After a 10-1 start to 2019, the New England Patriots have a lot to be thankful for this season.
Check out some of the best social media postings from the Patriots on Turkey Day as they put a pause on football to spend time with their friends and families Thursday.
We often don’t get the chance to take a moment and admire our blessings. Let today be that day. Be happy, be thankful, and be thoughtful. HAPPY THANKSGIVING 🍁🦃
The Patriots jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter courtesy of the “boogeymen” defense, a squirrel, and the Cleveland Browns beating themselves.
That touchdown by Brady to Edelman is his 12th passing TD of the season, which sets a new record for most single-season passing touchdowns by a player 42 or older, passing Warren Moon, who had 11 in 1998.
In the second quarter, the Browns cut into the Patriots lead courtesy of a Baker Mayfield touchdown pass to Demetrius Harris.
From @ESPNStatsInfo: This is the first time under Bill Belichick that the Patriots have had 3 takeaways in the 1st quarter. They're also the first team with 3 first-quarter takeaways this season.
Huge Play by James White!!! Play goes for 59-yards, the longest pass play of the year, eclipsing Phillip Dorsett's 58yd touchdown reception back in Week 1 vs Pittsburgh.
The Patriots have now won 13 consecutive games, which is the third-longest streak in franchise history. Their average margin of victory in this span is 20.05 points.
Postgame handshakes are usually a chance to visit the opposition, but Sunday Tom Brady took a moment to congratulate Bill Belichick on 300 pic.twitter.com/oTecVFID25
In the second quarter a Stephen Gostkowski 25 yard Field Goal and a Phillip Dorsett 25 yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady gave the Patriots early separation from Pittsburgh. 17-0 New England.
Brady is now 6-0 against the Steelers at Gillette Stadium. Has 21 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Have outscored the Steelers 216-99 in those six games. #Steelers
Apologies for the late post… sometimes life can throw us a curve, or strand you on the road with a broken-down car…
The Patriots were back on the field in full pads in near-perfect weather conditions on Saturday morning. Prior to the practice session, Nick Caserio spoke to the assembled media and announced that Sony Michel would return to the field today. Caserio was pressed several times for more information on the open GM position for the Houston Texans but he held firm and reiterated that his focus was on making this team better.
“Look, I’m in a great position,” Caserio said. “I’ve got a great opportunity each day to come in here and serve this team and this organization, and I enjoy doing that, and that’s what I’m excited to do. I’m going to continue to do that to the best of my ability.”
Caserio did say that Michael Bennett was excused for a personal reason and that out of privacy concerns, they wouldn’t discuss it. Caserio also had a wry smile when discussing Tom Brady’s day off on Friday.
“Every day, we do what we think is best,” Caserio said. “Tom’s fine. I wouldn’t put too much stock in that.”
Finally, he spoke with glowing terms about Ty Law and Rodney Harrison, and he said that Saturday’s practice was going to be run-heavy with a focus on the running game.
Michel and David Andrews did return to the field, although neither got too involved in the play. But it was a positive outlook nonetheless.
Besides Troy Brown helping out with WRs, there were a host of former Patriot greats on hand today. Randy Moss had a moment with Tom Brady before the QB got up the stairs to the practice field. Later, Brady was uncorking some deep passes Moss’ way after the session was over. Rodney Harrison was on the field and on the hill with fans and media members. Rodney signed a ton of autographs for the fans and had a nice interaction with several. Rob Ninkovich, now with ESPN was there as well as Willie McGinest who shared some time with Bill Belichick after practice and with Brady as well.
Rodney Harrison autographing footballs for fans (SBalestrieri photo)
And then there was practice.
Our practice observations included:
N’Keal Harry caught a really nice touchdown pass from Brian Hoyer. He showed his athleticism by leaping over J.C. Jackson in the corner of the end zone.
Brady struggled in his return to action on Saturday, going 0-4 in 11-on-11 work and just 2-8 overall in the run-heavy session.
Danny Etling continued to practice as a wide receiver and filled in at QB in some running back drills for the depth guys. He stayed late after practice working on both WR and QB drills.
Nick Caserio was on the field and tossing fade routes and quick slants in goalline situations on a side session with Ben Watson and Matt LaCosse
Brandon Bolden and Damien Harris were both getting a lot of reps in the running game.
Braxton Berrios, Maurice Harris, and Gunner Olszewski continued to field punts and were joined by Pat Chung today (still wearing the red non-contact jersey).
James White took a pretty good pop on an inside run by Christian Sam. It was an audible hit that got everyone’s attention.
In other side sessions, Brady worked with Harry and Jakobi Meyers while Hoyer worked with James White and Damien Harris.
Maurice Harris continues to catch everything thrown his way. He’s off to a strong start thus far.
The big men had some one-on-one battles at the far end of the field. Derek Rivers beat Marcus Cannon, Mike Pennel bull-rushed Ted Karras in a good battle, James Ferentz beat both Adam Butler and Nick Thurman in good action.
Umfomba Kamalu appeared to beat Andrew Beck but afterward had to run a lap so he may have jumped offside.
Jarrett Stidham hit James Develin for an easy touchdown when someone in the secondary blew their coverage and left him all alone.
Stidham also hit Maurice Harris on a nice throw.
Stephon Gilmore and Jackson had pass breakups
Play of the Day:
Jackson had a beautiful pass breakup on a deep ball from Tom Brady to Phillip Dorsett. Dorsett had gotten behind him and had a step and a half lead. Brady arced a deep 40-yard pass perfectly in the bucket, but Jackson closed and tore the ball out as they tumbled to the ground.
Listen to ourPatriots 4th and 2 podcasts on blog talk radio as Russ Goldman, Derek Havens and myself fromPatsFans.com discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis.
Check out all of the best social media postings from current and former Patriots to their loved ones on Valentines Day, including a funny feature from Super Bowl week with James White.
For more on the anniversary, be sure to also check out a new story by PatsFans own Bob George highlighting some of most seminal moments in Patriots history.
17 years ago, then New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri made two memorable field goals against the Oakland Raiders during the 2001 Snow Bowl, or whats more popularly known as “The Tuck Rule game”.
With heavy snow coming down all night coupled with near whiteout conditions, Vinatieri drilled a game tying 45 yard field goal to force overtime, then the winner from 23 yards a short time later.
Fast forward to Saturday, a now 46 year old Vinatieri was back in another snow playoff game, but this time the results were a bit different.
Late in the second quarter, Vinatieri missed a 23-yard attempt prompting former Raider and Hall of Famer Charles Woodsoon to tweet a funny reaction to the miss.
As Veterans Day arrived on Sunday, current and former members of the New England Patriots made sure to thank the true Patriots of the United States through a variety of social media tributes to those who serve.
November is Salute To Service month across the NFL as all teams honor and support veterans of the United States Armed Forces, for more information check out nfl.com/salute.
In April 1994, Robert Kraft took part in his first NFL Draft as owner of the New England Patriots.
At the time, Kraft’s team was still rebuilding following a disastrous start to the 1990’s before he purchased the franchise.
The Patriots held the fourth overall pick in 1994 following a 5-11, 1993 season and used it on University of Southern California linebacker Willie McGinest.
On Friday Night, NFL Network will air its latest installment of the “A Football Life” documentary series that will profile McGinest’s life and journey to the NFL along with the sustained success he would help bring to New England and Kraft for the first time.
At long last the New England Patriots season opener arrived on Sunday against the upstart Houston Texans and young quarterback Deshaun Watson, who just a year earlier, gave the Pats a thriller at Gillette Stadium.
Creative signage in the end zone for today’s season-opener, as well as a tribute to Julian Edelman. Hey wait, is that me in overalls in that first sign? pic.twitter.com/BdhVxkxrTE
The connection with James White is Tom Brady's 490th career TD pass. Brady continues his race with Drew Brees to become the 3rd QB all time to reach 500. #Patriots#NFL
Phillip Dorsett catches his first career TD pass from Tom Brady, becoming the 69th different player to catch at least 1 TD from Brady. Brady one shy of Vinny Testaverde's NFL record (70).
With under two to play in the third, the Texans finally found the end zone when Alfred Blue ran it in from the one on Watson’s first successful drive of the afternoon. 24-13 Patriots after three.
In the fourth quarter, Doresett continued to impress, setting up another Gostkowski field goal to extend the lead to 27-13.
Nursing a two touchdown lead, return man Riley McCarron made things interesting following a muffed punt that lead to a Bruce Ellington five yard touchdown reception from Deshaun Watson. 27-20 Patriots.
So with the Texans down just seven, Ryan Allen and the special teams unit delivered as Houston was unable to tie the game and the Patriots would go on to win week 1 27-20.
Rob Gronkowski's 123 receiving yards against the Texans were the most by a Patriots player in a season opener since 2011, when Wes Welker went for 160 against Miami.
Bill Belichick won his 251st regular season game as a head coach to move past Tom Landry into third on the all-time regular season wins list. He was already third overall counting the postseason (Shula, Halas).
Tom Brady now has a 13-3 record on opening day and has tied Peyton Manning for the most opening-day wins by an NFL quarterback.
Tom Brady has passed Brett Favre (13 wins) for most regular-season wins for a starting quarterback at age 40 or older, an NFL record. pic.twitter.com/9O88Aulb2r
