By Alan Segel NEFJ Contributor FOXBOROUGH — A hero is often defined as a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities. If you ask people who their hero is, you will get different answers that range from family members to athletes to political figures. And yes, back decades and years people did have heroes in politics. Patriots’ linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson had a hero; his…

Image courtesy of Sports Illustrated  As the Houston Texans defense quickly pulled away from the Steelers on Monday night, one thing was clear. During the initial glory days of the dynasty and then on the back end, the playoff run was often referred to as a ‘March of the Tomato Cans’ when it came to caliber of opponents. The Pats would automatically host and win the Divisional Round game before…

FOXBOROUGH – There are hundreds, if not thousands and thousands of people that have far more playoff experience than I do from a fan perspective. The 2005 Wild Card win against Jacksonville, the 2011 and 2012 AFC Championships. That’s it. That’s all I’ve got. Sure, I went to dozens of games between the old Foxborough Stadium and Gillette Stadium, but playoff crowds are a different animal. I know what those…

Image courtesy of The Associated Press FOXBOROUGH – Now this is more like it. From the time the lots opened at 4:00, to the time the lights went out and pregame introductions started at about 7:50, Gillette Stadium was alive for playoff football again. It looked and sounded like the old days. In the end, the offense struggled, but the defense had its best performance of the season, holding the…

Image courtesy of Fox Sports By Alan Segel NEFJ Contributor FOXBOROUGH — When the Los Angeles Chargers (I still have problems saying or seeing that in print) came into Gillette Stadium 54 weeks ago to face the Patriots, circumstances were certainly different than what they are now. The Patriots were just a three-win team at the time and going through the motions of a second straight extremely disappointing season. The…

FOXBOROUGH – Mack Hollins has still been around plenty, but it’s hard to deny his missing presence on the field is clear. After all, he’s 6’4,” 220 lbs. and entertaining as hell. New England has continued winning without him, but now as the stakes get higher, the receiver room needs to step up in order to replace some of the leadership and physicality that Hollins brought between the white lines….

If you think back to the home game against Buffalo, penalties on special teams handed the Bills some incredibly fortunate field position. Field position that Josh Allen and the offense ended up taking advantage of when the defense couldn’t stop them. Now, as the Pats prepare to play their first playoff game at home in six years on Sunday night against the Chargers, any and every mistake will be magnified….