The Patriots closed out the regular-season with a 17-9 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Bills. Bill Belichick chose to rest several key starters, however, and many of those who did play weren't on the field for long. Today's Patriots.com News Blitz takes a look at some reactions from the largely meaningless finale.
ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss says despite the recent struggles on offense Tom Brady remains confident in the group. His colleague, Lee Schecter, also hands out some grades from the finale.
Reiss adds a sidebar about Rob Gronkowski and Belichick’s decision to sit him against the Bills and what that means for the Patriots.
Reiss also adds a piece on the strange postgame development that saw Belichick skip his press conference with the media while seeking medical attention from the team's trainers and doctors. Belichick instead conducted a conference call with the media shortly after.
ESPN's Adam Schefter has the story on Patriots Director of Player Personnel** Nick Caserio’s** contract extension.
Schefter also reports that several teams have expressed interest in hiring Patriots offensive coordinator **Josh McDaniels**.
The Boston Globe's Chris Gasper says it might not be fair but the Patriots must win it all or be labeled as failures.
The Globe's Ben Volin says the Patriots won yesterday despite what the scoreboard says while his colleague, Michael Whitmer, leads his notebook with the decision to sit Gronkowski.
The Globe's Anthony Gulizia explains how Jimmy Garappolo provided some excitement for fans.
Ron Borges of the Boston Herald talks about the struggles of the offensive line.
The Herald's Karen Guregian agrees that Gronkowski’s health moving forward is critical to the Patriots future success.
Dan Ventura of the Herald recounts Garoppolo’s uneven afternoon of work.
The Providence Journal's Jim Donaldson believes the Patriots have as many questions as answers heading into the playoffs.
