This Week

The New England Patriots visit the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA on Sunday at 4 p.m.

The Patriots		–	The Seahawks
Overall	3-2		Overall	3-2
Road record	2-1		Home record	2-0
NFC West	0-1		AFC East	0-0
NFC	0-1		AFC	0-0

Clete Blakeman 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 MINUS 3 1/2.  The over under is 44 1/2.

My Prediction is Patriots 24, Seahawks, 17. Give the points (Patriots) and take the under.  I am 2-3 against the spread and 3 of 5 on calling the over/under in 2012.

Tickets

The Seahawks are reporting the game as a sell out. It is their 80th consecutive sellout.

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 the great Northwest make sure you check out the links.

The Seahawks are retiring Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy’s number at half time.

Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for the Seattle WA.

Click for all the game day information including stadium directions and parking information, parking map and a CenturyLink 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, Ian Eagle will do play by play while Hall of Fame QB Dan Fouts will provide the game analysis.  You can look here for your local affiliate.

See if you’re getting the game courtesy of J.P. Kirby at the506.com.

The DirecTV designation is Channel 712.

Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules; flex scheduling and commercial breaks.

Radio

The Patriots Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBZ-FM, 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston. Gil Santos handles the play-by-play and former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will do the game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh with the pregame show at 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 91 and on SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.

The Seahawks Radio network has Steve Raible calling play by play and Hall of Fame QB Warren Moon doing the color with Jen Mueller on the sidelines via their flagship stations 710 ESPN Seattle and KIRO FM 97.3.

Their call is available on Sirius Channel 139, XM Channel 231 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 826.

Sports USA will carry the game to a national audience of its affiliates with Larry Kahn and John Robinson 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 the New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks Week 6 preview, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Last Week

The Patriots held off the Broncos at Gillette Stadium 31-21.  The Seahawks beat the Panthers in Carolina, 16-12.

History

• The Patriots lead the all-time series 8-7.
• The Seahawks are 2-4 as the home team in the series.
• This is the second meeting between the two teams at the CenturyLink Field which opened in 2002.
• The Patriots have won the last two games in the series after a five game losing streak.
• The two teams last met in 2008 in Seattle, a 24-21 Patriots victory.

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 417-367-9.  They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances.  Overall they are 23-16 in the post season.

They last appeared in the playoffs in 2011 when they beat Denver home in the AFC Divisional Playoff, 45-10 and defeated Baltimore 23-20 in Foxboro in the AFC Championship Game.  They lost Super Bowl XLVI to the New York Giants 21-17.

The Patriots were 13-3 (2-1 in playoffs) in 2011 and are the defending two-time AFC East Champions as well as the defending AFC Conference Champions.  They have won the division 8 times and the conference 5 times since 2000.

The Patriots are 4-2 as the road team in the series, 3-2 at the Kingdome and 1-0 at CenturyLink Field.

The Seahawks are the only non-divisional team that the Patriots have played twice in the regular season in the same year. That scheduling oddity took place during the 1993 season, the only year in which the league’s 16-game schedule was played over an 18-week span and each team was allotted two bye weeks.

New England is 33-6 in October since 2003.

Since 1999 the Patriots have the best record in the NFL at 150-63.

The Patriots have had two straight games with 200 yards or more rushing. If they reach 200 yards rushing at Seattle it will be the first time they have had a stretch of three straight games with 200 yards rushing since having a stretch of four straight 200-yard games in 1978.

The Patriots have scored seven rushing touchdowns in the last two weeks.  It’s the first time since 1978 that the Patriots have had as many as seven rushing touchdowns in a two-game span. New England had eight rushing scores in a two-game span in 1978 when it scored four times on the ground on both Oct. 22, 1978 vs. Miami and on Oct. 29, 1978 vs. the New York Jets.

New England is the first team since the merger in 1970 with three consecutive weeks of 30 or more first downs.

The Patriots are 1st in the NFL in points per game with 33.0.  While they allow 22.6 points per game good for 17th in the NFL.

The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 9 times this season, while their quarterbacks have been sacked 12 times.

New England is PLUS 10 in turnover differential tied for 1st in the NFL. The offense has given up 1 INT and 3 fumbles, while the defense has 6 INTs and 8 fumble recoveries.

The Patriots are 33 for 70 (47.1%) in 3rd down efficiency and 0 for 1 (0%) on fourth down attempts.  Opponents are 28 for 64 (43.8%) in 3rd down efficiency and 2 for 5 (40%) on 4th down attempts.

New England is 15 of 23 (65.2%) in the red zone while opponents are 7 for 12 (58.3%) in the red zone in 2012.

In goal to go situations New England is 12 for 15 (80%) 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 coached teams are 3-1 vs. Seattle, he is 2-0 against the Seahawks with New England.

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 178-99 in his 18th NFL season.  He is 142-55 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 195-106.

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 5-4 in West Coast games as the Patriots head coach.

Patriots Possible Starters

Offense:

• LT: Solder
• LG: D. Thomas
• C: Wendell
• RG: Connolly
• RT: Cannon
• TE: Gronkowski
• WR: D. Branch
• WR: Lloyd
• WR: Welker
• QB: Brady
• RB: Ridley

Defense:

• DE: Ninkovich
• DT: Wilfork
• DT: Love
• DE: Jones
• LB: Mayo
• LB: Spikes
• LB: Carpenter
• LCB: McCourty
• RCB: Arrington
• S: Chung
• S: T. Wilson

Patriots Players Notes

This Tom Brady’s 13th NFL season he is 1-0 vs. the Seahawks.

This is his first ever game in Seattle.  When the Patriots visited the Seahawks in 2008 Brady was on IR with a torn ACL.

Overall Brady is 127-37 as a starting QB and is 16-6 in the playoffs for an overall record of 143-43.  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 21^st 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 308 TD passes in his career he is now 5th all-time.

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 at least 1 TD pass in 37 consecutive games.

The Patriots are 83-15 when Brady throws at least 2 TD passes in a game.

On the season Brady is 124 of 185 for 1450 yards with 8 TDs and 1 INT his QB rating is 102.8.  Anything above 100 is considered exceptional.

WR Wes Welker now has catches in 106 consecutive games including playoffs, 89 as a Patriot.  The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.

Welker has three straight 100-yard games and can tie a team mark if he reaches 100-yards receiving at Seattle.

Welker leads the team with 38 catches for 484 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).

WR Brandon Lloyd has played 8 games vs. Seattle he has 30 catches for 496 yards and 3 TD’s.

CB Devin McCourty leads the team along with rookie S Tavon Wilson in INTs with 2 each.

McCourty also has team high 8 passes defensed in 2012. Wilson is 2nd with 3 passes defensed.

LB Jerod Mayo leads the team in tackles through five weeks with 64 (42 solo).

Rookie DE Chandler Jones leads the team with 3 sacks; the other DE Rob Ninkovich is second with 2.5 sacks.

Jones also leads the team with 7 QB hits.

Ninkovich and LB Brandon Spikes lead the team with 3 forced fumbles each.

DT Vince Wilfork has 3 recovered fumbles.

WR Matthew Slater has a team high 5 tackles on special teams, rookie S Nate Ebner is 2nd with 3 tackles.

WR Deion Branch, LB Niko Koutouvides and LB Tracy White are former Seahawks.

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:

• Announced the retirement of RB Kevin Faulk

On Wednesday the following players were on the injury list.  WR Julian Edelman (hand); S Steve Gregory (hip); TE Michael Hoomanawanui (concussion) and LB Tracy White (foot) did not practice.  RB Brandon Bolden (knee); QB Tom Brady (shoulder); DE Brandon Deaderick (ankle); DT Justin Francis (ankle); 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); RB Shane Vereen (foot); 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. S Steve Gregory (hip); TE Michael Hoomanawanui (concussion) and LB Tracy White (foot) did not practice. WR Julian Edelman (hand); RB Brandon Bolden (knee); DE Brandon Deaderick (ankle); DT Justin Francis (ankle); 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); RB Shane Vereen (foot); 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); 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.

Seahawks Team Notes

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

2012 Seahawks Schedule/Results

The Seahawks all-time record is 272-297-0 and they are 8-11 in the playoffs with their last playoff appearance coming in 2010. That season the Seahawks beat the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card game at home but lost on the road to the Chicago Bears in the NFC Divisional game.

The Seahawks appeared in one Super Bowl (XL) losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-10.

The Seahawks were the only team to under major uniform changes with the NFL change over to NIKE as the uniform provider.  The major changes are:

• Colors: Wolf Grey, College Navy, Action Green
• Modified color scheme mirrors the Pacific Northwest wilderness; blue waters, snow-capped mountains, green lush landscape
• Jersey incorporates graphics inspired by northwest coastal Indian art
• Broad chest graphic outlining the shoulders echoes the stance of a Thunderbird Totem. The Seahawks mark above the heart honors the team.
• Feather-pattern graphic on helmet, in numbers and on pants represents natural elements of the Pacific Northwest, again inspired by the coastal Indian art
• The 12 feathers on the pant leg stripe represent the 12th Man. They have been in the stands for decades, now on the field as well.
• 12 feathers are also featured on each side of the neckline and the 12th Man logo is sewn on the inside back collar of the jersey.
• *The Seahawks logo on helmet is bigger and bolder, connecting at a point in the back of the helmet.

The Seahawks are the only remaining NFL team to never have worn their white jerseys for a home game.

Since 2002 Seattle has allowed the 5th fewest points at home in the NFL.

The Seahawks have the 7th best home record in the NFL since 2002 they are 58-30 including post season.  The Patriots have the best home record in that span they are 77-16.

Seattle is the home team for the just the third time in the last 10 meetings with New England.

This is the start of 3 games in 15 days for the Seahawks.  They play again on a short week when they travel to San Francisco on Thursday.

The Seahawks have never shut out the Patriots, while New England has turned the trick twice in 1977 and 1982.

Each home game the Seattle Seahawks have a former player or local celebrity or sports personality raise the 12th man flag in the south endzone. The 12th man flag will be raised this week by former Seattle All-Pro tackle Walter Jones.

The Seahawks opponents at home have committed the most false start penalties in the NFL since 2005 with 112.  Most of that is attributed to crowd noise made by the Seattle fans.

Seattle has the third youngest roster in the NFL the average age is 26 years, 103 days.

The Seattle defense has not allowed a TD since Week 3 vs. Green Bay.

The Seahawks defense ranks first in the NFL in yards per game (258.6); yards per play (4.4); pass yards per play (6.0) and points allowed by a defensive unit (54).

Overall based on points allowed as a team (70) they are the second rated defense in the NFL.

The Seahawks defense has allowed opponents to convert 38.7% (24 of 62) of the time on 3^rd down, while the offense has a 3^rd down conversion rate of 32.8% (21 of 64).  On 4th down they are 3 of 7 (42.9%) while opponents have converted 1 of 2 950%).

The Seattle defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 16 times in 5 games.  Their quarterbacks have been sacked 10 times.

The Seahawks are 28th in the NFL in points per game with 17.2.  While they allow 14 points per game good for 2nd in the NFL.

Seattle is MINUS 1 in turnover differential, tied for 17th best in the NFL.  The offense has given up 6 INT and 2 fumbles, while the defense has 3 INT and 4 fumble recoveries.

Seahawks Staff Notes

Read what Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll had to say to the New England media about the match up.

Pete Carroll in his 6th season as a NFL head coach is 50-51.  He is 17-20 in his third season as a head coach with the Seahawks, he was 6-10 with the New York Jets and 27-21 in 3 seasons with New England.  He is 2-3 in the playoffs (1-1 with Seattle; 1-2 with New England) for an overall record of 52-54.

He is 1-1 vs. New England in his career all with New York.

Carroll served as the Patriots Head Coach from 1997-99. He led the Patriots to an AFC East title in his first year as head coach and a wild card berth the following year.

Seahawks Offensive Coordinator Darrel Bevell coached wide receivers at UConn from 1998-99.

Quarterbacks Coach Carl Smith spent time in New England and served as the Assistant Head Coach and Quarterbacks Coach in 1997 and the Tight Ends Coach from 1998-99.

Seahawks Possible Starters

Offense:

• LT: Okung
• LG: J. Carpenter
• C: Jeanpierre
• RG: Paul McQuistan
• RT: Giacomini
• TE: Miller
• TE: Moore
• WR: Rice
• WR: Tate
• QB: R. Wilson
• RB: Lynch

Defense:

• DE: Bryant
• DT: A. Branch
• DT: Mebane
• DE: Clemons
• LB: Hill
• LB: Wagner
• LB: Wright
• LCB: Sherman
• RCB: Browner
• S: Chancellor
• S: E. Thomas

Seahawks Players Notes

Rookie Russell Wilson was named the Seahawks starter before the last preseason game and he is 3-2 in his first year.  Wilson was Seattle’s third round pick last April out of Wisconsin via Maryland.

Wilson is the shortest starting QB in the NFL at 5’11”.

He was the 6th rookie QB drafted in the 3rd round or later to start Week 1 since 1970 and the first since 2005 when Kyle Orton started for Chicago.

Wilson has struggled some in his rookie season he is just 79 for 125 for 815 yards with 5 TDs and 6 INTs and a QB rating of just 75.3.  Anything below 80 is considered subpar, above 80 is average, 90 is good, and 100+ is exceptional.

RB Marshawn Lynch has run for 508 yards on 113 carries (4.5 ypc).  He leads the NFC in rushing yards and is 3rd in the NFL.

WR Sidney Rice leads the team with 17 catches for 199 yards.

DE Chris Clemons leads the Seahawks in sacks with 5.5.  Since 2010 he is 6th in the NFL with 27.5 sacks.

He also leads the squad with 9 QB hits.

LB Brandon Browner leads the Seahawks with 2 forced fumbles.

LB Richard Sherman leads Seattle with 2 INTs and 7 passes defensed.

RB/KR Leon Washington has the second most kickoff returns for TD’s in NFL history with 7.  Josh Cribbs is the all-time leader with 8.

Rookie DE Bruce Irvin leads all NFL rookies in sacks with 4.5.

G John Moffitt is a native of Guilford CT and attended Notre Dame High School in West Haven CT.

T Breno Giacomini is a native of Malden MA and was a three-year starter at Malden High School.

K Steven Hauschka is a native of Needham MA and attended Middlebury College in Middlebury VT.

Only CB Marcus Trufant and LB Leroy Hill remain from the Super Bowl XL team.

G Paul McQuistan’s twin brother, Pat was just released by Arizona last week.  They were one of three sets of twins in the NFL this season along with Devin (New England) and Jason McCourty (Tennessee) and Mike (Pittsburgh) and Markice Pouncey (Miami).

The following players were listed on the injury report Wednesday.  G John Moffitt (knee) is out.  DT Jaye Howard (foot); DT Clinton McDonald (groin) and C Max Unger (hip) did not practice.  RB Marshawn Lynch (back) was limited in practice.

The following players were listed on the injury report Thursday. G John Moffitt (knee) is out.  DT Jaye Howard (foot); DT Clinton McDonald (groin) and C Max Unger (hip) did not practice.  RB Marshawn Lynch (back) had full participation in practice.

Seattle’s captains for 2012 are C Max Unger; DE Red Bryant; LB Heath Farwell (special teams) and RB Michael Robinson (special teams).

The Seahawks have 3 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member. They are K Steven Hauschka (Middlebury); T Breno Giacomini (Louisville) and DE Greg Scruggs (Louisville).

Seattle has 3 retired numbers they are: 12 – Fans (12th Man); 71 – Walter Jones; 80 – Steve Largent.

Next Week

The Patriots will host the New York Jets next Sunday at Gillette Stadium.  Kick off is at 4:15 p.m. on CBS.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII