Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald writes about one of the many marquee match-ups in Sunday's game between the Patriots and Giants: Wes Welker v. Antrel Rolle. Welker has already amassed 57 catches for 824 yards and six touchdowns this season, and Rolle is considered an elite cover man by many. "I think when I am on top of my game, I feel like I am pretty tough to cover," Welker said on a conference call with New York-based reporters. "I feel like when I am in that flow, it is pretty tough." While Rolle said "I handle anything. And I'm up for all challenges. And at the end of the day, it's may the best man win. The game still has to be played on Sunday."

Steve Silva of the Boston Globe writes about how Tom Brady his fellow Patriots are feeling heading into a big game with the New York Giants. "We're all pretty much in a bad mood," he said. "There is a mourning process that goes on with our team, our coaches, players. We hate losing. It's not something we'll ever get used to. It sucks. The whole week sucks, actually. You just have to go out there and erase that memory with a good win and good days of practice. Once you get into the preparation of the week, you end up moving on to the week coming up."

Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com writes about recent accolades given to both Wes Welker and Brian Waters. Peter King of SI.com named his first-half All-Pro squad, featuring both Welker and Waters. "It's a badge of honor, Tom Brady's ever-growing reliance on Welker," King writes. "Last year, he was targeted 123 times. This year? On pace for 190. He'll challenge Jerry Rice's yardage record."  King went on to write, "He shifted from left guard in Kansas City to right with the Pats, had no offseason in a complicated attack, and has been a better player than the Pro Bowler he already was."

Jeff Howe of NESN.com writes about how Albert Haynesworth is continuing to progress into a more prominent role with the Patriots. "I'm still knocking off rust," Haynesworth said. "I still haven't played really for two years. It's a step-by-step process." Haynesworth continued saying, "I'm going to go out there and give 100 percent. I'm going to go as hard as I possibly can. If that's three, four, five plays and then have to come out and take a breather, then I will."

Mary Paoletti of CSNNE.com writes about recent comments by Tom Brady addressing comments that the Patriots are a "finesse" team. Brady said, "Football's all about playing physical. It's a physical sport, and if you're a finesse team you don't usually last very long. And that's what we're trying to be; we're trying to be a physical team that's tough."