2026

Mack Herron said:
Bradbury is new. Nothing keeps an OL from a playoff game though.

Bradbury could just be precautionary. He's been playing through something the last couple of months.

Mack Herron · Jan 22, 2026

Interesting roster deal visions coming on Saturday.

TommyD4207 said:
Bradbury could just be precautionary. He's been playing through something the last couple of months.

He wasn’t listed on the injury report yesterday. Regardless, interesting roster decisions come Saturday. Could be a little gamesmanship by the Pats with Hollins for example.

Vindicate · Jan 22, 2026

I've gone from not being high on the Vrabel/McDaniels hire to thinking we might just have the best braintrust in the NFL.

Payton is a good coach... But I don't know. I think we have a real big edge on gameplanning here. This is more of a gut read, but Payton has fallen short with much crazier rosters before.

NFL Mystique · Jan 22, 2026

TommyD4207 said:
This explains...so much about you now.

I listen to his show in a daily basis. He is more entertaining than anyone one Weei.

Hammer of Thor · Jan 22, 2026

Ross12 said:

But I’ve been told that the Patriots haven’t played anyone????

NFL Mystique · Jan 22, 2026

Vindicate said:
I've gone from not being high on the Vrabel/McDaniels hire to thinking we might just have the best braintrust in the NFL.

Payton is a good coach... But I don't know. I think we have a real big edge on gameplanning here. This is more of a gut read, but Payton has fallen short with much crazier rosters before.

2007-2008: missed postseason
2010 Saints-Beat by a team under .500
2011 Saints-Lost to Alex Smith
2012: suspended
2014-2016: No postseason with Brees
2018 Saints-This was the no call game. But he blew a 13 point lead to pre-Lions Goff
2019 Saints-Lost to Cousins
2020 Saints

He does have a SB win. But there is Bountygate and never getting back to the SB hanging over his head. Not alot of consistency throughout his coaching career. Feels like one or two good years, a lull, good years etc.

I see no way the Patriots lose Sunday with a TO free game. Nothing else Payton does would outweigh that.

SVN · Jan 22, 2026

TommyD4207 said:
I like the matchup for the Patriots a lot, their best players on the line are in the middle, and that's where there's a possibility to get pressure (those tackles are excellent in pass protection).

It will be interesting to see how Payton schemes it up to help, I don't think leaving one of those backs in is going to be enough.

If the offense doesnt lay an egg which they havent done all season(which in itself is worrisome in a law of averages way:, we should do okay. Nothing is more important than ball security. If maye puts the ball on the ground, he wont be so lucky to recover like he has in the last two games.

mgteich · Jan 22, 2026

TommyD4207 said:
No corresponding roster move though, this is kinda weird.

???
Why would there be a roster move unless he is going to be active?

Rob0729 · Jan 22, 2026

Ross12 said:
Yeah, he will be exempt for a couple more days. I also think Jennings will be back too - same deal. So in all likelihood two guys will be cut.

Don't forget about Farmer. I think he gets activated.

Rob0729 · Jan 22, 2026

TommyD4207 said:
Bradbury could just be precautionary. He's been playing through something the last couple of months.

Vrabel has been resting older players during practice. I mean Landry and Moses barely practice anymore. I don't think Landry has even been at a practice other than the Friday walk throughs all playoffs.

mgteich · Jan 22, 2026

Rob0729 said:
Don't forget about Farmer. I think he gets activated.

I expect that Farmer will be activated. We need the body for the rotation at high altitude.

I also expect Jennings to be activated.

NFL Mystique · Jan 22, 2026

Hammer of Thor said:
But I’ve been told that the Patriots haven’t played anyone????

Chargers: Well actually Herbert is a playoff choker. They have no OL. Of course they should win

Texans: Of course they won when the opposing QB was horrific. The defense was tired when the Patriots scored the TD's!! They can only do so much!!!

Denver (If they win): If it's a close win: They barely beat Stidham. Yikes!! They are doomed in the SB. If it's a blowout: They did what they were supposed to do.

Rams/Seahawks (If they win): Darnold choked or Stafford gagged. Blah blah.

I would love to see an old message board/ESPN clips of what people said Before and then after each postseason game in 2001.

Rob0729 · Jan 22, 2026

mgteich said:
I expect that Farmer will be activated. We need the body for the rotation at high altitude.

Farmer before he got injured was pretty good for a rotational guy. He would be needed even in Foxboro.

Mack Herron · Jan 22, 2026

Rob0729 said:
Don't forget about Farmer. I think he gets activated.

Rotate the big guys in the thin air! Impressive depth on the DL will pay dividends in the second half.

mgteich · Jan 22, 2026

Rob0729 said:
Farmer before he got injured was pretty good for a rotational guy. He would be needed even in Foxboro.

Sounds good

He wasn't NEEDED in Foxboro for the last two weeks.

NFL Mystique · Jan 22, 2026

Triumph said:
Vrabel played there.

McJosh coached there.

They can give advice. If they put belt to arse, altitude won't be a problem. If it's close, late third and early fourth is when guys might be gassed. I've never been there. So I can't speak on what it's like.

I believe Denver went three whole seasons in the 90's without losing at home. Granted, those were SB caliber teams from top to bottom. These Broncos are different.

NovaScotiaPatsFan · Jan 22, 2026

They hate us, cuz they AIN'T us.

Twentytothree · Jan 22, 2026

Give Kraft A Hand said:
The Stidham hype train since Tuesday has been out of control. I’m about ready to give him the MVP and he hasn’t played in 2 years. Pats shouldn’t even bother showing up lol.

If the Pats win, nobody will remember any of the hype and we'll be back to the "easy schedule" narrative.

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