The Patriots are well into their preparations for the Super Bowl LIII matchup with the Rams in Atlanta. Travel and ticket arrangements are being made. The scouting and game planning process is chugging along.
But, before completely turning the page to Los Angeles, there remains plenty of coverage to digest regarding New England's impressive road to the Super Bowl, including Sunday night's thrilling win in Kansas City.
The Boston Globe looks at the Patriots success in the postseason, declaring that the difference in the team is its “historic dominance on third down” this January. The Globe has Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens talking about how impressed he is with Tom Brady and the Patriots. The Globe passes along Rams coach Sean McVay talking about Brady as well as the respect he has for New England. Globe columnist Tara Sullivan writes that “once the coin came up heads, Tom Brady was money in the bank.” As impressive as the unit has been to open the postseason, the G_lobe_ says the best is yet to come for the New England offensive line. The Globe has Tom Brady Sr. being amazed by his son’s lasting success. The Globe has Matthew Slater explaining why he always calls heads at the coin toss.
The Boston Herald says the NFL is looking into a report that a laser beam was flashed at Brady during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night. The Herald writes that Super Bowl fans should expect to pay top dollar for tickets to the big game. The Herald offers up its Patriots report card from the AFC title game. The Herald Patriots notebook writes about backup QB Brian Hoyer’s job of preparing the New England defense for the Rams offense. The Herald says the Patriots unsung offensive line is making things happen for New England.
The Providence Journal writes that this latest New England victory was extra special. The ProJo gives out its grades for the win over the Chiefs, with the offensive line getting near perfect marks. The ProJo says that in crunch time it was the veterans Brady, Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski who came through.
ESPNBoston.com says that the Patriots point to a Week 16 spark as they felt that they were “running out of time” late in the regular season. ESPNBoston.com also has the NFL looking into the laser pointer issue in Kansas City.
ESPN notes that Brady is the favorite to be the MVP of Super Bowl LIII. ESPN passes along Brady saying that he and Bill Belichick have “always gotten along great.”
WEEI.com passes along Belichick poking fun at his short tenure as the Jets coach and noting the importance of his season as an assistant in New England in 1996 during his weekly appearance on the stations afternoon show. WEEI.com also passes along Brady explaining some last-minute additions to the Patriots playbook in Kansas City. WEEI.com also notes Belichick refusing to get into “gossip” regarding he and Brady.
NBC Sports Boston has the McCourty brothers reflecting on a “special season.” NBC Sports Boston also has Slater explaining his coin toss strategy.
NFL.com offers up six options as the next coach/QB duo to follow in the footsteps of Belichick and Brady.
NESN.com thinks it's good news that the Patriots will wear white jerseys in Super Bowl LIII.
Sports Illustrated writes that the Patriots are underdogs in their own minds, and that’s what matters.
The Washington Post says “it took everything” for the Patriots to win the wild AFC Championship Game.
