FOXBOROUGH Jonathan Jones Jersey , Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots center David Andrews has gone to the playoffs every year he’s been in the NFL, reaching the AFC title game in his first three tries and making the Super Bowl twice.Something he’s never done: played on wild-card weekend.“I don’t know what it’s like doing it any other way,” Andrews said after the Patriots clinched their ninth straight first-round bye. “I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of this organization and these great locker rooms. We’re very fortunate and just got to make the most of this week, get some rest, focus, take a step back to look at yourself and what you can do better.”After early-season struggles that once again raised doubts whether the New England dynasty was coming to an end, the Patriots are back in their usual spot after a 38-3 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. They will have the week off before finding out which of the wild-card winners — it could be the Texans, Ravens or Chargers — will be their opponent in Foxborough on Jan. 13.Coach Bill Belichick said on a conference call with reporters Monday that the Patriots will occupy their time with a combination of rest, film work, practice, fundamentals, scheme plays, and situational practice.“The bye is huge,” said tight end Rob Gronkowski Troy Niklas Color Rush Jersey , who had two catches for 24 yards against the Jets, but also had a big gain wiped out by a penalty. “That was basically a playoff win right there. … It basically won us a game for next week. So we got a bye, rest up, get the mental part and physical part.”The Patriots (11-5) earned their 10th straight AFC East title and their 15th in 16 seasons; the only exception was the 2008 season Tom Brady missed with a torn ACL. They have not played in the wild-card weekend since 2009, when they lost to the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough.The victories in the last two games also guaranteed the Patriots of at least one home playoff game — and the chance for two if something should happen to the Kansas City Chiefs. That’s important, because New England has not won a road playoff game since 2006 (although, because of their regular-season prowess, they’ve only played three since beating the Chargers in San Diego in the divisional round that year).New England also went undefeated at home in the regular season and just 3-5 on the road. They were the only team in the league with a perfect home record but the only one in the AFC that was under .500 on the road.“It’s tough to win in this league regardless of where you are,” said receiver Chris Hogan, who caught six passes for 64 yards on Sunday. “But obviously any time you get a chance to play at home — using the crowd and the familiarity; you get to keep your same schedule and same routine. I think that helps a lot.” TEAM TALKPatriots-Packers Thursday Injury Report.Paul Perillo scouts the matchup: Brady vs. Rodgers showdown.Erik Scalavino shares the practice news, notes and locker-room buzz from Thursday at Gillette: Comfort and concern along O-line.Press Conference transcript: Devin McCourty.All Access One-on-One: Devin McCourty (3.22 min. video)Cover 2 Podcast: Don Banks and Nick Stevens preview Patriots - Packers, with Rob Demovsky (ESPN) and Tom Silverstein (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). (64 min.)LOCAL LINKSEvan Lazar’s Patriots Gameplan: Aaron Rodgers is worse than you’d think under pressure.Matt Dolloff tells us three things to know about the Packers that should make us feel more confident.Thomas Murphy (DiehardBostonSportsFans) Monster keys to the Pats vs. the Pack. 1. Blow it up.Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots-Packers Week 9, Key matchups: Who has the razor’s edge?David Albiani (FullPressCoverage) Patriots vs. Packers: What to watch for on Sunday night. 1. Green Bay’s struggles in red zone.NBC Sports Boston says Davante Adams vs. Stephon Gilmore will be the most critical matchup on Sunday night.Phil Perry writes how Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have studied each other for years.Kevin Duffy gives us the latest practice update, noting the absence of Rob Gronkowski with two injuries (back https://www.patriotsfanstore.com/Ja_Whaun-Bentley-Jersey , ankle).Doug Kyed addresses his Patriots Mailbag: Theories on Rob Gronkowski’s decline in production.Ryan Hannable notes Ivan Fears says he’s ‘very impressed’ with Sony Michel and calls him ‘a blessing.’Kevin Duffy highlights Trent Brown, who has filled a huge hole on the offensive line as well as anyone could have hoped. Zack Cox focuses on Trey Flowers and the massive impact he’s making for the Patriots, despite low sack numbers.Doug Kyed notes Stephon Gilmore smartly won’t match Davonte Adams’ boast, depriving Green Bay of bulletin board material.Zack Cox hears from Phillip Dorsett on the trade deadline and the uncertainty surrounding his role with the team.Mark Daniels reports Ja’Whaun Bentley and Duke Dawson have been on the injured reserve for weeks now, but the two rookies have been traveling with the Patriots, in order to learn.Joshua Schrock relays Mike Lombardi explaining why the Josh Gordon tardiness story never was believable.Jim Lazar is prepared for a scary-good matchup Sunday night, and makes his Week 9 picks. Pats win 41-33.Michael Hurley makes his Week 9 picks: Brady-Rodgers matchup won’t teach us anything, but it will be fun. Pats win, but not comfortably.NATIONAL NEWSKevin Clark (The Ringer) It’s a damn shame we haven’t seen more of Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady.Steven Ruiz (ForTheWin) Are we finally seeing the start of Tom Brady’s inevitable decline?Staff (ESPN) Biggest injury questions for all 32 teams in Week 9. Pats: Shaq Mason (calf), Julian Edelman (ankle injury, illness).Danny Kelly (The Ringer) NFL midseason superlatives: The best, worst, and weirdest of the year so far.Riley McAtee (The Ringer) The six biggest takeaways from half a season of NFL watchability.Nate Davis (USA Today) One pressing question for every team in second half of 2018 season. Patriots: Can they buck history?Mike Jones (USA Today) What we learned at NFL’s midseason point: Biggest surprises, letdowns. 1. Don’t sweat the slow starts.Staff (The Ringer) If you had to pick a QB for one throw Jordan Matthews Color Rush Jersey , one drive, one game, or one season, who would it be? The only rule is you can’t pick the same QB twice.Bill Barnwell (ESPN) Projecting 2020 roster locks, bubble players for all 32 NFL teams.Andrew Bucholtz (Awful Announcing) The NFL’s again structured its TV deals to pay owners in the event of games lost to a work stoppage, a concept a judge ruled against in 2011.Staff (ESPN) Week 9 NFL score predictions: A guide to best games, fantasy help, more.Elliot Harrison (NFL.com) NFL Week 9 game picks: Rams lose first game; Pats top Packers 34-30.Nate Davis (USA Today) Week 9 NFL picks: Aaron Rodgers-Tom Brady showdown, Rams-Saints game highlight big weekend. Five of five pick Pats to win. /Interesting.MMQB Staff (SI) NFL Week 9 Picks: 6 of 7 pick Pats to win.NFL Staff (Bleacher Report) Expert consensus Week 9 NFL picks. 1 out of 3 pick Pats to win (2 out of 3 pick Pats to win but not cover).VIEW FROM GREEN BAYJR Radcliffe (PackersNews) What national media outlets are saying about the Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady showdown.Karen Herzog (Journal Sentinel) UW-Madison math professor says the numbers prove it: Aaron Rodgers is better than Tom Brady. /How to lie with statistics.Jim Owczarski (Journal Sentinel) Legacies of Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady extend well off the field for Packers, Patriots.Kendra Meinert (PackersNews) Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady: Who’s the GOAT when it comes to pop culture?Tony Silverstein (PackersNews) Opportunities abound for new roles in Packers’ secondary.Rob Demovsky (ESPN) Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady: Contemporaries but not rivals.Ryan Wood and Jim Owczarski (Journal Sentinel) Packers notes: Center Corey Linsley set for Patriots game.Rob Demovsky (ESPN) Davante Adams: Major player vs. Patriots then; NFL star now.Tom Silverstein (Journal Sentinel) Packers corner Tramon Williams to help fill safety void created by Ha Ha Clinton-Dix exit.