This Week

The New England Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Patriots (8-3) are 4-1 at The Razor, 0-0 against the AFC South and 6-2 in the conference.  The Colts (0-11) are 0-5 on the road, 0-0 vs. the AFC East and 0-7 against the AFC.

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from Yahoo! Sports has the Patriots at MINUS 21.  The over under is 48.

My Prediction is Patriots 45, Colts, 10.  Give the points (Patriots) and take the over.  I am 7-3-1 against the spread and 7 of 11 on calling the over/under in 2011.

Tickets

The Patriots are reporting the game as a sell out. It is the 189^th consecutive sell out dating back to the 1994 season opener.  The record includes preseason, regular season and playoff games.

Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster.  You can check the availability here.

After market tickets are available through the Official Patriots Ticket Exchange where season ticket holders can sell their unused seats to fans on the season ticket waiting list.

Getting to the Game

If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Foxboro make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Foxboro MA.

Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking and information and map and a Gillette Stadium 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 is televising the game regionally and Marv Albert will do play by play while Rich Gannon will provide the game analysis. You can look here for your local affiliate.

The DirecTV designation is Channel 708.

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, former Patriot Gino Cappelletti does the color and new this year Scott Zolak will man the sidelines. It all starts with Gary Tanguay, Andy Gresh and Zolak 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.

If you are outside the broadcast are of the stations on the Patriots Radio Network you can purchase NFL Field Pass, which allows you to listen to any game live.  You can also pick which teams broadcasters you want to listen to.

All NFL Games are also available on Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio also carries all the NFL games under a special additional package.  They usually only carry the home team feed.

The Patriots radio network call is available on Sirius Channel 93, XM Channel 226 and on SiriusXM Internet Channel 879.

The Colts Radio Network has Bob Lamey calling the game while former Colt Will Wolford provides the game analysis via their flagship station WFNI. Their call is available on Sirius Channel 132 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 874.

Sports Radio USA will broadcast the game to its national affiliates.  Larry Kahn and Ross Tucker will call the game.

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 the Indianapolis Colts @ New England Patriots week 13 preview, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Last Week

The Patriots beat down the Eagles on the road 38-20; while the Colts lost to the Panthers, 27-19 at home.

History

• This is the 75th meeting between the Patriots and the Colts since the 1970 merger.
• Since 2001, these teams have represented the AFC in 6 Super Bowls winning four.
• The Patriots lead the overall series 45-29, which includes a 2-1 post season advantage.
• The Colts have won 5 of the last 7 meetings.
• The Patriots won the last meeting Week 11 in 2010 at Foxboro, 31-28 when a late defensive stand and pick of Peyton Manning sealed the win.

Patriots Team Notes

Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2011 Patriots Schedule/Results

The Patriots overall franchise record is 407-366-9.  They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in six appearances.  They last appeared in the playoffs in 2010 when they lost at home to the New York Jets in the AFC Divisional Playoff, 28-21.  They last appeared in a Super Bowl in 2007 losing to the New York Giants 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII.  They won the AFC Conference championship that season with playoff wins over Jacksonville and San Diego.

The Patriots are the defending two-time AFC East Champions; they have won the division 8 times since 2000.

The Patriots are dedicating the 2011 season to the memory of Myra Hiatt Kraft, the late wife of owner Robert Kraft. Every Patriots player and coach will honor Myra’s memory by wearing a patch with her initials on it in recognition of her lifelong contributions to the local and global community and her influence on the charitable mission of the entire Patriots organization. The patch will be worn on the left chest of every player throughout the season.

New England is 25-12 vs. the Colts at home, 4-2 at Gillette Stadium.

This is the second straight meeting at Gillette Stadium after a streak of four in a row in Indianapolis.

New England is 37-5 in December games since 2001.  That’s the best in the NFL in that time period.

The Patriots are 18-1 at Gillette Stadium in December overall they are 71-15 at the Razor.

The Patriots defense has allowed opponents to convert 42% of the time on 3^rd down, while the offense has a 3^rd down conversion rate of 45%.

The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 25 times in 11 games.

The Patriots are 3rd in the NFL in points per game with 30.1.  While they allow 20.3 points per game good for 11th in the NFL.

New England is PLUS 6 in turnover differential, 6th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 10 INT and 5 fumbles, while the defense has 16 INT and 5 fumble recoveries.

Patriots Staff Notes

This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Jets.

Bill Belichick is 11-8 vs. the Colts in his career.  He is 9-6 against them as the head coach in New England and that includes a 2-1 post season record.

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 170-97 in 16 NFL seasons.  He is 134-53 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland.  He is 15-6 in the playoffs, 14-5 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season.  When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 185-103.

Belichick’s 185 wins are good for 9th all-time.  Chuck Knox, who coached the Rams, Bills and Seahawks, is 8th all-time with 193.

He was named NFL Coach of the Year for the 3^rd time in 2010.

Belichick is one of five head coaches in NFL history whose father (Steve Belichick) played in the league.  The others are current 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).

Patriots Possible Starters

Offense:

• LT: Light
• LG: Mankins
• C: Wendell
• RG: Waters
• RT: Solder
• TE: R. Gronkowski
• TE: Hernandez
• WR: Branch
• WR: Welker
• QB: Brady
• RB: Green-Ellis

Defense:

• DE: Deaderick
• DT: Wilfork
• DT: Love
• DE: Carter
• LB: Mayo
• LB: White
• LB: Ninkovich
• LCB: Jones
• RCB: Arrington
• S: Moore
• S: Ihedigbo

Patriots Players Notes

This is Tom Brady’s 12^th NFL season he is 8-4 against Indianapolis in his career including the playoffs.

Overall Brady is 119-34 as a starting QB and is 14-5 in the playoffs for an overall record of 133-39.  Brady is a 6 time Pro Bowl QB; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP.  He is also listed as the 21^st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.

In 2010 Brady won his second NFL MVP and he was the first unanimous winner in league history.

Brady has thrown 28 TD’s and 10 INT’s while being sacked 20 times in 11 games.

Brady has 289 TD passes in his career he is now 8th all-time.  Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas is 7th with 290 and Warren Moon is 6th with 291.

Brady has 119 career wins he is tied with Johnny Unitas for 6th all-time.  Fran Tarkenton is 5th with 124.

Brady is now 14th all-time in career passing yards (38,371) after passing Dave Krieg last Sunday in Philadelphia.

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 93 consecutive games including playoffs, 76 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

TE Rob Gronkowski has 11 TD catches in 2011.  The NFL record for TD’s by a tight end in a season is 13 shared by Vernon Davis (San Francisco – 2009) and Antonio Gates (San Diego –2004).

DE Andre Carter had a half sack last week he leads the team with 9.  DE Mark Anderson has 1.5 sacks he now has 7 on the season, good for 2nd on the team.

Carter leads the defense with 19 quarterback hits, Anderson is 2nd with 9 hits.

Anderson, Wilfork, Carter and LB Jerod Mayo have each forced a fumble this season while Ninkovich, DT Kyle Love and DE Gerard Warren have each recovered an opponent’s fumble.

CB Kyle Arrington leads the team and the NFL with 7 INT’s.

CB Devin McCourty leads the team in tackles with 61, S Patrick Chung is 2nd with 60.

WR Jackie Slater leads the team in special teams tackles with 13, while LB Tracy White has 12.

On Tuesday the Patriots released CB Philip Adams.  The team has signed CB Nathan Jones to take Adams roster spot.  Jones played his college ball at Rutgers and was a 7th round pick by Dallas in 2004.  He has also played with Denver and Miami (twice).

On Wednesday the following players were on the injury list: T Sebastian Vollmer (back/foot) was the only player held out of practice.  S Patrick Chung (foot); C Dan Connolly (groin); WR Julian Edelman (back); LB Dane Fletcher (thumb); LB Gary Guyton (shoulder); S James Ihedigbo (shoulder); T Matt Light (ankle); CB Devin McCourty (shoulder); CB Antwaun Molden (concussion); WR Chad Ochocinco (hamstring); WR Taylor Price (hamstring); WR Matthew Slater (shoulder); LB Brandon Spikes (MCL) and C Ryan Wendell (calf) were all limited.  G Brian Waters (knee) participated fully.

On Thursday the following players were on the injury list: T Sebastian Vollmer (back/foot) and LB Brandon Spikes (MCL) did not practice.  RB Danny Woodhead (abdomen) and RB Shane Vereen (hamstring) were added and were limited in practice.  Also limited was S Patrick Chung (foot); C Dan Connolly (groin); WR Julian Edelman (back); LB Dane Fletcher (thumb); LB Gary Guyton (shoulder); S James Ihedigbo (shoulder); T Matt Light (ankle); CB Devin McCourty (shoulder); CB Antwaun Molden (concussion); WR Chad Ochocinco (hamstring); WR Taylor Price (hamstring); WR Matthew Slater (shoulder) and OL Ryan Wendell (calf).  G Brian Waters (knee) participated fully.

The Patriots have five New England natives on the roster they are: LB Niko Koutouvides (Plainville CT); TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT); OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT); S James Ihedigbo (Northampton MA) and DE Ron Brace (Worcester MA).  They have 11 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member.  They are: WR Deion Branch (Louisville); S James Ihedigbo (UMass); CB Nathan Jones (Rutgers); C Dan Koppen (Boston College – IR); CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers); NT Vince Wilfork (Miami), OL Donald Thomas (UConn); DE Mike Wright (Cincinnati – IR); DE Ron Brace (Boston College); WR Tiquan Underwood (Rutgers) and DE Alex Silvestro (Rutgers – Practice Squad).

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.

Pro Bowl voting is open until December 19th, cast your votes for deserving players.

Colts Team Notes

Here is the Colts roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2011 Colts Schedule/Results

Indianapolis’ all-time record is 451-407-7 they are 19-20 in the post season with their last post season appearance coming in 2010 when they lost to the New York Jets in the AFC Division game.  They last won the AFC Championship in 2009 by beating Baltimore in the AFC Division Card game and the New York Jets in the AFC Championship game.  They lost to New Orleans in Super Bowl XLIV, 31-17. They have won 2 Super Bowls (V, XLI) in 4 appearances.

The Colts hold the NFL record for most consecutive wins (regular season and playoffs) with 23.  New England had owned the record with 21.

Despite not being in the same division since 2001, the two teams have met at least once in 9 consecutive seasons.

Indianapolis is 2-9 as the road team since Manning took over as Colts QB in 1998, they are 2-4 in Gillette Stadium.

The Colts are 7-16 in the last 23 games vs. the Patriots dating back to 1996.

Indianapolis is 29-15 in December games since 2001 it’s the 4^th best record in the league in the time span.

Since 2000 the Colts have the third best record in the NFL at 134-71.

In 1986 Indianapolis started out 0-13 then fire coach Ron Dowhower and replaced him with former New England head coach Ron Meyer.  They finished 3-13.

Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Colts, is the host stadium for Super Bowl XLVI.  Once again the host team won’t be playing on that day.

The Colts defense has allowed opponents to convert 47.7% of the time on 3^rd down, while the offense has a 3^rd down conversion rate of 32.4%.

The Indianapolis defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 18 times in 11 games.

The Colts are 30th in the NFL in points per game with 13.6.  While they allow 29.7 points per game good for 32nd in the NFL.

Indianapolis is MINUS 11 in turnover differential, tied for 31st in the NFL. The offense has given up 10 INT and 11 fumbles, while the defense has 5 INT and 5 fumble recoveries.

Colts Staff Notes

Read what Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell had to say to the New England media about the match up.

Indianapolis head coach Jim Caldwell is in his 3rd season with the team, he is 24-19 since taking over and is 2-2 in the playoffs for an overall record of 26-21.

Caldwell is 1-1 vs. New England in his career.

Indianapolis fired their defensive coordinator Larry Coyer on Tuesday.

With the team winless with 5 games left Caldwell may very well be in danger of losing his job despite losing QB Peyton Manning for the season and several other starters.

Caldwell took the Colts to the Super Bowl in his first season as a NFL head coach and led Indianapolis to its best start to a season (14-0) in his first year.  He could be the first coach to also lead a team to its worst start (0-14).

According to his Wikipedia page Caldwell “doesn’t blink, show emotion or speak, as he thinks in binary.”

Colts Players Notes

Colts will start back up QB Dan Orlovsky on Sunday against the Patriots.  It will be Orlovsky’s first start of 2011.  He has played in parts of 3 games this season.

Orlovsky was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 5th round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of UConn.  He is in his 7th NFL season having spent 4 years in Detroit and 2 years with Houston before coming to Indianapolis this season.

He is 0-7 in his career with all his previous starts coming with the Lions in 2008.

Orlovsky is officially the 3rd starting QB for the Colts who have also used QB Curtis Painter (0-10) and QB Kerry Collins (0-1) to start games in the absence of QB Peyton Manning.

If the Colts finish winless Orlovsky would have the distinction of having started games for both 0-16 teams (Detroit 2008).

Prior to missing the 2011 season Manning was 7-12 against the Patriots.

Manning (2008, 2009) or Brady (2007, 2010) have won the last 4 NFL MVP Awards.

Former UConn LB Scott Lutrus was added to the 53-man roster on Tuesday when he was signed off the St. Louis Rams practice squad.

Former Patriots K Adam Vinatieri; LB A.J. Edds and T Quinn Ojinnaka return to Foxboro as Colts.

The 3rd Gronkowski brother, Chris, is a RB for the Colts but he will not play as he is on the IR with a shoulder injury.

The Colts have declared TE Dallas Clark and Manning out for Sunday.  Not participating in practice on Thursday was G Ryan Diem (knee); TE Brody Eldridge (hand); WR Anthony Gonzalez (groin); RB Ryan Mahaffey (concussion); DE Robert Mathis (non-injury); DT Drake Nevis (back) and G Joe Reitz (knee).  DE Dwight Freeney (non-injury) and C Jeff Saturday (knee) both returned to full practice.

Indianapolis captains for 2011 are: Manning; WR Reggie Wayne; LB Gary Brackett; S  Melvin Bullitt and Vinatieri.

There are 14 players on the Colts roster from Big East universities and New England based colleges.  They are: LB Gary Brackett (Rutgers – IR); RB Donald Brown (UConn); RB Delone Carter (Syracuse); T Anthony Castanzo (Boston College); DT Eric Foster (Rutgers – IR); DE Dwight Freeney (Syracuse); DB Joe Lefeged (Rutgers); T Jeff Linkenbach (Cincinnati); LB Scott Lutrus (UConn); DT Ricardo Matthews (Cincinnati); P Pat McAfee (WVU); T Quinn Ojinnaka (Syracuse); QB Dan Orlovsky (UConn) and T James Williams (Harvard – IR)

The Colts have retired the following numbers: 19 – Johnny Unitas; 22 – Buddy Young; 24 – Lenny Moore; 70 – Art Donovan; 77 – Jim Parker; 82 – Raymond Berry and 89 – Gino Marchetti.

Next Week

The Patriots visit the Washington Redskins next Sunday at FedEx Field in Landover MD.  Kick off is at 1 p.m. on CBS.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Here’s the press release from the New England Patriots announcing that QB Tom Brady has been named the AFC Player of the Month for November.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced today that QB Tom Brady has been named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November by the National Football League. It is the fifth time that Brady has earned an AFC Player of the Month honor. He was the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September and October in 2007, the month of October in 2009 and for the month of December in 2010.

Brady led New England to a 3-1 record in November, including 300 yard games in three of the four games. For the month, Brady completed 93 of 149 passes (62.4 percent) for 1,266 yards with 10 touchdowns and a 106.3 passer rating. Brady’s 1,266 passing yards led the NFL for the month and his 10 touchdown passes ranked first in the AFC and tied for second in the NFL in November.

In Week 10, Brady passed for 329 yards in the Patriots’ 37-16 win against the Jets. Brady posted his 40th career 300-yard game and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana (39 games) for eighth on the all-time list.

In Week 12 at Philadelphia, Brady registered his 119th regular-season victory as a starting quarterback, tying Pro Football Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas for the sixth most in NFL history. He also posted his 41st 300-yard game with 361 yards.

Through Week 12, Brady leads the AFC in passing yards (3,672) and touchdown passes (28).

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Photo credit: Getty Images

New England Patriots QB Tom Brady is one of the nominees for the Week 11 FedEx Air Player of the Week award.

Brady helped the Patriots dissect the Eagles as he was 24-of-34 for 361 yards three TD’s  no INT’s and one sack and added another 27 yards rushing in the 38-20 win.

This is Brady’s 3rd nomination of the season having won the award in Week 1 and Week 2.

Other nominees for the award this week are New Orleans QB Drew Brees and Atlanta QB Matt Ryan.

You can cast your votes at nfl.com/fedex

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Photo credit: Getty Images

Well 11 games into the season and the New England Patriots are now 8-3 and rolling, putting the memories of that nasty two game losing streak behind them.  On Sunday in Philadelphia, after a shaky start and a Tom Brady ass kicking on the sideline, the guys corrected the course and went on to crush a Philadelphia Eagles team that needed to play with some more desperation that what they actually mustered.

Once Brady got on the same page with his targets the offense was deadly.  It was pure precision as they diced the Eagles up with long passes, short passes, runs, and some good pass protection for the MVP.

While Brady was spreading the ball around the defense was doing its thing.  There was a pair of sacks, an INT, a couple nice pass defense plays and of course DeSean Jackson dropping not one but two TD’s surely did help.

The defensive stories the last few weeks were two INT games from Rob Ninkovich and Kyle Arrington and a four sack game from Andre Carter.  This week Arrington had 10 tackles and was our defensive player of the game but Julian Edelman, a college quarterback converted to wide receiver, was once again playing the Troy Brown role as a DB.  He had 3 tackles, including a wonderful open field shot on Vince Young and he even went on a blitz and crushed Young as he threw.  Despite his potential legal issues stemming from a Halloween incident at a Back Bay bar, Edelman has really stepped up played above expectations.

I really like how this team is shaping up.  There’s five games left, home games with Indy, Buffalo and Miami and road games with Washington and Denver as they battle for at least one of the top two AFC seeds which will mean a bye week and a home game, with potential for more.

There is definite potential to run the table the rest of the way, as they seem to be clicking on all cylinders after under going a bit of a mid season correction.

Hopefully he next thing they can correct is getting past that first playoff game.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Head coach Bill Belichick had his weekly day after the game media meeting about the week ahead.

Belichick is 5-1 vs. the Eagles in his career.  He is 4-0 against them as the head coach in New England and that includes one Super Bowl (1-0).

His 185 career wins are good for 9th all-time.

After the game Belichick in a reflective mood said, “I’m not an easy guy to play for”.

Even though New England is 2-5 as the road team in the series, the overall series is tied a 6-6 and that includes the Patriots win over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.

New England has won the last four meeting between the teams, including the Super Bowl.

New England is a NFL best 62-15 in games played on or after Thanksgiving since 2001.

Since Belichick took over in 2000, the Patriots have the best road record in the NFL at 61-33.

Belichick has taken a larger role in the defense and it’s beginning to show.

If the playoffs started today New England would be the 2 seed behind Houston, who right now is down to their 3rd quarterback.

LB Dane Fletcher missed his 5th game with a thumb injury, LB Brandon Spikes (MCL) and S Patrick Chung (foot) both missed their 3rd game in a row.  CB Devin McCourty missed his 2nd game in a row with a shoulder injury while WR Chad Ochocinco (hamstring) and C Dan Connolly (groin) missed their first game of the season.  QB Ryan Mallett was a healthy scratch for the 10th time this season.

In the game Sunday, S James Ihedigbo suffered a stinger in the first quarter and he did return to action.  CB Antwaun Molden suffered an unknown injury in the 4th quarter, he said after the game was banged up but fine and T Sebastian Vollmer turned his ankle in the second quarter and was seen in a walking boot after the game.

This is what Tom Brady had to say about the big win on WEEI AM/FM on Tuesday morning.

Brady’s 119th career win tied him with Johnny Unitas for 6th all-time.  Fran Tarkenton is 5th with 124.

Brady’s 3 TD passes give him 28 TD passes on the year and 289 TD passes in his career ranks him 8th all-time.  Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas is 7th with 290.

He actually also ran for 27-yards Sunday and at one point had to fix his divot after he pulled it from his knee brace.

Ron Borges calls Brady and Deion Branch an old married couple that completes each other’s sentences.

Brady quieted his critics with an exceptional game.

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 93 consecutive games including playoffs, 76 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

Welker had 8 catches for 115 yards and 2 TD’s.  That ties his career high of 8 TD’s in a season.  He also had his 21st 100-yard receiving game as a Patriot.

Welker was the Sox & Dawgs Offensive Player of the Game.

WR Julian Edelman played almost as many snaps as a DB (16) vs. Philadelphia than he did as a wide receiver (23).

WR Deion Branch’s 63-yard catch was the 3rd longest play of the season for the Patriots offense.  Branch had 6 grabs in the game for 125-yards, it was his 11th 100-yard game.

Branch explains why he tried to run that last guy over.

The Herald’s Ian Rapoport explains why the Patriots no-huddle offense works.

CB Kyle Arrington had team high 10 tackles during the game yesterday.  After not looking so hot the first two Eagles drives he made a nice recovery and for the second week in a row was the Sox & Dawgs Defensive Player of the Game.

The Patriots defense held the Eagles without a 3rd down conversion until the 3rd quarter.

The defense on a whole continues to improve and move up the league rankings.

For the 3rd time this season the Patriots shut down the NFL’s leading rusher.  They have shut down Buffalo’s Fred Jackson, Oakland Darren McFadden and Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy.

S Sergio Brown has taken a leading role on the special teams.

Here’s the breakdown of the defensive snaps and the offensive snaps by Mike Reiss.

Pro Bowl voting is open feel free to cast your votes for deserving players.

New England plays the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA.  Look for the Sox & Dawgs “In The Red Zone Game Preview” available on Friday.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

The New England Patriots went on the road to face a desperate Philadelphia Eagles team and for a while it looked like New England was suffering a let down circa Cleveland 2010.  But thankfully it didn’t take long for Bill Belichick and Company to right the ship and rip off a convincing 38-20 win at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon.

The way the game started it certainly wasn’t pretty as Philadelphia’s back up QB Vince Young started 4 of 5 for 120 yards with chunks of those coming on two big pass plays.  One went was set up with a pass to WR Riley Cooper for 58-yards that led to a LeSean McCoy TD, while a second to WR DeSean Jackson was for 44-yards and helped them get a field goal and a 10-0 lead.

The New England defense quickly corrected itself and went from zone to more man-to-man coverage and all of a sudden Young went from looking like Peyton Manning to looking like, well Vince Young.

While Young finished with 400 yards through the air, he was 26 of 48 with two sacks, one TD and an INT, he was far from spectacular as New England yielded him some soft yards once they built up a large lead in the second half.

The Patriots were much better defensively in 3rd down situations again this week as the Eagles went 4 of 13 for 31% and were 1 for 2 on 4th down, while holding Philly to 2 out of 4 in red zone chances.

Offensively the Patriots were efficient themselves.  They were 4 for 5 in the red zone and were 3 for 3 in goal to go situations while controlling the ball for over 32 minutes racking up a total of 457 yards (104 rushing/353 passing) and going 6 for 11 on 3rd down (55%).

QB Tom Brady was 24 of 34 for 361 yards, 3 TD’s 0 INT’s and 1 sack and added another 27 yards rushing.  He almost had a 4th TD pass when he went 63 yards to Deion Branch but Branch was brought down at the 1-yard line.  RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis then ran it in for his second rushing TD of the game that gave the Patriots a 14-10 lead and they never looked back again.

Branch had 6 catches for 125 yards, WR Wes Welker had 8 grabs for 115 yards and 2 TD’s while the TE’s Rob Gronkowski (4 catches for 59 yards 1 TD) and Aaron Hernandez (6 catches for 62 yards) combined for 10 catches, 121 yards and a TD.

Green-Ellis had 44 yards and 2 TD’s on just 14 carries.

It’s getting ugly in Philadelphia for the “Dream Team” as the Eagles are now 4-7 overall and just 1-5 at home and the home fans are surly.  While in New England the team is 8-3 and rolling with not a difficult game left as they prepare to cruise towards the playoffs and a potential number 1 seed in the AFC.

Patriots at Eagles Gamebook, this includes the box score, all the stats, play by play, drive charts and more.

Patriots at Eagles Game Recap via Associated Press.

To continue reading the New England Patriots @ Philadelphia Eagles recap, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Turning Point(s) of the Game

In 1st quarter when Patriots held the Eagles to a FG on their second drive.  They were only down 10-0 instead of 14-0 and came roaring back to take the game over.

Offensive Player(s) of the Game

WR Wes Welker had 8 catches for 115 yards and 2 TD catches.

Defensive Player(s) of the Game

CB Kyle Arrington, after getting scorched on the Cooper pass, came back and had a good game registering a team-high 10 tackles.

Game Notes

Starters for the Patriots were:

On Offense:

LT – Light
LG – Mankins
C – Wendell
RG – Waters
RT – Vollmer
TE – Gronkowski
TE – Solder
WR – Branch
WR – Welker
QB – Brady
RB – Green-Ellis

On Defense:

DE – Ninkovich
DT – Wilfork
DT – Love
DE – Carter
LB – White
LB – Mayo
LB – Guyton
CB – Molden
CB – Arrington
S – Moore
S – Ihedigbo

Inactives for the Game:

Patriots

1. WR Chad Ochocinco (hamstring)

2. C Dan Connolly (groin)

3. S Patrick Chung (foot)

4. CB Devin McCourty (shoulder)

5. LB Brandon Spikes (MCL)

6. LB Dane Fletcher (thumb)

7. QB Ryan Mallett

Eagles

1. QB Michael Vick (ribs)

2. WR Jeremy Macklin (shoulder/hamstring)

3. CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle)

4. T King Dunlap (concussion)

5. DE Brandon Graham

6. DE Phillip Hunt

7. G Julian Vandervelde

The spread (Patriots minus 3 1/2) WAS covered.  The over/under (50 1/2) WAS covered as well.  I GAVE the points (Patriots) and took the OVER.  I am now 7-3-1 vs. the spread and 7 of 11 calling the under/over.

The overall series vs. the Eagles is now tied 6-6 including playoffs.

The Patriots are 2-5 as the road team in the series.

New England is a NFL best 62-15 in games played on or after Thanksgiving since 2001.

Since 2002 the Patriots are 9-2 vs. the NFC East in the regular season.  The losing at Washington in 2003 and to the New York Giants at home this year.

Overall the Patriots are 17-24 against NFC East teams including Super Bowls.

Since 2000 have the Patriots the best road record in the NFL at 61-33.  Philadelphia is second at 59-32-1.

Bill Belichick is 5-1 vs. the Eagles in his career.  He is 4-0 against them as the head coach in New England and that includes one Super Bowl (1-0).

Belichick’s 185 wins are good for 9th all-time.

This Tom Brady’s 12^th NFL season he is 4-0 vs. the Eagles including 1-0 in the playoffs.

Brady has thrown 28 TD’s and 10 INT’s while being sacked 20 times in 11 games.

Brady has 289 TD passes in his career he is now 8th all-time.  Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas is 7th with 290.

Brady has 119 career wins he is tied with Johnny Unitas for 6th all-time.  Fran Tarkenton is 5th with 124.

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 93 consecutive games including playoffs, 76 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

Welker has 8 TD’s tying his career high (2007).  He now has 29 as a Patriot and is 8th on the franchise list.

WR Deion Branch’s 63 yard catch was the 3rd longest play of the season for the Patriots offense.

Branch and Welker both went over 100 yards receiving.  It was Branch’s 11th 100 yard game of his career and Welker’s 21st.

The 58-yard pass the defense allowed to Riley Cooper was the longest play allowed by the defense from scrimmage this season.

WR Julian Edelman was playing a lot more defensive back this week.  He even had a QB hit.

Edelman and WR Tiquan Underwood played 3rd receiver over WR Taylor Price.

With WR Chad Ochocinco out with a hamstring injury it was thought Price would finally get some time to make a dent in the rotation.  Price didn’t play one snap.

New England is now plus 6 in turnover differential.

Patriots S James Ihedigbo suffered a stinger in the first half causing his arm to go numb then comeback.

T Sebastian Vollmer suffered a 2nd quarter ankle injury he did not return.  He was seen in a walking boot after the game.

CB Antwaun Molden suffered a 4th quarter injury (unknown) he did not return.  After the game he said he was banged up but fine.

Belichick gave the players Monday off after the win.

The two Philadelphia home losses in the series came in the last two games between the two played at the Linc.

The Eagles have lost the last four meetings between the teams, which includes Super Bowl XXXIX.

Philadelphia is 48-28 on or after Thanksgiving since 2001, that’s the 3^rd best record in that time period in the NFL.

This was QB Vince Young’s second start as a member of the Eagles he is now 1-1 with Philadelphia and 31-19 including the postseason overall.

The Eagles didn’t convert on 3rd down until the 3rd quarter.

Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid is really on the hot seat with many media members speculating he may not last another week.

Eagles fans spent most of the second half chanting “FIRE ANDY!”

Eagles rookie T Julian Vandervelde (Iowa), who was inactive today, is also an accomplished opera singer and has performed in front of President Obama at the University of Iowa.

Jerome Boger was the game referee.  The temp at kickoff was 63 and it was cloudy.

Game Attendance: 69,144 at Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia PA.

Voting for the Pro Bowl is open until December 19th, cast your votes for deserving players.

Post Game Interviews

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Patriots QB Tom Brady post game press conferences via patriots.com

This Week in the AFC East

NY Jets beat Buffalo, 28-24

Dallas beat Miami on Thanksgiving Day, 20-19

AFC East Standings

Patriots                   8-3/3-1

Jets                        6-5/3-2

Bills                        5-6/1-3

Dolphins                  3-8/1-2

Next Game

The Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA.  Kick off is at 1 p.m. on CBS.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Photo credit: Getty Images

This Week

The New England Patriots visit the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA on Sunday at 4:15 p.m.

The Patriots (7-3) are 3-2 on the road, 1-1 against the NFC East and 1-1 vs. the NFC.  The Eagles (4-6) are 1-4 at the Linc, 0-1 vs. the AFC East and 0-1 against the AFC.

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from Yahoo! Sports has the Patriots at MINUS 3 1/2.  They list the over under at 50 1/2.

My Prediction is Patriots 31, Eagles, 21.  Give the points (Patriots) and take the over.  I am 6-3-1 against the spread and 6 of 10 on calling the over/under in 2011.

Tickets

The Eagles are reporting the game as a sell out.

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 Philadelphia make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Philadelphia PA.

Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking and stadium information and a Lincoln Financial 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 Greg Gumbel will do play by play while Dan Dierdorf 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 713.

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, former Patriot Gino Cappelletti does the color and new this year Scott Zolak will man the sidelines. It all starts with Gary Tanguay, Andy Gresh and Zolak with the pregame show at 1 p.m. along the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.

If you are outside the broadcast area of the stations on the Patriots Radio Network you can purchase NFL Field Pass, which allows you to listen to any game live.  You can also pick which teams broadcasters you want to listen to.

All NFL Games are also available on Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio also carries all the NFL games under a special additional package.  They usually only carry the home team feed.

The Patriots radio network call is available on Sirius Channel 93 and on SiriusXM Internet Channel 879.

The Eagles Radio network has Merrill Reese calling play by play and former Eagle Mike Quick doing the color via their flagship stations WIP-AM/WYSP-FM.  Their call is available on Sirius Channel 132, XM Channel 231 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 884.

Westwood One will also broadcast the game to a national audience of its affiliates.  Howard David and Tony Boselli will call the game.

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 the New England Patriots @ Philadelphia Eagles Week 12 preview, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Last Week

The Patriots beat the Chiefs at home 34-3; while the Eagles beat the Giants, 17-10 on the road.

History

• The Eagles lead the all-time series 6-5 including one Super Bowl.
• This is the 7th game in the series to be played in Philadelphia.  There was also one neutral field match up.
• The Patriots defeated the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, 24-21 in Jacksonville FL.
• This game matches up not only two good friends in Andy Reid and Bill Belichick but also the two longest tenured coaches in the NFL.
• The two teams last met in 2007 when the Patriots beat the Eagles in Foxboro, 31-28.

Patriots Team Notes

Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2011 Patriots Schedule/Results

The Patriots overall franchise record is 406-366-9.  They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in six appearances.  They last appeared in the playoffs in 2010 when they lost at home to the New York Jets in the AFC Divisional Playoff, 28-21.  They last appeared in a Super Bowl in 2007 losing to the New York Giants 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII.  They won the AFC Conference championship that season with playoff wins over Jacksonville and San Diego.

The Patriots are the defending two-time AFC East Champions; they have won the division 8 times since 2000.

The Patriots are dedicating the 2011 season to the memory of Myra Hiatt Kraft, the late wife of owner Robert Kraft. Every Patriots player and coach will honor Myra’s memory by wearing a patch with her initials on it in recognition of her lifelong contributions to the local and global community and her influence on the charitable mission of the entire Patriots organization. The patch will be worn on the left chest of every player throughout the season.

The Patriots are 1-5 as the road team in the series.

New England is a NFL best 61-15 in games played on or after Thanksgiving since 2001.

Since 2002 the Patriots are 8-2 vs. the NFC East in the regular season.  The losing at Washington in 2003 and to the New York Giants at home this year.

Overall the Patriots are 16-24 against NFC East teams including Super Bowls.

Since 2000 have the Patriots the second best road record in the NFL at 60-33.  Philadelphia is first at 59-32-1.

The Patriots defense has allowed opponents to convert 43.1% of the time on 3^rd down, while the offense has a 3^rd down conversion rate of 44.2%.

The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 23 times in 10 games.

The Patriots are 4th in the NFL in points per game with 29.3.  While they allow 20.3 points per game good for 10th in the NFL.

New England is PLUS 5 in turnover differential, 8th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 10 INT and 5 fumbles, while the defense has 15 INT and 5 fumble recoveries.

Patriots Staff Notes

This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Eagles.

Bill Belichick is 4-1 vs. the Eagles in his career.  He is 3-0 against them as the head coach in New England and that includes one Super Bowl (1-0).

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 169-97 in 16 NFL seasons.  He is 133-53 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland.  He is 15-6 in the playoffs, 14-5 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season.  When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 184-103.

Belichick’s 184 wins are good for 9th all-time.

He was named NFL Coach of the Year for the 3^rd time in 2010.

Belichick is one of five head coaches in NFL history whose father (Steve Belichick) played in the league.  The others are current 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).

Patriots Possible Starters

Offense:

• LT: Solder
• LG: Mankins
• C: Connolly
• RG: Waters
• RT: Vollmer
• TE: R. Gronkowski
• TE: Hernandez
• WR: Ochocinco
• WR: Welker
• QB: Brady
• RB: Green-Ellis

Defense:

• DE: Deaderick
• DT: Wilfork
• DT: Love
• DE: Carter
• LB: Mayo
• LB: White
• LB: Ninkovich
• LCB: Molden
• RCB: Arrington
• S: Moore
• S: Ihedigbo

Patriots Players Notes

This Tom Brady’s 12^th NFL season he is 3-0 vs. the Eagles including 1-0 in the playoffs.

Overall Brady is 118-34 as a starting QB and is 14-5 in the playoffs for an overall record of 132-39.  Brady is a 6 time Pro Bowl QB; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP.  He is also listed as the 21^st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.

In 2010 Brady won his second NFL MVP and he was the first unanimous winner in league history.

Brady has thrown 25 TD’s and 10 INT’s while being sacked 19 times in 10 games.

Brady has 286 TD passes in his career he is now 8th all-time.  Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas is 7th with 290.

Brady has 118 career wins he is 7th all-time.  Johnny Unitas is 6th with 119 and Fran Tarkenton is 5th with 124.

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 92 consecutive games including playoffs, 75 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

WR/PR/DB Julian Edelman was the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after he ran back a punt 72-yards for a TD.

Edelman became the 4th New England player with at least 2 punt return TD’s in his career.  Irving Fryar and Troy Brown have 3 and Mike Haynes has 2.

CB Kyle Arrington had two INT’s last week vs. Kansas City, he now has a league leading 7 INT’s on the season.

TE Rob Gronkowski had 2 TD catches to set a new standard for TE’s with 20 TD’s in his first 26 games.

With back-to-back 10 TD seasons Gronk becomes the fourth Patriots player to record 2 or more consecutive seasons of 10 TD’s or more joining Randy Moss (3 seasons); Corey Dillon (3 seasons) and Curtis Martin.

Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald reports that the Worcester Sharks (AHL) hockey team is going to pay Gronkowski $7500 to spike a puck prior to their game on February 24th.  The $7500 is the amount Gronk was fined for spiking the ball in the face of Jets defender in Week 10.

DE Andre Carter had a half sack last week he leads the team with 9.  DE Mark Anderson has 1.5 sacks he now has 7 on the season, good for 2nd on the team.

Carter leads the defense with 19 quarterback hits, Anderson is 2nd with 9 hits.

Anderson, Wilfork, Carter and LB Jerod Mayo have each forced a fumble this season while Ninkovich, DT Kyle Love and DE Gerard Warren have each recovered an opponent’s fumble.

CB Devin McCourty leads the team in tackles with 61, S Patrick Chung is 2nd with 60.

WR Jackie Slater leads the team in special teams tackles with 13, while LB Tracy White, a former Eagle, has 11.

On Wednesday the following players were held out of practice: LB Jeff Tarpinian (illness); LB Brandon Spikes (MCL) and LB Dane Fletcher (thumb).  10 others were limited: WR Wes Welker (knee); C Dan Connolly (groin); G Brian Waters (knee); S Patrick Chung (foot); LB Gary Guyton (shoulder); S James Ihedigbo (shoulder); WR Taylor Price (hamstring); WR Matthew Slater (shoulder); T Matt Light (ankle) and T Sebastian Vollmer (back).

On Thursday only Spikes and Fletcher missed practice.  The others from Wednesday remained limited.  WR Deion Branch was added to injury report with a hip injury he was limited at practice.

On Wednesday New England released S Ross Ventrone and re-signed former UConn OL Donald Thomas to the 53-man roster.

On Thursday, Ventrone cleared waivers and was re-signed to the practice squad, LB Jeff Tarpinian was placed on IR with an undisclosed illness; WR Tiquan Underwood was re-signed to the 53-man roster and CB Josh Victorian was released from the practice squad.

The Patriots have five New England natives on the roster they are: LB Niko Koutouvides (Plainville CT); TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT); OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT); S James Ihedigbo (Northampton MA) and DE Ron Brace (Worcester MA).  They have 10 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member.  They are: WR Deion Branch (Louisville); S James Ihedigbo (UMass); C Dan Koppen (Boston College – IR); CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers); NT Vince Wilfork (Miami), OL Donald Thomas (UConn); DE Mike Wright (Cincinnati – IR); DE Ron Brace (Boston College); WR Tiquan Underwood (Rutgers) and DE Alex Silvestro (Rutgers – Practice Squad).

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.

Pro Bowl voting is open until December 19th, cast your votes for deserving players.

Eagles Team Notes

Here is the Eagles roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2011 Eagles Schedule/Results

The Eagles all-time record is 509-541-26 and they are 19-20 in the playoffs with their last playoff appearance coming in 2010.  The Eagles lost at home to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Game, 21-16. The Eagles last played for a championship in 2008 losing the NFC Championship Game to Arizona, 32-25.  The Eagles have played in two Super Bowls losing both (XV and XXXIX) and previously won 3 NFL Championships (1948, 1949 and 1960) prior to the Super Bowl era.

The lone Philadelphia home loss in the series came in the last game between the two played at the Linc in 2003 when the Patriots won, 31-10.

The Eagles have lost the last three meetings between the teams, which includes Super Bowl XXXIX.

Philadelphia is 48-27 on or after Thanksgiving since 2001, that’s the 3^rd best record in that time period in the NFL.

The Eagles have called 6 stadiums home they are Baker Bowl; Philadelphia Municipal Stadium; Connie Mack Stadium aka Shibe Park; Franklin Field; Veterans Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field.

Their current home, Lincoln Financial Field, is part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex and sits across the street from Citizens Bank Park (Phillies) and next to the Wells Fargo Center (Flyers/Sixers).  The Linc holds 68,532 (69,144 with standing room).

Since 2008, Philadelphia has the 9th best record in the NFL at 34-23-1 and the 5th most points scored (1521).

The Eagles defense has allowed opponents to convert 36.2% of the time on 3^rd down, while the offense has a 3^rd down conversion rate of 44.4%.

The Philadelphia defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 29 times in 10 games.

The Eagles are tied for 10th in the NFL in points per game with 23.7.  While they allow 21.3 points per game good for a tie for 16th in the NFL.

Philadelphia is MINUS 8 in turnover differential, 28th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 17 INT and 7 fumbles, while the defense has 11 INT and 5 fumble recoveries.

The Eagles have a Fight Song called “Fly, Eagles Fly”.

Eagles Staff Notes

Read what Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid had to say to the New England media about the match up.

Andy Reid is 122-79-1 in his 13th season as the Eagles head coach.  He is 10-9 in the playoffs for an overall record of 132-88-1.

Reid is the head coach with the longest current reign in the NFL.  He was hired prior to the 1999 season.

Eagles Players Notes

QB Michael Vick is 11-10 in his third season with Philadelphia including 0-1 in the playoffs.  With Atlanta he was 40-30-1 including 2-2 in the playoffs. Between Atlanta and Philadelphia Vick is 51-40-1 overall including the post season.  Vick was the 1^st round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft (1^st Overall) out of Virginia Tech.

Vick, who is a 4-time Pro Bowl selection (2002, 2004, 2005 and 2010) is doubtful for the game on Sunday.

If Vick can not play on Sunday, Reid will once again turn over the reigns to another former first round pick QB Vince Young.

Young is in his first season with Philadelphia and is 1-0 with the Eagles.  He played 5 seasons with the Tennessee Titans who drafted him 3rd overall in 2006 out of the University of Texas.  As the Tennessee starter he was 30-18 including 0-1 in the playoffs.  Overall with the Titans and the Eagles Young is 31-18 including the post season.

Young was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 and a 2-time Pro Bowl selection (2006 and 2009).

Philadelphia CB Asante Samuel was the last Patriots player to league the NFL in INT’s with 10 in 2006.  Currently New England CB Kyle Arrington leads the league with 7 INT’s.

Samuel was a 4th round pick of the Patriots in 2003.  He played in New England for 5 seasons before leaving as a free agent for Philadelphia in 2008.

On Wednesday the following players were held out of practice: T King Dunlap (concussion); WR DeSean Jackson (foot); CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle) and QB Mike Vick (ribs).  1 other was limited: WR Jeremy Macklin (shoulder/hamstring).

During Thursday practice Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha was carted off the field with a knee injury.  The Eagles say there’s no damage but he is sore.

Also on Thursday Dunlap, Rodgers-Cromartie and Vick once again did not practice.  Macklin was downgraded from Wednesday and did not practice.  Jackson was upgraded on Thursday to limited participation.

The Eagles captains are: Vick; Jackson; Samuel and Asomugha.

Philadelphia has 7 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member.  They are: FS Nate Allen (South Florida); TE Brent Celek (Cincinnati); DE Trent Cole (Cincinnati); C Jason Kelce (Cincinnati); RB Dion Lewis (Pittsburgh); RB LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh) and RB Owen Schmitt (WVU).

The Eagles have 7 retired numbers: 15 – Steve Van Buren; 40 – Tom Brookshire; 44 – Pete Retzlaff; 60 – Chuck Bednarik; 70 – Al Wistert; 92 – Reggie White and 99 – Jerome Brown.

Next Week

The Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA.  Kick off is at 1 p.m. on CBS.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

When the offense was flopping pretty hard early on Monday night and Kansas City was moving with ease between the 20’s I was thinking holy crap it’s gonna be a long night.  This team, a two touchdowns plus favorite on all the sports books, is going to lose and do it in an ugly fashion.

I was having September flashbacks and remembering all the awful baseball we watched or listened to and envisioned the same fate last night for our football team.  If the Patriots had lost that game last night as ugly as it was starting to play out I’d have needed something harder than beer and fried chicken.

Then somewhere late in the second quarter they started to “matriculate the ball downfield”.  They had that nice wide-open pass to TE Rob Gronkowski that turned into a 52-yard TD reception.  They also moved the ball well but failed to get six when the other TE Aaron Hernandez couldn’t hold onto a Tom Brady bullet in the end zone.  They settled for a field goal.

In the third quarter the Patriots looked like a better team.  They played better on both sides of the ball getting yet another TD out of Gronk and then they put the dagger in the Chiefs when Julian Edelman ran back a punt 72-yards for a TD.  It put the game out of reach and the rest was really academic.

While the Patriots continue to play decent and the defense only allowed 3 points, albeit to a bad team, there are still some major questions moving forward.  You will see that they are the top rated team in the conference but they really aren’t playing the best.

This team is pretty beat up although they will never, ever use that as an excuse.  When you place 17 guys on the injury report during the week there is an injury epidemic.  Obviously most of them played but among the missing were 2 starting linebackers, a starting cornerback and a starting safety.

Luckily Bill Belichick does his best at getting the most out of players.  All you need to do is look at Edelman who Monday night was playing defensive back in the dime sets.  Look at players like S Ross Ventrone, S Sterling Moore, CB Philip Adams, CB Antwaun Molden, LB Jeff Tarpinian and the contributions they make when they’re called upon.

If this team is going to get past the first playoff game this year, they’re going to need to get some players healthy and continue to milk what they can from the no names at the end of the bench.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Head coach Bill Belichick had his weekly day after the game media meeting about the week ahead.

Even though New England has won 5 of the last 6 meeting between the clubs, Kansas City leads the all-time series 16-13-3.

The last Chiefs victory in Foxboro was on December 2, 1990 when they won 37-7.

If the playoffs were to start today the Patriots would be the #1 seed in the AFC have a bye and home field throughout the playoffs.

LB Dane Fletcher missed his 4th game with a thumb injury, WR Taylor Price (hamstring) was scratched with an injury for the third week.  LB Brandon Spikes (MCL) and S Patrick Chung (foot) both missed their second game in a row, LB Jeff Tarpinian was ill and RB Kevin Faulk was a scratch for the second time since coming off the pup with a knee injury.  QB Ryan Mallett was a healthy scratch.

In the game Monday night S James Ihedigbo injured his shoulder in first quarter, WR Deion Branch missed some time during the game with a tight hamstring.  C Dan Connolly aggravated his groin injury and CB Kyle Arrington suffered an arm injury in the 4th quarter.  They all returned to action during the game.  LT Matt Light had his leg rolled up on during the 4th quarter, he did not return and was seen leaving after the game in a golf cart with a boot on his foot.

Prior to the game New England released OL Donald Thomas and promoted S Ross Ventrone to the 53-man roster.  It was the one-zillionth roster transaction involving Ventrone in two seasons.

With some injuries occurring last night along the offensive line don’t be surprised if Thomas comes back this week once/if he clears waivers.

This is what Tom Brady had to say about the big win, not liking “Red Bull”, his high school freshman football team and never having tried coffee on WEEI AM/FM on Tuesday morning.

Brady’s 118th career win tied him with Johnny Unitas for 6th all-time.  Fran Tarkenton is 5th with 124.

Brady’s 2 TD passes give him 25 TD passes on the year and 286 TD passes in his career.

The 25-yard pass to RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis early in 3rd quarter pushed Brady past Boomer Esiason into 15th all-time in passing yards.

TE Rob Gronkowski’s 2 TD catches give him 6 games with 2 or more TD’s in his two-year career.  He also set a new NFL standard for TE’s with 20 TD catches in his first 26 games.  Mike Ditka was the previous fastest TE to 20 TD’s he did it in 31 games.

For the second week in a row Gronk was the Sox & Dawgs offensive player of the game.

Here is his interview after the game from the ESPN on field set.

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 92 consecutive games including playoffs, 75 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

WR Julian Edelman played DB in the dime package through out the game in 3rd and long situations for Kansas City.

Edelman returned a punt for his second career return TD.

CB Kyle Arrington had two-drive killing INT’s of Kansas City QB Tyler Palko.  He now has a league leading 7 INT’s on the season.

Arrington was the Sox & Dawgs defensive player of the game.

CB Phillip Adams had an INT of Chiefs QB Tyler Palko during the 4th quarter in the end zone that killed a Chiefs drive.  It was his first career INT.

Rookie RT Marcus Cannon (TCU) made his NFL debut in the 4th quarter.  It’s his first action after recovering from cancer.  That guy is a tank.  The offensive line of the future looks in good hands with Nate Solder and Cannon on it.

The offensive line in 2012 could very well be LT Solder, LG Logan Mankins, C Dan Koppen, RG Cannon and RT Sebastian Vollmer.  Those are some bad ass dudes.

Rookie RB Shane Vereen (California) scored his first NFL TD late in the 4th quarter.

Former Patriots OL Stephen Neal will be inducted in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

DT Vince Wilfork and his wife, Bianca, helped carry “Thanksgiving in a Basket” deliveries at Goodwill on Monday.

The special teams core four report.

DE Andre Carter has been resurrected in New England and he leads the team in sacks.

The Best and Worst of the Chiefs vs. Patriots game.

That was Chiefs QB Tyler Palko’s first NFL start and he was sacked 3 times and threw 3 INT’s all in New England territory; one was in the end zone.

Here’s the breakdown of the defensive snaps and the offensive snaps by Mike Reiss.

Pro Bowl voting is open feel free to cast your votes for deserving players.

New England plays the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA.  Look for the Sox & Dawgs “In The Red Zone Game Preview” available on Friday.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Marcus Cannon, a former TCU Horned Frog offensive lineman now playing for the new England Patriots, made his NFL debut on Monday November 21 against the Kansas City Chiefs.  Normally NFL debuts are a big deal for the players, their family and friends, as well as their past coaches.

But there is something special about the debut of the 23-year old Cannon, a 2011 draft pick of the Patriots, for he has beaten cancer, a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in order to make it back to the playing field.

Cannon went into the NFL Draft process early this year preparing for what he hoped to be the life of a star NFL lineman.  But during some routine medical tests done by the NFL pre-draft it was found he had cancer and they started an aggressive treatment.

While the diagnosis scared off many teams it did not dissuade New England and Bill Belichick who are always looking for good lineman.  They decided despite the medical history they would draft Cannon because they were assured his prognosis was good.

Cannon, was drafted but between the NFL lockout and the medical restrictions, didn’t set foot on a football field until October.  Prior to that he attended meetings and watched practices and tape and earned the Patriots system.  he got in the weight room to get stronger.  He hit the books to get smarter.  Then when he got on the field he defied all the expectations of not playing this year.  he showed the staff, his teammates and the football fans everywhere he was ready to go.

After the Patriots Week 10 win at New York over the Jets, Cannon was placed on the 53-man roster and in Week 11 he dressed for his first NFL game.  In the fourth quarter of a big Patriots lead Cannon took the field as a NFL player.  He beat the odds.

ESPN, who was televising the game, showed Cannon standing on the field during a time out.  Fellow rookie lineman Nate Solder said something to Cannon who burst into a smile.

Dreams do come true, they just did for Marcus Cannon.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

The New England Patriots, who slogged through an unimpressive first half that no doubt led to a locker room ass kicking at half time, came out in third quarter and jacked up the intensity.  They put it to the Kansas City Chiefs 34-3 in front of national television audience Monday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA.

That sluggish first half saw New England give up 3 sacks and a fumble and just play like they were in a fog.  They were lucky they got to the locker room leading 10-3.

While Kansas City with a first time starter at quarterback moved the ball between the 20’s with ease it was New England and it’s high powered, multi-faceted offense that struggled mightily behind the two-time MVP quarterback.

It was a miracle they only gave up three points in the half but every time Kansas City had the ball they seemingly shot themselves in the foot.  Mental errors in terms on penalties, sacks and an INT all killed potential scoring drives for an offense that moved the ball well against a rag tag Patriots defensive unit.

The Patriots were equally inept, giving up three bad sacks and one lost fumble.  They were only able to come away with a Stephen Gostkowski field goal after a drive failed inside the five just before half time.  Previously they scored on a Tom Brady to Rob Gronkowski 52-yard TD pass in which Gronk (and WR Chad Ochocinco) was wide open without anyone within 10 yards of him.

The Patriots came out for the second half looking like a different team as they marched down field scoring once again on a Brady to Gronkowski TD pass to increase the lead to 17-3

Then after an ensuing three and out by the Chiefs, WR/PR/DB Julian Edelman returned a punt 72-yards for a back breaking TD on special teams and a 24-3 New England lead just over 5 and half minutes into the half.

After another impressive drive got stalled deep in the red zone when Brady couldn’t connect on third down with TE Aaron Hernandez they added another Gostkowski field goal, this one was 19-yards to make it 27-3 as the third quarter expired.

Rookie RB Shane Vereen capped a late 4th quarter 6 and half minute, 14 play drive with his first NFL TD and the capped the scoring at 34-3

But the highlight of the game was rookie OL Marcus Cannon, a cancer survivor, making his NFL debut in the 4th quarter at right tackle.

While not pretty it was yet another “W” for the good guys, who travel to Philly next weekend.  I wonder if new Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon will take the boys out for cheese steaks on Saturday night?

Chiefs at Patriots Gamebook, this includes the box score, all the stats, play by play, drive charts and more.

Chiefs at Patriots game recap via Associated Press.

To continue reading, hit the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Turning Point(s) of the Game

New England’s opening drive of the second half led to a second Brady to Gronkowski TD to demoralize the Chiefs.  Then the punt return by Edelman finished them off.

Offensive Player(s) of the Game

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski who had 4 catches for 96 yards and 2 TD catches.

Defensive Player(s) of the Game

New England CB Kyle Arrington had 4 tackles (3 solo) and 2 INT’s.

Game Notes

Starters for the Patriots were:

Offense:

LT – Light
LG – Mankins
C – Connolly
RG – Waters
RT – Vollmer
TE – Gronkowski
TE – Hernandez
WR – Branch
WR – Welker
QB – Brady
RB – Green-Ellis

Defense:

DE – Deaderick
DT – Wilfork
DT – Love
DE – Carter
LB – Mayo
LB – Guyton
LB – Ninkovich
CB – Molden
CB – Arrington
S – Moore
S – Ihedigbo

Inactives for the Game:

Patriots

1.  LB Brandon Spikes (MCL)

2.  LB Dane Fletcher (Thumb)

3.  CB Devin McCourty (shoulder)

4.  S Patrick Chung (foot)

5.  RB Kevin Faulk (knee)

6.  LB Jeff Tarpinian (illness)

7.  QB Ryan Mallett

Chiefs

1.  DE Glenn Dorsey (knee)

2.  LB Demorrio Williams (groin)

3.  S Jon McGraw (shoulder)

4.  WR Keary Colbert

5.  TE Anthony Becht

6.  T Steve Maneri

7.  DE Brandon Bair

The spread (Patriots minus 15) was covered.  The over/under (46 1/2) was not covered.  I took the points and the over.  I am now 6-3-1 vs. the spread and 6 of 10 calling the under/over.

Kansas City won the toss and elected to receive.

Patriots led 10-3 at half time they are 7-1 this season when leading at the half.

The Chiefs lead the overall series vs. Patriots 16-13-3

Bill Belichick now has 184 wins – he is now 9th all-time.

Bill Belichick is 7-2 vs. the Chiefs in his career.  He is 5-1 against them as the head coach in New England.  He has never faced them in the post season.

The Patriots are 10-6-2 as the home team in the series.

New England has won 5 of the last 6 meetings.

The Patriots are 3-0 at Gillette Stadium vs. Kansas City.

Since 2002 when Gillette Stadium opened the Patriots are 71-15 at home the best mark in the NFL.

New England is 21-22 all-time on MNF and 10-8 as the home team.

Patriots are 68-73-6 all-time vs. the AFC West.

Tom Brady is now 4-1 vs. Kansas City.

Brady’s 2 TD passes give him 286 TD passes in his career he is now 8^th all-time.  Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas is 7^th with 290.

Brady has 118 career wins he is tied with Johnny Unitas for 6th all-time.  Fran Tarkenton is 5^th with 124.

Brady was strip sacked to start 2^nd quarter to end drive. Fourth game this season he has been strip sacked.

Brady was sacked 3 times in the game by the Kansas City defense.

The 25-yard pass to RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis early in 3rd quarter pushed Brady past Boomer Esiason into 15th all-time in passing yards.

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 92 consecutive games including playoffs, 75 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

WR Julian Edelman played DB in the dime package through out the game in 3rd and long situations for Kansas City.

Edelman returned a punt for his second career return TD.

CB Kyle Arrington had two-drive killing INT’s of Kansas City QB Tyler Palko.  He now has a league leading 7 INT’s on the season.

TE Rob Gronkowski had 2 TD catches to set a new standard for TE’s with 20 TD’s in his first 26 games.

DE Mark Anderson has 1.5 sacks he now has 7 on the season.  He shared one with DE Andre Carter.

CB Phillip Adams had an INT of Palko in the 4th quarter in the end zone that killed a Chiefs drive.

LB Rob Ninkovich had a sack of Palko in the 4th quarter.

RT Marcus Cannon made his NFL debut in the 4th quarter.  It’s his first action after recovering from cancer.

RB Shane Vereen scored his first NFL TD late in the 4th quarter.

S James Ihedigbo was injured (shoulder) in first quarter.  He returned.

WR Deion Branch suffering from tight hamstring.  He did return.

C Dan Connolly aggravated his injury (groin) went to locker room in 2nd quarter.  He did return.

Arrington suffered an arm injury in the 4th quarter.  He did return.

LT Matt Light suffered an injury (leg) in the 4th quarter.  He did not return.

Prior to the game New England released OL Donald Thomas and promoted S Ross Ventrone to the 53-man roster.

New England is now plus 5 in turnover differential.

The last Chiefs victory in Foxboro was on December 2, 1990 when they won 37-7.

This was Chiefs QB Tyler Palko’s first NFL start.

Palko was sacked 3 times and threw 3 INT’s all in New England territory; one was in the end zone.

Prior to the game Kansas City placed QB Matt Cassel on the IR.

Chiefs attempted onside kick after Ryan Succup 1^st qtr field goal but were flagged when it was touched before it went 10 yards.

Kansas City DE Justin Houston was injured in 2nd quarter.  He returned.

Clete Blakeman was the game referee; he is in his 2^nd season as a referee.  This was his first Patriots game.

The temp at kickoff was 33 and it was clear with a light wind.

Pro Bowl voting is open feel free to cast your votes for deserving players.

Attendance: 68,756 at Gillette Stadium; Foxboro MA – Sell Out

Post Game Interviews

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Patriots QB Tom Brady post game press conferences via patriots.com

This Week in the AFC East

Denver edged the NY Jets, 17-13

Miami demolished Buffalo, 35-8

AFC East Standings

Patriots                   7-3/3-1

Jets                        5-5/2-2

Bills                        5-5/1-2

Dolphins                  3-7/1-2

Next Game

The Patriots visit the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA on Sunday.  Kick off is at 4:15 p.m. on CBS.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Photo credit: Getty Images

This Week

The New England Patriots host the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on Monday at 8:30 p.m.

The Patriots (6-3) are 3-1 at The Razor, 2-0 against the AFC West and 5-2 in the conference.  The Chiefs (4-5) are 2-2 on the road, 0-2 vs. the AFC East and 3-4 against the conference.

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from Yahoo! Sports has the Patriots at MINUS 15.  The over under is 46 1/2.

My Prediction is Patriots 30, Chiefs, 17.  Take the points (CHIEFS) and take the over.  I am 6-2-1 against the spread and 6 of 9 on calling the over/under in 2011.

Tickets

The Patriots are reporting the game as a sell out. It is the 188^th consecutive sell out dating back to the 1994 season opener.  The record includes preseason, regular season and playoff games.

Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster.  You can check the availability here.

After market tickets are available through the Official Patriots Ticket Exchange where season ticket holders can sell their unused seats to fans on the season ticket waiting list.

Getting to the Game

If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Foxboro make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Foxboro, MA.

Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking information and map and a Gillette Stadium 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

ESPN in televising the game nationally, Mike Tirico will do play by play while Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden will provide the game analysis.

The game can also be seen on the ABC affiliates in the Boston (WCVB-TV5) and Kansas City (KMBC-TV9) television markets only.

There is no DirecTV designation for this game.

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, former Patriot Gino Cappelletti does the color and new this year Scott Zolak will man the sidelines. It all starts with Gary Tanguay, Andy Gresh and Zolak with the pregame show at 5 p.m. along the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.

If you are outside the broadcast are of the stations on the Patriots Radio Network you can purchase NFL Field Pass, which allows you to listen to any game live.  You can also pick which teams broadcasters you want to listen to.

All NFL Games are also available on Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio also carries all the NFL games under a special additional package.  They usually only carry the home team feed.

The Patriots radio network call is available on Sirius Channel 93, XM Channel 226 and on SiriusXM Internet Channel 879.

The Chiefs Radio network has Mitch Holthus calling play by play and Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson doing the color via their flagship station KCFX-FM.  Their call is available on Sirius Channel 92, XM Channel 225 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 876.

Westwood One will carry the game to a nation wide audience with Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason on the call.  Their feed can be heard on Sirius Channel 88 and XM Channel 88.

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 the Kansas City Chiefs @ New England Patriots preview, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Last Week

The Patriots beat the Jets on the road 37-16; while the Chiefs lost to the Broncos, 17-10 at home.

History

• Kansas City leads the all-time series 16-12-3.
• All three ties in the series came while teams were in the AFL.
• The teams first met in 1960 when both were part of the AFL as the Boston Patriots and Dallas Texans.
• The Patriots are 9-6-2 as the home team in the series.
• New England has won 4 of the last 5 meetings.
• The two teams last met in Week 1 of 2008 at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots won 17-10 but Tom Brady tore his ACL and was lost for the season.

Patriots Team Notes

Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2011 Patriots Schedule/Results

The Patriots overall franchise record is 406-366-9.  They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in six appearances.  They last appeared in the playoffs in 2010 when they lost at home to the New York Jets in the AFC Divisional Playoff, 28-21.  They last appeared in a Super Bowl in 2007 losing to the New York Giants 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII.  They won the AFC Conference championship that season with playoff wins over Jacksonville and San Diego.

The Patriots are the defending two-time AFC East Champions; they have won the division 8 times since 2000.

The Patriots are dedicating the 2011 season to the memory of Myra Hiatt Kraft, the late wife of owner Robert Kraft. Every Patriots player and coach will honor Myra’s memory by wearing a patch with her initials on it in recognition of her lifelong contributions to the local and global community and her influence on the charitable mission of the entire Patriots organization. The patch will be worn on the left chest of every player throughout the season.

New England is playing its second consecutive prime time game.  It’s the first time since 2008 that they’ve had back-to-back prime time outings.

The Patriots are 2-0 at Gillette Stadium vs. Kansas City.

Since 2002 when Gillette Stadium opened the Patriots are 70-15 at home the best mark in the NFL.

New England is 20-22 all-time on MNF and 9-8 as the home team.

Patriots are 67-73-6 all-time vs. the AFC West.

The Patriots defense has allowed opponents to convert 43.1% (50 of 116) of the time on 3^rd down, while the offense has a 3^rd down conversion rate of 45.8% (49 of 107).

The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 20 times in 9 games.

The Patriots are 3rd in the NFL in points per game with 28.8.  While they allow 22.2 points per game good for a tie for 16th in the NFL.

New England is PLUS 3 in turnover differential, tied for 10th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 10 INT and 4 fumbles, while the defense has 12 INT and 5 fumble recoveries.

Patriots Staff Notes

This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference transcript on the Chiefs.

Bill Belichick is 6-2 vs. the Chiefs in his career.  He is 4-1 against them as the head coach in New England.  He has never faced them in the post season.

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 168-97 in 16 NFL seasons.  He is 132-53 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland.  He is 15-6 in the playoffs, 14-5 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season.  When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 183-103.

Belichick’s 183 wins are good for 9th all-time tied with Bill Parcells.

He was named NFL Coach of the Year for the 3^rd time in 2010.

Belichick is one of five head coaches in NFL history whose father (Steve Belichick) played in the league.  The others are current 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).

The Patriots are 13-5 under Belichick on MNF.

Patriots Possible Starters

Offense:

• LT: Light
• LG: Mankins
• C: Connolly
• RG: Waters
• RT: Vollmer
• TE: R. Gronkowski
• TE: Hernandez
• WR: Branch
• WR: Welker
• QB: Brady
• RB: Green-Ellis

Defense:

• DE: Ellis
• DT: Wilfork
• DT: Love
• DE: Carter
• OLB: Mayo
• ILB: Tarpinian
• OLB: Ninkovich
• LCB: Molden
• RCB: Arrington
• S: Moore
• S: Ihedigbo

Patriots Players Notes

This Tom Brady’s 12^th NFL season he is 3-1 vs. the Chiefs.

Overall Brady is 117-34 as a starting QB and is 14-5 in the playoffs for an overall record of 131-39.  Brady is a 6 time Pro Bowl QB; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP.  He is also listed as the 21^st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.

In 2010 Brady won his second NFL MVP and he was the first unanimous winner in league history.

He is 11-4 in MNF games and has won 8 of the last 9.

Brady has thrown 23 TD’s and 10 INT’s while being sacked 16 times in 9 games.

Brady has 284 TD passes in his career he is now 8th all-time.  Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas is 7^th with 290.

Brady has 117 career wins he is tied with Joe Montana for 7th all-time.  Johnny Unitas is 6^th with 118 and Fran Tarkenton is 5^th with 124.

The last time Brady played against Kansas City he tore his ACL when hit low in the leg by Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard.

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 91 consecutive games including playoffs, 74 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

CB Kyle Arrington has a team leading 5 INT’s in 2011, DT Vince Wilfork and LB Rob Ninkovich are tied for 2nd with 2 each.

Arrington is tied for the NFL lead in INT’s with Green Bay’s Charles Woodson and Seattle’s Eric Weddle.

S Patrick Chung leads the team in tackles with 60, CB Devin McCourty is 2nd with 58 tackles.

DE Andre Carter leads the team with 8.5 sacks, while DE Mark Anderson is 2nd with 5.5.

Carter was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Jets.

On Wednesday Carter had a half sack taken away from him and he now shares the team record for most sacks in a game with three others.

Carter leads the defense with 16 quarterback hits, Anderson is 2nd with 7 hits.

Anderson, Wilfork, Carter and LB Jerod Mayo have each forced a fumble this season while Ninkovich, DT Kyle Love and DE Gerard Warren have each recovered an opponent’s fumble.

WR Jackie Slater leads the team in special teams tackles with 11, while LB Tracy White has 9 and LB Jeff Tarpinian has 8.

TE Rob Gronkowski has 18 TD catches in 25 career games.  They are the most for a TE in that time frame and 3^rd most overall in the NFL.

On Thursday the following players were held out of practice: CB Devin McCourty (shoulder); LB Brandon Spikes (MCL) and LB Dane Fletcher (thumb).  14 others were limited: WR Wes Welker (knee); C Dan Connolly (groin); G Brian Waters (knee); S Patrick Chung (foot); CB Kyle Arrington (foot); DE Shaun Ellis (ribs); RB Kevin Faulk (knee); RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe); LB Gary Guyton (shoulder); S James Ihedigbo (shoulder); WR Taylor Price (hamstring); WR Matthew Slater (shoulder); T Nate Solder (concussion) and T Sebastian Vollmer (back).  The three who missed practice will most likely be listed as doubtful for the game on Monday night.

S Ross Ventrone was signed to the practice squad on Thursday and CB Josh Victorian was released.  According to the NFL transactions list Ventrone is an amateur when it comes to being signed, promoted and released.

The Patriots have five New England natives on the roster they are: LB Niko Koutouvides (Plainville CT); TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT); OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT); S James Ihedigbo (Northampton MA) and DE Ron Brace (Worcester MA).  They have 8 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member.  They are: WR Deion Branch (Louisville); S James Ihedigbo (UMass); C Dan Koppen (Boston College – IR); CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers); NT Vince Wilfork (Miami), OL Donald Thomas (UConn); DE Mike Wright (Cincinnati – IR) and DE Ron Brace (Boston College).

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.

Pro Bowl voting is open feel free to cast your votes for deserving players.

Chiefs Team Notes

Here is the Chiefs roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2011 Chiefs Schedule/Results

The Chiefs all-time record is 399-370-12 and they are 8-14 in the playoffs with their last playoff appearance coming in 2010 when they lost to Baltimore in the Wild Card round, 30-7.  The Chiefs last played for a championship in 1993 when the lost the AFC Championship game to the Buffalo Bills, 30-13. They have won 1 Super Bowl (IV) in two appearances.

They won AFL Championships in 1962 as the Dallas Texans and in 1966 and 1969 as the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City is the defending AFC West Champion.

The Chiefs are playing the first of two consecutive prime time games.

This is Kansas City’s second MNF game of the season.

The last Chiefs victory in Foxboro was on December 2, 1990 when they won 37-7.

Kansas City is 0-2 vs. New England on Monday night.  They lost 30-24 at Foxboro Stadium on Dec 4, 2000 and 27-19 on Nov 22, 2004 at Arrowhead Stadium.

Since the 1970 merger the teams have met 14 times and the teams are 7-7.  But the two former AFL teams have never met in the playoffs.

Kansas City’s defense has 13 INT’s and 9 games it’s the most in club history since they had 18 after 9 games in 2003.

The Chiefs defense has allowed opponents to convert 39.2% (47 of 120) of the time on 3^rd down, while the offense has a 3^rd down conversion rate of 38.4% (48 of 125).

The Kansas City defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 9 times in 9 games.

The Chiefs are 27th in the NFL in points per game with 15.7.  While they allow 24.2 points per game good for a tie for 23rd in the NFL.

Kansas City is MINUS 1 in turnover differential, 18th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 9 INT and 7 fumbles, while the defense has 13 INT and 2 fumble recoveries.

Chiefs Staff Notes

Read what Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley had to say to the New England media about the match up.

Todd Haley is 18-23 in his third season as a head coach.  He is 0-1 in the playoffs for an overall record of 18-24.  He has never faced New England in his career.

Haley is the son of Dick Haley who helped build the 1970’s Pittsburgh Steelers teams.  His father also played in the NFL has a halfback with Washington, Minnesota and Pittsburgh.

Haley is one of five head coaches in NFL history whose father played in the league.

Former New England defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel has the same position with Kansas City.  Crennel won three Super Bowls as the defensive coordinator of the Patriots.

Former Patriots Director of Player Personnel Scott Pioli is now the General Manager of the Chiefs.

Offensive Coordinator Bill Muir is a former Patriots offensive line coach from 1982-84.

Defensive Line Coach Anthony Pleasant played for New England from 2001-03 and won two Super Bowl rings.

Defensive Quality Control Coach Otis Smith was a Patriots DB in 1996 and then returned from 2000-02 and won a Super Bowl ring.

Chiefs Players Notes

Former Patriots QB Matt Cassel has never faced his former team and will not get a chance to this season as he suffered a hand injury that required surgery.  It looks like he will miss the rest of the season.

Cassel was 10-5 in 2008 for the Patriots while filling in for the injured Tom Brady.

Cassel, who is 28-27 including playoffs, made his first Pro Bowl in 2010.

What Cassel’s injury means to the Chiefs.

Starting in Cassel’s place will be back up QB Tyler Palko.  Palko is making his first NFL start.

Palko was undrafted in 2007 out of the University of Pittsburgh.  He was signed by New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2007 and split time between the practice squad and active roster.  In 2009 he split the season with, Arizona, the Montreal Allouettes of the CFL and Pittsburgh.  In 2010 he was signed by Kansas City and split time between the practice squad and the active roster.  This season he was named the back up to Cassel.  He did not play football in 2008.

Palko throws left-handed.

Kansas City QB’s have been sacked 22 times in 9 games.

Chiefs back up quarterback Rick Stanzi now has to prepare for a new role.

Kansas City lost S Eric Berry for the season when he suffered an injury Week 1 against Buffalo.

LB Derrick Johnson leads the Chiefs in tackles with 94.

LB Tamba Hali has the team lead in sacks with 6 and QB pressures with 19.

WR Dwayne Bowe has 41 team leading 41 catches and 4 TD’s.

The Chiefs have one New England native on the roster they are: RB Shane Bannon (Southbury CT).  They have six players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member.  They are: WR Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh); TE Anthony Becht (WVU); LB Jovan Belcher (Maine); QB Tyler Palko (Pittsburgh); RB Shane Bannon (Yale – IR) and WR Jeremy Horn (UMass – Practice Squad).

Next Week

The Patriots visit the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA.  Kick off is at 4:15 p.m. on CBS.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem