FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — There was a time in the not too distant past when the Buffalo Bills traveled to New England looking to prove they could give the Patriots a fight at the top of the division. This season, New England is enduring its worst start in more than two decades and is just […]
Kyle Hightower | AP Sports Writer
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NBA’s $300 million man, Jaylen Brown ready to step into leadership role for retooled Celtics
BOSTON (AP) — Early in his NBA career, Jaylen Brown was largely viewed as a player who would be a component of the Boston Celtics’ long-term success, rather than a pillar of its foundation. When big-name stars would become available during free agency, Brown was often a potential trade chip. As he prepares for his […]
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The Patriots, at 1-5 for 1st time since 1995, taking small improvements back to the drawing board
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Over three weeks and three straight losses, Mac Jones has walked into the Patriots team facility ready to face the kind of truths only game film can reveal. It’s been difficult to watch and many of the same themes continue to pop up each week — turnovers, penalties and poor fundamentals. […]
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Mac Jones will remain Patriots’ starting QB this week against Raiders, Bill Belichick says
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots are making some big changes to try to improve their offense. For now, a change at quarterback won’t be one of them. New England coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday that Mac Jones will remain the starter when the Patriots visit the Las Vegas Raiders. “Yeah, we’re not making any […]
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Bill Belichick offers few specifics about how to fix the Patriots amid their worst start since 2000
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — There is a tradition that takes place in the aftermath of New England Patriots home games. After the field has emptied, select ticket holders are invited down to the Gillette Stadium turf. Once there, some enjoy games of catch between family members and friends. Others use the opportunity to stand at […]
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The Patriots are 1-3 again, and a path to a winning record isn’t obvious
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Bill Belichick has never been a fan of moral victories. But a day after suffering the worst loss of his 29-year career, the longtime Patriots coach was adamant that it wasn’t an accurate reflection of his team. “I feel like we’re better than what we played (Sunday),” Belichick said. “I definitely […]
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Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum ready to confront championship expectations for new-look roster
BOSTON (AP) — After the summer the Boston Celtics have had, Jayson Tatum isn’t surprised they’re entering this season with a spotlight fixed on them. “People expect us to get to the championship and win,” Tatum said Monday. “And if we don’t, we didn’t necessarily meet expectations.” That’s because during an offseason full of movement […]
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René Pinto’s 2-run homer and Manuel Margot’s 2 RBIs help Rays outlast Red Sox 9-7
BOSTON (AP) — René Pinto hit a two-run home run, Manuel Margot added a pair of RBI singles as part of a four-hit night, and the Tampa Bay Rays held on to beat the Boston Red Sox 9-7 on Tuesday night. Rays starter Zach Eflin (16-8) yielded three runs off five hits over five innings […]
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Patriots’ low-scoring offense is a big concern even after 1st win of season
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — While the New England Patriots avoided their first 0-3 start in two decades, it’s not clear whether they can consistently score enough points to contend in the AFC East. New England played turnover-free in Sunday’s 15-10 win over the struggling New York Jets, covering for the deficiencies of an offense that didn’t run […]
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Patriots are clear on their issues and will try to avoid the second 0-3 start of Belichick’s tenure
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — It’s not quite time to panic in New England. But the Patriots’ latest setback put them in a position they haven’t been in under Bill Belichick in more than 20 years. Their 24-17 loss to Miami dropped them to 0-2, their first such start since 2001 — Belichick’s second season in New England. […]
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Mostert runs for 2 TDs, Tagovailoa throws for another as Dolphins hold off Patriots 24-17
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa has heard a lot during his NFL career about his shortcomings. Beating the New England Patriots continues not to be one of them. Raheem Mostert had a pair of TD runs, including a 43-yard romp in the fourth quarter, and Tagovailoa added a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill to help the Miami […]
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Unbeaten in 4 starts vs. Patriots, Dolphins’ Tagovailoa brings NFL’s top offense into latest matchup
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been an enigma for Bill Belichick in his matchups with the Patriots. Tagovailoa’s made four starts against the future Hall of Fame coach. Four times he’s walked away with a victory. That track record is also exactly why Tagovailoa is expecting the unexpected from Belichick’s defense […]
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Yankees sweep Fenway Park doubleheader for first time since 2006 as Boone gets 500th win
BOSTON (AP) — Aaron Boone has his 500th win, the New York Yankees are back above .500 and for the first time in a month are no longer alone at the bottom of the AL East. Gleyber Torres keyed the Yankees to their first doubleheader sweep at Fenway Park since 2006, leading New York over […]
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Torres’ 2-run single helps Yankees outlast Red Sox 3-2 in doubleheader opener
BOSTON (AP) — Gleyber Torres had a go-ahead, two-run single in the sixth inning and started a game-ending double play with the bases loaded, helping the New York Yankees hold on to beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Tuesday in a day-night doubleheader opener. DJ LeMahieu added an RBI double as New York earned […]
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The Patriots see progress with their offense after their season-opening loss to the Eagles
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots ended last season in need of a new direction on offense. The changes New England made this offseason weren’t enough to avert a 25-20 Week 1 loss to Philadelphia. But the Patriots appear to be in a better position to succeed going forward. New England’s biggest impediments on offense last […]
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Jalen Hurts, Eagles build early lead, hang on to beat Patriots 25-20 as Tom Brady is honored
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Jalen Hurts walked off the field following the Eagles’ season-opening victory unsure of what the offense he leads can achieve this season. He likes what he has to work with, though. Hurts threw a touchdown pass and Darius Slay had a 70-yard interception return for a score as Philadelphia built a […]
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Tom Brady casts a wide shadow over the Patriots’ season-opening matchup with the Eagles
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady left an imprint on the New England Patriots that hasn’t faded. Three-plus years after his departure, Brady’s jersey is still sold inside the stadium and dots its seats on game days. Photos of both his iconic and mundane moments in a Patriots uniform also continue to decorate various areas […]
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‘It’s what I do.’ Patriots’ Bill Belichick engaged, optimistic entering his 49th season in NFL
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Depending on the day — and the team the Patriots happen to be preparing for in a given week — Bill Belichick can display both his reverence for NFL history and his ambivalence about anything that has to do with the past. Ask him about what the Pittsburgh Steelers and legacy […]
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Patriots’ Jack Jones to serve 1 year of probation, community service in firearms case
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots defensive back Jack Jones has agreed to serve one year of probation and 48 hours of community service in exchange for prosecutors dropping eight of the nine weapons charges he faced in connection with his June arrest at a security checkpoint at Boston’s Logan Airport for allegedly having […]
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Jose Altuve hits 2-run HR to complete 1st cycle of his career, Astros crush Red Sox 13-5
BOSTON (AP) — Walking to the plate in the eighth inning, Jose Altuve was well aware of his personal scoreboard for the day: a single, a double and a triple. “It’s kind of like in your mind, but you don’t want to change your whole approach,” he said. “I was just thinking about getting a […]
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Betts gets ovation, scores twice against former team, Freeman has 4 hits as Dodgers beat Red Sox 7-4
BOSTON (AP) — Mookie Betts didn’t arrive at Fenway Park with any expectations. He wanted to be ready to receive whatever came his way during his return to face the first major league franchise he played for. On a night in which he was embraced and celebrated by his former team and its fan base, […]
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Ezekiel Elliott says time in free agency left him ‘anxious’ and ‘ready to ball’ with Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Ezekiel Elliott’s diminishing output and price tag helped hasten the end to his Dallas Cowboys tenure. After spending the spring and most of the summer in the NFL’s free agency wilderness he landed with the New England Patriots, a team calling on him to be a complementary piece at running back […]
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No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud struggles in his preseason debut as the Texans beat the Patriots 20-9
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — C.J. Stroud wouldn’t change much about stepping on the field for the first time against an NFL opponent. Except for one play. Stroud had a short and at times shaky debut that included an interception, Davis Mills threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to rookie Tank Dell and the Houston Texans beat […]
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Celtics’ Brown ready for expectations that come with new deal, wants to use it to impact community
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown wants to win more than championships after inking the richest deal in NBA history. On Wednesday, minutes after he did a ceremonial signing of the contract that will keep him a Celtics uniform and pay him a record $304 million over five years, he made it clear the next stage […]
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‘Trust’ is the buzz word as Patriots reconfigure offense during training camp
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — There’s no secret the Patriots had several issues on offense last season. The unit went from ranking sixth in the NFL in points per game in 2021 under the direction of longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to ranking 17th a season later after longtime defensive coach Matt Patricia became the offensive […]