Tom Brady is the GOAT. Don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise.
Aaron Rodgers is one of the more physically gifted quarterbacks to ever play the game and a future Hall of Famer in his own right.
The two elite passers will face off Sunday night in a true primetime battle, just the second meeting of their impressive NFL careers.
The Boston Globe breaks down all that goes into the matchup of the two legendary quarterbacks. The Globe looks back at Devin McCourty's interception return for a touchdown in Buffalo, declaring that his teammates knew that the safety still had the blazing speed he displayed on the game-clinching play. The Globe also has Patriots wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea praising the “great job” Josh Gordon has done in his short time in New England. The Globe looks at what the NFL’s NextGen stats say about the Patriots midway through the season. The Globe's film study says Kyle Van Noy gave the Patriots defense a charge in Buffalo. The Globe has Sony Michel, Dont’a Hightower and Marcus Cannon all returning to practice for New England.
The Boston Herald advises fans not to pass on this rare Brady vs. Rodgers showdown. The Herald has Rob Gronkowski focused on team wins not his own minuscule touchdown total. The Herald says wide receiver/returner Cordarrelle Patterson is running with his rare opportunity for reps at running back. The Herald declares that the New England defense trends up in the second half of the season.
The Providence Journal writes that Gronkowski abruptly cut his press conference short on Wednesday after being asked about his level of confidence. The ProJo says the Brady-Rodgers matchup is appreciated by all. The ProJo says Bill Belichick weighed in on the Brady-Rodgers debate. The ProJo looks at injured rookies Ja’Whaun Bentley and Duke Dawson traveling with the team in order to learn.
ESPNBoston.com writes that without a trade, the Patriots linebacker reinforcements must come from within over the second half of the season. ESPNBoston.com also looks at Gronkowski being well behind his usual statistical pace.
ESPN declares that while Brady and Rodgers are contemporaries, they are not rivals. ESPN.com dreams up what could have been if Rodgers had played for Belichick for his entire career.
WEEI.com writes that Gronkowski seems frustrated, but that it’s a mystery as to the root of his frustration. WEEI.com notes that Julian Edelman and Shaq Mason were among the players absent from the New England practice field on Wednesday. WEEI.com observes that Belichick has an interesting take on the Brady-Rodgers debate. WEEI.com also has O’Shea praising Gordon.
NBC Sports Boston writes that though Brady is the GOAT, Rodgers is indeed brilliant. NBC Sports Boston has Rodgers describing Brady as a “unicorn” due to his impressive longevity. NBC Sports Boston says it’s OK that the Patriots stood pat at the NFL trade deadline.
NFL.com notes the “unicorn” talk leading up to what it has dubbed Brady-Rodgers II. NFL.com has Brady in the running for the MVP Award once again. NFL.com has Packers coach Mike McCarthy saying that Brady and Rodgers offer up a lesson in how to play the QB position.
NESN.com looks at how the Patriots should use their open roster spot after cornerback Eric Rowe was placed on IR this week.
USA Today says that the Patriots were among the “losers” at the NFL trade deadline.
