The REAL THING Patriots Podcast

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots were chasing another ring and history, this time in Atlanta against the formidable LA Rams.  But this time wasn't like all the others--or any other Super Bowl that's been played in NFL history.  The Pats defense rose up in hisotric fashion, besting the high flying Rams and holding them to a historically low scoring total under their average, frustrating a group that had scored at will throughout the season.   How did Bill Belichick and his defensive staff, including departing playcaller Brian Flores, accomplish such a monumental task?  And how did Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski continue their march through the post-season?  And how did the Pats running game keep clicking at such productive levels in this so-called passing league?   Huge show as we wrap up the 2018 NFL season.  Let's dive in...

Tom Brady answered the bell.  Rob Gronkowski answered the bell.  Julian Edelman answered the bell.  The big-time players for New England came up big-time in the AFC Championship game.  But in winning in the hostile environment that is Arrowhead, it took an absolute total team effort.   On this week's show, we turn the focus to players across the roster who are unsung, who often get overlooked, who don't come up as frequently in talking about the stars of this team--but that balled out in a big spot at the time they were needed most.   We'll look at both sides of the ball, concentrating on a few guys from offense, and a few guys from defense that stepped up in a big way to help the Patriots advance to the Super Bowl to face the Los Angeles Rams in Atlanta.  

So it turns out the 2018 Patriots aren't near the end of anything...they just might be getting started.  Looking refreshed, renewed, and downright dominant against an LA Chargers team that won earlier this season in Kansas City, America got a big ol' glass of woke juice...quickly remembering all the reasons they need to start worrying about & hating the team from Foxboro.  Tom Brady looked sharp--in other words, he played just like Tom Brady.  The running game was subperb, but can they repeat that kind of ground performance in KC to keep the pressure off Tom and the passing game? The defense put another notch in their belt against a top NFL quarterback, but young Patrick Mahomes is this season's best and looms as a tremendous challenge in the AFC Championship. What's the plan against him going to be?  Can they get him to keep turning the ball over as he did against them earlier this season, and as he has in moments of weakness during his first campaign?  It doesn't happen often, but when it rains with Mahomes, it tends to pour.   And finally, the Colts blocked a punt against Kansas City...thrusting special teams opportunity right back to the forefront.  Might just be a big Cordarrelle Patterson week too... We cover all this and more in this week's REAL THING Patrtiots podcast.  Enjoy and GO PATS!   

The Patriots' opponent for the divisional round of the playoffs is now clear, so on this week's show, Matt Chatham goes deep on all the strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies of the LA Chargers, using their recent games and a review of last year's contest as context.  He also takes a broad, canvas look at the Patriots current roster, how the roles & strongest groupings for New England have come into greater focus in the last month, putting the Pats in position to put their best foot forward against a talented AFC opponent.   Sure, there's going to be plenty of Tom Brady and Philip Rivers talk this week, and we cover some of that here.  But in this show, Chatham also goes all around the support players & studs that the Chargers lean on outside the QB position.   Going to be quite the battle to decide who goes to this year's AFC Championship, let's dive in...

Josh Gordon was a rare talent for the Patriots.  He was their most productive wide receiver--mainly becasue Julian Edelman missed four games--but still.  The offense clearly will have to adjust in the final two weeks, particularly as they look to bounce back from a disappointing week in Pittsburgh.  So we look to the game tape to sort through the common perceptions of what Josh was doing in the Patriots offense that will need to be either replaced or reconfigured.  Was he actually regularly receiving extra coverage attention?  Were defenses playing him as a "deep threat"? Are the coverages and approaches to playing the Pats likely to change with Gordon gone?  Will Brady's progressions fundamentally change without #10 out there running routes?  Was Gordon actually drawing attention away from other players?  And who can fill the production void at the WR postion...or is that how it will work at all?   This show is dedicated to separating perception from tape reality on all these subjects and more.  Let's dig in...

The Patriots set off to South Beach to clinch the AFC East and come away with an oft-elusive win down in South Florida.  Instead...they came away with one of the most frustrating end of game collapses in recent memory.  Tom Brady put up great numbers and the offense produced over 30 points...but the situaitonal execution was suprisingly poor.  The defense reverted to their occasional 2018 habit of atrocious run defense, and that opened the floodgates, as any listerner to this show knows.  Gronk played great.  Edelman was productive, per usual.  Gordon flashed.  And the specials teams units turned the rare trick of TWO blocked punts in one game.  Yet, the story of the game will forever be the ridiculous failed defense of the final lateral play from 69 yards out that flipped the outcome as the clock expired.   How did this all happen?  How could it have all been avoided?  Where does this leave the Pats going forward?  And what were the positives that shouldn't get lost in the emotion.   Matt Chatham breaks it all down for you in as thorough a manner as you'll find in the Patriots universe.  This one was educational, but it might hurt a little.  Let's dive in...

When the Vikings came to Foxboro in Week 13 of the 2018 seaosn, the Patriots faced one of the better defenses in the the league, with one of the better 1-2 wide receiver punches in Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen...and neither or those two things ended up being much of a problem. On this show, Matt Chatham walks through all the details & problems highlighted in an impressively mundane (is that a thing) victory for the Pats against another NFC North foe.  The running game had another highly productive day, Brady got his 1000 yards rushing thingy, and the defense played one of its most complete performances of the season.  Looks like this team is rounding into playoff form..  

The Patriots nabbed a 2-score division victory on the road in the division after Thanksgiving--that's what it's all about in this league.  We detail how they pulled it off, the good & the bad, including highlights of unheralded performers vs the Jets.  The Pats running game came roaring back behind the return of Sony Michel, Rob Gronkowski, and Shaq Mason.  The defense played a solid, complementary game, fixing some of the issues that plagued them against the Titans a week ago.  And overall, the team overcame some road adversity to play sharp down the stretch when they needed to most.  This was the kind of performance Patriots Nation was looking forward to New England to come back with after the bye.  Let's dive into the details...

After a 6 game Patriots win streak, the Titans walked over New England for a comfortable win & reminder that nothing is guaranteed in the NFL.  On this show, we detail all the issues from that day, and what we learned about how this team must play to win going forward... Old friend and new Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel led his group to a resounding performance that was dominant in all three phases, making big plays in special teams, offense, and defense--while preventing the other side from doing the same.  It was an uncharacteristic day for Tom Brady and the New England offense, underscoring how important it is for this team (like all NFL teams) to have a running game to lean on to open up other parts of the offense.  Conversely, the defense struggled to stop the run early, and gave up big plays in the passing game to the Titans lone consistent threat, Corey Davis--a big surprise considering stud Patriots cornerback was on the losing end of many of those battles.   As the Patriots head now into the bye week and home stretch of their 2018 season, we outline all the elements that have shown their ugly head in early season losses, and talk through how to prevent their absence in the most important late season games.  And we go through the misperception that the Pats need to have a certain record or home field in the playoffs to accomplish what they want--something easily disproven by the history of many NFL champions during the Belichick era.   Take a deep breath and enjoy the show...

It wasn't just a quarterback showdown...shocker, I know.  The Patriots put together a solid, full-team effort and controlled the Packers down the stretch...here's a full game review of the most things to come from this prime-time game.   Big nights by Josh Gordon, Cordarrelle Patterson, Adrrian Clayborn, Trey Flowers, and James White kept the Patriots on the winning side of things once again, avoiding an upset by Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay on SNF.  We run through all the highlights (and lowlights) of this game in this week's show, paying special attention to the little details that weren't necessarilyexpanded upon in the game broadcast.  Very solid effort by the Patriots with a lot of moving parts, ton to cover...let's dive in!  

Choo-choo...hype train coming through!  Brady and Rodgers and the Packers, oh my!  In depth look here at all the things that will decide this Patriots-Packers SNF thriller, the quarterback battle, sure, but also all the inside details on the Patriots adjust during a time of running back uncertainty, how the offense changes without their best offensive lineman (Shaq Mason), and how the New England defense prepares to contol a Pack offense with a high ceiling, but middling output in 2018.   Let's dive in!  

Playing in Buffalo is always a test.  Playing on Monday Night Football in Buffalo adds even more juice to the matchup.  Unfortunately, this year's Bills squad has been trending towards the bottom the NFL in advance of this primetime AFC East contest.  The Bills have been forced to turn to street free agent and respected veteran QB Derek Anderson midseason after mismanagement of the their young QB situation--this in the midst of an unusually paltry month of offensive football for Buffalo.  Trying to recover a semblance of an offense in a week where Tom Brady & Co. come to visit is about as a bad a combination as one could as for in the NFL, but that's the challenge that lies before the Bills.  It's a personnel-challenged offense in Buffalo with as many offensive question marks as any group in the NFL.  For the Patriots defense, this needs to be a week to flex a bit and clean up some of the inconsistencies of weeks past.   On this show, we dive into all the ways the Patriots avoid a step backwards in this important division game, giving you a viewer's template for things to watch for Monday night to help the Patriots keep trending upward.   Enjoy!  

The Patriots travel to Soldier Field in Chicago for a rare New England trip out to the Windy City.  It's going to be a fun matchup of a salty Bears group that seemingly let one go last weekend against the Dolphins in Miami, against a Patriots team that knocked off the NFL's hottest team in the Chiefs, but still looks like a major work in progress that hasn't yet reached their full stride.   Weeks like this are always a challenge for players in that you have to get up to speed quickly on a team you're not familiar with, but fortunately, many of the concepts should look similar to stuff the Pats saw against Kansas City, and even the Jaguars.   How will the Patriots offense attack a talented Bears D that gave up a big number on the ground a week ago and brings a hobbled star to the game in Khalil Mack?  How will the Patriots defense be attacked after a very solid showing against the Chiefs undone in a flurry of late-game huge plays a week ago?   And can the Patriots quickly fix their kickoff team letdowns that had typically been an area of strength, but may be seen as a big opportunity for the Bears to jump on and flip the field.   Enjoy! 

The Patriots are back to their winning ways, and the Chiefs come to Foxboro on a roll.  Something's gotta give. Let's dive into the details, how New England can chop down Kansas City... There's a very specific way that Patrick Mahomes must be played.  Matt Chatham walks through the "musts" in overcoming this Andy Reid offense with all its different weapons and an electric young quarterback.  There's a formula, and it takes disciplined play.  If you stray from containing these certain elements as a defense, you have no chance.  Jacksonville's gameplan and execution provides a very nice recent example of what not to do... As explosive as the Chiefs offense has been, the Pats' O has just as much, if not more, potential as they integrate Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon into a group that's growing with their new stud running back, Sony Michel.  The biggest mismatch of the day may very well be New England's offense vs the Chiefs struggling (and suddenly banged up) defense.   This is gonna be a fun one, let's get into the dirt... Enjoy the show! 

It's Dolphins week! And the Patriots reeeeeeally don't wanna lose 3 games in a row. Ya squish the fish--especially when they come to Foxboro. But this is a team with a lot of growing to do after 2 weeks of mostly pain. So here's how they reverse course... First we look at the offense and what needs to change now that Sony Michel has a couple weeks of work under his belt.  There are some very specific things they can do to take some pressure of the guy and keep teams from teeing off on him on every run, let him return to the player that ripped up space in college.  Will Josh Gordon play?  Maybe...but that's far from the most important thing NE needs to change their fortunes.  We walk through the play types and presnap stuff that can get the Patriots and Tom Brady back to keeping defenses on their heels... Defensively, it's really prove it week.  Expect some shuffling of personnel.  Expect a new face or two.  Expect the scheme to restrict to the fronts that worked, and for some of the stuff that's been bad for this group to be put away for some time.  Guys gotta get off blocks, create penetraton and start making plays.  There are some scheme way to make that happen against Miami...we'll walk through them.   And for the special teams...IT'S TIME TO MAKE PLAY!  These are the fun weeks for special teams guys.  Both the O & D are struggling, time to provide a boost.   Enjoy the show!  

The Jags knocked the Patriots off in impressive fashion in Week 2, and the overreaction wildfires have started to spread across Patriots Nation.  Matt Chatham reviews the tape to get at what really went wrong--the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Most importantly, Chatham dives into what happens next--how the Patriots must respond and adjust to the mistakes that killed them on this hot September day in Florida. No hot takes, just football.  Let's dive in...

The REAL THING is back!  The Patriots knocked off the Texans to kickoff the '18 season and former Patriot Matt Chatham is here to break down all the details ya can't get anywhere else... Chatham runs through the roster drama that brought us to gameday, the surprises inactives and how that affected the gameplan against Houston.  He then looks at the scheme choices the Patriots made in defending Deshaun Watson and the Houston offense, the approach the Pats offense took in lieu of Julian Edelman's absence, the very solid work of the revamped Patriots defense, and the new faces on the reworked offense that really stood out.  Chatham also works through the mistake and problems that arose in the game, what went wrong, and how those are resolved moving forward.  The most credible, in-depth New England Patriots podcast on the internet is back and ready to roll.  Let's goooooooooooooooooooo

The New England Patriots come up short on their 2017 championship dream, falling to the Philadelphia Eagles in heartbreaking fashion to Nick Foles & Company.  Both offenses soared, as both defenses played well below their standard, but the Eagles defense made a big-time play when they needed it most.   Losing sucks, but we take you through the important lessons of the game tape--where it all went wrong for the Pats, including how benched CB Malcolm Butler could have reasonably helped this defense (and where he reasonably couldn't have).    As is often the case in a disappointing lost, there was plenty of brilliant football by the Pats that is bound to get buried in the rubble, so we highlight the good with the bad.   They didn't quite get it done this time around, but only the tape can tell the true story.  Let's dive in...

The REAL THING Patriots Podcast comes at ya live from the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota, welcoming Courtney Cox from the New England Sports Network to help sift through this Patriots vs Eagles Super Bowl matchup. This show concentrates on the "MUSTS" for the Patriots three individual units in this game: offense, defense, and special teams.  We've organized a bulleted list of things in each of three areas to look for as you watch this huge game to decide if Patriots Nation get to welcome another trophy into the collection.   It's Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and crew back at it again with a new challenge before them.  The REAL THING pod gives ya all the nitty gritty for gameday...enjoy!     

The Jacksonville Jaguars presented a formidable challenge for the New England Patriots, and the visitors stuck with the defending champs for most of the game.  Until it mattered most.  Matt Chatham breaks down an at-times sluggisth Patriots performance sprinkled with moments of situational brilliance that helped this Pats squad advance to Minnesota for an opportunity at another league crown.   On this show, we run through all the critical drives of the game, picking apart all the good and all the bad illuminated on the game tape--from Brady's big-moment brilliance, to Danny Amendola's clutch play, to Gronk's concussion, to the timely situational stops by the Patriots defense, and the role players that stepped up in big spots to help secure another AFC Championship in Foxboro.   Let's avoid the temptation of looking ahead too soon to the Philadelphia Eagles--there will be plenty of time for that next week--and instead find a greater appreciation for how the Patriots got to this next step.  Enjoy the show!

On this championship addition of the REAL THING Patriots Podcast, we look at all the similarities of Titans and the Jaguars and the many things that the Patriots can learn from their own recent Divisional win, the Jags victory over the Steelers, and the Jags big stumble late in the season against the Niners and Jimmy G.   With a trip to the Super Bowl in Minneapolis on the line, the disruptive Jaguars come to Foxboro with a bit of an identity crisis--are they the group that led the league in most defensive categories, or are they the defense that got ran through by the lowly Niners and hung on for dear life against the Steelers a week ago?   We dig in deeper to see how New England can make sure they don't see Jacksonville's better half...

It's the playoffs, and this is a Patriots podcast--the real kind at a time when real coverage of the football team is needed most... The NFL Playoffs arrive once again in New England after a week of rest and study for the region's favorite team.  The Patriots are deep in preparation, so we decided to dive in deeper too with that lil' bit of extra playoff effort.  Former Patriot Matt Chatham goes through every angle of this Divisional matchup--everything ya need to know about the Titans from their strengths on boths sides of the ball, the schemes they prefer, their vulnerabilities, the under-appreciated aspects of their team, the areas where they'll have the most problems against the Pats, and the tips & tendencies that you can pick up from even your own couch as you watch your team try to advance to the AFC Championship.   As always, enjoy the show.  And Go Pats!   

It was absolutely miserable outside when the Patriots defeated the Jets in Foxboro on New Year's Eve--the ultimate survive and advance game to conclude the NFL season.  On this episode of the REAL THING, Matt Chatham takes a look at the dominant themes coming out of the Jets game--what from that game is relevant for the team moving forward, and what is not.  We look at the continued impressive work of Dion Lewis, the new-dude contributions of James Harrison, and the state of the roster as the regular season concludes.   Next, the show takes a bit of a detour to address the outside (mis)perception of the Patriots defense as somehow mediocre, despite every bit of relevant evidence to the contrary.  Chatham discusses why the Patriots D is indeed one of the best in the NFL Playoffs, and why the statistical impressions many get from the team are so hopelessly useless.   Packed show...as always, we hope you enjoy!  

The New England Patriots 37-16 pounding of the Buffalo Bills wasn't just about a single controversial touchdown catch that was overturned, I swear!  On this week's REAL THING Patriots Podcast we review all the other exciting stuff that happened as well, plus preview the New York Jets finale & how new outside linebacker James Harrison may fit in.   Yep, the Kelvin Benjamin play needs some fleshing out.  Was it really all that controversial?  Did the NY offices get it right?  Can something be "clear" [which it was] but not "obvious" [which seems to be what most people are hung up on]?  We'll discuss in detail, and talk about where replay needs to go from here.   The rival New York Jets have one final opportunity to take a bite out of the Patriots otherwise cheery 2017 season outlook, but that will mean they'll have to come up with a vastly improved offensive performance behind QB Bryce Petty--something that doesn't appear likely.  We dig into who the Patriots need to control to survive and advance from this final regular season challenge.   Enjoy!  

As a Patriots fan, we KNOW ya loved that win down in Pittsburgh for the driver's seat in homefield throughout the AFC playoffs.  It had all the elements--crazy-good football atmosphere, talent all over the field on both sides, tons of big plays, and a controversial call (that wasn't that controversial).  Tom Brady led a game-winning drive.  Rob Gronkowski played out of his mind.  The Patriots defense faltered-but-hardened when it mattered most.  The REAL THING Patriots Podcast walks through all the biggest moments... And now they're "On to Buffalo"--a quick transition from an emotional road win to another big AFC test.  It's the hottest time of the Patriots season as the temperatures drop.  Let's do this... Enjoy the show!    

It's a weird week in Patriots Nation, that's for sure.  The Pats put a stinker on their record in Miami, but have to quickly put that performance in the rearview and look ahead to the [other] class of the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers.  In this episode, Matt Chatham walks through all the problems that arose in the Dolphins game for the Pats--and which of those mistakes are concerns moving forward, and which are fixable outliers.   The return of Rob Gronkowski figures to loom large as New England travels to the Steel City, so Chatham breaks down all the differences you'll notice in the overall operation for the Pats, and what that will mean for the Steelers as they try to replicate the Dolphins' defensive perfomance.   Buckle up for a loaded REAL THING Patriots Podcast...enjoy!  

We breakdown the big road win in Buffalo by New England, as well as the fallout from the Rob Gronkowski game suspension.  It's a packed to the brim show as we dive into all of your Twitter questions, plus re-preview--is that a word?--the Dolphins as the Patriots attempt to knock off their AFC East foe twice in just 14 days.   How might the offense operate this time around without Gronk?  What will Dolphins likely try to change after their swing & a miss in Foxboro?  And how does this Pats defense just keep getting better and better.   Enjoy! 

The Patriots plunged back into AFC East play with a convincing performance against the Miami Dolphins in Foxboro.  This pod dives into how the Patriots got it done--their improvements in red zone offense, the defense taking another big step forward, the running game having a whale of a day, and much more.   Next, we preview the Buffalo Bills, as the Pats head to Orchard Park in an effort to keep the Bills Mafia down on their luck.  This pod covers how best to approach the Buffalo offense led again by Tyrod Taylor and Shady McCoy, how best to attack the Bills defense that's been dramatically up and down throughout the year, and overall what to expect this important division game to hinge on.   Enjoy!   

The REAL THING Patriots Podcast comes at ya with a special pregame show, taped on Sunday morning of the Patriots gameday against the Miami Dolphins.  It's Thanksgiving Week, so the schedule is a mess for everyone involved--how do organizations and players overcome the schedule quirks and still secure an important division win?   This week's show is framed around the "5 Patriots Things to be Most Thankful For," focusing on the specific elements that help the team most as the Miami Dolphins come to town.  Gronkowski waiting in the weeds, the weather advantage, running back cornucopia, and much more.   Enjoy the show.  Then enjoy the game.  And most importantly...Go Pats!  

The Patriots and Broncos are two franchises with their hopes for 2017 heading in the polar opposite direction.  New England solved the Denver riddle with overwhelming special teams play, tough & timely run game production, and throw-it-to-everybody quarterbacking by the game's best, Tom Brady.   Rex Burkhead showed up huge, and the Patriots defense put another brick in the wall as their span of efficient, point-preventing, hi-level defense continues to grow.   The Oakland Raiders loom on the horizon in a weird in-season business vacation for the two AFC foes.  Matt Chatham details all that Patriots fans should expect from the silver & black, and where the greatest vulnerabilities lie.   Plus, all your Twitter questions answered!   Enjoy!    

Back from the Patriots bye week, The REAL THING Patriots Podcast returns to break down where things stand with New England as they head into the back nine of the 2017 season.  Matt Chatham takes stock of the Patriots current roster health & recent transactions as they head down the stretch.  He then talks areas of vulnerability for this team to keep an eye on, and aspects of this team he expects the Patriots to flourish in as the playoffs approach.  In the second half of the show, former Colorado Buffalo & NFL lineman Matt McChesney pops in to give his insight on all that ails the struggling Broncos as they head into this important AFC clash at a place the Patriots have obviously had mixed success.   We've got a packed show for ya, Patriots Nation...let's dive in!  

The talented Atlanta Falcons were prepared to wash the bad taste of last year's Super Bowl loss from their mouths with a successful trip to Foxboro, MA.  But the New England Patriots had other plans, producing a hallmark victory at home to put to bed many of the doubts about the kind of team this can be.  There's still a ton of time and work to go, but a well-rounded performance against a top team deserves a tip o' the cap.   Matt Chatham works through the top takeaways on tape from the Falcons-Patriots game, then turns his attention to the San Diego---err, Los Angeles Chargers, who have three straight impressive wins against the Giants, Raiders, and Broncos.  Chatham welcomes former Patriots 4th round pick, offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger to the show...Rich played for the Chargers as well during his NFL career, and now work in San Diego covering the team on the "Mark & Rich Show" for Fox Sports San Diego.  He knows both the Patriots Way & this surprising Chargers team well, offers some great insight for this weekend's contest.   Enjoy the show!  

Matt Chatham picks apart the [mostly] good and the bad in the hard-fought win on the road at the Jets, including that so-called controversial fumble call that went against New York tight end Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (as the rules dictate it should have).  The "worst call ever!" hyperbole that came after was obviously totally sane and not rooted in simply not wanting the Patriots to get the call.  Clearly.  Next, Chatham welcomes former Atlanta Falcons quarterback & Georgia Bulldog DJ Shockley to the show to help preview the Super Bowl revenge game for ATL, this Sunday night in Foxboro.  Shock was Matt Ryan's backup in Atlanta, and offers great insight on where the team is at now, at QB's perspective on what they're struggling with as they come into this game, where they're still very dangerous, and what this game means to the people of Atlanta who still have that had taste in their mouth since February in Houston.    Enjoy!  

The New York Jets have been one of the sneaky-surprising stories of the young NFL season, defying predictions of tanking and reeling off 3 victories in a row to sit at a surprisng 3-2 on the season.  That puts them in a [relatively meaningless] October tie for first place in the AFC East with the New England Patriots, but division titles are well down the road with the Pats not yet playing one of their scheduled six division games.   So where do your New England Patriots sit after the first 5?  What lessons can be pulled from the TNF win against the Bucs?  And what parts of that goofy mid-week game should be ignored?   Matt Chatham does his usual thorough review of the Patriots popular outstanding issues--from protection, to coverage, to scheme choices moving forward.  What's real in these areas, and what's not?   Chatham also dissects the new-look New York Jets, and what to expect as the Patriots look to pin one on their rivals to get a jump on another division crown.   Thanks for checking out the show...enjoy!

Former Patriots linebacker/special teamer Matt Chatham takes you through the a field-view, cause & effect analysis of the ugly Patriots loss to the Carolina Panthers--one that featured a defensive performance that was marred by glarring mistakes.   How will the Patriots respond to mounting uncharacteristic individual mistakes?  What are the little things they can do to fix a defense that's trending in the wrong direction?   What's going right that's hidden in the muck of overall disappointing performances? What must the Patriots change in a short week to ensure that this doesn't continue against the Tampa Bay Bucs?   What changes--if any--are required of the Patriots offense as they compliment the struggles on the other side of the ball?  Tom Brady and the offense are clickling, and a ton of talent & proven leadership lives on the defensive side of the ball.  It shouldn't come as a surprise if the Pats turn things around...but can they do it quickly with only walk-thru practices?   All this and more... Enjoy!  

Former Patriots linebacker & special teamer Matt Chatham dissects the thrilling come-from-behind Houston Texans game, then previews the Patriots' upcoming opponent, the Caroliina Panthers.  Chatham is joined by his former Pats teammate & Carolina punter Ken Walter.  Wlater lives in the Charlotte area now, and joins the show to give his insight on all that ails this curious Panthers team after an ugly loss to the Saints.   Topics covered in this in-depth show include a thorough review of the state of the Patriots run & pass protection, the state of the coverage units, who's showing up & who has a ways to go, and what vulnerabilities have the Patriots shown that the Panthers may try to gameplan for.    All this and more, so let's get to it... Enjoy! 

Former New England Patriots linebacker & Houston radio host Ted Johnson joins the show to address the State of the Texans, plus a full-game Patriots autopsy following the big win against the Saints.   Chatham and Johnson get into the biggest issues facing the Texans right now, and what to expect from their former teammate Mike Vrabel's first gamepblan as defensive coordinator against New England.   Some really insightful stuff from Johnson follows as he breaks down former Houston Cougars & current Patriots LB, Elandon Roberts--a big hitter & downhill linebacker that has a unique role for an evolving Patriots defense.  Johnson also offers some great insight on specific Texans that will likely have important roles in the game, but that Patriots fans may not know much about.   Chatham does his weekly deep-dive into the previous game performance, reviewing top plays, scheme choices, and issues that arose in the Saints game.  There was a ton of great stuff for hardcore fans of this Pats team to chew on from that contest... Enjoy the show!

It's Episode #2 of The REAL THING Patriots Podcast, and what a crazy mess we have to sort through after the surprising loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.  It wasn't so much that the Patriots lost--it was how they lost.  Sloppy play down the stretch, communication errors, and uncharacteristic performances all around.  As Bill Belichick likes to say, they didn't play well enough to win, they didn't coach well enough to win.  Nothing was good enough.  Gotta get back to work and get better.   Former Patriots linebacker & special teamer Matt Chatham dives into the game film of that Chiefs loss and sifts through the rubble to find what real problems exist, and what are just hot-take scrap heap stuff that weren't real problems--and won't be issues going forward.   Next, the show is joined by former Saints running back Deuce McAllister, who works for the New Orleans radio network as the color commentator for their games.  He offers some great insight into the frame of mind down there as that team looks to bounce back as well after an ugly loss on the road to the Vikings.   We talk Adrian Peterson and where he fits in the running game moving forward.  We talk Saints offensive line issues that they continue to deal with.  And we talk disappointments in their defense and how they can turn it around and get closer to the promise they showed in the preseason.   Packed show, hope you enjoy!   *Sorry in advance for the mic audio not being studo quality for Chatham--we had some technical difficulties that we hope will be tuned up for next week's show.  

The debut, all-new REAL THING Patriots Podcast kicks things off with three-time Super Bowl champ & former Patriot Matt Chatham, joined by Brady Quinn & former Chiefs defensive lineman Mike DeVito, wrapping the Patriots preseason and final roster decisions, looking at the biggest NFL challengers for New England, and previewing the huge Patriots-Chiefs home opener. Quinn offers the big picture, national view of the legitimate threats to another championship for the Patriots.  DeVito, the former Massachusetts native, Maine Black Bear, and 9-year NFL defensive lineman with the NY Jets & KC Chiefs offers great insight into the view from Kansas City from someone who was on the field the last time these two teams squared off.   Awesome in-depth show to get things started with this new FBF project focussed solely on all-things-Patriots.  Dig in, we hope you enjoy it!  

The guys are back with an 11th hour pregame breakdown show for Super Bowl L1 in Houston.  All the media fluff and off-field storylines are in the rearview, the guys dive into the details of what will ultimately decide the contest between the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots.   After a week of discussion about prolific passing games, what role will the running games of these two teams have in deciding the champion -- and is it ultimately just as (or more) important as all the passing game talk with Matt Ryan and Tom Brady.   What factor will experience play in the contest, and how from a players point of view does this materialize in a game?   What are players doing in these final 24 hours before the game and how can these final details show up in the performance?   And finally, Chatham shares a story from his Super Bowl experience, how Bill Belichick suprised the players the night before their contest against the Eagles in Jacksonville with a move that put a cloud of silence over the room.   Each of the guys makes their Super Bowl picks with their rationale for why.   Enjoy! 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his league handlers finally decided to come out from the shadows and do a public interview, this a friendly with Fox TV & radio star, Colin Cowherd, in advance of Super Bowl LI in Houston.   To put it mildly, it was beyond embarrassing for all parties.   Matt Chatham walks through the audio with his blow-by-blow take on how rare interviews with the evasive & perpetually dishonest commissioner have to be better...for the sake of the game.  And truth in media and general honesty and all that jazz... Enjoy! 

First, Brady Quinn and Matt Chatham look back at the NFL Divisional Round contests, honing in on the ultimate keys for each of the teams that advanced to the championship round.   The guys then take an off-field look at Roger Goodell continuing to play hide & seek with the New England region, plus a discussion on the effect (or lack thereof) the Antonio Brown Facebook LIVE video leak will have on the AFC Championship -- a players' perspective discussion on the importance of locker room privacy in football.    Finally, the guys are joined by Brady Poppinga for thoughts on the two championship games.  The guys zero in on their beliefs from study of the four teams on where their vulnerabilities lie, and how (or if) they can be exploited in this final pre-Super Bowl round.   Patriots, Chiefs, Falcons and Packers are on the burner as the guys help ya sort through the storylines and focus on the stuff that really matters in deciding these games...

The guys first offer their reactions to the Clemson upset of Alabama in the thrilling College Football Championship game.  Then it's onto NFL coaching changes, with the Bills, Jags and Broncos filling their vacancies.  Next the guys take a critical look at the Chargers bizarre decision to abandon their home market and play second-fiddle in LA, a market that doesn't seem to want them.   From there, the guys go deep on the four NFL Divisional Playoff matchups, offering their "deciding factor" for each contest; Seahawks at Falcons, Texans at Patriots, Steelers at Chiefs, and Packers at Cowboys.   It's a football insight-palooza.   Enjoy!    

Former players Matt Chatham, Brady Poppinga, and Brady Quinn go in-depth on the four NFL Wild Card matchups, breaking down what they believe will be the deciding factors in these games.  Which of the two offense in the Raiders-Texans contest can be counted on most to produce on the playoff stage?  Can either of the Lions or Seahawks start playing the brand of football that got them into the playoffs, but has escaped them for much of the last month?  Can the Dolphins defense possibly hold up in Pittsburgh?  Something's got to give when one of the hottest offenses in football meets another of the hottest defenses.  Giants-Packers and what will likely be the separator there... The guys also preview the CFB National Championship game featuring a rematch of Clemson and Alabama. PACKED SHOW...enjoy!  

Jam-packed show with Brady Quinn and Matt Chatham taking on the hot-topic of top college football players skipping bowl games to prepare for the NFL Draft.  The guys look at what today's bowl games really are -- and what they're not -- and how that affects any discussion of 'commitment to your team' and the like.  Christan McCaffrey and Leonard Fournette have made their decisions for personal reasons related to the NFL, but did they show a glimpse of the power college football players have to someday return some of the financial windfall of bowl games to the young men playing in the games?  Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott jumped in a Salvation Army pot and watched the NFL cave on their so-called rules integrity.  New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo cheated in the real-est way Roger Goodell's tenure has seen, but took home the prize of a mild penalty....because, ya know, NFL.  And Odell Beckham Jr got punished for honoring the recently deceased Craig Sager with a special pair of cleats.  Last week the league markets how great they are for promoting causes on cleats.  This week they return to taking money from players for good deeds.  Yippie, NFL! 

Brady Quinn and Matt Chatham fire away on a flawed CFB Playoff system that looks particularly inadequate after a chaotic year in college football.  Conference champions with week overall resumes made the committee's job a nearly impossible one, and only strengthened the case for an eventual 8-team playoff.  The guys detail the failures and talk through a solution that should work for everyone.  With stud college running backs Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey declaring early for the NFL Draft, and Ezekiel Elliott building an MVP case in just his rookie season, does the value of can't-miss rookie running skyrocket?  Do NFL executives need to reconsider the value of 1st-contract roster assets that come at a modest price and can have such a dramatic effect on a football team -- even if they play the supposedly devalued NFL RB position?  Finally, the guys dive into all the biggest matchups of NFL Week 14, looking at their "deciding factor" in each of the games with obvious playoff implications. Enjoy!

Poppinga & Chatham examine the NFL playoff contenders for ideal matchups, team strengths, and qualities that historically endure late-season NFL play.  Does your team have what it takes?  What are their matchup vulnerabilities?  The Oakland Raiders are compiling wins and impressing behind the play of Derek Carr, but what teams would give them the most trouble in a playoff scenario?  The Dallas Cowboys with stud rookies Dak Prescott & Ezekiel Elliott have been the league's most consistent team, but where do their vulnerabilities lie...and who is best suited to exploit them?  The New England Patriots have a habit of improving throughout this final stretch, but what do they need to solidify to make a championship run?  Can the Seattle Seahawks find themselves after some inconsistent recent play?  Finally, the guys look into the multiple division battles that are far from resolved and talk odds moving forward.  Fun show...enjoy!

Matt Chatham & Brady Poppinga dissect each of NFL Week 10's matchups, looking specifically at the best thing each team has going for it heading into the weekend.  Some teams have risen to the top of the league, some are struggling.  But after 8 (or 9) games for all of the teams in the league, their best attributes have become clear.  Will that be enough this weekend?  Let's dive in... Chiefs vs Panthers Broncos vs Saints Rams vs Jets Packers vs Titans Falcons vs Eagles Vikings vs Redskins Texans vs Jaguars Bears vs Buccaneers Dolphins vs Chargers 49ers vs Cardinals Cowboys vs Steelers Seahawks vs Patriots  

The guys return to expand on the failures in the Josh Brown domestic violence case, and how reactions by the New York Giants mirror the attitudes the NFL's "No More" ad campaign had supposedly put to rest.  Will it ever stop.  Chatham explains when (and only when) the action will marry up with the marketing.  Next the guys look at the case of Aqib Talib, the star Denver Bronocs cornerback whose investigatoin by Dallas police concluded three weeks ago with a determination that he shot himself in a public place.  Why has the league treated this so differently than they did the Plaxico Burress case years ago?  And does this stark contrast add to the confusion for players on what is and isn't allowed by a seemingly arbitrary league justice system.  Finally, the guys discuss a recent MMQB piece that details the Denver Broncos' practice of studying player tells.  Is it unique in the league?  Is it "secret" as the social media headlines would lead the casual observer to believe?  The guys set the record straight... Enjoy the show! 

Former NFL players Brady Quinn and Matt Chatham take a jam-packed week of terribly disappointing NFL news and rake it over the coals to get to the bottom of some very important questions: -Why can't the NFL get out of its own way when penalizing for domestic violence?  Isn't Giants kicker Josh Brown's case just another chapter for Can't Get Right NFL leadership?  -How can safety possibly be a real NFL concern -- much less a priority -- if a player formerly suspended for unsafe hits is diving through the back of knees of unsuspecting opponents with no repercussions?  Isn't Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict Exhibit A that the NFL has no clue on protecting its players from issues of real safety?  -Can the league keep allowing blown calls and goofy rules to decide the outcome of games?  Blown pas interference at the end of the Falcons vs Seahawks game gives the guys an opportunity to look more closely at how officials should be graded and reprimanded -- plus some commonsense suggestions for fixing a broken rulebook.  Important show...we hope you enjoy! 

Former players Brady Quinn and Matt Chatham dive right into a review of Week 5's best action, the surprises, the disappointments, and the underrated performances, then they make their way into preview-mode for a huge upcoming Week 6 slate.  Yes, Tom Brady is back with the Patriots...but the Bengals aren't the Browns.  But are they still the Bengals of a year ago...or are they about to fall off?  Can New England put some distance between themselves and this potential AFC playoff contender?  In a battle of strength-on-strength, the Cowboys and the Packers meet in Wisonsin for a classic meeting of great run offense and great run defense.  Somebody is going to surge to the front of the NFC -- there's a good chance one of these two teams is near the top when it's all said and done, with much to be learned this weekend.  The Eagles finally took a step back, but they have a chance to recover some ground in the NFC East against a Redskins team anxious not to lose ground to those surging Boys.  And then those darling Falcons --the team in the NFL you only take lightly if you're OK with dropping a game-- travel across the country once again to face the formidable Seattle Seahawks.  The Falcons have had a murderer's row on their schedule in the last several weeks -- can they survive another in one of the league's toughest venues?  Dan Quinn leads his group against his old team in another game of great NFC importance.    Raiders-Chiefs with a ton on the line?  'Nuff said. All this and more in a loaded week of NFL action... Enjoy!