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Ben Volin I On football

Firing Patriots’ Bill Belichick and Chargers’ Brandon Staley sooner rather than later would be the humane thing to do

Week after week their job status is a main topic during game broadcasts, and they have to appear in front of cameras and take a beating for their underachieving teams.
patriots

Here are the games for Patriots fans to keep an eye on this weekend

With the Patriots floundering, interest has shifted to their draft position for next year, and these games will affect it.
patriots

If Bailey Zappe indeed starts, his teammates on offense are ready to take it in stride

Little about their roles would change for the receivers and backs — but they certainly are hoping for a better result.
FOOTBALL

Browns plan to start Joe Flacco, fourth quarterback of playoff contending season

The veteran was signed two weeks ago after Deshaun Watson underwent shoulder surgery, and is playing against the Rams because rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson remains in concussion protocol.

PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
Jabrill Peppers apologizes for disparaging comment caught on hot mike after Giants game
The Patriots safety was caught by NFL Films referring negatively to his team in a comment to Giants running back Saquon Barkley.

patriots
Dana White defends Bill Belichick: ‘You can’t have a 50-year dynasty. It just doesn’t work that way.’
"We'll get some good picks next year, and Belichick will do what he does," White said. "We'll end up with some guys that you've never heard of that'll end up being great."

Patriots

One sign of the times: At Patriots games, not many fans wear jerseys of the current players

“People wear throwback jerseys because those memories are better,” said fan Eric O’Brien of Allston.
Patriots

Although it still remains a secret, Bailey Zappe in line to start for the Patriots on Sunday

As he did last week, Bill Belichick has been evasive about his starter at quarterback.
Chad Finn I Unconventional Preview

It’s tough to get too charged up about Sunday’s Patriots game

When a 4-7 team on a three-game losing streak takes on a 2-9 Patriots team that has lost four straight, the mind tends to wander from the harsh reality.
dan shaughnessy

Imagine if you will a Bill Belichick job interview, and other thoughts

The notion of Belichick coaching another team next season has taken on steam. But how would that hiring process go?
COWBOYS 41, SEAHAWKS 35

Cowboys’ victory was anything but bland as they set up big NFC showdown with Eagles

Dallas won a back-and-forth affair and improved to 9-3 ahead of its home game against NFC-leading Philadelphia (10-1).
NFL notebook

Bills linebacker Von Miller facing arrest for assaulting a pregnant woman, Dallas police say

According to the police report, a preliminary investigation of a “major disturbance” at a home Wednesday determined that Miller, 34, and the woman got into a verbal argument.
patriots

Patriots-Chiefs gets flexed out of Monday night slot on Dec. 18

The game, originally scheduled for prime time, instead will be played Sunday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.
tara sullivan

Tom Brady’s recent candor about the state of the NFL bodes well for his future as a commentator

Brady, whose massive TV deal with Fox kicks in next season, is making blunt and insightful comments he never would have made in his playing days.
NFL

Could Joe Flacco start at quarterback for the Browns on Sunday?

The former Super Bowl MVP could be in line to start if rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson does not clear concussion protocol.
Patriots notebook

Is Patriots kicker Chad Ryland’s job in jeopardy?

Ryland is 3 for 5 this season on field goals of 30-39 yards, and 12 for 18 overall.
NFL notebook

Jets begin Aaron Rodgers’s 21-day practice window in next step in recovery from torn Achilles’

Coach Robert Saleh said the four-time NFL MVP will be limited at practice — as he was listed on the team’s injury report — and is not cleared for contact.
patriots

Familiar drill at quarterback: Bill Belichick will not name his starter for Sunday’s game

“I’m not going to make any announcements on our lineup at any position,” said the coach, following the same script he used last week before the Giants game.

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LATEST SPORTS NEWS

Red Sox

With baseball’s Winter Meetings about to start, here are some pros and cons of pitchers the Red Sox may target

The Red Sox landed Masataka Yoshida for five years at $90 million last year, but this year the Sox have put an emphasis on pitching. 26 minutes ago

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‘Welcome to Wrexham’ another example of the right mix of sports, life, and television

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Ben Volin I On football

Firing Patriots’ Bill Belichick and Chargers’ Brandon Staley sooner rather than later would be the humane thing to do

Week after week their job status is a main topic during game broadcasts, and they have to appear in front of cameras and take a beating for their underachieving teams. 2 hours ago

GARY WASHBURN | ON BASKETBALL

Celtics should feel fortunate they walked off Garden floor with that win

Maybe in previous years, this was one of those nights where the Celtics wouldn't have won. On Friday, it was their 15th victory in 19 games to begin the season.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

From Xaverian’s crowning to Foxborough’s home cooking: Relive eight MIAA Super Bowls over three days

Eight champions were crowned over three exciting days of high school football at Gillette Stadium. Here's how it all unfolded.

D5 SUPER BOWL: FOXBOROUGH 48, HANOVER 21

Foxborough is right at home, storming past Hanover for Division 5 championship

The second-seeded Warriors (11-2) presented 42-year coach Jack Martinelli with his fifth Super Bowl trophy with a physically dominant performance.

CELTICS 125, 76ERS 119

Without an ejected Jayson Tatum, Celtics finish up a not-so-easy win over undermanned 76ers

Tatum was tossed in the final seconds of the third quarter after picking up his second technical. The Celtics then overtook the 76ers in the fourth.

D4 SUPER BOWL: DUXBURY 62, SCITUATE 33

Alex Barlow powers Duxbury to seventh state title in Division 4 Super Bowl romp over Scituate

The senior back racked up 32 carries for 275 yards and five touchdowns as the top-seeded Dragons (11-1) repeated as state champions.