Morning Sports Update
“I am going to suppose again on it when the job full.”
Kayshon Boutte performs down one-handed landing catch from Patriots’ win over Texans: Whereas many in New England had been able to debate the place Kayshon Boutte’s one-handed landing seize within the Patriots’ divisional spherical win over the Texans ranked in staff historical past, the extensive receiver doesn’t appear to care about that.
Boutte declined to say whether or not the catch was the best of his soccer profession or not, telling reporters on Thursday he’ll ponder that someday down the highway.
“I don’t know, I by no means actually thought of it,” Boutte stated when requested if that’s the most effective catch he’s ever made. “I’ll suppose again on it when the job full.”
Boutte made the seize a few minutes into the fourth quarter, diving for a ball Drake Maye threw to him earlier than tapping it as much as himself with one hand as he beat All-Professional cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. for the rating. The 32-yard landing seize prolonged the Patriots’ result in 28-16 with 12:58 remaining, giving them a much-needed rating to place the sport out of attain.
The seize despatched Gillette Stadium into an immediate frenzy. In reality, on the Patriots’ sideline, Rhamondre Stevenson was excited to inform fellow working again TreVeyon Henderson that Boutte made the same catch for Maye’s first landing go in 2024.
Boutte’s catch additionally grew to become a viral sensation within the days after the sport due to a clip shared by NFL Films. The clip completely tracks the ball from when Maye threw it to when Boutte secured the seize because it made its manner by the snow in Foxborough.
Because the catch has been mentioned all through the week, Boutte could be oblivious to any recognition he’s acquired for the seize.
“I don’t reply the telephone. I don’t,” Boutte stated when requested what number of texts he’s acquired this week about his catch. “It keep in don’t disturb. I’m locked in.”
There was one particular person’s remark in regards to the seize that Boutte appreciated, although.
“It was an incredible second,” Boutte told reporters on Monday of his embrace with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel after the landing. “I feel he instructed me he was happy with the best way I used to be going.
“I’m grateful he believed in me when he got here in. There was quite a lot of talks about the place I’d be, probably traded and stuff like that. However, I imply, we’re sitting right here at this time. He believed, I believed. It’s been nice.”
Boutte has had a breakout season in 2025, logging 33 receptions for 551 yards and 6 touchdowns in 14 regular-season video games. He has seven receptions for a team-high 141 yards and a landing this postseason.
Boutte’s additionally emerged as a notable voice out of the Patriots locker room this season. He appeared to fireside again at Broncos head coach Sean Payton for his comment that Denver followers could have two weeks to relaxation up following Sunday’s AFC Championship Recreation.
“I ain’t seen it,” Boutte stated. “They’ll relaxation in Cancun, too, on the finish of the day. It’s what it’s.”
Trivia: Who was the final participant the Patriots drafted as a large receiver out of school to guide the staff in receiving yards for a postseason run?
(Trace: It’s not Julian Edelman, as he was a quarterback popping out of school.)
Scores and schedule:
The Bruins bought again within the win column on Thursday, defeating the Golden Knights 4-3. Their three-goal outburst in 54 seconds within the first interval helped raise them to victory. The Bruins host the Canadiens at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The Celtics will play back-to-back highway video games this weekend. First, they tackle the Nets in Brooklyn at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Then, they’ll tackle the Bulls in Chicago at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Lastly, the Patriots play the Broncos in Denver within the AFC Championship Recreation at 3 p.m. on Sunday. It marks the Patriots’ first journey to the AFC Championship Recreation since they received their final Tremendous Bowl within the 2018 season. If the Patriots win on Sunday, they’ll play in Tremendous Bowl LX in Santa Clara on Feb. 8.
Learn extra on Boston.com:
Patriots identify Adam Vinatieri an honorary captain
A franchise icon will function the Patriots’ honorary captain for Sunday’s AFC Championship Recreation. Adam Vinatieri, who spent his first 10 seasons of his profession with the Patriots, made a handful of memorable discipline objectives to assist New England win its first three Tremendous Bowls earlier than leaving for Indianapolis to affix the Colts in 2006.
Historically, a staff’s honorary captain for the convention championship sport is the one who presents the trophy if their staff wins the sport. Vinatieri can also be a finalist for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame Class of 2026.
Patriots internet hosting rally in Denver
Vinatieri will even be part of a Patriots occasion the day earlier than the AFC Championship Recreation. He and former Patriots heart David Andrews might be at Jackson’s LODO in Denver for a playoff rally from 4:30-7 p.m. (MST).
Mike Vrabel earns one Coach of the Yr honors
Mike Vrabel has already received himself some {hardware}. He was named the Professional Soccer Writers of America’s (PFWA) winner for Coach of the Yr on Thursday. Vrabel, after all, helped the Patriots enhance by 10 wins in his first season as their head coach, going 14-3 as he has them on the doorstep of a Tremendous Bowl look.
Vrabel was additionally named a finalist for the Related Press’ Coach of the Yr Award on Thursday. He’ll discover out if he wins that award through the NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 5.
On this present day:
Twenty-one years in the past on Friday, the Patriots received their third AFC title in 4 seasons once they took down the Steelers, 41-27, in Pittsburgh. The win avenged a loss from earlier that season, when the Steelers defeated the Patriots to finish their file win streak.
Tom Brady, who battled a 103-degree fever that day, threw two touchdowns within the win. The primary was a 61-yard landing go to Deion Department. Rodney Harrison additionally had a pick-six off Ben Roethlisberger that day.
The Patriots went on to win their third Tremendous Bowl two weeks later, defeating the Eagles in Tremendous Bowl XXXIX.
Every day spotlight:
Properly, possibly this isn’t a spotlight for the fitting purpose. However within the ultimate seconds of regulation in Thursday’s Rockets-76ers sport, Houston star Kevin Durant blocked Tyrese Maxey’s layup proper earlier than the buzzer to ship the sport to additional time. Nevertheless, it appeared that Durant made the block after the ball hit the backboard, which ought to’ve been known as a goaltending and given the 76ers two factors.
The 76ers nonetheless wound up successful in additional time due to Joel Embiid’s 32-point triple-double.
Trivia reply: Deion Department in 2005
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