Daily news and links for Thursday
TEAM TALK
- Patriots-Dolphins initial Injury Report.
- Transactions: Patriots signed OL Jerome Carvin and TE Jack Westover to the practice squad.
- Evan Lazar’s Week 5 Patriots Gameplan: The blueprint on the offense, what must improve on defense, and key matchups vs. the Dolphins.
- Alexandra Francisco has the story of David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Anfernee Jennings and Cole Strange visiting the Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.
- Press Conferences: Jerod Mayo – Jacoby Brissett – Deatrich Wise.
- Patriots spotlight: Special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer on Bryce Baringer, Christian Elliss and Joey Slye. (5.44 min. video)
- Patriots Playbook: 49ers recap, Dolphins preview, Injuries piling up. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Nick Wright lays out how the Patriots redeem themselves in Week 5 against the Dolphins. ‘If the Pats want to defeat the Dolphins this weekend, they should focus on their opponents’ run game. …If the Patriots stuff the line, they should be able to take advantage of the Dolphins quarterback woes’; More.
- Matt Geagan tells us everything to know about Patriots-Dolphins. Both the Patriots and the Dolphins have scored just four touchdowns on the season. 1. New England’s offense ranks last in the NFL in both total offense (averaging 238.2 yards per game) and passing yards per game (112.3); 2. The Dolphins have yet to hold a lead during the 2024 season. They won Week 1 against the Jaguars with a field goal in overtime. /Oof. Pats win 3-0.
- Justin Leger relays Brian Hoyer channeling Bill Belichick with his key to a Patriots victory in Week 5 vs. Dolphins. “You can’t win until you keep from losing.”
- Phil Perry looks at what Alex Van Pelt’s role is in the offensive struggles.
- Andrew Callahan explains how Jerod Mayo and the Patriots are risking a dangerous déjà vu.
- Alex Barth reports Tyler Huntley will get the start at quarterback for the Dolphins this Sunday.
- Mike Reiss highlights Jerod Mayo on how David Andrews will undergo shoulder surgery and likely miss the rest of the season; The team is considering starting RB Antonio Gibson over Rhamondre Stevenson vs. the Dolphins.
- Tom E. Curran warns the Pats will be even more ‘destabilized’ with the loss of David Andrews.
- Matt Geagan helps us get to know Nick Leverett, who is taking over for David Andrews in New England.
- Khari Thompson notes Nick Leverett embraced the challenge of blocking for Tom Brady. Now he’s filling in for David Andrews.
- Alex Barth finds that despite dealing with multiple injuries at the offensive tackle position, it doesn’t seem like the Patriots will be signing a veteran in the near future.
- Alex Barth notes WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Sione Takitaki, and S Marte Mapu have all been designated to return from IR/PUP.
- Lauren Campbell notes Dolphins star edge rusher Jaelan Phillips announced he suffered a season-ending knee injury Monday night and will require surgery.
- Mark Daniels hears from Rhamondre Stevenson on how his ball security issues might get him benched.
- Mark Daniels finds former 1,000-yard rusher Antonio Gibson ready to take the lead at RB.
- Khari Thompson highlights Hunter Henry explaining why he re-signed with rebuilding Patriots.
- Phil Perry’s Patriots Mailbag: Assessing Brissett’s play, the case for Maye and more.
- Chris Mason’s Patriots Mailbag: Should New England trade for Davante Adams? /No.
- Nick Wright addresses the debate over Julian Edelman’s Hall of Fame snub: While some argue that his regular season stats were lacking, Edelman’s playoff receiving stats were only outmatched by Jerry Rice.
- Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Kyle Crabbs (Locked On Dolphins) discuss Pats-Dolphins biggest storylines and key matchups. (28 min. video)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Jordan Dajani (CBS Sports) Answering NFL’s biggest questions ahead of Week 5: Steelers QB dilemma; this defense is flying under the radar.
- Nate Tice (Yahoo! Sports) Football 301 Playbook: 4 weeks into season, here are NFL’s top standouts (welcome back, running backs!) and slumps (c’mon, Browns).
- Jason Cole (the33rdteam) Ranking every team by yards per play differential at 2024 season’s quarter mark. New England worst. “This is the penance you pay for 20 years of greatness.”
- Marc Ross (NFL.com) Players looking to overcome slow start to 2024 NFL season. 1. Aaron Rodgers, 3. Drake Maye.
- NFL Nation (ESPN) 10 questions on quarterbacks: Early concerns, hot starts. When might we see Drake Maye get his first start?
- Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) NFL panic meter entering Week 5: Concern level for Cowboys, Jets, other contenders after first month of season.
- Gilberto Manzano (SI) NFL Fact or Fiction: The Raiders need to trade Davante Adams immediately; Plus, is it time for the Rams to sell?
- Matt Verderame (SI) NFL Rookie Watch: Jayden Daniels is in a league of his own.
- Staff (ESPN) 2025 NFL draft order projections: Dolphins, Patriots at top.
- Jeff Diamond (the33rdteam) 5 NFL head coaches on the hot seat at 2024 season’s quarter mark.
- Jordan Dajani (CBS Sports) NFL coach hot seat rankings entering Week 5: Doug Pederson tops list; all eyes on Nick Sirianni.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Week 5 NFL picks. Patriots win 21-16. This game features two bad teams, but the Dolphins are the surprise there. Without Tua Tagovailoa, they are anemic on offense. The defense isn’t good right now either. The Pats have struggled the past few games, but back home they will play better. They win it.
- MMQB Staff (SI) NFL Week 5 picks. Three of six pick Pats to win.