Former Patriots executive and coach Nick Caserio leads the Texans organization (Courtesy of the Houston Chronicle) The Houston Texans beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, 30-6 to advance to the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs. The Patriots will take on the Texans at 3 pm on Sunday. There are plenty of former Patriots staffer and players from the Belichick era currently employed by the Texans. The return to…
Chaisson has become important piece of the Patriots puzzle on & off the field
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…
Patriots add veteran pass rusher Darrell Taylor to practice squad
USATI FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Patriots are adding a veteran presence to their defensive front as they prepare for the postseason. The team announced on Wednesday that they have signed defensive end Darrell Taylor to the practice squad. In a corresponding move, the Patriots released running back Elijah Mitchell from the practice squad. The timing of the signing is particularly notable; Taylor joins New England just days after being released…
MHSFCA Announces All-Division Teams for 2025
The Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association announced their Divisional All-State Teams for 2025.
The players were selected after a rigorous process which included nominations from MHSFCA member coaches and statistical and film review. In addition, this year the MHSFCA added a specialist position to recognize kickers, punters and returners.
The days of ‘tomato can’ playoff opponents are over
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…
Offensive guys sing praises of Patriots defense after shutting down Chargers
Getty Images FOXBOROUGH – Football is the ultimate team sport and the Patriots win over the Chargers is proof of that. Most of the onus this season has been on Drake Maye and the offense, but on Sunday night, the defense took center stage in a dominant performance against the Chargers. The Patriots defense sacked Justin Herbert 6 times, forced three fumbles and recovered one and held the Chargers to…
Old school feel returns to Gillette Stadium in Wild Card win
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…
7 Points on the Patriots 16-3 win over the Chargers
Courtesy of the New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH– For the first time since 2018, the Patriots won a home playoff game and they did it by playing great defense and making timely plays on offense. It was an unconventional win by Patriot playoff standards but a great win nonetheless. The Patriots are built to win a championship. Now it is just a matter of building off of last night. With the…
Patriots 16, Chargers 3 – In 1st home playoff game since 2019, Pats find a way to survive & advance
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…
William “Pop” Watson returns home with commitment to UMass
William “Pop” Watson III is heading back to where his football journey began. After three seasons in Blacksburg with Virginia Tech, the dual-threat quarterback officially committed to the University of Massachusetts on Sunday night. The move marks a significant homecoming for the Springfield native, who starred at Springfield Central High School under his father, longtime coach Bill Watson, before heading south to the ACC.