This Week
The New England Patriots host the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. This is the Patriots home opener.
| The Cardinals | =—- | The Patriots | ||
| Overall | 1-0 | Overall | 1-0 | |
| Road record | 0-0 | Home record | 0-0 | |
| AFC East | 0-0 | NFC West | 0-0 | |
| AFC | 0-0 | NFC | 0-0 | |
The Line/Prediction
As of Thursday the line on the game from Bovada.net on Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at MINUS 14. The OVER/UNDER is 48.
My prediction is Patriots 35, Cardinals, 10. Give the points (Patriots) and take the under. I am 1-0 against the spread and 0 of 1 on calling the over/under in 2012.
Tickets
The Patriots are reporting the game as a sell out. It is the 196th 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.
The Patriots are holding a kids book drive for charity on Sunday. New books will be collected at the gates as fans enter Gillette Stadium or at the Pro Shop.
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
FOX is televising the game regionally and Dick Stockton will do play by play while John Lynch will provide the game analysis and Jennifer Hale covers the sidelines. 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 706.
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 10 a.m. along the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.
The Patriots radio network call is available on Sirius Channel 91; XM Channel 228 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.
The Cardinals Radio Network has Dave Pasch calling the game while Ron Wolfley and Paul Calvisi provide the game analysis via their flagship station of KMVP-FM.
Their call is available on Sirius Channel 125 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 800.
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 Arizona Cardinals @ New England Patriots preview, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Last Week
The Patriots went on the road and pounded the Titans, 34-13. The Cardinals opened the season at home and stunned the Seahawks, 20-16.
History
- This is the 13th meeting between the Patriots and the Cardinals and the 8th since the franchise relocated from St. Louis to Arizona for the 1988 season.
- The overall series is tied between the teams at 6-6.
- The Patriots have won the last 5 meetings. It is their longest current winning streak against any team.
- New England is 4-3 vs. the Arizona/Phoenix Cardinals and was 2-3 when the team was in St. Louis.
- The Patriots won the last meeting between the teams at Gillette Stadium in Week 15 of 2008, 47-7.
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 415-365-9. They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances. Overall they are 23-16 in the post season.
They last appeared in the playoffs in 2011 when they beat Denver 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.
New England is 3-1 vs. Cardinals at home, 2-0 since they moved to Arizona and 1-0 at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots have won 15 of their last 17 home openers.
New England is 10-0 in Gillette Stadium home openers.
This is the fifth time the Patriots have opened at home against an NFC opponent.
- 1978 vs. Washington
- 1986 vs. Green Bay
- 1996 vs. Arizona
- 2000 vs. Tampa Bay
This is only the 5th game of the 13 in the series to be played in Foxboro.
The Patriots are 6th in the NFL in points per game with 34. While they allow 13 points per game good for 3rd in the NFL.
The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 2 times this season, while their quarterbacks have been sacked once.
They have the longest current streak in the NFL for most consecutive games with 2+ sacks with 9.
New England is PLUS 2 in turnover differential. The offense gave up 0 INT and 0 fumble, while the defense had 1 INT and 1 fumble recovery.
The Patriots are 6 for 12 (50%) in 3rd down efficiency and 0 for 0 on fourth down attempts. Opponents are 5 for 14 (35.7%) in 3rd down efficiency and 1 for 2 (50%) on 4th down attempts.
New England is 2 of 4 (50%) in the red zone while opponents are 0 for 2 (0%) in the red zone in 2012.
In goal to go situations New England is 2 for 3 (67%) and opponents are 0 for 1 (0%).
Saturday the Patriots will have their Hall of Fame ceremony. Inducted into the Hall at Patriot Place as the Class of 2012 will be WR Troy Brown who is the 19th member of the Hall spoke to the media on Thursday.
New England is 23-9 in September since 2002.
The Patriots are 67-13 at home in the regular season since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002.
Against the NFC the Patriots are 18-2 at home since 2002.
Since 1999 the Patriots have the best record in the NFL at 148-61.
Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:
- Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
- Have the most regular season wins, 194.
- Have the most wins including playoffs, 213.
- Have the best wining percentage including playoffs, .670.
- 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 Cardinals.
Bill Belichick is 3-0 vs. the Cardinals in his career. He is 2-0 against them as the head coach in New England.
Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 176-97 in his 18th NFL season. He is 140-53 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland. He is 17-7 in the playoffs, 16-6 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season. When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 193-104.
Belichick’s 193 wins are good for a tie for 8th all-time with Chuck Knox, who coached the Rams, Bills and Seahawks.
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.
Patriots Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Solder
- LG: Mankins
- C: Wendell
- RG: Thomas
- RT: Vollmer
- TE: Gronkowski
- TE: Hernandez
- WR: Lloyd
- WR: Welker
- QB: Brady
- RB: Ridley
Defense:
- DE: Ninkovich
- DT: Wilfork
- DT: Love
- DE: Jones
- LB: Mayo
- LB: Spikes
- LB: Hightower
- LCB: McCourty
- RCB: Dowling
- S: Chung
- S: Gregory
Patriots Players Notes
This is Tom Brady’s 13th NFL season he is 1-0 against Arizona in his career.
Overall Brady is 125-35 as a starting QB and is 16-6 in the playoffs for an overall record of 141-41. Brady is a 7 time Pro Bowl QB; 3 time All-Pro selection; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP. He is also listed as the 21st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.
He was ranked in the preseason by ESPN’s Ron Jaworski as the 3rd best quarterback in the NFL.
Brady has 302 TD passes in his career he is now 5th all-time. Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton is 4th with 342.
Brady has 125 career wins he is 5th all-time. Peyton Manning is 4th with 141.
Brady finished the 2011 season with 5,235 passing yards and joined Drew Brees (5,476 in 2011 and 5,069 in 2008), Dan Marino (5,084 in 1984) and Matthew Stafford (5,038 in 2011) as the only players in NFL history to reach 5,000 passing yards in a single season.
He is just the 14th quarterback to reach the 40,000 passing yard mark for his career, with 40,215. He needs 25 passing yards to pass Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas for 13th all-time (40,239).
Brady has thrown at least 1 TD pass in 33 consecutive games.
The Patriots are 82-15 when Brady throws at least 2 TD passes in a game.
Brady has 34 game winning drives with team trailing or tied in the fourth quarter or OT.
WR Wes Welker now has catches in 103 consecutive games including playoffs, 86 as a Patriot. The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.
Welker is tied with Troy Brown as the team’s all-time leader in receptions.
Welker joined Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison as the only players in NFL history with four 100+ catch seasons.
Welker has two of the Top 4 seasons for most catches in a season with 123 in 2009 and 122 in 2011.
He has led the team in receptions for 5 consecutive seasons.
TE Rob Gronkowski has back-to-back 10+ TD reception seasons. With another in 2012 he will be the first TE in NFL history to have done it three seasons in a row,
Gronkowski needs one more TD catch to break the tie with Russ Francis for 2nd most TD catches (28) by a tight end in franchise history. Ben Coates holds the record with 50.
Linebacker Jerod Mayo led the team in tackles in Week 1 he had 13 in all (9 solo). Devin McCourty had 7 tackles (5 solo); while Dont’a Hightower and Chandler Jones each had 5 tackles apiece.
New England’s interception leader after Week 1 is the rookie safety Tavon Wilson with one.
The team leaders in sacks with one each are Jermaine Cunningham and Jones.
The Patriots had 5 tackles for loss in Sunday’s game, one each by Hightower, Jones, Ras-I Dowling, Cunningham and Vince Wilfork.
Wilson and McCourty lead the team in passes defensed with 2 each while 3 players registered a quarterback hit they were Cunningham, Wilfork and Trevor Scott.
The Patriots had 4 special teams tackles and rookie S Nate Ebner had 2 of them.
There are only two players on the team who played on at least one of the Super Bowl championship teams, Brady (3) and Vince Wilfork (1).
Roster moves this week:
- Signed S Cyhl Quarles to the practice squad
- Released TE Alex Silvestro from the practice squad
On Wednesday the following players were on the injury list. C/G Dan Connolly (concussion) did not practice. CB Alfonzo Dennard (hamstring); TE Daniel Fells (shin); C/G Nick McDonald (shoulder); CB Sterling Moore (knee); RB Shane Vereen (foot) and T Sebastian Vollmer (back) had limited participation. S Patrick Chung (shoulder) had full participation.
On Thursday the following players were on the injury list. C/G Dan Connolly (concussion); CB Alfonzo Dennard (hamstring); TE Daniel Fells (shin); C/G Nick McDonald (shoulder); CB Sterling Moore (knee); RB Shane Vereen (foot) and T Sebastian Vollmer (back) had limited participation. S Patrick Chung (shoulder) had full participation.
The Patriots captains for 2012 are QB Tom Brady, DT Vince Wilfork, G Logan Mankins, LB Jerod Mayo, CB Devin McCourty and WR Matthew Slater (special teams). They are the same 6 players that were selected last season as well.
The Patriots have four New England natives on the roster they are: TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT); OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT); DE Ron Brace (Worcester MA) and OL Jamey Richard (Weston CT – IR). They have 10 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member. They are CB Will Allen (Syracuse – IR); DE Ron Brace (Boston College); RB James Develin (Brown – Practice Squad); RB Tony Fiametta (Syracuse – Exempt List); DE Justin Francis (Rutgers); S Stephen Gregory (Syracuse); DE Chandler Jones (Syracuse); CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers); OL Donald Thomas (UConn); and NT Vince Wilfork (Miami).
The Patriots have 7 retired numbers: 20 – Gino Cappelletti, 40 – Mike Haynes, 73 – John Hannah, 78 – Bruce Armstrong, 79 – Jim Lee Hunt and 89 – Bob Dee.
Cardinals Team Notes
Here is the Cardinals roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
2012 Cardinals Schedule/Results
Arizona’s all-time record is 497-699-39 they are 6-7 in the post season with their last post season appearance coming in 2009 when they beat Green Bay in the NFC Wild Card Game. They then lost to New Orleans in the NFC Division Game.
They have never won a Super Bowl in one appearance (XLIII) losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Cardinals are one of the NFL’s oldest teams having been founded in 1920 as the Chicago Cardinals.
This is Arizona’s second time playing at Gillette Stadium; their other Foxboro appearances were at Foxboro Stadium.
Cardinals set a single season NFL record with 4 OT wins in 2011.
Arizona has won 8 of the last 10 games they’ve played the second best mark in the NFL in that span behind only New England’s 9-1.
Last week the Cardinals won their 3rd consecutive season opener.
The Cards have defeated a rookie QB making his first NFL start in each of their last three season openers. Last week it was Seattle’s Russell Wilson, the team’s third round pick (75th overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft. Each of the previous two years, the Cards defeated Heisman Trophy winners who were the top overall pick in the NFL Draft in Cam Newton (2011) and Sam Bradford (2010).
The Cardinals have led the NFL in blocked field goals the last three seasons and had the only blocked FGA in the NFL in Week 1.
Arizona last beat New England on September 29 1991 at Arizona, 24-10. They have not won a road game in the series since 1984.
The Cardinals are 21st in the NFL in points per game with 20. While they allow 16 points per game good for 7th in the NFL.
The Cardinals have sacked the quarterback 3 times in 1 game, while their quarterbacks have been sacked once.
The have the 2nd longest current streak in the NFL for most consecutive games with 2+ sacks with 7.
Arizona is EVEN in turnover differential. The offense gave up 1 INT and 1 fumble, while the defense had 1 INT and 1 fumble recovery.
The Cardinals are 3 for 10 (30%) in 3rd down efficiency and 0 for 0 on fourth down attempts. Opponents are 5 for 16 (31.3%) in 3rd down efficiency and 0 for 1 (0%) on fourth down attempts in 2012.
Arizona is 2 of 4 (50%) in the red zone this season while their opponents are 1 for 4 (25%) in the red zone.
Cardinals Staff Notes
Read what Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt had to say to the New England media about the match up.
Whisenhunt is in his 6th season with the team, he is 41-40 since taking over and is 4-2 in the playoffs for an overall record of 45-42.
He is 0-1 vs. New England in his career.
He is the franchise’s career leader in head coaching victories.
He has won two NFC West Division titles and one NFC Conference Championship (2008) as the head coach of the Cardinals.
Special Teams Coach Kevin Spencer attended Springfield College from 1972-75 and played football and lacrosse for the Pride. Spencer served as the head football coach at Wesleyan University from 1987-91.
Cardinals Director, Player Personnel Jason Licht worked for the Patriots from 1999-02 and again from 2009-11. He is the Patriots former director of pro personnel.
Cardinals Football Operations Coordinator Matt Caracciolo spent the past seven years working for the Patriots. He spent six years as the Patriots director of football operations.
Cardinals Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Batiste
- LG: Colledge
- C: Sendlein
- RG: Snyder
- RT: Massie
- TE: King
- WR: Fitzgerald
- WR: Roberts
- QB: Kolb
- RB: Sherman
- RB: Wells
Defense:
- DE: Campbell
- NT: D. Williams
- DE: Duckett
- LOLB: Westerman
- ILB: Washington
- ILB: Lenon
- ROLB: Acho
- LCB: Peterson
- RCB: Gay
- S: Wilson
- S: Rhodes
Cardinals Players Notes
Arizona Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb is 6-11 in his career with Philadelphia and Arizona in 6 seasons. He has no playoff starts.
Kolb was a 2nd round draft pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of the University of Houston by the Philadelphia Eagles.
He has never faced New England in his career.
He was ranked in the preseason by ESPN’s Ron Jaworski as the 25th best quarterback in the NFL.
Kolb lost the starting job in training camp to John Skelton but he got hurt in Week 1 against Seattle and Kolb relieved him. Kolb will start in his place until Skelton is cleared to return to play.
T Bobbie Massie became the first Cardinals rookie offensive lineman to start on opening day since Levi Brown started in the same spot during the 2007 opener at San Francisco.
When DE Calais Campbell blocked Seattle’s 50-yard FGA in Week 1 it marked Arizona’s first blocked FGA of the season and 13th block dating back to 2008, an NFL-high.
It was Campbell’s sixth blocked FGA of his career. He tied Seattle’s Red Bryant for the NFL lead with three blocked FGAs in 2011.
CB Patrick Peterson tied the NFL single-season record for punt return TDs in 2011 when he scored four times.
Linebacker Daryl Washington led the team in tackles on Sunday he had 10 in all (10 solo). CB William Gay had 7 tackles (7 solo); while Paris Lenon had 6 tackles (5 solo).
Arizona’s interception leader after Week 1 is safety Adrian Wilson with one.
The team leader in sacks with two is Lenon, while Washington had one.
Michael Adams leads the team in passes defensed with 3 while Darnell Dockett and David Carter each had two QB hits.
The Cardinals had 3 players who each had 2 special teams tackles.
Arizona’s team captains for 2012 are WR Larry Fitzgerald, C Lyle Sendlein, LB Paris Lenon, S Adrian Wilson, LB Reggie Walker (special teams) and RB Anthony Sherman (special teams).
Arizona has two former Patriots players on their roster S James Sanders and C/G Rich Ohrnberger.
Cardinals RB Anthony Sherman is a native of North Attleboro MA.
On Wednesday the following players were on the injury list. QB John Skelton (ankle) did not practice. CB Jamell Flemming (shoulder); LB O’Brien Schofield (knee) and S Adrian Wilson (ankle) were limited in the participation. G Adam Snyder (elbow); CB Greg Toler (hip) and RB Beanie Wells (knee) had full participation.
On Thursday the following players were on the injury list. QB John Skelton (ankle) did not particpate. CB Jamell Flemming (shoulder); LB O’Brien Schofield (knee); S Rashad Johnson (thigh); CB Patrick Peterson (groin) and S Adrian Wilson (ankle) were limited in the participation. G Daryn Colledge (elbow); K Jay Feely (back); TE Jeff King (knee); S Kerry Rhodes (foot); C Lyle Sendlein (back); RB Ryan Williams (elbow); G Adam Snyder (elbow); CB Greg Toler (hip) and RB Beanie Wells (knee) had full participation.
There are 7 players on the Arizona roster from Big East Universities and New England based colleges. They are C Ryan Bartholomew (Syracuse- IR); WR Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh); CB William Gay (Louisville); S Kerry Rhodes (Louisville); RB Anthony Sherman (UConn); RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (Pittsburgh) and LB Jamaal Westerman (Rutgers).
The Cardinals have retired 5 numbers: 8 – Larry Wilson; 40 – Pat Tillman; 77 – Stan Mauldin; 88 – J.V. Cain; 99 – Marshall Goldberg
Next Game
The Patriots visit the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore MD. Kick off is at 8:20 p.m. on NBC.
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