This is Matthew Judon
The characteristic red sleeves are replaced by a pullover, though a smile still remains on Matthew Judon's face.
The characteristic red sleeves are replaced by a pullover, though a smile still remains on Matthew Judon's face. It's Thursday afternoon before the New England Patriots' trip to Miami and their star linebacker is happy. Why shouldn't he be? Judon has turned in a phenomenal first season in Foxborough, spearheading a defense capable of reuniting his side with the Lombardi Trophy - even after their 33-24 loss to the Dolphins in Florida.
The 29-year-old has just made his third consecutive Pro Bowl on the back of a career-high year for sacks (12.5). But despite such an achievement, there's little fanfare from the man himself. Judon has been indoctrinated into 'the Patriot Way'; tenets whereby togetherness always supersedes individuality. As teammate Hunter Henry puts it; "Everybody's basically one body and we need all of the parts of the body to come together to execute what we do on Sundays."
Judon is a 6'3" muscle-bound incarnation of accountability, modesty and hyper-focus. But none of it seems forced, it's who he is.
"I think you kind of do that after the season or after your career, that you can say 'look I did this, this is what I accomplished," Judon tells ESPN of his career year. "But right now, it's more a team approach. I need to get to the quarterback; get sacks, hit the quarterback, or affect the quarterback so my team can have success. Not so I can have success. When I'm done, hopefully my highlight tape will be pretty sweet but I'm not looking for that right now, I'm not looking for the 'look what I did or all eyes on me', it's about the Patriots. It's about us going out there and getting wins."
After 20 minutes with the Michigan native, it's obvious why Bill Belichick swooped on Judon in free agency - despite never meeting him outside of the white lines. It seems he knew Judon's skill set -- both tangible and otherwise -- would fit seamlessly in Foxborough. As the topic of Belichick arises, Judon sits up, his eyes widen, his focus sharpens.
"It's been so cool working with Bill, man," he says. "The way he sees the game, I think it's different from every coach in the league just because of how long he's been in the league. His in-game adjustments are so fast because he's seen the scheme, or he's come up with the scheme or he knows the person who came up with the scheme. He knows the defense that will attack that [offensive] scheme, so I think just working with him in that aspect has been pretty interesting."
Judon's smile broadens. Something else about Belichick lights the lamp inside his mind.
"Then just his personality ... he's the most interesting person in the league. Nobody kind of knows him but I think his personality is great for being a head coach for a lot of men, and just how he carries himself. I definitely respect him and how he carries himself," he says.
"He's seen it all, done it all, heard it all and that's just how he handles himself. I don't think it's really nothing new, besides social media, that he's not up on in the NFL."
Is Judon sure Belichick doesn't have a burner account out there somewhere?
"Man, I don't have no clue what he does with his personal time or on his phone! I don't know," he laughs.
Things weren't always this easy though. Judon and his family were comfortable in Baltimore, willing and happy to stay. The Ravens had other ideas, refusing to match the Pats' four-year $56 million offer in March 2019. So, after five seasons under John Harbaugh, Judon packed up his life in Maryland to start afresh in Massachusetts. It was hard, and Judon doesn't hide from it - there was trepidation moving his wife and family into the unknown.
"I was comfortable where I was at," Judon says. "I had been there for five years, I had my house and my kids where [their] school was, BreighAnn had her doctors and all that stuff. Not just comfortable in my play but comfortable in my life situation. So just switching teams it can get hard, but the transition has been pretty smooth obviously.
"A lot of people really don't think about what we have to go through just to go to a different team. You know the housing situation, kids, cars, clothes and stuff like that. I had a lot of people help me out and I appreciate them. Now I'm out here and I'm a...what do they call them? I know in Michigan you're a Michigander. New Englander? But I'm in Massachusetts? Ah, I guess I'm a New Englander!"
Judon may now sit in the contemporary pantheon for his position -- he trails only T.J Watt in quarterback hits since 2019 -- but his star has only shined of late, at least to the outside world. Judon was unloved and unwanted coming out of high school, deemed surplus to requirements by every Power Five school. Ironically, the University of Buffalo -- in the city Judon wants to make miserable Saturday night -- had conditional interest.
If they failed to secure their prime target, Judon would be offered his scholarship. The phone never rang, so Judon answered the bell for Division II school Grand Valley State in Michigan. To this day, he holds the DII record for most sacks in a single season. From Allendale to league-wide acclaim, it's been an incredible rise, but one never beyond him.
"I believed. I actually just believed, I just made sure I put in the work each and every day, and God took me to where I was meant to be. So, from Grand Valley, I just continued to work my butt off and never felt like I was an underdog but just always worked. Tried to work the hardest and outwork everybody that I see."
Judon continues to hustle as if he were still the Bulls' discarded goods. His competitive nature powers him toward perpetual improvement, though it hasn't stemmed from some desire to be seen as overly conscientious, nor to outshine his teammates. Whether it's treatment on his body or cardio workouts, Judon does what he must to prepare his body for peak performance.
So it may come as some surprise that in his day-to-day life, Judon lives rather calmly. Time with his wife BreighAnn and children Aniyah, Leonidas and Azayda are cherished. Putting rubber to the road on his bicycle and playing video games allow Judon to unwind amidst the pressure of representing the most storied franchise of his generation.
Though it's Judon's belief in Christ which transports him toward true peace. Judon and fellow teammates Jonnu Smith, Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater -- among others -- participate in regular Bible study with team pastor Jua Robinson, sharing their life experiences and lessons through Jesus. Being present with other men of Christ is essential for Judon; it promotes exponential growth and solace during moments of misfortune.
"The bad times is only a little bit out of the day. I try to keep my faith in God to where I'm never down. I know there's going to be some bad stuff that happens in my life, and I know that I'm going to have to overcome some obstacles or whatnot, but my faith is built not on sand but on the land, in God, in Christ.
"With that being said, I know there's going to be something every day and if I let that affect me or move me or rock me, I won't be focused on what I have to do, I won't be focused on the tasks I have to accomplish. I kind of just wallow and simmer in something that really could've just been a passing couple minutes."
New England are now just 180 minutes away from their fifth Super Bowl appearance in eight years. Equally, they're one hour away from elimination and professional ignominy. That's how Judon views their situation - taking it for what it is.
"You know how we do it around here. We take it one game at a time and that's the only way you can. I can look forward to the Super Bowl all I want. If we go out there and don't take care of business every week until the Super Bowl, we'll be watching it at home. We don't have any expectations, we don't know. When it comes to the Super Bowl, hopefully we in it, but if we don't take care of our business each and every week, we definitely won't."
If No. 9 adds the Lombardi to his Pro Bowl season, he'll become more than a New Englander.
Even if he doesn't, his life will remain rich in faith, family and brotherhood. But if somehow, some way, he can deliver a seventh Super Bowl, Judon will become immortal in the minds of many from Massachusetts.
This is Hunter Henry
An excitable voice booms through the speakers, emanating from the Patriots' media room in Foxborough. The words spoken are familiar. So too the accent, well somewhat.
An excitable voice booms through the speakers, emanating from the Patriots' media room in Foxborough. The words spoken are familiar. So too the accent, well somewhat.
"G'day mate!" Amusingly, it isn't New England's Australian communications coordinator, rather star tight-end Hunter Henry.
The 26-year-old touchdown machine bounces into picture with a smile as wide as the nearby Charles River. It isn't long before Henry returns to his native tongue, though his exuberance remains. Henry has reason to be gleeful in this moment - his move from the beaches of California to the "brutal" cold of Massachusetts is paying off immeasurably. Even if it means wearing a beanie in December.
On the gridiron, Henry is almost peerless at his position. Heading into Week 13, the former Charger leads the league in touchdowns by a tight end - tied with Buffalo's Dawson Knox. Since Rob Gronkowski announced his initial retirement in March 2019, the Patriots have lacked a red zone threat capable of scaring defenses stiff. Now, the fear factor is back in New England and Henry is undoubtedly a key reason why.
As the question grows, so too does Henry's smirk. "Do you feel like anyone can guard you in the red zone?" His answer; as quick as it is emphatic: "I don't feel like anyone can guard me, ever! You've got to have that mindset, always."
Henry isn't the only Patriot with an unshakable confidence - it's easy to understand why. New England are a seemingly unstoppable force, currently on a six-game winning streak and sitting atop the AFC East with an 8-4 record. Once again, they look primed for a playoff assault.
Though it wasn't too long ago things were very different. At the end of last season, the Pats were mired in misery, mocked incessantly for Tom Brady's departure, their momentary downfall -- finishing last season 7-9 -- and of course, Tampa Bay's Brady-led Super Bowl victory.
Despite the outside noise, Bill Belichick's belief hasn't wavered in himself nor the team - not since Henry arrived anyway. Despite a matter-of-fact approach in front of the camera, there's a different Belichick behind closed doors.
"You don't become the greatest coach of all time really in this sport, without having a little bit of swag," Henry tells Patrick Djordjevic. "A little bit of you know, chip about him. He just kind of has that quiet confidence, that he knows who he is and he's very confident in that."
Henry undoubtedly believes in his head coach, evidenced in his big-money move from Los Angeles during free agency, in spite of the Pats' disappointing 2020 season. The pair have known each other for many years, with Belichick a friend of Henry's high school coach.
Despite their familiarity with one another, Henry has found himself surprised at the sheer greatness of the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach.
"He's a football genius, man," Henry beamed. "It's cool to be around someone that loves football so much and has seen so much football, especially at the highest level and winning Super Bowls too, he knows how to get things done and knows how to put his players in the best position, knows how to motivate them in the best way.
"So it's been really cool to see the standard he holds everybody to and how he gets the best out of everybody."
It's often said there's a different expectation in New England. A unique way of operating, a higher set of standards to uphold. How true is it? According to Henry, it checks out. While the Chargers propelled him forward, there's a sense New England will lift him to greater heights.
"I think it's just the team atmosphere, the 'Do Your Job' atmosphere," he says. "Everybody has their role and you do your role. That's similar around the league but here it's very preached. It's preached every single day to do your job, trust the guys around you and believe in the team and everything that this team means. Everybody's basically one body and we need all of the parts of the body to come together to execute what we do on Sundays."
Henry himself is merely a body - flesh and blood like anyone else. It may seem absurd to define him so simply but that's how he views himself. Scoring at will for New England, pursuing a first Super Bowl ring and becoming the best he can are all of great importance. Yet it is Henry's faith which makes him feel complete, more than skin and bone, more than a vessel sailing through life.
"I'm here and I'm playing football but I'm more than a football player man, there's so much more to me than what I am," Henry shared. "The main thing that I am is God's son and I'm a believer and I hope that Jesus came and died for our sins. I have a lot of faith [in] who God is and who he is in my life."
Many across America, and certainly Arkansas, dream of being Hunter Henry. Ironically, Henry tries to become less of himself. "He must become greater; I must become less," John 3:30 - eight words by which Henry lives his life.
"It's just a simple verse that means so much," he says. "It can mean so much in a football realm too, you know in a team realm. I think there's so many applications [for] a simple quote like that; to be humbled, to be humbled before God, to be humbled before your teammates, to be humbled before just everybody.
"That you're not bigger than anybody, that He needs to be the light before everything, and it applies to everything in my life. I think that's where faith kind of carries into your life, just applying those things on a daily basis."
Three F's -- faith, family and football -- have served Henry well for many years. They continue to be pillars for him and even more so once wife Parker gives birth to their first child this month. Make no mistake, Henry is more than committed to football. It's his life, but far from all of it.
"My 'why' here is to serve a bigger purpose," he says. "I like to worship God through my play. Hopefully I show a light in some aspect of my play and how I live my life. My family is big for me, my wife motivates me more than anybody in this world, just how hardworking and independent and just gracious and everything she is in my life. She's definitely one of my biggest 'why's. And then I have my little son coming next month, so I know once I lay eyes on him that'll be right there with her."
Once football season comes to a close, Henry likes to return to Arkansas, immersing himself in all nature has to offer. He loves the beautiful beaches of L.A. but they are few and far between in The Natural State, so hunting is what Henry does. Deer season often passes him by, so he settles for ducks.
For now, Henry has linebackers in his sights as he looks to help New England attain another Lombardi Trophy. Opposing fans may believe God is a Patriots fan, given their seemingly never-ending dynasty. Whether that is the case remains unsolved, though Henry is optimistic Jesus enjoys his work in the end zone.
"I hope so man," Henry says with a chuckle. "I'm doing my best out there for Him. I think he would be definitely proud, but hey the thing with Him is, he's going to be proud with whatever you do- scoring touchdowns [or] no touchdowns. Like what we talked about man, it's unwavering. It never changes."
While Henry will have to wait for eternal paradise, he has every opportunity to propel New England to seventh heaven come February 13.
Mac Jones & Micah Parsons named November Rookies of the Month
The two ROTY favourites have finally been recognised.
Two of the most prized picks from the 2021 NFL Draft have been rewarded for their phenomenal performances during the month of November.
New England’s stud quarterback Mac Jones has the Patriots on a six-game winning streak after starting the season 2-4, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Now, heading into their Monday Night Football clash with Buffalo, the Patriots sit atop the AFC with an 8-4 record.
The Patriots went 4-0 during the year’s eleventh month, disposing of the Panthers, Browns, Falcons and Titans in comfortable fashion. Throughout the period, Jones maintained a 76.8 percent for 854 passing yards, while throwing seven touchdowns to just two interceptions. Jones’ 117.2 quarterback rating ranks first among all NFL QBs since Week 9.
The Pats’ No. 10 is just the second Offensive Rookie of the Month, with Deion Branch’s September 2002 nomination being the first. Jones also joined former classmate Najee Harris as the second Alabama rookie to win the award in 2021.
The Dallas defense has been transformed in 2021 and the Cowboys’ 12th overall pick is an enormous reason why. Micah Parsons has had an incredible start to his degree in The Lone Star State, amassing 10 sacks across 12 games.
During the month of November, where the Cowboys went 1-3, Parsons forced two fumbles, totalled 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. Parsons’ sack and tackle for loss total in November ranked first among all defensive players throughout the league. The former Penn State product is the first Nittany Lion to ever win a Rookie of the Month award.
Parsons is the fourth Cowboys linebacker to win Defensive Rookie of the Month, joining Dexter Coakley (October, 1997), DeMarcus Ware (October, 2005) and Leighton Vander Esch (November, 2018).
Matthew Judon: Patriots’ confidence will never waiver
The Patriots’ star free-agent acquisition is feeling phenomenal right now, and with good reason.
The New England Patriots are back, and it’s almost as if they’ve never left.
Six consecutive wins has New England primed for a playoff assault at 8-4, as they currently hold the #2 seed in the AFC. One of the foremost contributors to the Pats’ renaissance is Matthew Judon. The former Baltimore Raven, acquired during New England’s offseason spending spree, has dominated on the edge — adding a fear factor to their pass rush previously unseen.
Judon once again starred, sacking Ryan Tannehill once, in addition to four solo tackles. The two-time Pro Bowler has reason for being supremely assured about his — and the team’s — play. Since their six-game winning streak, no team has a greater points differential in the NFL. That’s just one of the many reasons Judon’s belief is unshakable.
"It is the same confidence,”Judon said postgame, Nov 28. “We didn't change, we won't waver and it is the same confidence we had when we were 2-4. It doesn't matter if it is a tight game or a blowout, our confidence won't change and we won't waver as a team, as a unit and as players. We come in this building to work every day and we are only going to continue to get better."
Despite their injuries, Tennessee’s arrival in New England was seen as a premier AFC matchup, perhaps even a prelude to the AFC Championship Game. Though Judon wasn’t overly in agreement with those sentiments.
"I think someone asked me that a couple weeks ago and the statement or whatever you want to call it, is we have to come out here and win every single game,” he said.
“One week at a time so if we don't give up any points and no yards, that game is a statement and every week we have to strive for a statement win. If you want to call this a statement or if you just want to call it the next game, we just have to take it week by week and go out there. The statement for us is on to the next week."
Despite The Patriot Way being a common focal point among media circles, Judon plays and carries himself with a swagger, something he has not lost since his move from Baltimore.
"I always have fun. I always try to keep it light and cheery but I think that is just who I am,” Judon said. “Right now, I am just producing and my teammates and coaches hype me up. It is easier to be around people like that and it is all love here. As far as the fun that I am having, I couldn't imagine a better year with any better teammates, they are great."
Judon’s teammates may be great off the field and they’ll most definitely taking some beating on it.
Look out, NFL.
Mac Jones watched Jets film within hours of loss to Dolphins
In keeping with The Patriot Way, Jones moved ‘on to Cincinnati’. When quizzed, Jones admitted with a smile that he’d watched Jets film just hours after the Pats’ loss.
New England quarterback Mac Jones thoroughly impressed during his NFL bow despite the Patriots’ 17-16 loss to division rival Miami.
Jones’ laser-focus was on show after giving away a gifted football following his first touchdown pass as a professional. The Alabama product has been euolgised for his mental approach to football, with many already suggesting it fits seamlessly with The Patriot Way.
In keeping with that persona, Jones moved ‘on to Cincinnati’ almost immediately after the loss. Well not quite Cincy, truthfully attention was turned to the New York Jets — New England’s next opponent. When quizzed, Jones admitted with a smile he’d watched Jets film just hours after the Pats’ loss.
“I mean it’s not fun to lose, so just learning from what we could have done better is definitely just the only thing you can do really,” Jones said, via Mark Daniels of The Providence Journal.
“You can sit there and feel bad for yourself for a little bit, because that’s your human [nature], and that’s what you’re supposed to do, or you’re in the wrong profession. But you’ve just got to move on. So the 24-hour rule – just after 24 hours. Some people it’s less, but for me after that, just move on and play the next play, play the next game. You’re only as good as your last game so we lost and that’s what people remember, so we just got to move forward.”
Jones showed composure beyond his years, completing 29/39 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown. If it weren’t for a rare fumble from running back Damien Harris — New England’s second on the day — with 3:31 remaining, Jones could’ve started his career with a win.
“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Jones said. “Just take it day-by-day and obviously there shouldn’t be any focus on the past. We just got to focus on what we need to get better at.
“That’s kind of for me. Just fundamentally what can I do each day, extra or whatever, just to improve so that when I get to the game we just play fast and we play better than we did last week.”
Jones and the Pats will look to improve upon their first hit-out when they take on division rivals, the New York Jets on Sunday.
Josh McDaniels reveals Patriots current starting QB
Is two better than one? That’s the question being posed around New England and their current quarterback situation.
Is two better than one? That’s the question being posed around New England and their current quarterback situation.
New England has a problem. Or maybe they don’t.
Both Cam Newton and Mac Jones looked like starters against a torrid Philadelphia Eagles defense, filled with backups on Thursday.
Jones completed 13/19 for 146 yards. Despite 0 touchdowns, he lead three scoring drives. Meanwhile his counterpart Newton threw a touchdown, finishing with 8-of-9 passes for 103 yards.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels spoke to local reporters on earlier today, asked who the Week 1 starter may be and when the decision would be finalized.
“I know this is going to sound silly, but I haven’t really worried about it,” McDaniels said, via NESN’s Ryan Hannable.
“I think that decision from Bill [Belichick] will be made when the time is right to make it. Cam certainly is the starter now, and he has done a good job. He has gone in there, he played well the other night. He’s practiced well. But, I know those guys are really competing hard and we’re giving them an opportunity to compete and play a lot of football.
“… I am very pleased with the effort that we’re putting in at the quarterback position, the improvements we’re making, and the way that we’re attempting to run the offense. Everything isn’t perfect. We still have a long way to go and things we can work on and improve and make better, but I think the desire to do it, the way we want to do it to the standard that we’re trying to hold them to I think is right where we want it to be.”
Despite Cam being the current starter, McDaniels gave no assurances it would be an irreversible decision.
“Honestly, our focus is on trying to get them to do everything that they are practicing or doing in the games to the best of their ability, and seeing them improve and focusing on the things where maybe this is an area we need to get better at.”
Could a dual QB1 situation come to fruition in Foxboro, though?
“I have not stopped for one second to think about how to utilize multiple people in the same game. I am encouraged by all our quarterbacks in terms of the way they are working, some of the things they have been able to do in our competitive practices, and some of the things they have done in the preseason games. I am encouraged by that,” McDaniels said.
“But, we have a lot of work ahead of us this week, a great opportunity to get better both on our own and against the Giants and then following it up in the game on Sunday night. I am excited to do that and that is where my focus is.”
New England take on their old foe New York at Metlife Stadium. The game kicks off at 6:00 PM EDT.
Bill Belichick reveals the best QB he’s ever faced
The defensive mastermind has seen his fair share of quarterbacks over the years, but he holds one in the highest esteem, above all else. Spoiler: It’s not Tom Brady.
After 46 years in the league and six Super Bowl wins as a head coach, there are none better qualified than Bill Belichick to talk about quarterback play.
The defensive mastermind has seen his fair share of quarterbacks over the years, but he holds one in the highest esteem, above all else. Spoiler: It’s not Tom Brady.
Belichick has never faced Brady, so on a technicality, he’s disqualified from this conversation. Though it would be incredible viewing if he was asked this same question after TB12 and the Bucs visit Foxboro on October 3.
Anyway, back to Belichick. Here he is discussing the greatest signal-caller he’s ever faced and there’s no surprise he hails from football’s finest family. Despite his record against New England, it isn’t Eli, rather his brother and soon-to-be Hall of Famer, Peyton.
“He is definitely the best quarterback I’ve coached against,” Belichick told Ben Volin of The Boston Globe.
“There have been quarterbacks who called their own plays, but it was nowhere near the same as what he did. He basically called every play by adjusting and/or changing the play once he saw what the defense was doing,” he said.
“He (Peyton) excelled at using the cadence and recognizing blitzes, and more than any one single offensive player, he forced us to change and adapt defensive game plans.”
While in a magnanimous mood Belichick praised Manning’s fellow class-men; former NFL coaches and friends Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher.
“Jimmy’s command of personnel, coaching, trades, and the draft made him one of the all-time master team builders,” Belichick said.
“He took a team from 1-15 and turned it into a three-time Super Bowl champion. Jimmy’s defenses — his 4-3 split safety scheme — were as good as I have coached against. Jimmy is a great friend who has given me a lot of good advice throughout much of my career.”
Cowher — who won Super Bowl XL with Pittsburgh — was also lavished by Belichick.
”Bill had a tremendous NFL career that encompassed a lot — player, assistant coach, coordinator, and head coach,” Belichick said.
“Schematically his teams were one of the very best over the course of two decades. Our teams had some fiercely competitive battles that made me a better coach. I admire and learned from his complete mastery of coaching essentials — motivation, strategy, fundamentals, and physical play. Bill and I have been close friends for 35 years and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
‘They Know Who They Are’ - Tom Brady doubles down on teams who passed on him
You may not like it, but Tom Brady’s still carrying that chip…the dogged, competitively spiteful mentality…
You may not like it, but Tom Brady’s still carrying that chip — no, I don’t mean the Lombardi Trophy, though he is very much in possession of it heading into the NFL season.
Rather, the dogged, competitively spiteful mentality. Make no mistake Brady is the type who would want GMs and owners wincing each time they see him in a Bucs uniform. TB12 hasn’t forgotten who passed on his signature in free agency last year and is hellbent on inflicting further pain upon them.
“They know who they are. They know who they are . . . it’s fine. Everyone has a choice to choose. I think what you realize is, there’s not as many smart people as you think,” Brady said in an interview with Jim Gray on Sirius XM.
“That’s just the reality. I think it’d be a no-brainer if you said, hey, you’ve got a chance to get Wayne Gretzky on your team, or you got a chance to have Michael Jordan on your team . . . Oh, we don’t need him, no thanks. We’re good.”
This comes shortly on the heels of Brady mentioning his reaction to teams passing on him while starring on LeBron James'‘ television show, The Shop.
“I was thinking, you’re going with that motherfucker?” Brady’s quote understandably went viral and despite being pressed, refused to reveal to Gray which team he was specifically referring to.
“There’s private things for me that are going to remain motivational for me,” Brady said.
Lord help them if we ever find out which team Brady was talking about. What is certain however is Brady hasn’t lost an ounce of hunger and that grudge mentality remains.
Bring on week 4 in Foxboro.
NFL announces Preseason TV schedule
An enormous 23 games will be shown on the league’s broadcast channel…this includes to quadruple-headers in Weeks 1 and 2 before two doses of triple-headers in Week 3.
The NFL announced this week there will be a record number of preseason games will be shown on NFL Network.
Let’s hope we’ll see more of this!
Importantly, all preseason games will be shown on NFL GamePass, which is fantastic news for international and American fans alike.
An enormous 23 games will be shown on the league’s broadcast channel will show eight games through Weeks 1-2 before a final seven during the third and final week of preseason.
This includes to quadruple-headers in Weeks 1 and 2 before two doses of triple-headers in Week 3.
The Football Team kick off NFL Network’s coverage on August 12 at New England, where we should get our first official look at Mac Jones in a Patriots uniform.
Trevor Lawrence is likely to hit your screens on August 14 as Urban Meyer and the Jags host AFC rivals, Cleveland.
Media and fans alike will be hoping to get a glimpse of Jordan Love too, which may come as early as Week 2 (August 21) at home to Zac Wilson and Gang Green.
Below is a full list of the games to air on NFL Network across the preseason:
Week 1
Thursday, August 12
7:30 PM ET – Washington Football Team vs. New England Patriots
Friday, August 13
7:00 PM ET – Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions
10:00 PM ET – Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals
Saturday, August 14
1:00 PM ET – Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears
4:00 PM ET – Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings
7:00 PM ET – Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
10:00 PM ET – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, August 15
1:00 PM ET – Carolina Panthers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 2
Thursday, August 19
7:30 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Friday, August 20
8:00 PM ET – Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Football Team
Saturday, August 21
1:00 PM ET – Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears
4:25 PM ET – New York Jets vs. Green Bay Packers
7:30 PM ET – Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
10:00 PM ET – Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, August 22
1:00 PM ET – New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns
7:30 PM ET – San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 3
Friday, August 27
8:00 PM ET – Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Saturday, August 28
1:00 PM ET – Green Bay Packers vs. Buffalo Bills
7:00 PM ET – Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans
10:00 PM ET – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, August 29
1:00 PM ET – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Dallas Cowboys
4:00 PM ET – Las Vegas Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers
6:00 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. New York Giants
For American fans — NFL Network will blackout live games shown concurrently in local markets.
Matthew Judon believes Pats will rise again
“With him leading a group of hungry, willing men, it’s nothing but up from last year,”
Patriots newcomer Matthew Judon is excited at what he and his fellow teammates can do in this upcoming season under their GOAT head coach, Bill Belichick.
Judon, who was speaking to Good Morning Football on Monday, revealed the Pats are hungry to get back to their former glories.
The Pats’ no.9 described Coach Belichick as "arguably the best coach to ever coach any sport.
“With him leading a group of hungry, willing men, it’s nothing but up from last year,” he said.
Judon also spoke to the potential quarterback competition brewing in Foxboro between veteran Cam Newton and first-round draft choice, Mac Jones.
“We all know how it goes. If you’re not playing to a certain standard, it’s the next man up. I think he’ll be playing to that standard, but it’s yet to see. We going to see in a couple weeks.”
Judon also provided some insight to how Cam is approaching the newfound pressure ahead of his second season with the Patriots.
“When he comes in the meetings, he’s in the front of the meetings,” Judon said. “He’s attentive. When we get out on the field, he’s the loudest on the field and he’s always having fun with it. So I expect him to go out there, treat it as a business, go out there and make plays, and lead the quarterbacks, lead the team,” he said.
If Judon and the New England defense can hold up their end of the bargain, Belichick and co. are every chance to once again throw down the gauntlet in the AFC East.
NFL announces joint practices - Who your team is playing and why
After practicing against your own same players throughout OTAs and training camp, it is a great opportunity to move through different plays, schemes against foreign opponents.
Not all 32 teams are participating in joint practices though. Only 21 teams are will involve themselves with another organization.
Joint practices aren’t a new phenomenon in the NFL. They essentially act as an opportunity for teams and players to go through scrimmages against different personnel.
After practicing against your own same players throughout OTAs and training camp, it is a great opportunity to move through different plays, schemes against foreign opponents.
Not all 32 teams are participating in joint practices though. Only 21 teams are will involve themselves with another organization.
New Orleans and Jacksonville were set to meet in Louisiana on August 20, but since the release of the schedule both teams have confirmed otherwise.
Teams NOT involved in joint practices this offseason:
Arizona Cardinals
Buffalo Bills
Cincinnati Bengals
Detroit Lions
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers
Seattle Seahawks
Washington Football Team
Some teams will engage in two bouts of joint practices; the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, and both the New York clubs (Jets and Giants).
Arguably, the most famous joint practice moment of recent memory involved then-Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins and Washington’s DeAngelo Hall getting into it. Things got interesting, real quick…
Thankfully for DB’s everywhere their ankles won’t be tested by D-Hop until preseason at the earliest.
Full list of this year’s joint practices:
Courtesy of NFL Communications
‘People forget who you are and what you’ve done’ - Cam Newton ready to be great again
New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton isn’t letting the naysayers affect him ahead of his second season in Foxboro.
Bill Belichick turned the heat up on the former MVP by drafting Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the 15th pick in this year’s draft. Despite all signs pointing to Jones being the future of the franchise, Newton isn’t letting it determine his success this season.
Speaking to ESPN’s Keyshawn, JWill, and Zubin earlier today, Cam revealed how he’s feeling ahead of the Pats’ 2021 campaign.
“I know who I am,” Newton said.
“At times, I do remind myself people forget who you are, and what you’ve done. So now I’m in a position where I need to be my best self. It’s really put-up or shut-up time.”
Belichick and Newton have often spoke of their admiration for one another and New England insiders have said their relationship is solid. However, Cam knows he needs to be much more to remain in the GOAT’s good books.
“[My] time there has been everything I could have asked for,” he said. “I guess it’s now time for me to uphold my end of the bargain, through and through.”
Cam recently published a video on his YouTube channel stating this was the first time he had been fully healthy in over four years.
Newton will be hoping to improve upon the 2,657 passing yards, eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions from last season. If he can — in addition — repeat his 12 rushing TDs, New England should be a threat to all in the AFC.
Stephon Gilmore: ‘I just want what I’m worth’
Rarely do players speak out about their frustration in New England but the four-time Pro Bowler, Stephon Gilmore has bucked the trend in hopes of a new deal.
Speaking to reporter Josina Anderson earlier today, Gilmore voiced his desire to be paid commensurate to his skill set and market average.
Gilmore’s base salary in 2021 is $7 million — seventh highest among cornerbacks. Top earner Byron Jones, of the Miami Dolphins, will earn double that amount ($14 million). Jones’ colleague Xavien Howard, Washington’s Kendall Fuller, Denver’s Kyle Fuller, Houston’s Bradley Roby and Cincinnati’s Trae Waynes all have a bigger base salary than the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
“I just want what I’m worth, however that plays out,” Gilmore told Anderson. “Every player should be paid what they’re worth. That’s just how it is.”
Despite, the current contractual impasse Gilmore isn’t wishing for a way out of Foxboro.
“Hopefully we can find some common ground and get it situated,” Gilmore remarked.
“I just know what I bring to the table and my style of play. Right now, I’m just trying to focus on myself and make sure I’m good mentally and physically.”
After an injury-plagued 2020 season, Gilmore went under the knife to repair his partially-torn quad. Feeling better than evert, he’s confident 2021 will be different.
“I feel stronger than I’ve ever felt since the surgery. I’ve been running a lot, building full speed,” Gilmore said.
Pats fans may see Gilly Lock in training camp, but even he’s not sure just yet. If not, it will likely be due to his physical condition — rather than the off-field situation.
“We’ll see; if I need to be. But I also don’t want to push it.”
N’Keal Harry formally requests a trade from New England
Under-fire wide receiver N'Keal Harry has never really fit in New England and now he’s taken matters into his own hands.
Under-fire wide receiver N'Keal Harry has never really fit in New England and now he’s taken matters into his own hands.
Harry desires to seek newer pastures for the 2021 season, the Patriots aren’t displeased with this course of action with rumors circulating the Arizona State product was in danger of being cut.
Jamal Tooson, Harry’s agent, officially handed in a trade request, via Mike Garafolo of NFL Media.
“For the past several months, I have been working in cooperation with the Patriots behind the scenes to put a plan in place to allow N’Keal to thrive in New England,” Tooson said in a statement shared on social media.
“Through two seasons, he has 86 targets, which obviously hasn’t met the expectations the Patriots and N’Keal had when they drafted a dominant downfield threat who was virtually unstoppable at the point of attack in college. Following numerous conversations with the Patriots, I believe it’s time for a fresh start and best for both parties if N’Keal moves on before the start of training camp. That’s why I have informed the Patriots today I am formally requesting a trade on behalf of my client.
“N’Keal understands a key ingredient to production is opportunity. He will continue to work hard to develop and refine his craft after missing a large portion of his rookie year to injury. His draft-day expectations for his NFL career have not changed. We are confident success is just around the corner for him and will aggressively pursue it.”
Bill Belichick has come under fire for the Harry selection — No. 32 overall in 2019 — after leaving the likes of D.K. Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown and Terry McLaurin on the board.
Harry amassed just four touchdowns alongside 45 receptions and 414 yards across his two seasons in New England.
New England has gone to drastic measures to improve their skill positions this offseason, signing receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, in addition to tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.
It remains to be seen which teams will come calling for Harry. Our guess is it won’t be a high price.
Why Von Miller believes Peyton Manning - and not Tom Brady - is the GOAT
Hold up now, just wait a second.
Before the outcry, we must be fair to Von and point out his thoughts are from late October 2020 -- long before Brady and the Bucs got it together and dominated the Chiefs. Perhaps his opinion has since changed, but judging by his love for Peyton that’s as likely as a flying pig.
What’s perhaps most interesting about Von Miller’s GOAT take is the question was never raised about Manning or Brady was never raised. Von decided to take it upon himself to assert Peyton Manning as the greatest of all time.
Irrespective of who you side with, Von’s love and admiration for Peyton -- both as a player and as a human being -- is palpable.
“He is the real deal and he’s the GOAT,” Miller said of his former Super Bowl winning teammate.
“They have these discussions about Peyton and Tom Brady, and Tom Brady, he’s won a lot of Super Bowl’s and I’m a Tom Brady fan but Peyton Manning, he changed the position of quarterback from an audible position on the line to being a technician, going about his game, knowing the defense and that’s why Peyton Manning is the GOAT in my eyes.”
“Of course we’ve got Tom Brady and I’m a big Tom Brady fan and everything he does man, but I played with Peyton Manning man, and I got to experience what type of guy he was, what type of player he was and what type of leader he was. He’ll always get my vote on being the GOAT, ‘cause he truly was.”
As for what Peyton Manning was truly like, away from the public eye, Von took us into the Broncos locker room, detailing the tendencies and nuances of Denver’s favorite son.
“I’m just taken to the image that I have of Peyton Manning. Him being in the locker room, just being around Peyton Manning, he was just a true leader man, a true leader of men,” he said when asked about Peyton’s most memorable qualities.
“If he did mess up on anything, he went about his business, so professional man and he never made the same mistake twice. He handled adversity off the football field, on the football field, he was the same guy every single day.
“He knew the coaches, he knew the players, he knew the players’ kids, he knew the janitors by first name and had conversations with all these guys. He was a real superhero man, it’s not a facade, it’s not anything fake, it was just him.”
Does Peyton Manning really run around in Von Miller’s backyard?! To find out, along with more of Von Miller’s conversation with Patrick Djordjevic, click here.