Joe Thuney
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, instructs defensive lineman Chase Winovich, center, as inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, second from left, instructs defensive end John Simon, left, on the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Patriots look toward future after regressing post-Brady exit

By Kyle Hightower Jan. 04, 2021 04:30 PM EST

New England Patriots mascot Pat Patriots stares at empty stands at Gillette Stadium during the coronavirus pandemic before an NFL football game between the Patriots and the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots 11/29/2020

Nov. 29, 2020 11:54 AM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after fumbling the ball during the final drive of the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The ball was recovered by Dean Marlowe as the Bills won 24-21. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Latest loss dims Pats' hopes of extending division streak

By Kyle Hightower Nov. 02, 2020 06:37 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton warms up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills 11/1/2020

Nov. 01, 2020 11:48 AM EST

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and head coach Bill Belichick leave the field after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Latest loss reveals just how deep Patriots' problems run

By Kyle Hightower Oct. 26, 2020 04:38 PM EDT

NFL Today-Week 7

By The Associated Press Oct. 25, 2020 09:16 PM EDT
SCOREBOARD Monday, Oct. 26 Chicago (5-1) at Los Angeles Rams (4-2), 8:15 p.m. EDT, ESPN — The Los Angeles Rams host the...

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, center, passes under pressure from San Francisco 49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (51) and defensive end Dion Jordan, right, in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Garoppolo shines in return to NE; Niners crush Patriots 33-6

By Kyle Hightower Oct. 25, 2020 07:28 PM EDT

Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) is helped from the field after he was injured in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Pittsburgh. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in the post game news conference that Bush suffered a significant injury to a knee on the play. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Bush, Board among key injuries in NFL's Week 6

By The Associated Press Oct. 18, 2020 08:46 PM EDT

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, center, bulls his way to the goal line and a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Mistakes too much for Patriots to overcome in 18-12 loss

By Kyle Hightower Oct. 18, 2020 07:35 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) keeps the ball and rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle. A big part of the success the Patriots have enjoyed on offense this season has to do with the discipline of its offensive line. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
Lack of O-line mistakes has helped propel Patriots offense

By Kyle Hightower Oct. 02, 2020 01:46 PM EDT

New England Patriots defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. celebrates after he recovered a fumble for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Pats forcing turnovers a positive sign with Chiefs up next

By Kyle Hightower Sep. 28, 2020 05:55 PM EDT

New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead falls backward toward the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Belichick reaches milestone as Patriots top Raiders 36-20

By Kyle Hightower Sep. 27, 2020 09:29 PM EDT

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson wears a T-shirt that reads "We Want Justice" in support of Black Lives Matter as he warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks 9/20/2020

Sep. 20, 2020 06:44 PM EDT

Tom Brady-less Patriots are a brand new bunch entering 2020

By The Associated Press Sep. 08, 2020 02:16 PM EDT
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-5) New Faces: QB Cam Newton, K Justin Rohrwasser, S Kyle Dugger, LB John Uche, LB Anfernee Jennings, LB Cassh...

New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater (18) and defensive back Devin McCourty (32) walk to center field before an NFL football training camp scrimmage, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, Pool)
Patriots gear up for opener with Gillette simulation

Gethin Coolbaugh Aug. 28, 2020 05:09 PM EDT

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick enters the field for an NFL football training camp practice, Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool)
Cam Newton era begins as Patriots turn page on Brady years

By Kyle Hightower Aug. 27, 2020 04:17 PM EDT

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton works out during an NFL football training camp practice, Thursday Aug. 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool)
Folk ready to kick, teach in return to Patriots

By Gethin Coolbaugh Aug. 27, 2020 02:14 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks to throw in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Arlington, Texas. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott and NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry of Tennessee will play whatever becomes of the 2020 season under the one-year franchise tag after failing to reach long-term deals with their teams. Prescott is set to make $31.4 million after earning slightly more than $4 million under his four-year rookie contract. The 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year negotiated for more than a year without coming to terms on a deal. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Cowboys' Prescott doesn't get deal to replace franchise tag

By Schuyler Dixon Jul. 15, 2020 05:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 23, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) heads to the practice field during NFL football training camp in Foxborough, Mass. Andrews says he believes the blood clot issue in his lungs that caused him to miss the 2019 season was a freak occurrence that he’s ready to put behind him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Pats' Andrews has no restrictions after blood clots issue

By Kyle Hightower May. 05, 2020 06:45 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers stands for the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo. The Indianapolis Colts and longtime Los Angeles Chargers star quarterback Philip Rivers have worked out a one-year contract. That’s according to a person who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be officially announced until Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Key additions and subtractions for AFC teams in free agency

By Barry Wilner Mar. 19, 2020 05:33 PM EDT