Patriots may emphasize running game vs. Packers

Nov 28, 2014

The Patriots’ game-planning pendulum would figure to swing back in favor of the running game as they prepare for Sunday’s slugfest with the Packers.

That should mean more production, perhaps again of the dominant variety, for LeGarrette Blount and Jonas Gray. In this offense, either one of the ground-and-pound runners could emerge from obscurity to stardom and back again on any given week.

This matchup, though, shapes up as a feeding for the workhorses, even if they’re playing coy with the strategy.

“We’re just going to go out there and execute the game plan that we have in place and hopefully come out there with a win,” Blount said Wednesday. “If that entails running the football, then that’s what we’ll do. If that entails throwing the football, that’s what we’ll do."

Fantasy Impact:

Blount figures to get more carries after he ran well in Week 12, but Gray may emerge from Bill Belichick's dog house to see a few carries as well.

yesterday

Update on Gardner Minshew: Broken collarbone, out for season

Ian Rapoport

yesterday · 7:57 PM EST

A quick update on Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew: he suffered a broken collarbone against the Broncos and is out for the season.

Fantasy Impact:

We had just posted the quote from head coach Antonio Pierce, saying it didn’t look good. It turned out it wasn’t good. Minshew looked like he was in a lot of pain after taking the his late in the game. Now we have an understanding of that pain. Desmond Ridder came on in relief and the team is expected to activate Aidan O’Connell this week from injured reserve. The Raiders visit Kansas City on Friday.

Antonio Pierce on Gardner Minshew injury: ‘It doesn’t look good.’

Adam Schefter

yesterday · 7:53 PM EST

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said “It doesn’t look good” in regards to the shoulder injury to quarterback Gardner Minshew.

Fantasy Impact:

Minshew went down late in the game against the Broncos after taking a sack and looked to be in quite a bit of pain. He’ll undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury.

Desmond Ridder came on in replacement. He went 5-of-10 for 64 yards and was sacked twice. If Minshew is to miss time, which looks very likely, the Raiders may look to see what they have in the former Falcons quarterback. Vegas is also expected to have Aidan O’Connell back this week. The Raiders are on a short week as they head to Kansas City on Black Friday.

Romeo Doubs ruled out with concussion

Green Bay Packers

yesterday · 6:48 PM EST

Packers WR Romeo Doubs was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the 49ers with a concussion.

Fantasy Impact:

Doubs suffered the injury while attempting a catch in the end zone and landing hard on the back of his helmet. Doubs will not return tonight and it’s almost certain he’ll be ruled out for Thursday night against the Dolphins. If that’s the case, his next chance to return would be the following Thursday against the Lions.