The REAL THING Patriots Podcast

Latest Episodes:

AFC Championship Preview: Taming the Jaguars Jan 17, 2018

Show notes

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...

Divisional Matchup Preview: Titans Under the Microscope Jan 10, 2018

Show notes

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!

NYJ Part II Breakdown; Plus Why Stats Fail to Understand the Patriots Stingy D Jan 04, 2018

Show notes

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!

Patriots-Bills Part Deux Review; Plus Jets, Jets, Jets Finale Preview Dec 27, 2017

Show notes

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!

Patriots-Steelers Thriller Breakdown; Bills Part II Preview Dec 20, 2017

Show notes

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!

Big-Boy Pants Steelers Preview; Plus What Really Went Wrong in MIA? Dec 14, 2017

Show notes

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!

Dolphins Do-Over Preview: Can Fish Compete with Patriots Second Time Around? Dec 06, 2017

Show notes

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!

Foxboro Fish Fry Review, Bills Preview Nov 30, 2017

Show notes

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!

Dolphins Pregame Show: 5 Patriots Things to be Most Thankful For Nov 26, 2017

Show notes

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!

How the Patriots Broke the Broncos; Plus Oakland Raiders Preview Nov 16, 2017

Show notes

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!

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