Earlier this week, the NFL Throwback Twitter account shared footage from one of Willie McGinest’s most memorable games as a Patriot.
During the 2005 Wild Card game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, McGinest set the NFL Playoffs single game record with 4.5 sacks and added to his NFL postseason record total of 16 sacks.
The 2005 Wild Card performance marked McGinest’s final win in a Patriot uniform.
The Patriots fell to the Denver Broncos the following week in the Divisional Round and McGinest signed a three-year deal with the Cleveland Browns in the offseason where his career would finish.
With the 2019 calendar year in the rear view mirror, the New England Patriots were on to 2020 over social media this week for New Years Day.
Check out some of the best social media postings shared by the team as they look ahead to the “new season” of playoff football that begins this Saturday night against the Tennessee Titans.
The Patriots may be in the middle of a playoff race as the regular season enters its final stretch, but for quarterback Tom Brady family still comes first.
On Instagram Thursday, Brady shared a special Happy Birthday posting for his daughter Vivian.
“Our sweet Girlie Girl turns 7. What a great year it has been. We love you Vivi.”
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.
