Tag: 260108

Go time for Pats

The Big Story – Pats Start Playoff March: After going an unexpected 14-3, the Patriots are back in the playoffs, where they spent most of this century. This time, after a season closing 38-10 win over Miami, as the 2-seed, facing the 7-seed L.A. Chargers Sunday night in Foxboro. The question is, with Drake Maye having a better Year 2 season than you know who, at least statistically, can history repeat itself with a SB win? Doubtful, but it should be fun seeing if it can.

Sports 101: Name the teams with the most wins, losses and playoff games played in NFL history.

News Item – Scouting Report Pats vs. Chargers:

Trend: L.A. (11-6) has lost two in a row. The Patriots have won three in a row and 13 of their last 14.

Stat Sheet: L.A.’s D is eighth (105.4) in rushing yards allowed, fifth vs the pass (179.1) and 10th in points allowed (20.0). For the Pats it’s 101.7, 193.5 and 18.8.

Injured List: L.A. is beat up, especially on the O-line with both tackles out. While the Patriots have key guys Milton Williams, Robert Spillane and Will Campbell back.

Odds:Pats favored by 3.5.

Prediction: Pats 20, L.A. 10. The D gives up the usual 10 early points, then shuts L.A. down as Maye gets them enough points to move on.

A Little Playoff History – Chargers vs. Pats: The ancient rivals first met in the fourth AFL title game in 1963. When the Pats got pounded 51-10 by (then) San Diego in 1963 FB Keith Lincoln ran for 208 yards, had 129 more receiving and passed for 20 yards to boot. But the news was better in the Brady-Belichick era when NE won in 2007, 2008 and 2019.

News Item – CFP Observations: The Final Four are Miami vs. Oregon and Indiana vs Mississippi.

Ohio State – my predicted champ goes down early in a 24-14 loss to Miami.

Indiana – taking down giant programs. First OSU for Big 10 title and Bama 38-3 in the CFP.

Ole Miss – I like that the more they win the longer deserter HC Lane Kiffin has to wait to fill out his staff to begin recruiting after abandoning his players to begin recruiting early at LSU.

Alabama – that 38-3 final was the largest losing margin in Bama bowl game history. Makes HC Kalen DeBoer “just” 19-8 since Nick Saban retired.

News Item – Celtics Update: After losing four key players and Jayson Tatum to a big injury, the Celtics are somehow 22-12. And after scoring 50 Saturday on just 26 shots, Jaylen Brown ishaving the career year averaging 30.1 points per, along with 6.1 rebounds and 5 assists. The much criticized Joe Mazzulla also earns credit for getting them there.

The Numbers

0 – interceptions made by the NY Jets during the entire 2025 season.

89.6 – Patrick Mahomes’ lowest QB rating since became the starter in KC.

… Of the Week Awards

Thumbs Up – Mike Vrabel: For tuning out the noise to not bury Rhamondre Stevenson (or worse) after his early fumbling issues so he couldrumble for 156 total yards and three TDs Sunday.

Rumor Mill – Bill Belichick: After insecure GM Terry Fontenot passed on him for Raheem Morris in 2024, will Coach B enter the picture in Atlanta after both got fired following their 8-9 season?

Random Thoughts:

How long ago was Indiana last in the Rose Bowl? MVP OJ Simpson ran for 128 yards and two TDs as they lost to USC in 1969!

Sports 101 Answer: The playoff leaders in NFL history: Wins — SF with 39 to NE’s 37. Losses — Minnesota, 32. Games — Dallas, 69.

Final Thought — Biggest Sports Stories of 2025:

1 – The WNBA:The rise of and petty jealousy aimed at Caitlin Clark because she drove it all.

2 – Collapse Of KC Chiefs: They missed the playoffs for the first time in the Mahomes era. So is it like NE 2008, then back to normal? Or should the Pats just say thanks for keeping our seat worm, we’ll take it back from here?

3 – The Raffy Devers Trade: The Sox were right in moving the sulking insubordinate out. And guess what? Despite massive public opinion against, the Sox got immediately better and SF immediately got worse and never recovered.

4 – Fisher Cats Alums Shine in World Series. Along with former F-Cat manager/player John Schneider in the dugout there were 11 other alums. The biggest contributors were Bo Bichette, hitting .348 with a homer and 6 RBI, and Trey Yesavage, who won a game at Delta Dental Stadium in June, allowed just a run on three hits and struck out 12 Dodgers in a 3-1 Game 5 win.

5 – Ryan Day Leads OSU to CFP title: The ex-Central High and UNH quarterback became the first local to win a national college football title as a head by beating Notre Dame 34-23. Email Dave Long at dlong@hippopress.com.

Quality of Life 26/01/08

An omen for 2026?

As reported by WMUR in a Dec. 28 online article, a fireball in the sky was reported by witnesses in Portsmouth, Nashua and Londonderry on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 27. “There were several other reports made to the American Meteor Society from New Hampshire communities, including Dover, Bedford, Rindge, Hooksett and Jaffrey,” the story read. “Fireballs are meteors that are unusually bright,” the article said. “It’s unlikely that the fireball reached the ground, as most meteors are destroyed high in the atmosphere.”

QOL score: +1 because cool, probably harmless thing in the sky

Comment: View footage of the fireball at youtube.com/shorts/UOwPvE1V6rg.

New laws

Several new state laws go into effect in January, including the much-discussed end of motor vehicle inspections, which will take effect Jan. 31. A Jan. 5 article at New Hampshire Bulletin (newhampshirebulletin.com) noted several other new laws that start this month, including a ban on ambulance “surprise billing” and a requirement that landlords allow non-electronic payment for rent. In addition, some state fees are increasing; it will now cost $11 instead of $6 to register a tractor, for instance. And as of Jan. 1, the article said, “it will be illegal to dump yard waste into any state body of water, on the ice of such water, or on the banks of the water.” It was already illegal to dump many other non-yard waste items in those places.

QOL score: -1, for having to remember new things

Comment: For a more comprehensive list of new laws going into effect, visit newsfromthestates.com/state/new-hampshire.

More flu cases

“As flu cases skyrocket across the country, New Hampshire health officials say cases are also rapidly rising in the Granite State,” a Dec. 30 online report from WMUR read. “Health experts say they expect flu numbers to keep rising,” the WMUR article warned, “because of holiday gatherings and cold weather forcing people inside.” A map provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.gov) titled “Flu activity levels by state for the week ending December 27” listed New Hampshire’s activity as “Very High.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: Health officials recommend getting vaccinated against the flu to protect against serious illness, the article said.

QOL score: 53

Net change: -1

QOL this week: 52

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 26/01/08

Museum news

As of December, Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, 27 Navigator Road in Londonderry, has joined SEE Science Center and the Millyard Museum, both at 200 Bedford St. in Manchester, in offering reduced admission to “individuals and families presenting a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer card during all normal operating hours,” according to a press release from the Aviation Museum. The three museums are now part of the “national ‘Museums for All’ program, which offers discounted admission to visitors who receive federal food assistance,” the release said. “Under ‘Museums for All,’ the SEE Science Center and the Millyard Museum offer a discounted admission of $3 per person to those who qualify. The Aviation Museum of N.H. offers a $5 admission under the program,” the release said. “This program is so important because it allows us to create a culture of museum-going and ensure access to cultural resources as a basic right within our community,” said Shana Hawrylchak, executive director of the SEE Science Center, in the release. See see-sciencenter.org, manchesterhistoric.org and aviationmuseumofnh.org for details on the local museums and Museums4All.org for more on the national program.

Rural health

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has awarded New Hampshire more than $204 million for 2026 “as part of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, the largest award among New England states,” according to a Dec. 29 press release from the state Department of Health and Human services. “New Hampshire’s application requested $200 million annually throughout the duration of the five-year program to strengthen rural health care access, quality, and long-term sustainability,” the release said. See dhhs.nh.gov.

Radon

January is National Radon Action Month, according to a Dec. 29 press release from the American Lung Association, which is “raising awareness of the potential health risks of radon and the importance of home testing. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the number one cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths annually in the U.S,” the release said. According to the association’s “State of Lung Cancer” report, more than 35 percent of homes tested for radon in New Hampshire “had results that were at or above the action level recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is 4 pCi/L,” the release said. For more information about radon, described in the release as “naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the soil,” and to order test kits, see lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/indoor-air-pollutants/radon.

Queerlective, queerlective.com, will hold Cupid Lied: A Queer Anti-Valentine Market at “our new space at 72 Concord St. inside the YWCA” in Manchester on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to an email about the event. “This market will feature queer artists, community activities, and room to connect with chosen family,” the email said. RSVP at the website for updates and reminders; artists interested in participating can apply via go.queerlective.com/cupidvend.

Auburn Pitts, 167 Rockingham Road in Auburn, will hold their annual Christmas Tree Burning Party on Saturday, Jan. 10, according to their Facebook page. The 21+ event, featuring music from DJ Chris, starts at 6 p.m. and the burning starts at 7 p.m., the post said. Drop off your tree before Saturday, according to the page.

Joppa Hill Educational Farm, 174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford, will hold “Out and About on a Winter’s Night and Star Gazing with 4-H” on Friday, Jan. 16, with activities for families and youth ages 6+ from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. followed by stargazing until 8 p.m., according jhef.org. The cost is $15 per family (up to four people) plus fees. The night will feature story-telling, an illuminated story path, constellation identification, naked-eye and binocular observing and more, the website said.

The eighth Common Man Roadside Market & Deli opened Dec. 31 at 56 Crystal Ave. in Derry, according to a press release. The eatery features “an open kitchen for preparing made-to-order meals, a café, fresh pastries, NH-made goods, a ‘grab and go’ display with sandwiches, salads, and drinks, a coffee bar, a ‘Beer Cave,’ seating for dining, a fireplace, and a wide array of convenience store items” and more, the release said.

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!