Tony Branco

I have been a Boston sports observer since the 1980s. I have seen the highs and lows of all the local sports teams and athletes.

Did Brad Stevens Hint the Celtics Need a Coaching Change?

Joe Mazzulla helped keep the Celtics competitive during a transitional season, but Brad Stevens’ end-of-year press conference raised serious questions about his future as head coach of the Boston Celtics.

Patriots

Drama Aside, Did the Patriots Nail the 2026 Draft?

A breakdown of the New England Patriots’ 2026 NFL Draft, including player grades, key picks, and what it all means for the team’s future.

Boston “Massacre”: Red Sox Fire Alex Cora and Coaching Staff

Not many people realize only five people were killed in the Boston Massacre in 1770. On Saturday, April 25, 2026—256 years and one week later—five Boston Red Sox coaches were fired, along with their field general, manager Alex Cora. As per usual with Red Sox transactions, the timing

Featured

I Didn’t Care About the Vrabel-Russini Story—Until I Did

What started as a non-story about a hug has turned into something much harder to ignore

Remembering Davey Lopes: Grit, Greatness, and Rhode Island Pride

I grew up during a time when it felt like the Yankees and Dodgers met in the World Series every year. They faced off in 1977, 1978, and 1981. I hated the Yankees, so every October, I became a Dodgers fan. And I grew to love those Dodgers teams. It

Ranking the Most Iconic Sports Photos of All Time (Part 1: #20–11)

What makes a sports image iconic? In my book, the image has to be one that is emblazoned in your memory. It doesn’t feel one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or even three-dimensional—it sucks you into the picture. The emotions they evoke go far beyond what’s happening in the frame. Sometimes

Patriots

Forget A.J. Brown. Brian Thomas Jr. should be the Patriots’ next move

Most of the talk this offseason has focused on New England acquiring A.J. Brown. For whatever reason, wide receivers always spark the most attention in free agency or trade talk. Quarterback, obviously, is the NFL glamour position, but there are usually only one or two teams that have questions

Super Bowl LX Preview: Predictions, Prop Bets, and Keys to the Game

Warrrrriors… come out to play. It always amazes me what multi-million dollar athletes dig up for a battle cry that rallies a team. Mack Hollins showed up at the AFC Championship in typical fashion. You've all seen and heard the clip by now. But I'll describe

Patriots

Built to Last: Why the 2025 Patriots Are Better Positioned for a Dynasty Than the 2001 Team

Why the 2025 Patriots may be better built for a dynasty than the 2001 team—youth, culture, coaching stability, drafting, and a modern NFL approach.

Conference Championship Sunday: Next Stop, the Super Bowl

Can you believe the last time an AFC Championship Game was played without either the Kansas City Chiefs or New England Patriots in it was 2011 when the Pittsburgh Steelers played the ... wait a minute... this can't be right... the New York Jets? It looked like the streak

By the Numbers: The Best-Looking Jersey Numbers in Patriots History

I was walking through a store the other day and did a double take when I passed a guy in a random vintage #88 Terry Glenn jersey. RIP, Terry Glenn. I am comfortable enough in my masculinity to say the jersey looked outstanding on the guy. He had the right

Patriots are hoping history repeats itself

This Patriots team is not "lucky." Much like the 2001 team, a win over the Rams in the Super Bowl could be the beginning of another dynastic run.

NFL DIVISIONAL ROUND PICKS & BETTING ANALYSIS

Sometimes a team has another team's number no matter the disparity in records. That seems to be the case with the Carolina Panthers and the LA Rams. The Panthers almost pulled off a monster upset after having already beaten the Rams in Week 13. I lost a couple

NFL MVP: I apply my Jimmy G test to the candidates and come out with a winner

There is an obvious bias towards quarterbacks when discussing the NFL MVP. Saquon Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards last season for the eventual World Champion Philadelphia Eagles, but it wasn't good enough to keep Josh Allen from being voted MVP. And it has been like that since

Patriots Advance with 16–3 Win Over Chargers Behind Dominant Defensive Performance

Drake Maye gets most of the attention—and understandably so. He has a golden arm, poise in the pocket, and the rare ability to play quarterback while still being an athlete. What may be most refreshing, though, is his instinct to deflect credit. After Sunday’s win, he made sure

Wildcard Weekend NFL Picks: With the Chiefs Gone, Is This Josh Allen’s Moment?

And Here. We. Go. I'm glad to get the final regular season week out of the way. It is a bettor's nightmare. Time to get back to some real games where players will play the full sixty minutes and give max effort. And we don'

Week 18 NFL Preview: Could it be swan songs for Rodgers and Kelce?

No one is more sorry to see the NFL regular season come to an end than me. I have been on a heater the last few weeks – finally! It was a season of mediocrity and if there is one thing I can't stand – it is mediocrity. It'

Week 17 NFL Picks

I, literally, got out of my chair and applauded when I heard broadcaster, Jim Nantz, say during a telecast that this is one of the weirdest years in NFL history. It made me feel better about having a down year picking games. I did have a decent week as I

Week 16 NFL Picks & Predictions

As the Steve Miller Band sang, "Time keeps slipping into the future." We have arrived at the part of the season where we don't know if certain teams will be giving their all. We saw some HUGE injuries to Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons. Just like

NFL Week 15 Picks and Score Predictions

There were some shady calls last week by NFL refs and one extremely controversial (for bettors) coaching decision to kick a meaningless field goal at the end of regulation. How much more do we need to see? The league isn't even hiding it anymore. I knew there was

NFL

Week 15 NFL Power Rankings: You Think You Understand This League? Think Again.

Week 14 felt like the Betting Gods punishing anyone who tried to apply logic to the NFL. You had the Saints beating the Bucs in Tampa Bay. Miami won for the first time in sub-40 degree weather since the Ice Age. The Browns and Titans combined for 60 points. Shedeur

Week 14 NFL Picks: Crunch Time Across the League

Week 14 rolls in with the playoff picture sharpening. Some teams are charging. Some are fading. Bill Belichick used to say that the NFL season only truly began after Thanksgiving. Of course, his season is over now. UNC finished 4-8, by the way. There are only a couple of good

Lessons from 2001: Patriots' Christian Elliss delivers another 'Shot Heard Around the World'

In 2001, the New England Patriots were 0-2 entering Week 3. The team had finished in last place in the AFC East with a 5-11 record the year prior – Bill Belichick's first year as head coach of the Patriots. They had just lost their franchise quarterback, Drew Bledsoe,

NFL Power Rankings: Who’s Surging, Who’s Fading?

Teams are coming down the home stretch. If anything is apparent in the NFL, it is that the path to the Super Bowl is wide open, especially in the AFC. Teams are already starting to get eliminated from the playoffs. The Saints, Giants, Cardinals, Raiders. and Titans are done with

The 25 Most Exciting Players to Watch in the NFL Right Now

A breakdown of the 25 most exciting players in the NFL right now. From Jahmyr Gibbs’ lightning burst to Josh Allen’s Superman antics and Drake Maye’s youthful exuberance, this list captures the players who make Sundays must-watch TV in 2025.