Posted inNational Sports

Revis’ skills crucial to Patriots in playoffs

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Darrelle Revis looked straight ahead and spotted the reporter standing behind his right shoulder. “I can see him right now without looking at him,” New England’s star cornerback said, smiling at writers and cameras at his locker. “It’s a God-given talent.” Baltimore wide receiver Steve Smith will try to evade that amazing […]

Posted inNational Sports

Patriots’ O-line gets ready for Ravens rushers

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England’s offensive line was a work in progress that wasn’t showing much progress. The player the Patriots could least afford to lose was under pressure in the very first game behind a rebuilt line that had just lost its toughest blocker. Four sacks of Tom Brady in that 33-20 loss to […]

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Posted inNational Sports

Patriots set their sights on Ravens

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots waited a week only to learn that a familiar foe would make a return visit. A foe with a history of playoff success in a stadium where the Patriots rarely lose. The Baltimore Ravens will fly to Foxborough for Saturday’s divisional game after their 30-17 wild-card win, also […]

Posted inNational Sports

Brady more appreciative of early titles

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — A young Tom Brady and the New England Patriots grabbed three championships in his first four seasons as a starter. They have been outstanding ever since, and are still chasing their first NFL title since the 2004 season. “I think when you’re young, there is no perspective,” the 37-year-old quarterback said […]

Posted inNational Sports

Wait-and-see game for Pats

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots are moving on from a game they didn’t have to win to one they can’t afford to lose. Their 17-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday had no bearing on their status as the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. Key starters didn’t play and […]

Posted inNational Sports

Patriots go without

Steelers top Bengals 27-17 to win AFC North WILL GRAVES, AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are back on top of the AFC North. Antonio Brown returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown and added a clinching 63-yard scoring grab with 2:50 to go in the Steelers’ 27-17 victory over the […]

Posted inNational Sports

Despite poor play, Patriots get bye

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Bill Belichick sounded like a coach whose team was just eliminated from playoff contention rather than one that clinched a first-round bye. Tom Brady was sacked four times and had a poorer passer rating than Geno Smith. New England’s offense gained just 52 yards in the first half. It took a […]

Posted inLocal Sports

The Hot Corner: Grab a hat, put on a shirt and enjoy moment

They call showcases such as Sunday’s shellacking at Gillette Stadium “hat and T-shirt games,” although that generally is a misnomer. No self-respecting pro football enthusiast that I know has ever worn apparel touting a division title. Well, present company excluded. I’m a starving artist living on a fixed income. If it’s available on a rack […]