Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Talkin’ Colts with the Countess: New England Patriots Plans for Indy — 12/15/21

Episode Date: December 17, 2021

The New England Patriots are set for a Saturday night showdown with the Indianapolis Colts on December 18 at Lucas Oil Stadium. While Indy presents challenges on both sides of the ball, the Pats will look to utilize the middle of the field to put points on the board on offense. Joining host Mike D’Abate is Clare ‘ClazzyClare’ Cooper, as the dynamic duo discuss the Patriots usage of their tight ends and receivers to win battles in the intermediate areas of the field. They also provide their thoughts on the Pats toughest test remaining on their 2021 schedule.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.BetOnline AGThere is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus.StatHeroStatHero is the first of its kind Daily Fantasy Sports platform where it’s YOU vs. the HOUSE in head to head fantasy matchups - winner take all. Sign up for FREE - RIGHT NOW - at StatHero.com/LOCKEDON and use promo code LOCKEDON for a One Hundred Percent Deposit Match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello to all of you, Foxborough faithful. You are now locked into the Lockdown Patriots podcast. It is Wednesday, December 15th, 2021. And because it's Wednesday, it is time for a visit from the Lockdown Lady of Class here on your daily home for news notes and analysis infused with the occasional opinion on your six-time Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots. And today's episode of Locked On Patriots is brought to you by Stance Apparel.

Stance believes that the perfect fit matters more than fitting in. Enjoy the color and comfort of a life less ordinary with Stance. Greetings and salutations, Patriots Nation, and thank you for joining me here on this Wednesday episode of the pod. Thank you also for making Locked On Patriots your first listen every day. Remember, Locked On Patriots is free and available on all platforms. My name is Mike DeBate. I am your host of the Locked On Patriots podcast.

Also cover your New England Patriots for Patriot Maven of Sports Illustrated. Locked On Patriots is a proud part of the Locked On Patriots podcast. Also cover your New England Patriots for Patriot Maven of Sports Illustrated. Locked On Patriots is a proud part of the Locked On podcast network. Your team every day. And folks, that phrase, your team every day, means that your questions, your comments, your feedback are always welcomed. Very much appreciated. So share that feedback. Send it to the internet by reaching out to me and following me on Twitter

at MDABATENFL. While you're out there doing some Wednesday wandering through the Twitterverse, feedback send it to the internet by reaching out to me and following me on twitter at mdabatenfl while you're out there doing some wednesday wandering through the twitterverse please be sure to follow the locked on patriots account as well at lo underscore patriots pats fans a short week of preparation for your new england patriots as they prepare to hit the game field on saturday night 8 20 p.m., Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pats take on the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, and this one is going to be a tough one for the Pats. At 9-4, the Patriots still currently hold the top spots in both the AFC and the AFC East, but wins are going to be paramount of the utmost importance

as they put in their best effort not just to bring home a division title but also to return to the top spot in the AFC which if the playoffs started today folks the Patriots would own but the Colts present a variety of challenges and they will continue to present those challenges especially in the form of star running back Jonathan Taylor there's no secret that on the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots are definitely trying to stop Taylor. That's their number one concern. But it appears that the Colts feel the same way about the Patriots. Their thought process is neutralize the Patriots running game and put the ball in the hands of Mac Jones. Make the rookie beat them. Well, I always say be careful what you wish for because the Patriots have their share of competent players in the passing game, including a quarterback that isn't afraid to air it out.

Maybe the Patriots only attempted three passes on Monday night against the Buffalo Bills. That was by design. That design will not hold up any longer as the Patriots look to face the Colts. Here today to help us break down how the Patriots might utilize their passing game, including two prominent tight ends. That's right, folks. The empress of tight endage herself, the new lady of locked on here on Wednesday's. Claire, Klaasie Claire Cooper drops by, and Claire and I will be discussing how the Patriots

will look to put Hunter Henry and Janu Smith to best suit their needs on Saturday night. The Patriots will definitely look to utilize the intermediate part of the field, and that's where Hunter and Janu are at their best. But it won't be localized to the tight ends, nor is Claire's expertise. We'll talk a little more than just tight endage. We'll be talking about some of the Patriots' receivers, including

a much maligned receiver that actually might get a little bit of play on Saturday night. Lastly, we'll flip the script and we'll talk about the New England Patriots' four remaining games. After all, Indy is just the first step in the quartet of games the Patriots will need in order to secure the top spot in both the conference and the division. After the Colts game on Saturday night, the Patriots will host two in a row. A post-Christmas matchup with the Buffalo Bills,

and then, of course, a New Year's visit from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Patriots will wrap up the 2021 season in 2022 in a matchup with the Miami Dolphins down in Miami Gardens, Florida. A lot to talk about in these four matchups. Which one of them is going to be the toughest one for the Pats? Well, Claire and I will discuss that today and more when the Empress of Tight Endage, the Queen of T.E., the Baroness of Blockers, the Countess of Clas herself, Miss Claire Clazzy Claire Cooper joins me here on the hot seat when this Wednesday

episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast continues. Locked On listeners, Super Bowl 56 at SoFi Stadium is less than 100 days away. And on location, the official hospitality partner of the NFL is the only place to score a once-in-a-lifetime Super Bowl ticket and experience package. Select your exact seats and choose from elite experiences featuring an exclusive pregame celebration with NFL legends, five-star LA hotels, and food by the great Wolfgang Puck.

Visit onlocationexp.com slash SB56 for more information, or search Super Bowl on location. That's onlocationexp.com slash SB56, or search Super Bowl on location. Thank you so much for having me, Mike. I can't help but giggle when you do the introduction and the list is so long. The Baroness of Gawkers, the Empress of Tottenham. The list is so long.

It's amazing. I love it. Thank you so much for having me back. I love this Wednesday slot. This seat really, really suits me. Absolutely. It's the perfect way to transition in the week. It really, really is. And we have some fun. You know, we got the aggression of the great green man that begins the week. The voice of reason, Steve Balistrieri, comes on on Tuesday, calms everybody down, gets everybody

to a level-headed approach. And then you invigorate the life back into everybody as we head toward the home stretch of the week and into game week. And week claire was all about the bye week and there really wasn't a whole lot to talk about in terms of what action we were going to see on the field but this week the patriots are back in action and test in front of them i know fans are going to look at the record and say well in these seven and six the Patriots are nine and four. We've owned the Colts for the last few years. Patriots are going to go in. They've got this. They've got Carson Wentz. We've got Mac Jones. We're going to be able to win that battle. Not so fast, folks. I've been watching a lot of film, a lot of, you know, highlights of the Colts this week, really scouting them, taking a look at what they

do well. And spoiler alert, there's not a whole lot that they don't do well. This is a very well coached football team. They're solid in all three levels on defense, uh, offense. They're a lot more versatile than people give them credit for. Everybody's going to be focusing on Jonathan Taylor, but I can tell you that this team can move the football without him, especially with guys, you know, like that, you know, the Carson Wentz moving the ball and being that quarterback that really has stabilized that offense. There's definitely a good amount of balance on this team from an offensive standpoint and a defensive standpoint. Claire, I think we'll start there and we're going to start with a subject that is near and dear to your heart. But again, folks, Claire is a lot more than tight endage.

I want to be very clear on that. And yeah, the tight ends are going to be part of this discussion. But earlier this week, the Colts started to chirp a little bit, stating that, oh, well, we know exactly what we have to do. We're going to take away the Patriots run game. We're going to make Mac Jones beat us. Well, that's bulletin board material for the Patriots. They're going to utilize that. And Mac knows it better than anybody. He can get up in the press conferences and say, I'm just focused on what I've got to focus on. And they're a great team. And he's

giving you the typical canned Patriots response. But anybody that knows this kid from his college days knows that he takes this stuff pretty personally. He's looking at that as a challenge. So Mac Jones, Josh McDaniels, Bill Belichick, they're going to be in the study room this week. They're going to be on the practice fields, devising ways to be able to navigate this offense. If in fact, Indy goes all in and tries to sell out and stop the run. And honestly, it really is a smart strategy. I'm not saying that they're off base when it comes to that, but I think they might be playing with a little bit of fool's gold when it comes to Mac Jones not being able to lead

this offense by throwing the football and throwing the football a lot more than three times than he did last week against Buffalo. Part of that, Claire, is going to be utilizing the tight ends. And you know the game of Hunter Henry and John O'Smith better than anybody else in the game. This is your wheelhouse. This is your expertise. So I thought we'd talk a little bit about that. And I'll give you the chance to talk about it first.

If you're Mac Jones trying to utilize the tight ends in this game, how do you see him being able to do that? And do you think the Patriots can be effective in utilizing that part of the field? Okay. Firstly, I do have to say, I don't think that I know that better than anyone else. I think that's a bit of a stretch. I appreciate the sentiment there, Mike, but I do think that's a bit of a stretch.

You're very good. You, you, you got to get, you got to get my friend. You're very, very good you you you gotta get you gotta get my friend you're very very good you i think maybe like josh and nick and stuff will be a little bit offended and all that in all fairness but um but yeah no seriously yeah i mean the colts didn't really do themselves any favors giving it the whole oh you know we're looking to take away the run we're going after matt jones kind of thing it's like yeah you need to announce it don't you just love how Bill Belichick and the Patriots are like stuck in everyone's head they're just renting space in everyone's mind still you I mean I've got to say as a Patriots fan I kind of expected especially after like last year and stuff like

this but this year we've got a rookie as our quarterback and stuff like this you didn't although yes they're very successful and I didn't think they wouldn't be I don't think I imagined that they'd still be kind of renting the space in people's heads that they are that they have been this year I was quite surprised at all that in all fairness but um I kind of I slightly digress yeah I mean this isn't going to be the Buffalo game obviously um and it's going to be that they're going to Mac is going to need to air out the ball but that's what he does you know he's he's what they call they say he's a pocket passer and stuff like this the guy is a study of film and stuff I'll speed that bit up in a minute yeah he you know he's he's um he's a student of the game in all fairness and you know that's why he worked so well

in the Patriot system and he's developing over the season and has been developing over the season and people say oh is it you know is it kind of sort of breakout time and stuff like this but it's not it won't be the first time that he's thrown possibly it might be the first time that he'll throw considerably and a lot of it earlier in the season there was the severe weakness in the o-line they hadn't quite got themselves together they hadn't got the strength in the o-line to really give mac the time to air the ball out and stuff like that so i know that we were sort of suffering from that earlier on in the season um people know that the run game is a strength of the patriots it's been the strength

of a patriots for quite a long time so you know it's of no surprise there in all fairness but yeah the utilization of the titans might really come into its own for this for this game you watch they'll just run the ball and they'll run it all over the colts just because i've said that in all fairness and that'll be quite amusing you know yeah we're gonna shut down and run and then they can't that's amazing the way that they uh told the bills yeah we're just gonna run the ball and they couldn't do anything about it. Just love being a pageant fan. Just love being a pageant fan. Sorry, I'm digressing everybody. I get too excited. But yeah, so the utilisation of the Titans,

I feel might be significant in this game. We know that he needs to throw. We want to see it and it needs to be successful. And I think a lot of the success is going to go down from the o-line onwards as you know not not to really state the obvious or anything but the strength in the o-line is is is where it begins from and hopefully to which we've got that now surprised that um I'm happily surprised that really the introduction of Teddy Karras is it really feels like what what

made it solidify in all fairness now it's a combination obviously Trent Brown coming back and Teddy Karras being there and Mike on when you sort of moving out to the end that kind of thing you know sort of as as a tight-ended type um but yeah surprising but happy to see that that's kind of getting itself in in place now and I mean I love it you know nothing against Teddy Karras by the way just in case anybody sort of misunderstood me there. I've got nothing against him. I was really happy when they signed him. Mildly concerned with the whole leaving of Andrews or anything. But again, I digress. So I, as probably more than most people,

am looking forward to another Hunter Henry type, you know, Hunter Henry touchdown, should I say even. Maybe more than him you never know it is possible um I think that the the utilization of Smith is is going to be varied again he's still someone that hasn't fully sort of integrated in the team and I don't mean that in in a bad way and in a slight on him or anything negative as as we've mentioned previously in in conversation in regards to the tight endage his shoulder injury has been significant in his integration in the team the consistency the word that I keep going back to over and over again

because you need that consistency but as as Bill says you need the availability and unfortunately the shoulder injury caused him to not quite be available to create consistency within the team, within practice, that kind of thing. So I think if we can get a stint, maybe the bye will have helped with that injury. So if we can get a stint of Jonu Smith in, I think that we will see a lot more production out of him in varied roles. he is still going to

be that varied role that kind of he isn't the traditional although he's he's a reasonable blocker he isn't the traditional kind of Hunter Henry block threat in the in the end zone kind of situation although he's he's athletic so you know he is he does tick a lot of those boxes you know fairness but I think he's something he's someone that they utilize in various situations so he could be utilized in the run game as an unexpected runner against the Colts even if they are looking to shut down the run so I'm very interested in this game to see how they utilize him how they use him, how they use him, where he's put, that kind of thing. And if he's used more than just significant blocking. So that's one of those keep your sharp eye out type thing. Looking forward to hopefully getting a Hunter Henry touchdown, as I mentioned, because he's still sort of, even though the last few games,

his production has been really reduced in regards to, it's been an effect from the game that they've played. Matt couldn't really throw it in the last game because of the weather, that kind of thing. Whatever various reasons you want to talk about that there's only been three throws. But if you're only going to have three throws, you aren't going to really have very much tight-ended production, particularly in the end zone that kind of thing so hopefully there'll be a lot of that so that'll be very exciting so yeah hit me up on twitter people there'll be some tight endage alerts hopefully um in all fairness i know we're talking tight ends but i think it's significant to mention nelson aglor um

he hasn't been utilized significantly and I was talking to I think it was Karen Grigian I believe um One Patriots Place very fortunate to talk to Karen and she was mentioning how Aguilar hasn't really been used significantly but he's been used in a way maybe to help take the coverage to free up the middle of the field and I think that was a really I mean Karen's really smart anyway don't get field. And I think that was a really, I mean, Karen's really smart anyway, don't get me wrong, but I think that was a really sharp observation to make. He's, yeah, that's, he's not getting the catches. He's not getting kind of the numbers that people want,

but is he being utilised in a way that's really significant because he's getting other people open? And it's always those kind of unsung heroes that that we forget about that the guys that are doing that kind of work that doesn't come up on the stat sheet that kind of thing with the Nikhil Harry blocking and things like this it doesn't show up in the numbers so it doesn't get the guys gold stars and stuff like this it does get them sort of on the line of people of oh well do we really need him next year that kind of thing and and um you know I think the utilization of him to possibly for coverage because he's quick so obviously he's going to

keep men on him and that'll be interesting to see if they do go down that route still to maybe free up Hunter down the middle to you know to get in the end zone that kind of thing so big bodies you know get the ball that kind of thing. So yeah, very, very interested to see how much tight endage is successful against the Colts. Absolutely. So many great points there. And I want to really expound upon a few of them, but I'm so glad that you mentioned Karen's comment. And Karen is truly one of the best in the business. I've had the privilege of not only getting a chance to get to know Karen a lot better this year on the Patriots beat, but also she's been a guest here on Locked on Patriots a few times. And Karen does have a way of being able to pick out things that a lot of the fan base

would not normally pick out. After all, that's her job. That's exactly what she's supposed to do. And the use of Nelson Aguilar to me is always a very curious case. The first reaction that I get whenever I write about Nelson or whenever I bring him up on a Twitter feed or anything of that nature is, oh, overpriced. Oh, they paid too much for him. Oh, they're not getting the production because I get it.

Fans want to see the wide receiver go break for big yardage, be that huge, you know, threat on the outside. They want the Odell Beckhams. They want the old school Terrell Owens. They want those guys. They want Randy Moss. They want those guys that are flashy, that know their abilities and can make big plays.

And it's fun for the fans to watch, which I do understand it. But there's so many little nuances of what a wide receiver can do, even when he doesn't have the ball in his hands, to be able to help the offense. And I get into arguments consistently on this when it comes to Nikhil Harry we're not going to really get into Nikhil today uh that much but I think he could factor in uh to this game plan on Saturday and

believe it or not that could end up you know meaning that he might actually be a significant factor for this game so maybe we will get to that in just a minute i'm kind of thinking off the top of my head here apologies on that but again back to your point about using nelson to stretch the field open up the middle part of the field draw the coverage away you want to almost act as a decoy and nelson has been doing a good job with that where i think mac jones can be effective if they do try to sell out, meaning Indy, and take away the run is something that I think you said very eloquently. Utilize that deep game and really utilize that deep game. Maybe take a few shots downfield. Let them know, yeah, we have Nelson Aguilar that can beat some of your corners downfield. We have a guy that can break for big yardage. Don't think we're afraid to throw

the football because we're not. If you do that and you keep the defense honest and on its toes, that's going to lead to big things for the New England Patriots. So in a lot of ways, I think you're absolutely right on the money, Claire. I think that's exactly what they're going to do. Try to utilize the outside game or the vertical game a little bit more than they have been, and then they can get into the middle part of the field, that intermediate area where I think Hunter Henry is going to thrive. And I also think Jonu Smith could be poised for a bigger game.

I'm not going to use the breakout game. I know we don't like that term. No, no, no. We're not doing that. We're not going, oh, he's going to have a breakout. Because he already has had 26 receptions this year, 41 targets and a touchdown. He actually has blown out of the water the 2019 stats for Matt Lacoste,

who was like wide receiver, tyre number one kind of in 2019. So as I've said before as well, so I'm sorry to not kind of put in on you, I don't think a breakout game is what is necessary for Johnny Smith this year. Considering kind of what Josh McDaniels had said about sort of like a developmental year what we've said loads and loads of times about consistency and injury that kind of thing I don't think it's there's going to be one of those breakout games I think we're going to get to the end of the season and be able to look back and say oh he had this game that was really good and this game was really good but I don't think we're going to sort of talk about breakout games in that respect and I don't think and I think that's you know in all fairness I don't think he deserves to have that kind of sign hung on him because he's he's he's a great player he's

a great athlete I don't think he deserves to have to have a breakout game he's a good enough guy that you know to play well that he doesn't need to have that tag put on him of oh well he was fine but then he had his breakout game you know it feels like it's it's something he doesn't need to have to to do if you see what i mean right absolutely i completely understand where you're coming from and look on the line with someone no you know you're here no you're hit the nail right on the head i would tell you if I thought you were way off base. I'd say, Claire, I don't know where you're going on that one. No, you're right on the money with this, as you usually are.

Give yourself enough credit there, Countess. You're on this locked-on hot seat for a reason. Bottom line, Jonu Smith does not have to have a breakout game, folks. I think Jonu Smith has proven that he is capable of being a star at this position in the nfl maybe not a superstar maybe not he's going to be at the top level of guys like a kelsey or a george kittle or you know somebody at the top of the food chain but john o'smith is capable of being a star maybe with a couple of years in the system he will be in that level i can tell you he's got that kind of star quality and he has that kind of skill level, both as a blocker, but mostly as an inline receiver or So a lot of the possibilities that we talked about, I think will be enacted.

Talked a little bit about Nikhil Harry as well, just a few moments ago. And I just want to circle back to that in the terms of Nikhil, the style that he has is very similar to a tight end. Murph and I talked a lot about this from the moment he was drafted back in 2019, really up until the present day.

And Nikhil has not been used in this way yet. But if he can be a threat to make contested catches, especially in a game like this, this would be a good opportunity to use him. So, folks, I'm not saying it's going to happen. I know all of you are ready to hit me with your vomit emojis and the eyes rolling. And so here he goes again, trying to pump the keels tires. But look, bottom line, there are ways that he can be effective in this offense. And he already has been a lot more effective than people will give him credit for as a blocker.

Done a tremendous job. I know the muff punt is something that people continue to point at. I've gotten that picture thrown in my face when I when I mentioned Nikhil. Look, bottom line, that to me is one of the very few blemishes on Bill Belichick's coaching record this year. I understand why you wanted someone back there big to feel the punt in the weather, but he really didn't belong back there. That's not his forte. That's not what he does. So that was more on Bill than it was on Nikhil. And, you know, at this point, I think the Patriots do have some options there. So, Claire, very astute observations. I'm always impressed. I'm always

pleasantly impressed with the wit and the wisdom that you're able to provide. And before we transition over and talk a little bit about what our next topic will be, and that is the toughest game coming up on the Patriots schedule is it indeed this Saturday Claire and I will talk about that in just a moment I'm going to put you on the hot seat for just a minute I have to do it it's just it's something I have to do at the end of the day I'm not going to ask you for game predictions or anything like that just gut reaction who gets the first touchdown the first passing touchdown on Saturday oh you would have to ask me something that takes real decisiveness and I don't have real decisiveness and that's probably why you've done it oh I'm really certain because my

first initial instinct was to say Jacoby Myers that was the first name that came into my head so that that would be but then if I have a moment to think about it, I say Hunt Henry. But that's probably more out of desire, isn't it? That's probably the one of I want a Hunter Henry touchdown. I think it's going to be Jacoby, but I want it to be Hunter. How's that? I like it. I like it a lot.

Look, bottom line, it would be a great gift. They welcome a new child into the world, he and his wife, How's that? I like it. I like it a lot. Look, bottom line, it would be a great gift. They welcome a new child into the world, he and his wife, and then all of a sudden get the first touchdown for the Patriots against the Colts in their home stadium. I'm liking it. I think it would be good. Once again, we think alike. Your initial response is exactly my response, what would have been.

I think the Patriots are going to go wide receiver. I think they're going to try to catch Indy off guard, and I think who better to be able to do that than Jacoby Myers. I think he's primed for it. I know he's got the receiving touchdown now, but that's, you know, out of his system. But I think at the same time, I think he's been the most reliable pass catcher. And even though I think they may go to Nelson Aguilar a little bit to try to stretch the field when you need a reliable catch, there are two guys that really have been Mac Jones's most reliable targets. One of them is the aforementioned Hunter Henry,

and he is probably his favorite target at the moment. But in terms of reliability and yard eating, you've got to go with Jacoby. So maybe we'll be right on this. That was just my gut feeling was the first thing that came into my head, just gut instinct, was Jacoby Myers. So we my head. Good. Just good instinct was Jacobi Myers. So we shall see. It's just how wrong I am. Well, once again, we think alike.

And if we're wrong, we're going to go wrong together because that's exactly what we were. Very, very much in sync on that, as always. But the empress of tight ended never disappoints with her tight end knowledge and all of the information that goes along with the Patriots offense. But folks, as I just said a moment ago, Patriots do have other games coming up on the schedule after Indy's game on Saturday. They still have three games remaining, the Buffalo Bills, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins to close it all out. In Claire's humble opinion, which of those games is going to be the Patriots toughest

test? We'll discuss that when this Wednesday episode with the Countess of Clas here on Locked On Patriots continues. Locked On listeners, it's the holiday season, and we're all thinking of the perfect gift ideas. Not too many shopping days left until

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of TE, the Baroness of Blockers, the Countess of Clas herself, Miss Claire, Clazzy Claire Cooper joins us from Pat's Propaganda and Full Press Coverage Patriots. One of the better columnists and podcasters in the business, folks. Again, if you haven't had a chance to check out her great work, please do so. Facts, Propaganda, Full Press Patriots, A Claire Perspective, the podcast, One Patriots

Place. She's all over the landscape in Patriots media. And of course, here on Lockdown Patriots, which you are checking out each and every Wednesday to hear the wit, the wisdom, the accent, the giggle, the whole package. You'll love it all. That's why we have her here. Claire, in the previous segment, you lent that wisdom and counsel that we crave here each and every week with regard to the tight end position and how the Patriots may look to attack the middle part of the field or look to utilize and maybe stretch the field a little bit with guys like Nelson Aguilar, try to utilize the run to their

advantage, even though we know Indy is going to try to sell out to stop it. But as much as I would love to say the Patriots face this tough test and then they can kind of coast into the postseason, that is not going to be the case. They definitely have a revenge game coming up against the Buffalo Bills the day after Christmas at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Say what you will, the Bills went down to the Buccaneers on Sunday, but to come back from a 24-3 deficit and nearly be able to pull that one out in Tamps Home Stadium is impressive, and that does show me that if the Buffalo Bills get hot, they are still a very capable team and capable of taking it to

the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The Jaguars, well, it's the Jaguars. They're just not having a very good season, folks. But trap games happen at the end of the year all the time. The Patriots cannot afford to come into this game overlooking them or looking past them or not taking them seriously because this is a team that can win games. We've seen them do it before. And then, of course, the House of Horrors down in Miami Gardens, Florida, which just for some reason is patriotic kryptonite at this part of the year

when the Patriots have to go down and play in the balmy, humid weather of Florida and take on the Miami Dolphins. Claire, when you look at the Patriots' remaining games on the schedule and knowing what they are facing, what their strengths, what their weaknesses are, what's the one game coming up? It could be this week. It could be, you know, beyond weeks. What's the one game coming up that worries you the most in terms of the Patriots' path of trying to stay atop the division

and atop the conference? Well, to be honest with you for me I think all the games could be tough really this year this league has been so uber hinky I mean people have they've lost against teams that you wouldn't expect and they've won against teams you wouldn't expect so the league it's been all over the place and like you said other than Jacksonville Jags really nothing nothing is certain and I hate to say that that's certain because it just feels so bad on on the guys down there that are like working hard unfortunately it's a bit of a what do they say dumpster fire as they like to say so I mean it's unfortunate so I know most people are

kind of chalking that up as a win and if you you know you look at what's what's been happening everybody else's record against them then you probably would expect you'd be very surprised if they lost against them but as you said the end of the season is can can be even more but I think if for how hinky this season's been so far I don't think it really could end really really hinky I think maybe we're going to tape it out to some normality or that's kind of what we're hoping for really I mean the Colts and the Bills are the ones that sort of concern me the most I mean the Bills are rather good team even if I do hate them like with a significant passion I can't get away from the fact that they are good the fact that we beat them in their own house gives me so much pleasure and so much glee as a Patriots fan and probably there's many fans out

there probably are joining me on that one so I think to to win against them in their home was more significant so I'm it gives me more confidence to the Patriots playing them in Gillette in all fairness um I mean I know I kind of dislike Carson Wentz a bit but as you said the Colts have been such a rounded team so far this year you know that they yeah they have been playing well I've read a lot about their defense and their offense both being good so it's a team that yeah I think it's going to be a difficult game other than the last Bills game the Patriots have had quite a blow quite blowout wins really this season and quite close losses so I mean if you take that into consideration as well I mean maybe the Chargers game was was kind of not really a blowout but the majority have been quite blowout and as I said the losses have been have

been quite close so you know I think a little bit of razzle dazzle might be called for I don't think that's a bad thing I know people don't like trick plays but I think they bamboozle the opponent and I mean how is that not going to be a good thing in in you know in today with everything sort of so sort of hinky as I keep saying. The season, it's been a scrappy win season. Lots of mudslinging by fans and things like that. But to be 5-0 on the road so far with a rookie who wasn't even set initially to be a first-round pick,

people are forgetting these kind of bits of information, in all fairness. He wasn't going to be a first-round pick kind of quarterback until it happened. Now, that would have done him a serious disservice, in all fairness, because of how good Mack has obviously been. Seven straight wins, even if they do lose the last four games. I personally, my fan opinion, feel that it's still a successful year they've still took this rookie quarterback and they've still done so well in what they've achieved it would be so disappointing for them to lose kind of many of the last four games just because of

where the team are now how good the team are now how great the defense is that kind of thing so I can see why that would be a disappointment to a lot of people yes I would be disappointed but I'd also still see the success of the season but to answer your question in such a long-winded way of answering this question I want to point out though in regards to the Finns game and you're talking about the weather and how it's crippedite bear in mind that we have a different offense now than we did in kind of previous mac jones may be fine in the heat hunter henry comes from kind of a nice hot situation so that finn's game i'm kind of thinking i don't think I'm actually quite so worried about because Matt Jones and Henry, they might cope with the heat quite well. So maybe they bring their own heat because they're so good.

Yeah, how's about that one? But it's I think the next game is sort of. My concern at the moment, but then once that one's over the bills game i think if you get me past the bills game and they win if they win both of those games i will not be at all concerned because i will feel that they're at full strength because of how good those two sort of teams have been playing so i think really it's the it's the next game and then the next game is my concern so if you ask me right now what game concerns me, it's the Colts game. And then if you would then ask me after the Colts game,

it would be the Bills game. So it's the next two games really to sort of answer the question more specifically. So yeah, the next two games, I think are going to be the toughest. Being inside against the Colts, I think that might help because people are concerned about Mac

and the cold weather and stuff like that. I'm not, but the fact that it's indoors is going to be an interesting situation so maybe that's something to be less concerned about going going forward into the Colts game um but yeah the Colts and the Bills are what I'm probably most people are concerned with I think as we've said the Jags most people are sort of signing them off which it's a shame really for their fan base and for their team in all fairness you know looking at it from a kind of sympathetic perspective so but the Finns game for some reason I am not concerned now hit me up after the Jags game and I might have re-evaluated my situation completely

um but I hate the Finns as we all know as i've said on here many times um and so yeah i i'm not concerned about that the patriots are going to squish the fish for me um thank you very much as my little it'll be my late christmas and thank you very much just mac jones to hunter henry it's all going to be great so yeah well from here lifts the gods here's claire i think that's exactly what everyone is hoping for up here in New England. No question about it. Look, bottom line, when I look at the remaining schedule for the New England Patriots, I'm looking at, I think, realistically, if we're being honest, folks, we're looking at three out of four games that are probably going to give the Patriots some sort of difficulty. On paper, they should be able to beat the Jags.

And I'm not overlooking the Jags. I know I just want to say, oh, you know, don't look forward. And then I say, well, three out of four are going to be tough games. If the Patriots play their game, they play consistently. They play, you know, mistake-free football, and they take care of the football, and they're able to enact their game plan. Their roster is more talented, top to bottom, and they do have the horses and the team, the better team, to be take it to the jags so as long as the patriots play patriot football that should be a win that should be a victory and let's face it yeah and then let's face it i mean if they're not winning that game by playing their brand of football and they get taken advantage of by a a jacksonville

team then you know maybe we've overrated this team And I don't think that's going to be the case that I really severely would doubt that that is indeed the case. The Miami game is going to be interesting depending on the circumstances. If the Patriots for some reason are able to head into this game in coast mode, meaning that they've already wrapped up the division. They might have playoff seating already set. This might not be a nail biting game. To be honest with you,

it may not even be something that matters too much in the standings if the Patriots are able to take care of business beforehand, but the way this season has gone and the fact that Miami is starting to play much better than they have early on in the season. I mean, these guys are surging, if not for the Patriots, you know, with their, you know, incredible late season surge might be talking about the Miami Dolphins as one of the more impressive turnarounds when it comes to what they've been able to do in the second half of the year, as opposed to the first half. So if they can play their game, they've

already proved that they can hang with the Patriots in Gillette was, you know, covered that opening game. And really, I think from the start of it, Patriots looked out of sorts. I look for them to be better, but Miami is a better team too. So that one gives me a little more concern than it does you. But ultimately I think a lot of what new England wants to do with this season, heading into the post season is going to be determined by these next two games. I hate to use the term must win because it's not technically applicable here, but if you want to keep pace and you want to be a team that's going to be able to hold on to that top spot in the AFC and then hold on to that top spot in the division, you absolutely

need, in my opinion, you need this victory against the Colts. It's something that not only will help you keep pace for that, but it's also something that will help to set the tone. And it keeps Buffalo on their heels as well. If Buffalo is able to snag a win and the Patriots lose, all of a sudden they're coming into Gillette Stadium on Sunday after Christmas with an awful lot of momentum and maybe a little bit extra confidence that they wouldn't have had if the Patriots had kept the foot on the accelerator. So while it's technically not a must-win, folks, it's pretty close to it in my opinion, and I think the Patriots will approach it as such. I think we've already seen some penchant on their part to be able to utilize this and do what they need to do to make sure that their players are not only ready to compete,

but also understand the severity of that situation. So in terms of toughness, yeah, I think this Indianapolis Colts team is very difficult and they may be the toughest test because the Patriots have not seen them yet. They've seen Buffalo. They know what they can do. They're going to be well equipped to be able to handle it. Now, same thing.

Buffalo Bills have seen the Patriots as well, and they know what it's going to take to beat them. So it's going to be able to handle it. Now, same thing, Buffalo Bills have seen the Patriots as well, and they know what it's going to take to beat them. So it's going to be interesting. But I look at this Colts game as definitely a very, very tough test. So we'll see what develops here. But, Countess, what can I say? It's always, always a blast when you come to join me here on Locked on Patriots. The fact that you are now a weekly presence here on the pod definitely is something that I'm excited about each and every week.

Getting a chance to talk football with you is truly one of my favorite things to do in this business. And the fact that I have a platform that allows me to do it makes me very fortunate and very blessed. And as well, to absorb your wisdom and counsel, not just in friendship, but also as a colleague. Before I let you go today, Countess, absorb your wisdom and counsel not just in friendship but also as a colleague before i let you go today countess please let everyone know where they can interact with you on the bird app

aka twitter and also what they can look forward to in the coming days and weeks from the great pen and the great voice of the countess of clads herself miss claire clazy claire cooper well thank you mike thank you very much for the kind words and due to having this weekly spot was such an honour to to get my own little seat over here so yeah great honour for me completely to be able to be here and to kind of engage the listeners and stuff like that because Lockdown's got an amazing audience so before I kind of plug myself I'd just like to say I know he doesn't listen to the pod but you never know i just want to say to our wonderful fallback jacob johnson happy birthday dude if you're listening big fan big fan of your work but no seriously if you guys are after me it's as you probably remember now it's at

clazy claire which is at c-l-a-z-y-c-l-a-r-E You'll find me Patspropaganda.com That's where you'll find me each week With my game recaps That kind of thing And the odd article here and there And also my tight-ended t-shirts That you will find there too As you mentioned

Full Press Coverage Patriots Was the initial slot that I got So very dear to my heart That I write for them. And that's where my podcast, my baby is a clear perspective. So you'll find that most places that you download your podcast, in all fairness. And if you're looking for it, go on to fullpresscoverage.com. So you might be able to find it there.

But like Apple, Spotify, all those, all the others that I haven't mentioned. Latest episode hit the airwaves on Friday of last week and that was with Eric Scalavino from patriots.com patriots unfiltered so that was fun so if you haven't checked that out please do um I also as you mentioned with the the great Steve Balistrieri and Thomas Murphy I record one Patriots place I'm the third voice of one Patriots place each and every week as they say so I think that's it I mean yeah I'm a bit of a kind of Patriots podcast pussy now really I'm kind of everywhere a little bit here there and everywhere kind of thing so I'm sure if you if you want to pick up my dulcet tones you'll

find them somewhere but yeah just want to kind of say I hope everybody's staying safe and well and thank you all for listening I really appreciate that you kind of got me this regular seat on a Wednesday because I adore it. So thank you very much. How can I even top that? I can we write on that note, folks? Absolutely. Well, I'm going to try to top it anyway, folks. Bottom line, you know, you've heard that Claire is becoming a fixture on Patriots podcasting lately. The reason for that is not just the wit and the wisdom. It's not just the giggle, the laugh and the personality. It really is the knowledge that she brings to the table. And that's why I'm always honored and grateful to have her here each and every week, lending that type of wit and wisdom to the lockdown Patriots podcast. And bottom line,

I'm very fortunate and very privileged to have such a great friend, Claire. Thank you so much for coming by today for joining me from across the pond. We look forward to talking ball with you again next week on this pre-Christmas episode of Locked On Patriots. A lot of Christmassy themes are going to be going on. Maybe little jingle bells in the background. Who knows? We can get the licensing for it, but

no, all kidding aside, next week will be a fun week here on Locked On Patriots, but in the meantime, continue to stay safe, stay well, and thank you for joining me here today on this episode of Locked On Patriots. Claire. You're welcome. Thank you so much for having me here today on this episode of Locked On Patriots, Claire. You're welcome. Thank you so much for having me, Mike.

It's been a blast. Just like that, Locked On listeners, we are more than halfway through your work week heading toward the holidays. However, there is still a ton of Patriots coverage to come between now and Saturday. So to ensure that you do not miss a single second of the action, download, subscribe to and follow the Locked On Patriots podcast on platforms such as Spotify, the Odyssey app, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. Just make sure that you are staying locked in to Locked On Patriots. Once again, my name is Mike DeBate.

I thank my good friend Claire, Klazzy Claire Cooper, for her time, her insight, and her appearance on today's pod. But most of all, I thank you so much for listening and for continuing to make Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. Until tomorrow, Foxborough faithful, stay safe, stay well, be the change that you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone.