Marcus Cannon
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) dives past New England Patriots outside linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Despite work at fullback, Pats' Roberts still defense first

By Ken Powtak Dec. 26, 2019 07:52 PM EST

New England Patriots wide receiver N'Keal Harry, left, runs with the ball as quarterback Tom Brady, right, runs ahead to block in the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Through ups and downs, Patriots still atop AFC East

By Jimmy Golen Dec. 23, 2019 06:35 PM EST

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, front, catches a pass for a two-point conversion in the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Patriots beat Bills 24-17, win 11th straight AFC East crown

By Jimmy Golen Dec. 21, 2019 08:02 PM EST

Houston Texans inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) celebrates after he sacked New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Watson throws 3 TDs, catches another; Texans top Pats 28-22

By Kristie Rieken Dec. 01, 2019 11:48 PM EST

FILE - In this July 24, 2014, file photo, Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77), center Travis Frederick (72) and guard Zack Martin (70) take the field for afternoon practice during an NFL football training camp in Oxnard, Calif. The Cowboys invested heavily in their offensive line and have become consistent winners behind the unit with the NFL’s highest salary-cap figure. While Dallas isn’t the only example of a club benefiting from a heavy investment up front, the New England Patriots are several notches higher than Dallas as an elite team with a more frugal approach. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas, File)
Cowboys build model by paying line, Pats win another way

By Schuyler Dixon Nov. 12, 2019 06:37 PM EST

Cleveland Browns' Christian Kirksey (58) celebrates with Myles Garrett (95) after Garrett sacked New York Jets' quarterback Luke Falk (8) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Rare trade aside, ailing Jets still heavy underdog to Pats

By Kyle Hightower Sep. 19, 2019 05:37 PM EDT

New England Patriots linebackers Jamie Collins, left, and Dont'a Hightower, right, speak during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. As dominant as the Patriots' offense has been through two games, their defense has been just as impressive. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Pats defense has been cohesive, dominant through 2 games

By Kyle Hightower Sep. 18, 2019 04:20 PM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 file photo, New England Patriots offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn, right, lines up against the Carolina Panthers in the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots have placed left tackle Isaiah Wynn on injured reserve, marking the latest blow to an already injury-riddled offensive line, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Patriots place tackle Isaiah Wynn on injured reserve

By Kyle Hightower Sep. 17, 2019 06:37 PM EDT

New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown (17) cannot hold onto a pass as Miami Dolphins cornerback Eric Rowe (21) defends, during the second half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Brown's status in question after strong debut with Pats

By Kyle Hightower Sep. 16, 2019 07:42 PM EDT

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) walks off the field as time runs out in a 28-26 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. Roethlisberger did not play the second half of the game. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Roethlisberger, Brees knocked out of games with injuries

By The Associated Press Sep. 15, 2019 08:56 PM EDT

A New Orleans Saints helmet rests on the field during an NFL game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, in New Orleans. The Saints defeated the Texans 30-28. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Saints DT Sheldon Rankins still out in game vs. Rams

By The Associated Press Sep. 15, 2019 12:20 PM EDT

Miami Dolphins running back Kalen Ballage (27) sits on the sidelines, during the second half at an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 59-10. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Is another drubbing in store for Dolphins against Patriots?

By Steven Wine Sep. 12, 2019 06:22 PM EDT

New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown works out during NFL football practice, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. Brown to practiced with the team for the first time on Wednesday afternoon, a day after his former trainer filed a civil lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida accusing him of sexually assaulting her on three occasions. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Patriots' Brown practices, status for Sunday's game unclear

By Kyle Hightower Sep. 11, 2019 12:09 PM EDT

New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead faces reporters in the team's locker room at Gillette Stadium, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Summer of drama leads Antonio Brown to no-nonsense Patriots

By Kyle Hightower Sep. 09, 2019 08:12 PM EDT

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates his touchdown pass to Phillip Dorsett, left, in the first half an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Brady starts his 20th season by beating Steelers 33-3

By Jimmy Golen Sep. 08, 2019 11:36 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. With time growing short before their season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Patriots suddenly have an unexpected hole in the middle of their offensive line following the weekend hospitalization of starting center David Andrews because of blood clots in his lung. Andrews, 27, was released from the hospital Monday night, Aug. 26, 2019, according to the Boston Globe. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Blood clots in lung could sideline Patriots C Andrews

By Mark Farinella Aug. 27, 2019 12:52 PM EDT

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman stretches during a combined NFL football training camp with the Tennessee Titans Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Patriots, Titans practice like trash-talking family reunion

By Teresa M. Walker Aug. 14, 2019 05:16 PM EDT

Fans wait in frigid temperatures before an NFL divisional playoff football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the New England Patriots , Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots 1/13/2019

Feb. 13, 2019 04:50 AM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2018, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass as his offensive line blocks during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J. They're big boys with mean streaks and nasty attitudes on the field, yet the Patriots' offensive line still gets somewhat overlooked at times. During the playoffs, they've been as big a key as any position group by keeping Tom Brady clean and clearing the way for the running game. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Brown and the Pats' big boys up front set tone for offense

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Feb. 02, 2019 12:51 PM EST

FILE- In this Jan. 20, 2019, file photo New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo. The Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots are bringing two of the top scoring offenses in the NFL to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Offensive lines key in Super Bowl for both Rams and Patriots

By Kyle Hightower Jan. 27, 2019 01:08 PM EST