This Week
The New England Patriots visit the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on Sunday at 1 p.m.
| The Patriots | =—- | The Titans | ||
| Overall | 0-0 | Overall | 0-0 | |
| Road record | 0-0 | Home record | 0-0 | |
| AFC South | 0-0 | AFC East | 0-0 | |
| AFC | 0-0 | AFC | 0-0 | |
| 2011 record | 13-3 | 2011 record | 9-7 | |
The Line/Prediction
As of Thursday the line on the game from Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at MINUS 5 1/2. The over/under is 47.
My Prediction is Patriots 27, Titans, 14. Give the points (Patriots) and take the under. I am 0-0 against the spread and 0 of 0 on calling the over/under in 2012.
Tickets
The Titans are reporting the game as a sell out. They have sold out all 137 games since LP Field opened in 1999.
Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster. You can check the availability here.
Getting to the Game
If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Music City make sure you check out the links.
Fans attending the game are encouraged to participate in the “Undie Sunday” charitable drive benefiting the YWCA Weaver Domestic Violence Shelter. The YWCA and the Titans are asking fans to provide much-needed new women’s undergarments for shelter residents, including all sizes of underwear, bras and socks. Volunteers will be stationed at several drop sites around LP Field to collect donations.
Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Nashville TN.
Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking and stadium information, parking map and an LP Field seating chart.
Tailgating
Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgating.com. There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack. I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good.
And with tailgating many people enjoy some adult beverages. With that in mind check out Drink Nation for how to make all sorts of great drinks. You can look things up by name, ingredient(s) or theme.
Whether it’s at the game, a bar or a friend’s house moderation is always the key to a great time. Please don’t drink and drive and designate a sober driver. Remember You Drink, You Drive, You Lose.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
CBS in televising the game regionally and Jim Nantz will do play by play while Phil Simms will provide the game analysis. You can look here for your local affiliate.
See if you’re getting the game courtesy of J.P. Kirby at the506.com.
The DirecTV designation is Channel 712.
Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules, flex scheduling and commercial breaks.
Radio
The Patriots Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBZ-FM, 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston. Gil Santos handles the play-by-play and former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will do the game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh with the pregame show at 10 a.m. along the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.
The Patriots radio network call is available on Sirius Channel 132 and on SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.
The Titans Radio Network has Mike Keith calling the game while former Titans TE Frank Wycheck provides the game analysis via their flagship station WGFX-FM.
The Titans radio network call is available on Sirius Channel 92, XM Channel 225 and on SiriusXM Internet Channel 830.
All NFL Games are also available on Sirius Satellite Radio as well as XM Satellite Radio under a special additional package. XM usually only carries the home team feed via satellite while Sirius has both the home and away team feeds.
Sports USA is carrying the game to a national audience of their affiliates with Eli Gold and Ross Tucker calling the action.
Patriots All Access
Patriots All-Access features behind the scenes looks, interviews and breakdowns with head coach Bill Belichick and in depth features on the team. It’s hosted by Steve Burton of WBZ-TV (Boston) and airs weekly in most New England television markets.
- Boston MA on TV 38 Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
- Providence RI on WNAC Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
- Manchester NH on WMUR Saturday at midnight
- Portland ME on WMTW Sunday at 5 a.m.
- Hartford CT on WCTX Saturday at 5 p.m.
- Springfield MA on WFXQ Saturday at 7 p.m.
- Bangor ME on WVII Sunday at 11 a.m.
You can also watch it anytime on the teams website in the media section.
To continue reading, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Last Week
The Patriots and the Titans were off.
History
- The teams first met as charter members of the AFL in 1960, when Tennessee was then known as the Houston Oilers (1960-1996).
- This is the 40th meeting between the two franchises.
- The Patriots lead the overall series 22-16-1 including playoffs and are 5-1 vs. the Titans since they relocated to Tennessee in 1997.
- The teams have met twice in the playoffs and are 1-1 with the then Houston Oilers beating the Patriots 31-14 in 1978 postseason. The Patriots defeated the Titans 17-14 in 2003 playoffs.
- New England is 6-10 as the road team vs. the Titans franchise.
- The Patriots won the last meeting between the teams at Gillette Stadium in 2009, 59-0.
Patriots Team Notes
Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
2012 Patriots Schedule/Results
The Patriots overall franchise record is 414-365-9. They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances. Overall they are 23-16 in the post season.
They last appeared in the playoffs in 2011 when they beat Denver at home in the AFC Divisional Playoff, 45-10 and defeated Baltimore 23-20 in Foxboro in the AFC Championship Game. They lost Super Bowl XLVI to the New York Giants 21-17.
The Patriots were 13-3 (2-1 in playoffs) in 2011 and are the defending two-time AFC East Champions as well as the defending AFC Conference Champions. They have won the division 8 times and the conference 5 times since 2000.
The Patriots have won 8 consecutive season openers, their last Week 1 loss was in 2003 at Buffalo when they lost 31-0. It is the longest current streak in the NFL.
The longest season opening streaks in NFL history are:
- Dallas, 17 seasons
- Miami, 11 seasons
- Detroit, 10 seasons
- Chicago, 9 seasons
New England is 28-24 all-time in Week 1 games and 9-12 when they open on the road.
This is the second time in franchise history the Patriots have opened against the Oilers/Titans franchise. The other time was in 1975 at home losing to the then Oilers, 7-0.
New England is 1-1 vs. the Titans on the road since they moved to Tennessee.
New England last played in Tennessee in the 2006 season winning 40-23.
This is the second consecutive season that the Patriots have opened the season on the road. Last year they opened on Monday night in Miami winning 38-24.
The Patriots all-time vs. the AFC South teams are 78-47-1
Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:
- Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
- Have the most regular season wins, 193.
- Have the most wins including playoffs, 212.
- Have the best wining percentage including playoffs, .669
- Have the most conference titles, 6.
- Have the most division titles, 11.
- Have the most playoff wins, 19
- Have played the most playoff games, 29.
- Are tied for the most playoff seasons, 13.
- Have the best playoff win percentage, .655
- Have drafted the most Pro Bowl players, 20.
New England set the following team records in 2011:
- Total yards, 6,848.
- First downs, 399.
- Net passing yards, 5,084.
- 100+ yard receiving games, 18.
- Games with 30+ points, 12 (tied for most in NFL history).
In 2011 New England averaged 32.1 points per game (3rd) and allowed 21.4 (15th).
They sacked the opposing quarterback 40 times, while allowing their quarterbacks to be sacked 32 times.
Their 2011 turnover differential was PLUS 17 good for 3rd best in the NFL. The defense recovered 11 fumbles and had 23 INT’s. The offense gave away 5 fumbles and had 12 INT’s.
Based on TD percentage the Patriots had the 2nd best red zone offense in 2011 (65.3%).
The Patriots have scored 400 or more points for 5 consecutive seasons.
New England is 22-9 in September since 2002.
Since 2000, the Patriots are a NFL best 63-33 on the road.
Since 1999 the Patriots have the best record in the NFL at 147-61.
Patriots Staff Notes
This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Titans.
Bill Belichick is 8-7 vs. the Titans in his career. He is 4-1 against them as the head coach in New England and that includes a 1-0 post season record.
Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 175-97 in his 18th NFL season. He is 139-53 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland. He is 17-7 in the playoffs, 16-6 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season. When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 192-104.
Belichick’s 192 wins are good for 9th all-time. Chuck Knox, who coached the Rams, Bills and Seahawks, is 8th all-time with 193.
Belichick is one of five head coaches in NFL history whose father (Steve Belichick) played in the league. The others are former Kansas City head coach Todd Haley (Dick Haley), former San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan (Dick Nolan), former Cincinnati head coach David Shula (Don Shula) and former NY Jets head coach Joe Walton (Frank Walton).
Belichick is one of just four coaches to win three Super Bowls, joining Chuck Noll (4), Joe Gibbs (3) and Bill Walsh (3). Those men are all in the Hall of Fame.
He is the only coach in NFL history to win three championship titles in four seasons.
He is the only coach in NFL history to have led his team to 10+ wins in 9 consecutive seasons.
Belichick was born in Nashville TN on April 16, 1952.
Patriots Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Solder
- LG: Mankins
- C: Connolly
- RG: Thomas
- RT: Vollmer
- TE: Gronkowski
- TE: Hernandez
- WR: Lloyd
- WR: Welker
- QB: Brady
- RB: Ridley
Defense:
- DE: Ninkovich
- DT: Wilfork
- DT: Love
- DE: Jones
- LB: Mayo
- LB: Spikes
- LB: Hightower
- LCB: D. McCourty
- RCB: Arrington
- S: Chung
- S: Gregory
Patriots Players Notes
This is Tom Brady’s 13th NFL season he is 4-1 against Tennessee in his career including the playoffs.
Overall Brady is 124-35 as a starting QB and is 16-6 in the playoffs for an overall record of 140-41. Brady is a 7 time Pro Bowl QB; 3 time All-Pro selection; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP. He is also listed as the 21st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.
He was ranked in the preseason by ESPN’s Ron Jaworski as the 3rd best quarterback in the NFL.
Brady has 300 TD passes in his career he is now tied for 5th all-time with Hall of Famer John Elway. Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton is 4th with 342.
Brady has 124 career wins he is tied with Tarkenton for 5th all-time. Peyton Manning is 4th with 141.
Brady finished the 2011 season with 5,235 passing yards and joined Drew Brees (5,476 in 2011 and 5,069 in 2008), Dan Marino (5,084 in 1984) and Matthew Stafford (5,038 in 2011) as the only players in NFL history to reach 5,000 passing yards in a single season.
He needs just 21 yards passing to be the 14th quarterback to reach the 40,000 passing yard mark for his career.
Brady has thrown at least 1 TD pass in 32 consecutive games.
The Patriots are 81-15 when Brady throws at least 2 TD passes in a game.
Brady has 34 game winning drives with team trailing or tied in the fourth quarter or OT.
Brady set franchise records in 2011 for:
- Passing yards, 5,235.
- Passing yards per game, 332.8.
- 300 yard passing games, 11.
- Games with 2+ TD passes, 14.
- Games with 1+ TD passes, 16 (ties NFL record).
WR Wes Welker now has catches in 101 consecutive games including playoffs, 84 as a Patriot. The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.
Welker needs just three catches to pass Troy Brown as the team’s all-time leader in receptions.
In 2011 Welker set the franchise record for:
- Receiving yards, 1569.
- Longest reception, 99 yards (tied NFL record).
TE Rob Gronkowski has back-to-back 10+ TD reception seasons. With another in 2012 he will be the first TE in NFL history to have done it three seasons in a row.
Gronkowski (1327) and Welker (1569) both were over 1,000 receiving yards in 2011; it was the fifth time two Patriots had both gone over 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. Those totals were the Top 2 receiving yardage totals in the AFC in 2011.
Gronkowski set the following franchise records in 2011:
- Total TD’s by a TE, 18 (NFL record)
- Total TD catches by a TE, 17 (NFL record)
- Receiving yards by a TE, 1327 (NFL record)
- Games with 2+ TD by a TE, 7 (NFL record)
Gronkowski along with fellow TE Aaron Hernandez set an NFL record for most catches by a TE tandem with 169.
Gronk became the second Patriots TE to go over 1,000 receiving yards in a season. The first was Ben Coates in 1994 with 1,174 yards.
P Zoltan Mesko set the franchise record for punting average with 41.5 net yards per punt in 2011.
LB Jerod Mayo is the first Patriot to record 100 or more tackles in a season in each of his first four seasons in the NFL.
Mayo played his college football at the University of Tennessee.
CB Kyle Arrington had 7 INTs in 2011 he was tied for the NFL lead.
WR/PR Julian Edelman set a franchise record with the longest punt return for a TD in team history when he went 94 yards against Miami in Week 17.
Edelman also owns the franchise record for the highest punt return average in a career with a 12.4 yard average (55 returns for 680 yards).
There are only two players on the team who played on at least one of the Super Bowl championship teams, Brady (3) and Vince Wilfork (1).
K Stephen Gostkowski played his college football at Memphis and holds the university record for most points with 369.
Rookie LB Dont’a Hightower is a native of Lewisburg TN.
Roster moves this week:
- Released C Matt Tennant
- Signed RB Lex Hilliard
- Released RB Eric Kettani from the practice squad
- Added OL Jeremiah Warren to the practice squad
- WR Sam Kirkland was released from practice squad
- TE Visanthe Shiancoe was placed on IR (eligible to return)
- Signed TE Michael Hoomanawanui
- Re-signed WR Kerry Taylor to the practice squad
On Wednesday the following players were on the injury list: S Patrick Chung (shoulder) had full participation. TE Daniel Fells (shin); S Sterling Moore (knee); T Sebastian Vollmer (back) had limited participation. G/C Nick McDonald (shoulder) and RB Shane Vereen (foot) did not participate.
On Thursday the following players were on the injury list: S Patrick Chung (shoulder) had full participation. TE Daniel Fells (shin); S Sterling Moore (knee); T Sebastian Vollmer (back) and G/C Nick McDonald (shoulder) had limited participation. RB Shane Vereen (foot) did not participate.
The Patriots captains for 2012 are QB Tom Brady, DT Vince Wilfork, G Logan Mankins, LB Jerod Mayo, CB Devin McCourty and WR Matthew Slater (special teams). They are the same 6 players that were selected last season as well.
The Patriots have four New England natives on the roster they are: TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT); OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT); DE Ron Brace (Worcester MA) and OL Jamey Richard (Weston CT). They have 11 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member. They are CB Will Allen (Syracuse – IR); DE Ron Brace (Boston College); RB James Develin (Brown – Practice Squad); RB Tony Fiametta (Syracuse – Exempt List); DE Justin Francis (Rutgers); S Stephen Gregory (Syracuse); DE Chandler Jones (Syracuse); CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers); TE Alex Silvestro (Rutgers – Practice Squad); OL Donald Thomas (UConn); and NT Vince Wilfork (Miami).
The Patriots have 7 retired numbers: 20 – Gino Cappelletti, 40 – Mike Haynes, 73 – John Hannah, 78 – Bruce Armstrong, 79 – Jim Lee Hunt and 89 – Bob Dee.
Titans Team Notes
Here is the Titans roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
Tennessee’s all-time record is 386-396-6 they are 14-19 in the post season with their last post season appearance coming in 2008 when they won the AFC South then they lost at home to Baltimore in the AFC Divisional Playoff, 13-10.
They have never won a Super Bowl in 1 appearance (XXXIV) losing to the St. Louis Rams, 23-16.
As the Houston Oilers they won two AFL Championships in 1960 and 1961.
The Titans finished last year 9-7 good for 2nd in the AFC South.
All-time on opening day the Titans franchise is 27-25.
The Tennessee franchise is 223-169-2 as the home team.
Since 1999 the Titans are 119-89 7th best in the NFL.
They are 65-39 at LP Field since it opened in 1999.
In 2011 Tennessee averaged 20.3 points per game (t, 21st) and allowed 19.8 (8th).
They sacked the opposing quarterback 28 times, while allowing their quarterbacks to be sacked 24 times. The 24 allowed sacks were second fewest in the NFL in 2011.
Their 2011 turnover differential was PLUS 1 good for a tie for 13th best in the NFL. The defense recovered 12 fumbles and had 11 INT’s. The offense gave away 8 fumbles and had 14 INT’s.
Based on TD percentage the Titans had the 5th best red zone offense in 2011 (59.5%).
The Oilers/Titans franchise has had 6 stadiums it has called home. They have played at Jeppesen Stadium, Rice Stadium and the Astrodome in Houston. And they have called Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Vanderbilt Stadium and LP Field home in Nashville.
It’s been nearly 10 years since the Titans beat the Patriots. The last win for Tennessee came on December 16 2002 at Nashville winning 24-7.
Tennessee has lost four consecutive games to New England.
This is a “Code Blue” week for Titans fans with the team encouraging fans to wear Titans light blue during the week and to the game.
Tennessee will honor Pat Summitt, the former University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach, as the 12th Titan before the game. Summitt coached the Lady Vols for 38 years and won 8 national championships.
The Titans have won the last two Week 1 games they have played at LP Field.
When Titans fans attend home games in 2012, they will experience a new-look LP Field. In August the team completed nearly $27 million worth of improvements to the stadium, which opened in 1999. The projects include most notably:
- New high-definition video screens in the north and south end zones four times the size of the previous screens. They are the NFL’s second-largest video boards, behind only the screens at Cowboys Stadium.
- LED Ribbon boards now accent the east and west sides of the stadium, providing information and graphics throughout games.
- A new distributed sound system employs 800 speakers strategically placed in proximity to each seating area throughout the stadium.
- Two banks of high-speed elevators – each with six cars – serve upper deck ticket holders.
- Fan-friendly dining and entertainment zones are being built on the east and west sides of LP Field.
Titans Staff Notes
Read what Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak had to say to the New England media about the match up.
Tennessee head coach Mike Munchak is in his 2nd season with the team, he is 9-7 since taking over from long time coach Jeff Fisher prior to the 2011 season.
He is the 16th head coach in franchise history.
Munchak has never coached against New England in his career.
Munchack is a franchise legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee, he was a stellar guard back with the Oilers in Houston.
Munchak, a Penn State alum, has nothing but high marks for new PSU head coach Bill O’Brien.
Titans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer has coaching ties to UConn; University of New Haven; Boston University and was the general manager and head coach of the Hartford Colonials of the UFL in 2010.
Palmer was a member of the Patriots staff from 1993-96 where he served three seasons as a wide receivers coach and 1 season as the quarterbacks coach.
Wide receiver coach Dave Ragone also coached in Hartford in 2010.
Franchise legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee Bruce Matthews is the offensive line coach for the Titans. As a player he made 14 Pro Bowls, was an All-Pro 10 times and holds the NFL record for games played by an offensive lineman (296).
The Titans maybe the only NFL team with two Hall of Fame players on its coaching staff.
There are five new assistant coaches: Brett Maxie (secondary), Steve Brown (assistant secondary), Jonathan Gannon (defensive quality control), Nate Kaczor (assistant offensive line) and Keith Millard (defensive assistant/pass rush specialist).
Ruston Webster is in his first season as general manager. He was named to the post on January 18, the same day former GM Mike Reinfeldt was promoted to chief operating officer.
Titans Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Roos
- LG: Hutchinson
- C: Velasco
- RG: Harris
- RT: Stewart
- TE: Stevens
- TE: Cook
- WR: Washington
- WR: Williams
- QB: Locker
- RB: Johnson
Defense:
- DE: Morgan
- DT: Klug
- DT: Casey
- DE: Wimbley
- LB: Ayers
- LB: McCarthy
- LB: Witherspoon
- LCB: J. McCourty
- RCB: Verner
- S: Babineaux
- S: Griffin
Titans Players Notes
Titans QB Jake Locker is making his first NFL start. He is a former first round pick 8th overall out of the University of Washington in 2011.
He was selected twice by the Los Angeles Angels to play baseball. In 2006 in the 40th round and again in 2009 in the 10th round. He played in the minors in 2010.
Locker beat out the veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck in the preseason for the starting job.
In limited time in 2011 Locker threw 4 TD’s and had 1 INT.
Hasselbeck is a native of Norfolk MA and played at Boston College. His father Don played for the Patriots as a tight end from 1977-82. Matt was also a Patriots ball boy.
There is one former Patriot who plays for the Titans: CB Terrance Wheatley.
Tennessee CB Jason McCourty is the twin brother of Patriots CB Devin McCourty. They are one of two sets of twins active in the NFL. The others are the Pouncey brothers Maurkice (Steelers) and Mike (Dolphins).
Tennessee WR Kenny Britt has been suspended for one game by the NFL for repeated violations of the league’s personal conduct policy.
RB Chris Johnson needs 355 more rushing yards to reach 6,000 for his career. He would become the third player in franchise history to reach the mark, joining Eddie George (10,009) and Earl Campbell (8,574).
Johnson can tie George’s franchise record with his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season to begin his career.
K Rob Bironas can score 100 or more points for the sixth consecutive season (since 2007), which would tie Al Del Greco’s franchise record (1995-2000).
C Kevin Matthews is coached by his father, Hall of Fame player Bruce Matthews who is the Titans offensive line coach. Kevin is also the cousin of Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews.
S Michael Griffin is in 17th place in franchise history with 17 career interceptions. Six interceptions more would tie him with Samari Rolle and Willie Alexander for 10th place in team annals (23).
On Wednesday the following players were on the injury list: DT Sen’Derrick Marks (knee); T Mike Otto (finger/knee) and DE Scott Solomon (knee) did not participate. DT Jurrell Casey (elbow) and LB Zac Diles (hamstring) had full participation.
On Thursday the following players were on the injury list: DT Sen’Derrick Marks (knee); T Mike Otto (finger/knee) and DE Scott Solomon (knee) did not participate. G Steve Hutchinson missed practice for a non-injury reason. DT Jurrell Casey (elbow) and LB Zac Diles (hamstring) had full participation.
Tennessee captains for 2012 are QB Jake Locker; G Steve Hutchinson; CB Jason McCourty; LB Colin McCarthy and LB Tim Shaw (special teams).
There are 6 players on the Titans roster from Big East universities and New England based colleges. They are: WR Kenny Britt (Rutgers); G Ryan Durand (Syracuse – IR); QB Matt Hasselbeck (Boston College); LB Kevin Malast (Rutgers – IR); CB Jason McCourty (Rutgers) and T Byron Stingily (Louisville)
The Titans franchise has retired the following numbers: 1 – Warren Moon; 34 – Earl Campbell; 43 – Jim Norton; 63 – Mike Munchak; 65 – Elvin Bethea and 74 – Bruce Matthews.
Next Week
The Patriots host the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA. Kick off is at 1 p.m. on FOX.
Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII
