By: Scott Jackson, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
The Patriots got back to their winning ways against the Panthers. The Pats downed the Cats 20-10, snapping a two game cold streak.
Quarterback:
Not a bad week for Tom Brady. His second son was born, and he got a much needed win. His numbers weren’t bad, throwing for 192 yards and a touchdown, while completing just over half his attempts. Not Joe Montana numbers, but not JaMarcus Russell numbers either.
My Grade: C
Runningbacks:
Great game for the corps. Ran wild over the Cats, for 187 total yards. Kevin Faulk scored the game’s tying touchdown, and Laurence Maroney managed to keep hold of the ball all game. Sammy Morris did fumble, but also did a great job run blocking.
My Grade: A
Receivers/Tight Ends:
Wes Welker grabbed ten passes for 105 yards. At this point his name should start popping up in MVP talk, but it won’t. Randy Moss was nearly shut-out, but that was a result more of Carolina’s scheme than a lack of effort on Moss’s part. The tight ends shined in this one. Ben Watson caught three passes, and made an excellent catch for the go-ahead touchdown. My [...]

By: Scott Jackson, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
Times may be tough for the Patriots.  But at least they’re not the Steelers.  The defending champs likely won’t make they playoffs after dropping four straight, including losses to Oakland and Kansas City.  Always look on the bright side of life.
Quarterbacks:
Tom Terrific had two touchdowns and 277 before morphing into Tom Terrible, throwing two interceptions down the stretch.  His stats would’ve been better had Sam Aiken been able to hold onto two deep throws.  But that’s the risk you run when throwing to Sam Aiken.
My grade: C

Running backs:
Laurence Maroney averaged 3.2 yards per attempt on 13 carries.  Designated short yardage back Sammy Morris couldn’t deliver on fourth and one.  As I’ve said on my radio show, the Pats inability to run the ball when teams expect the run (aka New England has the lead and tries to run out the clock) is the team’s Achilles heel (more like Achilles leg it’s so obvious).  So yes, you fantasy owners can gloat when Maroney scores early, but his inneptitude late is costing the team.
My grade:  D
Wide Receivers:
Some good plays from this group early, including a 58 yard score (Moss) and an 81 yard score (Aiken).  Things went [...]

By: Scott Jackson, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
What a poor game for the Patriots.  If you look up the definition on blown-out, you’ll probably see Monday’s game as an example.  The team hadn’t played this bad in the bayou since Super Bowl XX, when the Bears downed the Pats 46-10.
Quarterbacks:
Tom Brady struggled mightily in this one.  Terrible Tom threw two interceptions.  The first was an excusable throw while being flushed from the pocket.  The second was a desperation heave with needing points badly.  On the plus side, Brian Hoyer didn’t look too bad.
My grade: D+

Runningbacks:
Sure. Laurence Maroney scored two touchdowns (clinching a victory in fantasy football for fellow columnist Dan Massar).  But he also coughed up the ball again (though in his defense he forced a fumble to take the ball back).  Sammy Morris was a near non-factor in his return.  Kevin Faulk made some plays in the passing game, as usual.
My grade: C-
Receivers/Tight Ends:
The Saints defensive back corp was whittled down for this one because of injuries.  You wouldn’t have known this watching the game, as Randy Moss and Wes Welker were both effectively covered all game.  It’s never good when Sam Aiken is your leading receiver.  The tight ends were [...]

By: JessLander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
This could be the biggest game of the season. After the Colts debacle, the Patriots have one more chance to really make a statement. One more chance to show the NFL the type of team they can be. To show they are true Super Bowl contenders.
In debatably the best MNF game this season, that Patriots (7-3) will take on the undefeated New Orleans Saints (10-0) and attempt to stop another team from having a perfect season, a feat only they have accomplished.
How they match up:
Going against the Patriots is having to play this game on the road, where they are only 1-3 this season, however they are 4-0 at the Superdome in New Orleans. They have also won the last three meeting against the Saints.  But, the Saints are a new team this year, and making winning look easy, for nine of the Saints ten wins were won by more than a touchdown. New Orleans has outscored New England by 79 points, but the Patriots defense is definitely superior and has held opponents to 40 less points than the Saints.
Quarterbacks: Drew Brees has completed 218 passes with 22 TDs, a 68 percent completion rating and nine interceptions. [...]

By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent
If you had Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Randy Moss, or anyone else on the Patriots offense for that matter on your fantasy team yesterday (including kicker Stephen Gostkowski and the forgotten running back Laurence Maroney) you were having a great day. Heck, if for some bizarre reason you not only had Brian Hoyer on your team but you also started him he even rewarded you with nine completions, 52 yards, and a rushing touchdown (however, I wouldn’t recommend continuing to start him).
The Patriots beat up on a winless Tennessee Titans team yesterday 59-0, setting franchise records for points (59) and total offense (619 yards) in a game, and Brady set a record for most touchdown passes in a single quarter (5).
Head Coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots O came into the game with a clear gameplan: throw the ball. Even though the game was a blowout, the Patriots threw the ball 45 times, compared to 30 rushing attempts.
The Patriots planned on taking advantage of the Titans defense, a team that had the second-worse passing defense in the league. Not only were they already one of the league’s worst, they were missing both starting cornerbacks and a [...]