The Patriots are officially on mini-vacation.
After Wednesday's full-pads practice – the only one for them this week – the team dispersed for their bye week. They'll be back at Gillette next week to begin preparations for the New York Jets.
The only player the media didn't see on the field yesterday was tight end Dwayne Allen, who suffered a left knee injury days earlier in Nashville. Notably, wide receiver Julian Edelman (ankle injury suffered at Tennessee) and left tackle Trent Brown (back injury from the Titans game) did take part, at least on a limited basis, as did every other member of the 53-man roster and 10-man practice squad. There is no injury report for the Patriots this week because the team is now on its bye.
Meanwhile, media continue to scrutinized the 7-3 Patriots.
**The Athletic website** shares its advice for how the team should spend its bye week.
The **Boston Herald** offers a more critical eye, saying that New England's early-season woes are coming back to haunt the Patriots.
There's been much media talk this week about the way QB Tom Brady has played this season. With that in mind, **boston.com** lists nine times Brady's been said to be "in decline."
Elsewhere, **NBC Sports Boston** explains in great detail why the re-activation of rookie CB Duke Dawson from IR is a significant move for New England.
**The Providence Journal** offers a feature on newcomer Albert McClellan, whose long NFL journey has now brought him to Foxborough.
The **Mass Live blog** examines the remaining six regular season games on the Patriots' schedule, including which ones New England might win or lose.
Finally, in **The Boston Globe**, a review of a new book chronicling the softer, gentler side of Bill Belichick.
