The Patriots host the Packers at Gillette Stadium Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET, with a 5‑3 record each. Forecasts call for a crisp 56°F kickoff, falling to the high 40s by game’s end, and gusty 24‑mph winds—far better than last week’s miserable Miami weather. Rain chances are low, though clouds will break apart. Kickers could feel the chill: New England’s Andy Borregales is 30‑of‑34 (88.2%) while Green Bay’s Trey Smack struggles at 27‑of‑35 (77.2%). This will be the Patriots’ coldest game of the season so far.
Packers receiver Christian Watson vs. Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez highlights the top NFL player matchups to watch in Week 9.
The Green Bay Packers see promising progress on defensive star Micah Parsons, who returned to practice for a second day on Thursday after his ACL and meniscus surgery. While he won’t suit up for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots, the team aims to use the 21‑day practice window and targets a Week 12 comeback against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 25. Parsons, a four‑time All‑Pro pass rusher, remains crucial to Green Bay’s push for an NFC playoff spot as the Packers sit 5‑3 entering the stretch run.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye earns AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October after sparking a 3-1 turnaround. He posted a 67.2% completion rate, 1,199 passing yards, 12 TDs and only two interceptions, plus 129 rushing yards and two scores. The honor makes him the first Patriot since Tom Brady in 2017 to receive the award. After a 1‑2 start with six interceptions in three weeks, Maye’s improved ball security and revived deep ball have driven the surge, highlighted by a comeback win in Miami and a upcoming clash with Green Bay.
The Patriots head coach didn't sound all that thrilled about Tom Brady being in the booth for their Week 9 matchup against the Packers.
Packers safety Evan Williams earns NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October after a breakout season, tallying 41 tackles, two interceptions, four passes defended, a sack, three QB hits and a fumble recovery. He credits the Packers’ “red‑hot” defense, noting the group effort behind his award. Williams posted a league‑best 90.9 defensive grade, allowing only seven completions for 58 yards and a 21.1 passer rating. He becomes the third Packers safety to win the honor, joining Xavier McKinney (2024) and Atari Bigby (2007), and the third consecutive October winner for Green Bay. The team now heads to Gillette Stadium to face the Patriots.
Tom Brady pokes fun at former Patriots teammates Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman after they debut a tongue‑in‑cheek track, “Talkin’ Football,” to promote Fox Sports’ new digital series “The Gronk & Jules Show.” In the ad, the ex‑tight end and wide receiver sing about their love of the game, prompting Brady to repost the video with a teasing tweet about their familiar turtlenecks. Both players describe the song as a long‑kept secret talent, while Fox’s Bill Battin calls the promo “a ton of fun.” The twice‑weekly series will see Gronk break down weekend games on Mondays and Edelman host deeper conversations on Thursdays, as the trio now serve as analysts for Fox NFL broadcasts.
Former Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly, a 245-game franchise record holder, discusses the 2026 Chicago Bears and his personal health journey. He recently joined Heartflow's GAMEFILM Registry, which uses CT scans and AI to study former NFL players' hearts, revealing that 85% of 200 surveyed ex‑players show coronary plaque despite few known diagnoses. Mannelly highlights rising star quarterback Caleb Williams, recent wins over the Patriots and Seahawks, and the impact of heavy linemen like Jeffery Simmons. He also recounts teammate Jon Dorenbos’s surprise aortic aneurysm discovery, underscoring the silent cardiovascular risk that one in three former NFL players face. New findings will be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions on Nov. 9 in Chicago.
The Packers’ Thursday injury report shows running back MarShawn Lloyd downgraded to limited participation with a knee issue after a full workout Wednesday, casting doubt on his availability against the New England Patriots on Sunday. Cornerback Keisean Nixon, a game‑time decision with a groin injury last week, falls to non‑participant status and may be replaced by Carrington Valentine. Other non‑participants include tight end Josh Whyle (concussion), center Sean Rhyan (ankle), lineman Travis Glover (knee) and LB Zaire Franklin (shin). Limited players are Chris Brooks (ankle), Christian Watson (rib), Aaron Banks (knee) and Micah Parsons (knee‑PUP).
Dianna Russel — the former top NFL insider at The Athletic who resigned in April after scandal‑laden photos with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel surfaced — is set to re‑enter sports media next week, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. While Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy had called hiring her a “no‑brainer” earlier this year, insiders now say her new gig will not be at Barstool. Details on the outlet or role remain vague, sparking speculation about a podcast, Substack, or a gambling‑related position, but a Front Office Sports source confirms Barstool is off the table.
The article pits Patriots rookie Drake Maye against Packers quarterback Jordan Love, weighing advanced metrics over raw stats. Maye posts a higher EPA per play (.279 vs. Love’s .15) and still leads in CPOE, though his volume and CPOE have slipped from last year. Love leads the league in passing yards and attempts, but suffers from a weak offensive line, a poor 2.9‑yard rushing attack, and a league‑worst 7% drop rate. While Maye appears objectively better per play, Love’s higher volume adds more overall value. The piece concludes Maye is the stronger individual performer, yet the comparison remains nuanced.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur laughs at quarterback Jordan Love’s Halloween blind‑referee costume but says he’ll stay quiet to avoid NFL backlash. Love and his wife posted the joke after the team, now 5‑3, suffered costly penalty calls while chasing NFC North rivals. LaFleur called the clip "hilarious" but warned he may need to refrain from commenting. Love, praised for deep‑throw talent, leads the league with 2,246 passing yards (192‑312) and a 16‑6 TD‑INT ratio. The Packers next face the Patriots in Week 9 and host the Vikings in Week 10.
Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez says he’s eager for the ‘fun challenge’ of limiting Packers wideouts Christian Watson and Matthew Golden when Green Bay visits Gillette Stadium for Week 9 Sunday Night Football. The 24‑year‑old, a 2023 first‑round pick, praised the duo’s route‑running and chemistry with quarterback Jordan Love, while noting he’s still hunting his first interception after posting five passes defended and 21 tackles in six games. New England currently ranks 13th in the league, allowing 217.3 passing yards per game.
Dianna Russle (sic) Russini, who resigned from The Athletic after an investigation into her affair with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, is reportedly set to return to NFL reporting next week, likely aligning with the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio says she’s informing league contacts of her comeback, though her new network and role remain unclear. Industry insiders note she may start with long‑form interview segments before scaling back to a full‑time breaking‑news position. Former colleagues have offered support, but some question whether the scandal has dented her credibility as a top insider.
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels praises rookie quarterback Drake Maye after the former North Carolina star earns AFC Offensive Player of the Month for an impressive October. After a 1‑2 start, Maye led New England to a 3‑1 stretch, throwing for 1,199 yards, 12 TDs and only two interceptions while completing 67.2% and being sacked just four times. He added 129 rushing yards and two scores on 23 carries. The 5‑3 Patriots aim to extend the surge in a primetime clash against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Dianna Russini is set to return to the sports media scene next week, headlining her own digital show slated to launch the week of Nov. 9. Reports from Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk) and Page Six confirm the project—still unnamed—will feature athlete interviews, though the platform remains undisclosed. Sources rule out Barstool, Kalshi, FanDuel and PrizePicks as partners. Russini resigned from The Athletic in April 2026 after a scandal involving Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, which the outlet deemed a breach of its standards. The key question now is which brand will back her new show.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love, amid a 20-17 Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions that featured eight penalties totaling 81 yards, and a contentious roughing and intentional‑grounding call, used a Halloween costume to mock NFL officials. He and wife Ronika Stone dressed as blind referees, sparking fan debate and speculation about a possible fine. Love finished the game 27‑45 for 274 yards, two TDs and an interception, while Detroit’s Jake Bates kicked the winning 22‑yard field goal. The controversy lingers as Green Bay heads into Week 9 at New England, sitting 4‑3.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel jokes that his reunion with former teammate Tom Brady will likely happen over Zoom as Brady returns to Gillette Stadium on Nov. 5, 2026 to call the Week 9 Patriots‑Packers matchup for FOX Sports. Vrabel, who played eight seasons alongside Brady (2001‑08) and won three Super Bowls, says the contract obliges him to catch up, hinting at a meeting at Rob Gronkowski’s Hall of Fame induction. The Patriots sit 5‑3 entering the game, while Brady transitions from record‑setting quarterback to broadcaster.
Friday’s NFL roster moves see the Bears put RB Zavier Scott on IR, while the Ravens shift gears by elevating LB Adisa Isaac, K Jake Moody and signing QB Austin Reed, then placing Tyler Huntley and Lamar Jackson on IR. The Chiefs add WR Bub Means, the Giants waive QB Jake Haener, and the Raiders swap TE Carter Runyon for WR Cody White. Practice squad signings span the Bills (Kader Kohou), Patriots (Kindle Vildor), Rams (Joshua Karty, David Long), Seahawks (Adrian Martinez, Jamie Sheriff) and more.
Brittany Mahroads reacts to quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ off‑field gesture after the Chiefs’ 28‑24 loss to Denver on Nov. 5, 2026. While Patrick posted a solid 30‑for‑41, 321‑yard, three‑TD performance, the team fell to 5‑2 following a controversial false‑start call that erased a potential game‑winning touchdown. Brittany, a former UT‑Tyler soccer star and co‑owner of the NWSL’s Kansas City Current, shared an Instagram story highlighting Patrick’s donation of Adidas Adizero EVO SL ATR shoes to the UT Tyler Patriots women’s soccer team and slammed the penalty call. The Chiefs look to bounce back against the New York Jets Sunday.
In Week 8 the Bills blitzed 64.5% of the Ravens’ passes, a strategy DC Jim Leonhard says was designed to disrupt Lamar Jackson, who left after the first play. The Bills later cut safety C.J. Gardner‑Johnson, opting for Damar Hamlin. Meanwhile, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn affirms Breece Hall remains the starter despite Braelon Allen’s strong fill‑in, and OC Frank Reich calls the two‑back situation a "great problem to have." Patriots OLB Harold Landry stays on the PUP list as he recovers from a knee injury, while WR A.J. Brown sits out Week 8 with a high‑ankle sprain and knee flare‑up. The notes cover roster moves and injury updates across the AFC.
Patriots tight end Hunter Henry misses a second day of practice after a foot injury limited him to eight snaps in the Week 8 win over Miami. The veteran, who has logged 85 targets, 60 catches and 650 yards per season and posted 29 catches for 326 yards and two TDs this year, remains doubtful for the Week 9 home game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 8. New England sits 5-3, second in the AFC East, and may need to explore other options if Henry isn’t cleared in time.
The Patriots head into Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. ET clash with the Packers missing four key players. Cornerback Marcus Jones joins RB TreVeyon Henderson, TE Hunter Henry and WR A.J. Brown on the non‑participant list, all sidelined by foot, illness, ankle/knee issues. Meanwhile, Green Bay lists TE Josh Whyle (concussion), OT Travis Glover (knee), C Sean Rhyan (ankle), LB Zaire Franklin (shin) and CB Keisean Nixon (shoulder) as out. Jones has logged over 81% of defensive snaps this season with 41 tackles, a sack and an interception. Patriots QB Drake Maye remains the only starter at full participation, boasting a 67.2% completion rate, 1,199 yards and 12 TD passes through October.
The Washington Commanders held a workout for punter Bryce Baringer on Thursday, according to the NFL transaction wire. Baringer, a former Patriots starter for three seasons, missed last summer after an injury and was released after spending his rookie deal on injured reserve. In 2025 he played all 17 games, registering 51 punts with a 47.4-yard average, four touchbacks and 21 punts inside the 20. The workout signals Washington’s interest in reviving his career.
The New England Patriots add depth to their secondary by signing cornerback Kindle Vildor to the practice squad, according to the NFL Transaction Wire. The 28‑year‑old, a 2020 fifth‑round pick of the Bears, has bounced around the league—stints with the Titans, Eagles, Lions (where he earned a $1.3 M one‑year deal for 2024), and Buccaneers—before joining New England in 2026. Vildor has already played five games for the Patriots, posting seven tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass defended and a forced fumble.