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As the Patriots pick up the pace on preparations for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Steelers at Gillette Stadium, New England got word that one of the key cogs in the preparation process will forgo career-advancement opportunities to stay with the team moving forward.
The Boston Globe was among the many outlets to report on Monday that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will remain in New England for another year. Elsewhere, the Globe says it's finally time to acknowledge the Patriots defense as it heads into its biggest challenge of the season. Globe columnist Chris Gasper says that any legitimate debate about the Patriots will end soon. The Globe passes on the Steelers trying to downplay coach Mike Tomlin’s vulgar description of the Patriots in a postgame locker room that was shown to the world thanks to Antonio Brown's social media misstep.
The Boston Herald Patriots report card from the win over the Texans said the performance "barely passes muster." The Herald notes that ticket prices have inflated -- interesting word choice -- for Sunday’s game at Gillette. The Herald declares that New England's defensive preparation for the Steelers begins with running back Le’Veon Bell. Herald columnist Steve Buckley is waiting for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to tweet from Gillette Stadium. The Herald also notes that McDaniels rejected the 49ers to stay with the Patriots. The Herald writes that the Steelers talk gets little attention from the Patriots.
The Providence Journal *says Tomlin “talked trash about Patriots in Facebook Live video.” The *ProJo also notes Bill Belichick's response to the social media snafu, “I’m not too worried about what they put on InstantChat.”
ESPNBoston.com says the impressive Patriots defense is set to face maybe its toughest test of the season. ESPNBoston.com also passes along saying, “I’m not on SnapFace…” ESPNBoston.com says McDaniels decision to stay in New England is an upset victory for the Patriots.
WEEI.com looks at how Brown fits in with other “social media morons.” WEEI.com passes on word that Brown could actually be fined for his Facebook post. WEEI.com says despite the current decision to stay, McDaniels won’t be in New England forever. WEEI.com also looks at why Tom Brady is hated, including a “hissy fit” in the win over the Texans.
CSNNE.com looks at current and past Patriots opponents giving the team bulletin board material. CSNNE.com says it shouldn’t be a shocker that McDaniels chose to stay in New England.
NFL.com looks at Sunday’s two impressive battles between elite QBs. NFL.com notes that the Texans parted ways with offensive coordinator George Godsey, a former Patriots assistant.
NESN.com breaks down why the Patriots can’t neutralize the dangerous Brown like other elite receivers.
FoxSports.com has the Patriots brushing off Tomlins comments in the emotion of the postgame locker room in Kansas City.
CBSSports.com predicts the outcomes for both conference title games.
The New York Post says the AFC title game matchup has it all, except the history one might expect.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offers its thoughts on Brown’s social media post.
