the force was with the new star wars movie this weekend. >> the force awakens had the largest opening weekend ever, bringing in $238 million in north america alone. worldwide, it earned $517 million, smashing records. the highest grossing film in history, avatar, just took an $85 million its first weekend. the dark side got the best of some star wars fans in los angeles friday night. the projector broke down not whites -- once, not twice, but three times. the theater gave customers their money back plus a voucher for a free movie. >> that guy needs something more than a voucher.>> prozac maybe.>> or of four -- girlfriend. -- a girlfriend.

that crazy warm forecast from eric. >> it doesn't feel like christmas.>> it's a weird year. our warmest weather is on christmas eve, forecast and 68 sounds crazy.

three, two, one. commencing. if you're a football sport, all the treatment you get, if you have an injury that would normally last six weeks in a normal job, a normal person, you it would probably take a year because you are such a wimp. a football player it would probably take a week. you are tough. i'm sorry. you are actually tough. i didn't mean to say you were around -- a wimp. >> merry christmas, everyone.>> sorry. [ laughter ]>> you are just so

[ laughter ]>> steve roches expression, you just have to have fun. do we have a great around here? i am steve burton. last home game in the regular season is in the books. there may be plenty more games ahead. not only did the patriots beat the titans today, they have a first-round bye that -- buy. the patriots have issues. health issues. we will go over who is hurt and he was feeling and he was not playing as for my continues. patriots are looking good. the celtics are holding their own. the bruins is the hottest team in hockey. tonight's hot pic shows us how the patriots improved to 12-2. >> reporter: this titans game was a big win for the patriots because there were a few new faces in the victory. >> a lot of guys stepped up to play. fill rolls, he hadn't done much or any in the past. that is what you need from a

isn't all that knew, but his lately. another receiving game and another touchdown.>> if i get the ball, i had better be at the same time. >> reporter: give the new be trophy to joey. the patriots needed a running back, and joey got the job done. >> i tried to make a play. when i have the ball in my hand, try to make the best of it.>> reporter: jones played a part in helping the new faces. he has 12 1/2 sacks for the season. his game is evolving.>> getting technique down and learning how to set guys out. you can't try the same rush every time. you have to set guys up.>> a fumble recovery set in motion and a touchdown by hicks.

time.>> i lost one in denver. maddie pe -- maddie p gave me a talking to. i was just trying to finish that great play.>> whenever a defensive big man scores a touchdown, there's a lot of laughter from his teammates. >> when a big guy gets a touchdown, it's going to be fun because it doesn't look normal. it doesn't happen on a regular basis. >> i was so excited for him. any time alignment gets a touchdown, it's an incredible feeling.>> maybe he wasn't 100%, but tom brazing -- tom brady kept the team moving forward.>> glad we won. it's tough to win. we keep trying to find ways to get the ball man zone. it wasn't as pretty as we would've liked, but it's december football.>> reporter:

excitable player, but he was somber and the locker room. a friend of his has passed away. he dedicated his first touchdown to his fallen friend. we talked afterwards.>> i was pointing out to him, because i know he is up there watching. he was at every game with my family, close family friend. it was just great that i got a score at the beginning for him.>> reporter: with this win, the patriots have clinched a first ron buy. -- run buy. i am levan reid. let's check patriots. brothels berger through two touchdown passes in the second half. three and have to play. that was a game-winner. steelers win 35-27. row. bengals and fires -- and niners

thumb injury. passing for 192 yards and a touchdown. they clinch a playoff berth. patriots keep a playoff lead on the bengals for the top spot. the broncos are two games back. they still haven't clinched the afc west yet. the panthers, behind five touchdown passes. the newtons. the giants tie it. the panthers are now 14 and zero. i am joined now by my crease. please do not call him my grace.

>> it's like our friendship us. about. i want to start with one name. >> are we saying it right? he runs angry. he can see the titans wanted nothing to do with them. you know what? fill in the gap. that's the most important thing. there was avoid any filled a. i think they are happy with it.>> promoted from the practice squad. he is 245 pound, he is more apt to run over you then passing going forward. here is the question to me. to stay with brandon bold and white as your running backs? will that be enough for them?>> right now, that's all they have. >> or do you look again to jackson? that will be what i'm watching for this week. >> i think they need another piece. those runs are going to be a

i don't think -- tougher. it's the titans. we will note next week. the jets have a nice front seven and they are going to make you earn it. they have great defensive backs also. if you can't run a football, that will be an issue.>> gronk's touchdown, dedicating the game to his friend, obviously he was down, but he came through again.>> we go into the locker room after these games. a lot of times you hear the same stuff from the players. this one was different. right over to gronkowski's locker, he was very emotional friend and how he was emotional playing this game when he pointed up to the sky. i thought that was very meaningful. >> same with me. everybody is dealing with i guess dealing with a loved one having to play the next

how do you do it? it's remarkable that you are able to focus and deal with the plays and quickness of the game and knowing you have this weight of sadness hanging on you.>> it was emotional and the locker room at the end of the week. brian store, the starting center , he lost someone in his family as well. a little more private thing, gradkowski not wanting to share it. how people were affected in that room. that is a family.>> absolutely. james white, the way he has been playing, he gets better every week. it didn't look like he had a whole lot of room. then he was spotted in the end zone. >> dan and i were talking about this when we were friends before i insulted him. you started to see what he can be. he is not as shifty in the open field.

it showed in the preseason. this guy so much better than anybody else in the entire nfl, it kind of the finishes -- diminishes what he can do. but they believe in him and trust him. they will be productive with him.>> almost like a wide receiver with a running back in front of his name. injuries. many people didn't come back. it's scary how these guys go down. hightower is heard again, a knee injury, hip.>> you get the first round buy, a great day denver loses. i would not expect, why have anna knolla come back until the play? why have hightower come back? you now can buy them three weeks to get those right for when they need them. hopefully you can get by.

season ending injury. that would be more devastating, all indications, we don't know this for sure, but the indications are there seasons are not over.>> bill is not going to discuss it. the hay is still in the barn. his toughest job now is going to be how he manages the roster, the guys that are hurt, how he manages their time, there playing time. really, the most important thing is for all those guys to be healthy and happy.>> all right, guys.>> dan, sorry. next sunday, the patriots take on the jets in the meadowlands. start the day at 11:30 on game day. kickoff at 1:00. followed by the post-game show, right here on wbz. as soon as the game ends, the goal post came down, getting ready for

we will talk about that when we come back. we go one-on-one with matthew slater. the patriots making the super bowl. who will be there opponent? carolina, seattle, green bay? we are looking ahead. why not? long bond and vote. the results a little later on. stay with us. the road ahead is brought you by bmw. test drive one today at your massachusetts bmw center. we only make one thing, the ultimate driving machine. the sports final hot pic is brought to you by dunkin' donuts. use your db first card to get a free copy -- coffee the day

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you're watching new england ford sports final. brought to you by the international brotherhood of electrical workers, local 103. you're going to love this, pat. five more sacks for the patriots. they have a sack in 27 straight games. the longest streak in the nfl. after the game, we went one-on- one with matthew slater. >> joining us now is matthew slater.

and seeing how they win's -- when and finish everything. >> we did enough to win today. that's the most important thing. there are some things we could have done better in the second half, but tip your hat to tennessee. they finished the game, they competed hard into the end of the game. definitely things to work on this coming weekend. hopefully have a good showing in new york. >> i have to ask you, how do you do the next man up thing? it seems like every week some guy steps in for someone. you just step in and get the job done.>> it's tough. i know we talk about the patriots and us having to move on his team and continue to play well, but on a personal level, you feel for those guys. you know the toll it takes on the mentally and physically. we just find a way, we understand they are not going to cancel the games because we are hurt. they are not going to feel sorry for us, because we are the patriots.

it's a tough thing and fortunately, we have been able to manage it pretty well over the years. orr we talk to you the last few weeks about special-teams mishaps. how did it feel breaking up a 75 yard or?>> that was big for us. keyshawn did a great job. we had some great blocks. that was a big play for us in the game. we're going to build on that.>> how do you finish this out, keeping the mindset that you have got as strong as possible?>> we are playing for a lot. there is a lot left to achieve an accomplice. we have to continue to improve and get better. this game coming up will be very difficult. i think there will be plenty of motivation. err is there a chance for you don't get everybody's best game? you are the patriots. everybody seems to give you their best game.

it was no different this week. tennessee competed well. obviously the jets next we -- week will be gunning for us.>> to watch the linebacker get a touchdown, everyone is getting a laugh at it. >> there are 40 guys on the field. he came in and has been a great teammate. we are happy to have him. he made some big plays for us. like you said, everybody loves to see the big man score. we were excited about that.>> thank you so much. back to you, guys. here is a programmer minor. catch patriots all access friday night at seven for behind-the-scenes stuff you cannot see anywhere else. we will have more on the patriots, going on one-on-one with the one harmon. we will also talking about the boston

keep it right here. tonight's interview is brought to you by your new england ford dealers.

you're watching new england ford sports final. was on your wish list this year?>> yes, yes, that's kind of

side. getting the team ready to go against the jets. it's a personal question. yes.>> all he wants for christmas is strictly football questions. malcolm butler made a big interception today. sports overtime starts right now. this portion of sports final is brought to you by draft kings. play free one week fantasy football for your shot at millions of dollars in draft

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should not delay in leading a global coalition to take out isis with overwhelming force. announcer: tested and proven leadership matters. jeb bush. right to rise usa is responsible for the content of this message. this is the best block of all. it's like candy cane lane. i know. oohhh. oh, holiday ferris wheel. i kind of love it. look at those reindeer. jeffrey, you're awfully quiet back there. i was just thinking... maybe it's time we finish this test drive and head back to the

that is so jeffrey... soooo jeffrey... so jeffrey... oh. elves.. but we still need your signature. nthe volkswagen sign nthen drive event. p p p p on a new passat nand othernselect models. you're watching new england ford sports final. boston college had the best defense in college football this season. tonight there are multiple reports that don brown is headed to the university of michigan to take of their defense. they have the fourth right defense this year. he will have some nice pieces to work with. we will talk about the bruins on sports final overtime, starting right now.>>

and three, two, one. new england ford sports final overtime starts now.>> toronto, spooner, rebounds, scores. it when an off of the china with a hat trick. the chado's first trick in the nfl. the bruins have put up a half- dozen.>> this hockey team is so great. thank you for staying up with us. i am steve burton. the b's had a 6-2 win. ryan spooner had four assists as the lineup continued -- contributed to the victory. the black and gold picked up their tent when in 14 games

with the devils at the garden. david krejci, a deep double into ericsson. the bruins with afford -- one- zero lead. it's one-one after two. overtime. the devils going for the win, but a point-blank saves. some huge saves for new jersey. spooner starts things off, matthew gold top shelf oversight are. the score is needed to keep things going for the devils. two-one. 11, one, and three. one point behind montrial for the top spot. after the game, the head coach

smell defeat? >> i have a bad nose. i had an operation. it doesn't work well for me. we will make the most of it. we have an opportunity again on tuesday to finish strong. more than anything else, if you look at our game tonight and the areas that we could have been better at an focus on that, maybe we have a chance to win ourselves another game before christmas.>> amazing to think you are point behind montrial.>> we would not think season. we're there now, we have a obviously it's about getting his much wins as we can -- has much wins as we can. -- as much wins as we can.>> we go to where we are right now and it's exciting.

in the year.