The Patriots’ First Shot

Good morning! The First Shot provides you with a healthy helping of links to the top Patriots-related stories around the internet to get your day started. Enjoy your breakfast, your coffee, kick up your feet, and get ready for the conclusion of Wild Card Weekend in the NFL. The links begin after the jump…

• The Patriots’ offensive line has been nominated for the Madden Protectors Award, but they need your votes to win.
• Check out Musket Fire’s Wild Card Weekend game predictions. Last night, I went 1-1 while Ryan nailed both of his predictions.
• Josh McDaniels has agreed to return to the Patriots.
• What’s Josh McDaniels’ role with the Patriots during the playoffs?
• The Patriots will face the winner of the Steelers-Broncos game today at 4:30 p.m. ET.
• Read Bill Belichick’s statement on Bill O’Brien’s hiring at Penn State HERE.
• Troy Brown discusses his time playing on the defensive side of the ball, much like Julian Edelman is having to do now.