{"id":26655,"date":"2019-12-22T05:00:28","date_gmt":"2019-12-22T10:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=26655"},"modified":"2019-12-21T22:41:49","modified_gmt":"2019-12-22T03:41:49","slug":"new-england-patriots-news-12-22-afc-east-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2019\/12\/22\/new-england-patriots-news-12-22-afc-east-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots News 12-22, AFC East Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, here is your <\/span>Sunday Patriots news 12-22 and AFC East notes<\/b> this week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the Patriots playing in the rare Saturday game this week, it kind of throws everything off as we\u2019re used to having Sundays as our normal game day. But Saturday this week it was\u2026and it turned into a playoff game atmosphere with the Patriots beating the Buffalo Bills and winning their 11th straight AFC East Championship.<\/span><\/p>\n

The players all got hats and t-shirts which read, \u201cThe East is Not Enough\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We would like to wish all of our readers an early Merry Christmas and hope your holiday, however you choose to observe it, is a happy and healthy one.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Quick Hitters For the Pats and the NFL:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Julian Edelman –<\/b> The Patriots often outspoken wide receiver was asked about the latest controversy surrounding the team, the filming of the Bengals sideline and he didn\u2019t disappoint. He told Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, “Yeah, that’s pretty much a joke,” Edelman said. “We haven’t even thought about it, honestly. We’ve been thinking about other things. It’s funny, but it is what it is. I don’t know, it’s ridiculous. My focus is on the Buffalo Bills.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Jumbo Elliott – <\/b>The former Giants player gets one of the Tweet of the Week mentions. Seeing Rex Ryan, pooh-poohing the latest Patriots faux scandal, Elliott tweeted out, \u201cHad to laugh. Saw Rex Ryan commenting on Patriots filming Bengals sideline. So when his dad was Eagles coach I recall certain sons filming Giants practice from hotel off route 3 in N.J.\u00a0 LMAO!!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In a follow-up Tweet he posted, \u201cI think it was 89 or 90.\u00a0 Believe coach had state troopers go to the hotel and roust them.\u00a0 We were running stuff we’d never call in a game. LOL\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe Mixon – <\/b>The Bengals star running back was effusive in his respect for Tom Brady after the game last week and mentioned that he was going to ask #12 for a jersey but was too embarrassed. Brady heard about the comments and sent Mixon a jersey and a note that touched Mixon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He took to Instagram and posted that he\u2019d be paying it forward. \u201cMan I say this in the most humbled way I\u2019m so Blessed to be playing this game in the @nfl and Super Thankful for the G.O.AT. @tombrady Best Christmas gift ever especially growing up not ever having nothing. Made a young kid from The Bay year. Later on Today I\u2019m headed down to the boys and girls club today to give the gift forward today with my own jerseys,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Netflix –<\/b> The video giant released a trailer about former Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez that will air as a three-part docuseries (The Killer Inside) on the NFL player turned murderer. In a phone call that was recorded while in prison, Hernadez had the following conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy whole body\u2019s shaking right now,\u201d Hernandez said. <\/span>
\n<\/span>\u201cWhat happened?\u201d a woman on the other end of the call asks. <\/span>
\n<\/span>\u201cYou know my temper,\u201d Hernandez answers…<\/span><\/p>\n

4th & 2 Podcast<\/b> – If you\u2019ve haven\u2019t checked out our <\/span>PatsFans.com podcast, <\/span><\/a>\u201cPatriots 4th & 2\u201d in a bit, Please do check it out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pro Bowl –<\/b> I\u2019ve never been a fan of the game (watched only one) or the voting, which is a joke. But many of the players have large amounts of money tied up in it because of bonuses if they are selected so I totally understand some of their angst.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One member of the Patriots secondary gets a nod while another team, that didn\u2019t have close to the season that they had defensively gets three? LOL Yep, it is a joke, which is why I\u2019m glad that I don\u2019t partake in any way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep \u201cWrighting\u201d Off Brady at Your Own Peril:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Every year like clockwork, the talk is always that \u201cthis could be it for Brady and the Patriots\u201d and they begin throwing dirt on them long before the fat lady sings. This season has been a big struggle, offensive line issues, a revolving door of wide receivers, drops, injuries …you name it. Some of the talking heads can\u2019t help but rub their hands with glee at every perceived slipup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But all week, it was the Patriots and not the Bills who played this one up as a playoff matchup and Buffalo\u2019s very tough defense found out that playoff Brady is a different animal than the regular season one. You\u2019d think that after 20 years, people would catch on the same film we\u2019ve seen time and again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brady channeled his best game of the season into a come-from-behind win on Saturday night. The best in the game always shine the brightest under the glare of the biggest lights in the biggest games. This was a big game and Brady looked laser-focused.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t look anything like the guy who has struggled this season and the offense, against the #3 defense in the NFL was able to generate over 400 yards of offense. Someone wrote this week that he (Brady) looked like he doesn\u2019t enjoy football anymore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then we watched him throw a lead block on N\u2019Keal Harry\u2019s 18-yard run. Run a QB sneak for a 1st down and hook up with Edelman for a 30-yard gain on his first snap from scrimmage after missing about a quarter, going through concussion protocol.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NFL Schedule Week 16, Who Are Your Winners:<\/b><\/h3>\n

How are you feeling about the games this week? We have a post on our PatsFans Forum where our readers can predict the slate of games for that week. I did it on our weekly Sunday column here and will post it up below. Here is the link if you\u2019d care to pick your own: <\/span>https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/new-england-patriots\/messageboard\/picks\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Last Week: 10-6<\/span>
\n<\/span>Season:141-82-1<\/span><\/p>\n

Saturday Football – <\/span>
\n<\/span>Houston<\/b> over Tampa<\/span>
\n<\/span>New England <\/b>over Buffalo<\/span>
\n<\/b>San Francisco<\/b> over LARams<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday<\/span>
\n<\/span>Pittsburgh <\/b>over NYJets<\/span>
\n<\/b>New Orleans <\/b>over Tennessee<\/span>
\n<\/b>Indianapolis <\/b>over Carolina<\/span>
\n<\/b>Miami <\/b>over Cincinnati<\/span>
\n<\/b>Baltimore <\/b>over Cleveland<\/span>
\n<\/b>Atlanta <\/b>over Jacksonville<\/span>
\n<\/b>NYGiants <\/b>over Washington<\/span>
\n<\/b>Denver <\/b>over Detroit<\/span>
\n<\/b>Oakland <\/b>over LA Chargers<\/span>
\n<\/b>Seattle <\/b>over Arizona<\/span>
\n<\/b>SNF Kansas City <\/b>over Chicago<\/span>
\n<\/b>MNF Minnesota <\/b>over Green Bay<\/span><\/p>\n

Bye week: No teams<\/span><\/p>\n

Eastbound and Down AFC East Notes:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Bills Are Closing But Not Quite There Yet:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Buffalo Bills had a legitimate shot at taking down the Patriots on Saturday although even with a win, the chances of them winning the division were rather remote as that would entail the Dolphins winning next week in Foxboro. But the Bills gave New England all they could handle and have narrowed the gap considerably.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But in the end, they came oh-so-close but not close enough as they fell to 3-32 against Tom Brady. One thing is for sure, as the #5 seed in the playoffs, they are going to be a tough out to whomever they play (KC or Houston).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sean McDermott maybe is just 0-6 against Belichick, Brady and the Patriots, but the difference between now and a few years ago seems like light years ago. The division is going to be interesting from here on.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dolphins Gesicki Having Good 2nd Year, Working With Fitz:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Miami Dolphins have been rebuilding in 2019 and cut loose many of the players they invested heavily in. But one of the players they kept and is paying dividends is TE Mike Geskicki. The 6\u20196, 250-pound tight end was used as more of an in-line blocking tight end in his rookie season by Adam Gase. But under Chad O\u2019Shea, he\u2019s lining up more as a \u201cmove\u201d tight end and his production has doubled.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He caught 22 passes in his rookie campaign and with two games to go against Cincinnati today and the Patriots next week, he has caught 41 for 454 yards and two scores. Not earth-shattering numbers but good enough for sixth in the AFC.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gesicki has loved playing with veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick this season.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s one of the best teammates I\u2019ve been around, so it\u2019s super easy to get along with him and play with him. It\u2019s been great,\u201d Gesicki said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe has great anticipation. He knows when things are going to happen before they happen. He obviously has a ton of experience, so to be able to play with him has been great for me and helped me get better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jets Bell Will Face the Steelers for the 1st Time Today:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The New York Jets are playing out the season and will today face the Pittsburgh Steelers who currently hold the #6 seed in the AFC playoff picture. But for Le\u2019Veon Bell, he\u2019ll be facing his former team for the first time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bell has had a down season, but that speaks more to what he has as an offensive line this season compared to what he had with the Steelers, rather than speaking to a loss of talent (Sony Michel bashers take note). Bell expects a ton of Steelers fans at MetLife Stadium today but isn\u2019t sure what kind of reception he\u2019ll get.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t know, honestly,\u201d Bell said. \u201cI think it will probably be 50\/50. I think there will be half that will be happy to see me and still love me and half that hate me and despise me. It is what it is. I\u2019m going to show love regardless. Everybody that\u2019s wearing my jersey I\u2019m going to go sign it and things like that. It\u2019s going to be fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople look at the stats and they just go off of the stats,\u201d Bell said. \u201cI think people who understand football and break down the film and really watch it, they know exactly what\u2019s going on and what type of player I am and how I\u2019ve been performing,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStats don\u2019t really show how well I\u2019ve been playing. Regardless of stats, I don\u2019t really care what people think. I\u2019ve been playing very good football and I\u2019m continuing to get better. I\u2019m smarter, learning a lot more as I continue to play. I\u2019m healthy and I feel good in Week 16. I\u2019m happy where I am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span><\/i>Absolutely, yeah. Absolutely. That\u2019s what we\u2019re here for. Yep. You work all year to put yourself in a position to play in a game like this where you can win the division. So, you couldn\u2019t say that in Week 4, or Week 6, or Week 8 \u2013 whatever it was. Well, we\u2019re saying that now, so now is the time for us to play and coach our best football. That\u2019s what we\u2019re all here for.\u201d <\/span><\/i>\u2013 <\/span><\/i>Bill Belichick on treating this week\u2019s game like a playoff matchup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, how was your week?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to our<\/span><\/i> Patriots 4th and 2<\/span><\/i><\/a> podcasts on blog talk radio as Russ Goldman, Derek Havens and myself from<\/span><\/i> PatsFans.com<\/span><\/i><\/a> discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Good morning, here is your Sunday Patriots news 12-22 and AFC East notes this week.\u00a0 With the Patriots playing in the rare Saturday game this week, it kind of throws everything off as we\u2019re used to having Sundays as our normal game day. 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