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Patriots, Rams Seen as AFC Contenders After Week 4 Wins
Confirmed
In Short: The New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams emerged as AFC contenders after their Week 4 victories.
The New England Patriots secured a crucial 29-26 win over the Buffalo Bills, putting them back in the race for the AFC East title.
Despite the Bills' strong performance, the Patriots' victory was marred by controversy. Rapper Macklemore was banned from performing at Gillette Stadium after New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pressured Ed Sheeran to drop him from the tour due to Macklemore's pro-Palestinian activism.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams also bolstered their playoff hopes with a solid performance this week.
The Patriots' victory came with a setback, as standout wide receiver Tyreek Brown suffered an ankle injury during the game and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
Despite the setback, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel remained optimistic, stating, 'This gets us back in the race.'
The Rams' success has also been noted, with analysts seeing them as potential contenders in the AFC.
Negotiations between the Patriots and star cornerback Christian Gonzalez on a new contract remain at a standstill, with Gonzalez's availability for the upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks uncertain.
Gonzalez's agent, Adam Schefter, reported that the two sides are still far apart on a deal that would make Gonzalez the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.
The Patriots' upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks is set to be broadcast by NBC and can be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub, the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network.
Patriots Hall of Famer Troy Brown will join the broadcast team for additional analysis.
The Patriots' game against the Seahawks will be the first of the 2026 season, and the negotiations with Gonzalez will continue to be a major storyline.
What's confirmed
- The New England Patriots secured a crucial 29-26 win over the Buffalo Bills, putting them back in the race for the AFC East title.
- Despite the Bills' strong performance, the Patriots' victory was marred by controversy. Rapper Macklemore was banned from performing at Gillette Stadium after New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pressured Ed Sheeran to drop him from the tour due to Macklemore's pro-Palestinian activism.
- Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams also bolstered their playoff hopes with a solid performance this week.
- The Patriots' victory came with a setback, as standout wide receiver Tyreek Brown suffered an ankle injury during the game and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
- The Rams' success has also been noted, with analysts seeing them as potential contenders in the AFC.
- Negotiations between the Patriots and star cornerback Christian Gonzalez on a new contract remain at a standstill, with Gonzalez's availability for the upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks uncertain.
- Gonzalez's agent, Adam Schefter, reported that the two sides are still far apart on a deal that would make Gonzalez the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.
- The Patriots' upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks is set to be broadcast by NBC and can be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub, the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network.
- Patriots Hall of Famer Troy Brown will join the broadcast team for additional analysis.
- The Patriots' game against the Seahawks will be the first of the 2026 season, and the negotiations with Gonzalez will continue to be a major storyline.
What's still developing
- So here are the overreactions, fresh out of the oven: Jump to: Patriots set for AFC East repeat?
- Fantasy overreactions After a week of sky-is-falling, " What's Wrong With Drake Maye?" takes, the Patriots rolled into Buffalo's new stadium to face the unbeaten Bills and Josh Allen.
- As a result, the Bills are 3-1 and the Patriots 2-2, with the surprising Raiders coming to Foxborough next weekend.
- The ban comes days after Patriots owner Robert Kraft told the Boston Globe that the rapper Macklemore was banned from the venue for similar political activism at a past concert.
- Zach Bryan was seen in a “Free Palestine” shirt while performing at the New England Patriots’ Gillette Stadium.
- As of this report, the Patriots organization has not released an official statement regarding Bryan’s attire.
- Brown was initially ruled questionable to return before being ruled out and was seen wearing a walking boot on his right foot after the game.
- Brown's much-anticipated Patriots debut came to a crashing halt early in the third quarter when the standout wide receiver suffered an ankle injury trying to pluck a low throw from Drake Maye.
- "I've got to make a better play and make a better throw for him."
- But, even after Seattle corner Devon Witherspoon seemingly reset the market and established a new benchmark for star corners to hit when he signed a four-year, $132 million extension last month, there’s reportedly been little progress between Gonzalez’s camp and the Patriots on crossing the finish line on a record-setting deal.
- Time is running out for the Patriots to resolve this ongoing stalemate with their top defensive player, leaving the door open for more drastic measures if Gonzalez begins the new year without that sought-after extension in place.
- But, it remains to be seen if star cornerback Christian Gonzalez will be on the field and tasked with shutting down Seattle wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba — due to the Patriots not handing Gonzalez a hefty new contract.