Patriots gridiron news: Trey Flowers has blossomed into a postseason playmaker

Defensive end Trey Flowers has emerged as a true leader in the New England Patriots defense, including a monster effort in the AFC Championship game.

Sunday’s 24-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars wasn’t all about the heroics of Tom Brady.  The New England Patriots defense stepped up when they needed to and gave the offense multiple chances to get back in the game and eventually win it.

While multiple defensive players made key plays during the second half, including 39-year-old veteran James Harrison, third-year defensive end Trey Flowers was the true star on defense.

Like he has been all season long, Flowers was solid in the game.  He racked up 5 tackles and no sacks, but made his presence felt along the defensive line with 6 total pressures and 4 run stops.  Not only did he nearly pick off Blake Bortles, he absolutely destroyed running back Leonard Fournette on a play that led to a sack by Lawrence Guy.

Take a look at this play below:

With his play in the AFC Championship game, the 24-year-old rising defensive star has developed a trend of coming through at big moments.  In Super Bowl LI, Flowers had the sack of the game in the team’s thrilling comeback victory against the Atlanta Falcons and he is sure to make some big plays in Super Bowl LII.

Why?

It’s simple, according to Flowers.  The team’s weekly preparation creates opportunities for players to make plays.  He has certainly taken advantage of those opportunities and continues to come up big. 

"“I think a lot of guys can make plays at any given time,” Flowers said following Sunday’s game.  “You’ve got a lot of playmakers in this locker room, so it’s just one of those things where you’ve got to deal with all of us.  Once everybody prepares well and gets ready for the game and things like that, any given down, somebody can make a play.”"

Now he has a chance to blossom on the Super Bowl stage once again.

Related Story: Trey Flowers now the difference maker on defense

Patriots will wear road white jerseys in Super Bowl LII

Despite being the home team and favorites to win Super Bowl LII, the New England Patriots have announced they will wear their road white jerseys in Super Bowl LII.

While the Philadelphia Eagles are playing up the underdog card, the Patriots know mostly everyone outside of the six states of New England will be rooting against them.  That may be a reason for choosing to wear white, but they also have a positive history when wearing the white.  There is also a little superstition mixed in.

In the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era, they ae 3-0 when wearing the modern day white uniforms.  That includes their 24-21 victory over the Eagles in XXXIX.

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Bill Belichick attributes lack of penalties to concentration

Are the officials in the Patriots pocket?  Mostly everyone outside of New England think so.

But, that will be the perception when a team wins consistently.  When asked about the penalty discrepancy in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, Patriots head coach chalked it up to what any sensible NFL diehard already knows.  It comes down to discipline.

"“We emphasize that all the time,” Belichick said on a conference call with the media Tuesday.  “We always try to work to eliminate penalties.  Sometimes those things happen but, as you said, a lot of those penalties are caused by bad technique or just lack of concentration or sloppy football.  We certainly are always trying to stamp those out.”"

By the way, the New England Patriots (yes, the Patriots) have been on the receiving end of some bad or phantom calls themselves.  In a 33-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers, cornerback Stephon Gilmore was called for a hands-to-the-face penalty at a key moment in the fourth quarter.

Next: New England Patriots: Why fans should enjoy these games while they last

That play allowed the Panthers to continue a drive that ultimately led to a game-winning field goal.  The team nor the fans didn’t complain about officiating losing the game played at…Gillette Stadium.

But, that doesn’t fit the narrative…now does it?