Patriots-Texans Preview: New England Holds Clear Edge In Playoff Matchup

Share this: The New England Patriots shut out the Houston Texans 27-0 in September with their third string quarterback under center. There’s no reason to believe the results will be different when the two teams face off in the divisional round of the playoffs Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. The Texans are one of the worst teams in NFL history to make it into the second round of the playoffs. They won an extremely soft AFC South and then played the Oakland Raiders, who were down to a rookie third-string quarterback, in the wild card round. The Texans ranked 29th in Football Outsiders’ total DVOA, 30th in offense and seventh in defense this season. Tom Savage, who took over at quarterback for Brock Osweiler in

Roma edge win, Rooney equals United record

Roma edge win, Rooney equals United record

Sunday's trip to face Genoa was Roma's first game of 2017, and the Giallorossi ensured a positive start to the year by clinching a 1-0 victory courtesy of Armando Izzo's own goal. That kept the capital side within four points of leaders Juventus, though they have played one game more. There was a little more flair to Manchester United's performance against Reading as José Mourinho's men progressed to the FA Cup fourth round via a 4-0 win. Rooney opened the scoring with his 249th goal for

LeGarrette Blount Fined $18K For Facemask Of Ndamukong Suh In Patriots-Dolphins

LeGarrette Blount Fined $18K For Facemask Of Ndamukong Suh In Patriots-Dolphins

LeGarrette Blount had some harsh criticisms for Ndamukong Suh after last Sunday’s game, but Blount’s wallet will be taking a hit, not Suh’s. The New England Patriots running back was fined $ 18,231 for ripping off Suh’s facemask late in the fourth quarter of his team’s Week 17 game against the Miami Dolphins, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. After Blount’s 3-yard rush, Suh appeared to jump on the pile late and give Blount a little shove. The veteran running back took offense, yanking Suh’s helmet off by his facemask and drawing a 15-yard penalty as the teams scuffled. The NFL did not fine Suh, per Reiss. Blount ripped into... NESN.com

How Matt Lengel Went From Bengals’ Practice Squad To Playoffs With Patriots

by Zack Cox on Fri, Jan 6, 2017 at 3:19PM 2,653 Share this: FOXBORO, Mass. — Two months ago, Matt Lengel was midway through his second season on the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad. As recently as two weeks ago, he still was seeking his first NFL catch. Now, the 23-year-old tight end is just over a week away from playing in a postseason game for a New England Patriots team that has Super Bowl aspirations. “It’s a special place to be, in the playoffs,” Lengel said. “I’m just anxious for the opportunity and excited and just looking forward to whatever the game has.” A horde of media members gathered around Lengel’s locker Thursday morning, evidence of how his role in the Patriots’ offense has grown in

Team USA Wins Gold Medal At World Juniors In Shootout Thriller Over Canada

Share this: Team USA is bringing home the gold. The Americans defeated Team Canada 5-4 in overtime Thursday in the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship. Team USA displayed tremendous heart, overcoming two two-goal deficits. Kieffer Bellows posted two goals in regulation for the Americans, while Colin White and Boston Bruins prospect Charlie McAvoy each provided a goal. McAvoy also earned “Player of the Game” honors. After the game was locked at 4-4 at the end of regulation, the teams headed to a 20-minute overtime period. When overtime ended in a stalemate, a five-round shootout decided the winner. Troy Terry scored the lone shootout goal in the fourth round. It was only fitting, as Terry’s three shootout goals in the semifinals sent Team USA to the gold medal game.

Jae Crowder: Celtics Fans Cheering Gordon Hayward ‘A Sign Of Disrespect’

Share this: Gordon Hayward has the option to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and many Boston Celtics fans want their team to sign the Utah Jazz small forward. But Celtics fans cheering for him during Tuesday night’s game at TD Garden didn’t sit well with Boston’s current starting small forward, Jae Crowder. He tweeted his displeasure about it after the Celtics’ 115-104 win. HOME TEAM FANS CHEERING FOR THE OPPOSING PLAYERS NOW.. AW MAN OK… SMH BUT GOOD WIN FELLAS ONTO THE NEXT ONE.!! — JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) January 4, 2017 He also retweeted a quote he gave during his postgame media availability. It’s not hard to understand Crowder’s frustration. If Celtics fans were cheering for Kevin Durant in the hopes of luring him to

Michael Floyd Delivers Block Of The Year To Spring Julian Edelman For Touchdown

by Zack Cox on Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 3:11PM 2,889 Share this: Julian Edelman scored the longest touchdown of his career Sunday afternoon, with a major assist from New England Patriots teammate Michael Floyd. During the third quarter of a game against the Miami Dolphins, Edelman hauled in a pass from quarterback Tom Brady near his own 30-yard line, broke one tackle and barreled upfield. Tony Lippett appeared to have a bead on the shifty Patriots wideout, but Floyd came out of nowhere to demolish the Dolphins cornerback with a thunderous block. Floyd’s hit cleared the road for Edelman, who sprinted the final 50 yards untouched for a 77-yard touchdown. Floyd also caught a touchdown pass earlier in the game, his first since the Patriots