Daily news and links for Friday.
TEAM TALK
- Patriots-Rams updated Injury Report.
- Mike Dussault’s Patriots Notebook: Pharms keeps moving forward, Barmore returns to practice.
- Press Conferences: DeMarcus Covington – Alex Van Pelt – Drew Wilkins, Mike Pellegrino, Jerry Montgomery, Dont’a Hightower.
- One-on-One: Austin Hooper (2.20 min.) and Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (2.40 min)
- Side of Mayo: Scott Zolak talks with Jerod Mayo about postgame speeches, game balls & Aww Yeahs. (2 min)
LOCAL LINKS
- Thomas Murphy gives us his Monster Keys to beating the boys from LA-LA Land. 1. Don’t push drive: “…The line needs to quickly identify what they have in front of them, This is not easy against this Rams front, and hold the point of attack, don’t overextend and push back. Drive out or in and open lanes for Stevenson. Set up play action.” More.
- Chad Finn’s Unconventional Preview: Why the 3-7 Patriots have more in common with the talented Rams than one might think.
- Andrew Callahan’s Friday Five: 1. Inside Drake Maye’s dinner with the O-line; 2. Roster changes coming. 3. Marcus Jones’ big leap; More.
- Alex Barth shares 5 things to watch for in Pats-Rams: Can the Patriots keep momentum going against the Rams?
- Doug Kyed looks at whether the Patriots are getting closer to finalizing their wide receiver group.
- Doug Kyed notes Alex Van Pelt sees ‘big growth’ from Drake Maye, specifically highlighting his improved footwork.
- Mike Kadlick tells us about Drake Maye’s new musical approach to throwing the ball away, after his ugly turnover on Sunday that may ‘haunt him for the rest of the season.’
- Chris Mason notes DL coach Jerry Montgomery raves about under-the-radar player Jeremiah Pharms jr and his 5 a.m. film sessions.
- Andrew Callahan highlights OLB coach Drew Wilkins scouting new ‘total package’ pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue.
- Sara Marshall notes Jerod Mayo says OL Cole Strange is not yet at the point where he is ready to practice.
- Mark Daniels reports Alex Van Pelt created a new stat to help build Patriots culture, tracking every time a player helps another off the ground.
- Oliver Thomas passes along a report the Pats hosted undrafted free agents Anim Dankwah, Emany Johnson for workouts. Currently, New England’s practice squad and active roster stand at capacity.
- Sara Marshall tells us how to watch Rams vs. Patriots this Sunday with & without cable.
- Eric Wilbur rounds up what the experts are predicting for Sunday’s Rams-Patriots game. The Pats are 4.5-point underdogs at home against a 4-5 Rams team.
- Ian Logue posts the transcript of WEEI guest Adam Schefter and what he had to say about the Patriots.
- Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Travis Rodgers (Locked On Rams) preview Patriots-Rams in this week’s “Crossover” episode. (33 min.)
- Patriots Beat podcast: Alex Barth and Brian Hines are joined by Taylor Kyles to preview Pats-Rams. (75 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Myles Simmons (ProFootballTalk) Drake Maye: I’m just trying to build on every day.
- Steven Ruiz (The Ringer) How to break a young quarterback in three easy steps. NFL teams are breaking quarterbacks faster than they can build them up.
- Matt Verderame (SI) NFL Quarterback Rankings. Drake Maye 22nd. ‘Maye doesn’t have much to work with in New England, but he’s done a nice job. The rookie has started five games and since taking over in Week 6, checks in 17th in completion rate at 66.2% while throwing seven touchdowns against five interceptions. Maye has also rushed for 233 yards and a score’.
- Staff (USA Today) NFL Week 11 bold predictions: Which teams, players will turn heads? Patriots put Rams’ playoff hopes on life support. /That would be fun.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Ranking top 5 enigmas of 2024: Sam Darnold, Travis Kelce offering mixed results.
- Jon Hoefling (USA Today) Rams at Patriots: Predictions, picks and odds for Week 11. One of four pick Pats to win 19-14. “The Rams’ best feature is their receiver duo, but the Patriots’ best feature might be their ability to take away those options thanks to Christian Gonzalez and Co. I like New England to pick up another win here.”
- Anthony Dabbundo (The Ringer) The best bets for Week 11: Blessed by the schedule gods. Rams-Patriots included.
- Maurice Moton (Bleacher Report) Experts Week 11 NFL picks. “This game is icky—it’s one of those contests where the argument made for both sides makes you feel like that eighth White Castle burger was about three too many. The Rams couldn’t score a touchdown at home last week against a two-win Dolphins team, while the Patriots were getting Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron fired. Wait. I’m making the wrong argument. The Rams are going to win. They’re just a better team with better players, a better coach and a better quarterback. Drake Maye has shown legit talent, but he has no weapons around him.” /Oof…
- Around the NFL (NFL.com) Week 11 NFL picks: Will Bills hand Chiefs first loss? Ravens or Steelers in fight for AFC North supremacy? Five of five pick Rams to win.
- Will Brinson (CBS Sports) Week 11 picks, best bets: Mahomes-Allen the new Brady-Manning; J. Taylor rolls Jets.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL doesn’t directly comment on recent injury-report oddities.
- Conor Orr (SI) Top NFL head coaching candidates for 2025 and well beyond. Belichick included.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Roger Goodell targets expansion to 18 games within five years.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL Combine will remain in Indianapolis through at least 2026.
VIEW FROM LOS ANGELES
- Stu Jackson (TheRams) First Look: Rams head to New England for first road game against Patriots since 2016.
- Cameron DaSilva (RamsWire) 5 key matchups to watch in Rams-Patriots. 1. OLB Jared Verse vs. LT Vederian Lowe.
- Gary Klein (LA Times) Another Rams run to playoffs starts with Kyren Williams running on Patriots.
- Cameron DaSilva (RamsWire) 6 stats to know for Rams vs. Patriots in Week 11. 1. Patriots have least explosive pass offense in NFL; More.
- Gary Klein (LA Times) Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay know pain in New England. Are Rams in line for more?
- Cameron DaSilva (RamsWire) Rams have history of excelling in games just like Sunday’s against the Patriots.
- Evan Craig (Turf Show Times) Rams-Patriots Q&A: ‘Darling’ Drake Maye earning comparison to elite QB Josh Allen.
- Stu Jackson (TheRams) McVay on the ‘challenging and unique circumstances’ that have impacted offensive line’s continuity and performance.
- Stu Jackson (TheRams) McVay: Week 11 return possible for Rob Havenstein, but ‘probably less likely than likely.’