This Week
The New England Patriots host their AFC East Rivals the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA on Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
| The Jets |
– | The Patriots | ||
| Overall | 3-3 | Overall | 3-3 | |
| Road record | 1-1 | Home record | 1-1 | |
| AFC East | 2-0 | AFC East | 1-0 | |
| AFC | 3-2 | AFC | 3-1 | |
Jeff Triplette is the referee for the game.
The Line/Prediction
As of Thursday the line on the game from 5Dimes.eu via Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at MINUS 12. The over/under is 47.
My Prediction is Patriots 34, Jets, 14. Give the points (Patriots) and take the over. I am 2-4 against the spread and 3 of 6 on calling the over/under in 2012.
Tickets
The Patriots are reporting the game as a sell out. It is the 198th 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.
The Patriots are reporting they have found two strings of counterfeit tickets this season and they advise fans to buy their after market tickets from a reputable source.
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.
Patriots will once again wear their throwback uniforms against the Jets.
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
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 game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh 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.
The Patriots Radio Network call is available on Sirius Channel 93, XM Channel 226 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.
The Jets Radio Network has Bob Wischusen calling play by play and former Jet Marty Lyons doing the color via their flagship station WEPN-FM, ESPN New York 98.7.
Their call is available on Sirius Channel 86 and on SiriusXM Internet Channel 821.
Dial Global Radio Sports will be broadcasting the game to their national affiliates. Kevin Kugler and Mark Malone will call the action.
Sports USA as well will carry the game to a national audience of its affiliates with Bob Fitzgerald and Ross Tucker calling 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, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Last Week
The Patriots lost in the last minute on the road to the Seahawks, 24-23. The Jets routed the Colts at home, 35-9.
History
- The Patriots lead the all-time series 53-52-1 including playoffs.
- The Patriots are 28-25-1 as the home team in the series.
- The lone tie in the series (24-24) came on October 2, 1966 when both clubs were part of the AFL.
- Since Gillette opened in 2002 New England is 8-4 (including playoffs) vs. the Jets at home.
- The Patriots swept the 2011 season series from the Jets winning Week 5 at Gillette, 30-21 and Week 10 at The Met 37-16.
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 417-368-9. They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances. Overall they are are 23-16 in the post season.
They last appeared in the playoffs in 2011 when they beat Denver 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.
Since the 2002 division realignment this is the first time Week 6 or later that all four teams in one division have been tied for 1st place.
The Patriots will wear their red throwback jerseys and Pat Patriots helmets this weekend against the Jets.
New England is 8-3 when wearing throwback uniforms.
Since 1999 the Patriots have the best record in the NFL at 150-64.
Since 2003 New England is 33-7 in October games.
Since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994 the Patriots are 24-14 vs. the Jets.
New England is 54-15 vs. the AFC East since 2001 in the regular season. In that time span they are 28-6 in division home games.
Since Gillete Stadium opened in 2002 the Patriots are 68-14 at home in the regular season.
An AFC East rival has not swept the Patriots in a season series since 2000 when Miami and New York swept them.
The Patriots have swept the Jets 14 times in the series the last time was in 2011.
The Patriots are 1st in the NFL in points per game with 31.3. While they allow 22.8 points per game good for 15th in the NFL.
The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 11 times this season, while their quarterbacks have been sacked 13 times.
New England is PLUS 10 in turnover differential tied for 1st in the NFL. The offense has given up 3 INT and 3 fumbles, while the defense has 6 INTs and 10 fumble recoveries.
The Patriots are 41 for 88 (46.6%) in 3rd down efficiency and 0 for 2 (0%) on fourth down attempts. Opponents are 32 for 76 (42.1%) in 3rd down efficiency and 3 for 7 (42.9%) on 4th down attempts.
New England is 16 of 29 (55.1%) in the red zone while opponents are 9 for 15 (60%) in the red zone in 2012.
In goal to go situations New England is 13 for 16 (81.3%) and opponents are 7 for 10 (70%).
Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:
- Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
- Have the most regular season wins, 196.
- Have the most wins including playoffs, 215.
- 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, .671.
- 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).
Patriots Staff Notes
This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Jets.
Bill Belichick is 18-10 vs. the Jets in his career. He is 17-9 against them as the head coach in New England and that includes two playoff games (1-1).
Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 178-100 in his 18th NFL season. He is 142-56 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 195-107.
Belichick’s 195 wins are good for 8th all-time.
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 is the former defensive coordinator for the Jets from 1997-99 under Bill Parcells. He was head coach for less than 24 hours before resigning to take the Patriots job.
Linebackers coach Pepper Johnson played for the Jets in 1997 and 1998.
Patriots Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Solder
- LG: D. Thomas
- C: Wendell
- RG: Connolly
- RT: Vollmer
- TE: Gronkowski
- WR: Branch
- WR: Lloyd
- WR: Welker
- QB: Brady
- RB: Woodhead
Defense:
- DE: Cunningham
- DT: Wilfork
- DT: Love
- DE: Jones
- LB: Mayo
- LB: Spikes
- LB: Ninkovich
- LCB: McCourty
- RCB: Arrington
- S: Dennard
- S: T. Wilson
Patriots Players Notes
This is Tom Brady’s 13th NFL season he is 16-5 vs. the Jets including 1-1 in the playoffs.
Against the Jets he has had a game passer rating of 100 or more 8 times. The highest rating is 148.8 from 2010.
He has also had 6 games with a completion percentage of 70% or better with the high being 78.6 in 2007.
Overall Brady is 127-38 as a starting QB and is 16-6 in the playoffs for an overall record of 143-44. Brady is a 7 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 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 310 TD passes in his career he is now 5th all-time. Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton is 4th with 342.
Brady has 127 career wins he is 5th all-time.
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.
Brady has thrown for at least 1 TD in 38 consecutive games.
The Patriots are 83-16 when Brady throws at least 2 TD passes in a game.
On the season Brady is 160 of 243 for 1845 yards with 10 TDs and 3 INTs his QB rating is 97.2.
Brady has 2 rushing TDs in 2012 with one more he will tie a career high.
WR Wes Welker now has catches in 107 consecutive games including playoffs, 90 as a Patriot. The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.
Welker has four straight 100-yard games tying a team record.
Welker leads the team with 48 catches for 622 yards.
TE Rob Gronkowski has 30 receiving touchdowns and 31 touchdowns overall (30 receiving and 1 rushing) since 2010. The NFL record for most receiving touchdowns in a player’s first three NFL seasons is 43 by Randy Moss and the NFL record for most touchdowns overall by a player in his first three NFL seasons is 47 by Barry Sanders (4 receiving and 43 rushing).
K Stephen Gostkowski has two field goals of 50 or more yards in 2012. With one more he will be the first Patriots kicker with three field goals of 50 or more yards in one season.
Gostkowski (7 for 10) needs one more field goal of 50 or more yards to tie Adam Vinatieri (8 for 17) for most in team history.
RB Stevan Ridley leads the team with 4 TD’s all of them rushing TDs.
DE Chandler Jones had his first two sack game of his NFL career last Sunday in Seattle.
Jones has three forced fumbles in 2012 the team record for most in one season is five by LB Mike Vrabel.
Rookie DE Chandler Jones leads the team with 5 sacks; the other DE Rob Ninkovich is second with 2.5 sacks.
Jones also leads the team with 10 QB hits.
Jones, Ninkovich and LB Brandon Spikes lead the team with 3 forced fumbles each.
CB Devin McCourty leads the team along with rookie S Tavon Wilson in INTs with 2 each.
McCourty also has team high 9 passes defensed in 2012. Wilson is 2nd with 4 passes defensed.
McCourty is a native of Montvale, N.J. and attended Rutgers University.
LB Jerod Mayo leads the team in tackles through 6 weeks with 72 (44 solo).
DT Vince Wilfork has 3 recovered fumbles.
WR Matthew Slater has a team high 7 tackles on special teams, CB Kyle Arrington and rookie S Nate Ebner are 2nd with 3 tackles each.
Arrington played football at Hofstra University.
S Steve Gregory was born in Brooklyn NY and was named Newsday and New York Daily News All-City WR at Curtis High School in Staten Island NY
DL Justin Francis played at Rutgers University
RB Danny Woodhead and CB Marquice Cole are former Jets.
There are only three players on the team who played on at least one of the Super Bowl championship teams, Brady (3), Branch (2) and Vince Wilfork (1).
Roster moves this week:
- None
On Wednesday the following players were on the injury list. RB Brandon Bolden (knee) and LB Tracy White (foot) did not practice. S Patrick Chung (shoulder); WR Julian Edelman (hand); S Steve Gregory (hip); TE Rob Gronkowski (hip); TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle); LB Dont’a Hightower (hamstring); G Logan Mankins (calf/hip); C/G Nick McDonald (shoulder); CB Sterling Moore (knee); T Sebastian Vollmer (back/knee) and WR Wes Welker (ankle) were limited in practice. DT Kyle Love (knee) had full participation in practice.
On Thursday the following players were on the injury list. . RB Brandon Bolden (knee); S Steve Gregory (hip); TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle); G Logan Mankins (calf/hip) and LB Tracy White (foot) did not practice. DL Ron Brace (Back); S Patrick Chung (shoulder); WR Julian Edelman (hand); TE Rob Gronkowski (hip); LB Dont’a Hightower (hamstring); C/G Nick McDonald (shoulder); CB Sterling Moore (knee); T Sebastian Vollmer (back/knee) and WR Wes Welker (ankle) were limited in practice. DT Kyle Love (knee) had full participation in practice.
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).
The Patriots have 5 New England natives on the roster they are: TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT); OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT); DE Ron Brace (Worcester MA); LB Niko Koutouvides (Plainville CT) and OL Jamey Richard (Weston CT – IR). They have 14 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); WR Deion Branch (Louisville); 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); OL Donald Thomas (UConn); OL Matt Tennant (Boston College); TE Alex Silvestro (Rutgers – Practice Squad); OL Jeremiah Warren (South Florida – Practice Squad) and NT Vince Wilfork (Miami).
The Patriots have 6 retired numbers: 20 – Gino Cappelletti, 40 – Mike Haynes, 73 – John Hannah, 78 – Bruce Armstrong, 79 – Jim Lee Hunt and 89 – Bob Dee.
Jets Team Notes
Here is the Jets roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
The Jets all-time record is 362-424-8 and they are 12-13 in the playoffs with their last playoff appearance coming in 2010. That season the Jets lost on the road to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game, after having beaten Indianapolis and New England on the road to get there.
The Jets last appeared in a Super Bowl following the 1968 season and defeated the Baltimore Colts 16-7 to win Super Bowl III. At that time was considered the biggest upset in sports history. They were the first AFL team to win the Super Bowl.
The Jets also won the 1968 AFL Championship when they beat the Oakland Raiders, 27-23 at Shea Stadium.
New York is 36-34 vs. the AFC East in the regular season since 2001.
New York has lost 13 of the last 20 meetings with New England including playoffs.
The Jets have swept the Patriots 14 times in the series the last time was in 2000.
The Jets are 4-8 all-time at Gillette Stadium. Overall as the road team in the series they are 25-28-1.
The New York defense has allowed opponents to convert 45.7% (37 of 81) of the time on 3rd down, while the offense has a 3rd down conversion rate of 39.0% (32 of 82). On 4th down the jets defense has allowed opponents to convert 100% (2 of 2) of the time, while the offense has a 4th down conversion rate of 100% (4 of 4).
The New York defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 9 times in 6 games. Their quarterbacks have been sacked 11 times.
The Jets are 20th in the NFL in points per game with 22.2. While they allow 23.5 points per game good for 19th in the NFL.
New York is PLUS 1 in turnover differential, 13th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 6 INT and 4 fumbles, while the defense has 7 INT and 4 fumble recoveries.
Jets Staff Notes
Read what New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan had to say to the New England media about the match up.
Ryan is 31-23 in his fourth season as a head coach. He is 4-2 in the playoffs for an overall record of 35-25.
He is 3-4 vs. New England in his career including playoffs.
Offensive coordinator Tony Sparano is a West Haven CT native. He played and coached at the University of New Haven. He also coached at Boston University.
Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Bill Hughan served as an assistant coach at Yale University in New Haven CT.
Offensive Line Coach Dave DeGuglielmo was born in Cambridge MA graduated from Lexington High School in 1986 and played at Boston University.
Defensive Quality Control Coach Brian Smith coached seven seasons at UMass.
Quarterbacks Coach Matt Cavanaugh was a second round draft pick of the Patriots in 1978 and played for New England for five years (1978-82).
Jets Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Ferguson
- LG: Slauson
- C: Schlauderaff
- RG: Moore
- RT: Howard
- TE: Cumberland
- WR: S. Hill
- WR: Kerley
- QB: Sanchez
- RB: Greene
- RB: Hilliard
Defense:
- DE: Wilkerson
- NT: Pouha
- DE: DeVito
- LB: Scott
- LB: McIntyre
- LB: Harris
- LB: Pace
- LCB: K. Wilson
- RCB: Cromartie
- S: Bell
- S: Bush
Jets Players Notes
Mark Sanchez is 30-23 as a starting QB and is 4-2 in the playoffs for an overall record of 34-25. Sanchez was the Jets 1st round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft out of Southern California.
He is 3-4 vs. the Patriots including 1-0 in the playoffs.
Sanchez was the 23rd best of the 30 starting quarterbacks rated by ESPN’s Ron Jaworski.
DE Mike DeVito is a native of Wellfleet MA and played college football at Maine.
OL Vladimir Ducasse was born in Haiti and moved to Stamford CT in 2002 and played high school football at Stamford High School. He went on to play football at UMass and was drafted in the 2nd round in 2010.
RB Lex Hilliard was with the Patriots earlier this season before being released.
On Wednesday the following players were on the injury list. DL Kenrick Ellis (knee); WR Clyde Gates (shoulder); C Nick Mangold (ankle); RB Joe McKnight (ankle); NT Sione Pouha (back); RB Bilal Powell (shoulder) and S Eric Smith (knee) did not practice. WR Steven Hill (hamstring); TE Dustin Keller (hamstring); LB Bart Scott (toe) and LB Bryan Thomas (hamstring) had limited participation. WR Jeremy Kerley (finger); S LaRon Landry (heel); OL Brandon Moore (hip); LB Calvin Pace (shoulder); QB Mark Sanchez (back) and G Matt Slauson (knee) had full participation in practice.
On Thursday the following players were on the injury list. DL Kenrick Ellis (knee); S LaRon Landry (heel); C Nick Mangold (ankle); RB Joe McKnight (ankle); RB Bilal Powell (shoulder) and S Eric Smith (knee) did not practice. WR Clyde Gates (shoulder); NT Sione Pouha (back); LB Bart Scott (toe) and LB Bryan Thomas (hamstring) had limited participation. WR Steven Hill (hamstring); TE Dustin Keller (hamstring); WR Jeremy Kerley (finger); OL Brandon Moore (hip); LB Calvin Pace (shoulder); QB Mark Sanchez (back) and G Matt Slauson (knee) had full participation in practice.
New York does not name team captains. They are appointed on a weekly basis prior to the game.
The Jets have 6 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member. They are DB Aaron Berry (Pittsburgh); OL Vladimir Ducasse (UMass); CB Darrelle Revis (Pittsburgh – IR); RB Bilal Powell (Louisville); DE Mike DeVito (Maine) and DE Muhammad Wilkerson (Temple).
New York has 3 retired numbers they are: 12 – Joe Namath, 13 – Don Maynard and 73 – Joe Klecko.
Next Week
The Patriots visit London England to face the St. Louis Rams next Sunday at Wembley Stadium. Kick off is at 1 p.m. on CBS.
Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII
The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington.
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