This Week
The New England Patriots visit their AFC East Rival New York Jets at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford NJ on Thanksgiving Night at 8:20 p.m.
| The Patriots | —- | The Jets | ||
| Overall | 7-3 | Overall | 4-6 | |
| Road record | 3-2 | Home record | 2-3 | |
| AFC East | 3-0 | AFC East | 2-2 | |
| AFC | 6-1 | AFC | 3-4 | |
Mike Carey is the referee assigned to the game.
The Line/Prediction
As of Tuesday the line on the game from 5dimes.eu via Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at minus 7. The over under is 48.
My Prediction is Patriots 31, Jets, 21. Give the points (Patriots) and take the over. I am 2-8 against the spread and 7 of 10 on calling the over/under in 2012.
Tickets
The Jets 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 the Meadowlands make sure you check out the links.
Lifelong Jets fan Lenny Kravitz will be performing at halftime.
Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Met Life Stadium.
Click for all the game day information including stadium directions and parking information, parking map and a Met Life 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
NBC in televising the game nationally and Al Michaels will do play by play while Cris Collinsworth will provide the game analysis. You can look here for your local affiliate.
Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules, flex scheduling and commercial breaks.
The game will also be broadcast in Spanish via Deportes Telemundo.
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 5 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 92, XM Channel 225 and on 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 93, XM Channel 226 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 821.
Dial Global Radio Sports will be broadcasting the game to their national affiliates. Ian Eagle, Boomer Esiason and Laura Okmin will call the action.
Their call is available on Sirius Channel 88, XM Channel 88 and SiriusXM Internet 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.
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Last Week
Patriots routed the Colts 59-24 at Foxboro. The Jets whipped the Rams, 27-13 in St. Louis.
History
- This is the 108th meeting between the teams.
- The Patriots lead the all-time series 54-52-1 including playoffs.
- The Jets are 27-25 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.
- The home team has won 7 of the last 8 regular season meetings between the teams.
- The two teams last met in Week 7 at Foxboro with the Patriots winning, 29-26 in OT.
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 421-368-9. 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.
This is the Patriots 5th Thanksgiving game in franchise history, the first at night.
New England is 2-2 on Thanksgiving games. The lost in Dallas in 1984; lost to Detroit in 2000 and then beat the Lions in 2002 and 2010.
Since 2001 the Patriots are 69-16 in games played on Thanksgiving or later.
Since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994 the Patriots are 25-14 vs. the Jets.
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.
New England is 56-15 vs. the AFC East since 2001 in the regular season.
The Patriots have lost 3 games this season by a combined total of 4 points.
New England leads the NFL in points per game, yards per game and turnover differential but is last in 3rd down defense.
The Patriots are 1st in the NFL in points per game with 35.8. While they allow 22.5 points per game good for a tie for 16th in the NFL.
The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 21 times this season while their quarterbacks have been sacked 15 times.
New England is PLUS 20 in turnover differential. The offense has given up 3 INT and 4 fumbles, while the defense has 13 INTs and 14 fumble recoveries.
The Patriots are 72 for 141 (51.1%) in 3rd down efficiency and 1 for 3 (33.3%) on fourth down attempts. Opponents are 58 for 126 (46%) in 3rd down efficiency and 5 for 11 (45.5%) on 4th down attempts.
New England is 32 of 49 (65.3%) in the red zone while opponents are 17 for 27 (63%) in the red zone in 2012.
In goal to go situations New England is 24 for 29 (82.8%) and opponents are 12 for 15 (80%).
Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:
- Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
- Have the most regular season wins, 199.
- Have the most wins including playoffs, 218.
- 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
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is 19-10 vs. the Jets in his career. He is 18-9 against them as the head coach in New England and that includes two playoff games (1-1).
Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 182-100 in his 18th NFL season. He is 146-56 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 199-107.
Belichick’s 199 wins are good for 8th all-time. Former Broncos, Giants and Falcons head coach Dan Reeves is 7th with 201 wins.
With one more win he will become the 8th coach in NFL history with 200 victories.
Belichick is 2-1 as a head coach in Thanksgiving games.
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 was a Jet in 1997 and 1998.
Safeties coach Brian Flores is a Brooklyn NY native.
Coaching assistant Steven Belichick attended Rutgers where he played lacrosse for four years and was the long snapper on the football team his senior year.
Patriots Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Solder
- LG: D. Thomas
- C: Wendell
- RG: McDonald
- RT: Vollmer
- TE: Shiancoe
- WR: Edelman
- WR: Lloyd
- WR: Welker
- QB: Brady
- RB: Ridley
Defense:
- DE: Cunningham
- DT: Wilfork
- DT: Love
- DE: Ninkovich
- LB: Mayo
- LB: Spikes
- LB: Hightower
- LCB: Talib
- RCB: Arrington
- S: Gregory
- S: McCourty
Patriots Players Notes
This Tom Brady’s 13th NFL season he is 17-5 vs. the Jets including 1-1 in the playoffs. Brady made his NFL debut on Thanksgiving in 2000 in a 34-9 loss to Detroit.
Overall Brady is 131-38 as a starting QB and is 16-6 in the playoffs for an overall record of 147-44. 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 321 TD passes in his career he is now 5th all-time. Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton is 4th with 342.
Brady has 131 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 42 consecutive games.
The Patriots are 87-16 when Brady throws at least 2 TD passes in a game.
Brady has 51 games in his career with 300 or more passing yards he is tied for 6th all-time with Hall of Fame QB Dan Fouts. Kurt Warner is in 5th place with 52 games.
He (42,955) needs 85 passing yards to move past Dan Fouts (43,040) into 10th place all time.
Brady (2,976) needs 24 passing yards for his 10th 3,000-yard season.
On the season Brady is 256 of 393 (64.8%) for 2976 yards with 21 TDs and 3 INTs his QB rating is 102.6.
WR Wes Welker now has catches in 111 consecutive games including playoffs, 94 as a Patriot. The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.
Welker leads the team with 73 catches for 890 yards.
TE Rob Gronkowski has 37 receiving touchdowns and 38 touchdowns overall (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).
He leads the team with 10 TDs, RB Stevan Ridley is 2nd with 7 TDs.
After having surgery on his broken left forearm on Monday. Gronkowski is expected to miss at least a month.
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.
Rookie DE Chandler Jones and DE Rob Ninkovich lead the team with 6 sacks.
With one more sack Ninkovich will have a new career high for sacks.
Patriots rookie record for sacks is held by Garin Veris who had 10.5 in 1985.
Jones also leads the team with 11 QB hits.
Ninkovich leads the team in forced fumbles with 5 while Jones, LB Jerod Mayo and LB Brandon Spikes have 3 forced fumbles each.
Ninkovich tied Mike Vrabel for the team record of 5 forced fumbles in one season.
Mayo leads the team in tackles through 10 weeks with 126 (70 solo).
He is the first player in franchise history to register 100 tackles in each of his first 5 seasons. He is the 4th Patriots player to log 5 consecutive seasons with 100 or more tackles.
Rookie S Tavon Wilson leads the team in INTs with 4. He now has more INTs in his rookie NFL season than he did in his college career at Illinois.
McCourty also has team high 10 passes defensed in 2012. Wilson is 2nd with 6 passes defensed.
DT Vince Wilfork has 3 recovered fumbles.
Rookie S Nate Ebner and WR Matthew Slater have a team high 10 tackles on special teams.
RB Danny Woodhead and CB Marquis Cole are former Jets returning to the Meadowlands.
S Steve Gregory was born in Brooklyn NY and played his football on Staten Island at Curtis High School.
CB Kyle Arrington went to Hofstra University.
S Devin McCourty grew up in Montvale NJ and went to Rutgers.
DL Justin Francis attended Rutgers.
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:
- Signed CB Malcolm Williams to the practice squad.
- Signed WR Kamar Aiken to the practice squad.
On Monday the team submitted following players for the injury list as if they had a practice. TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm/hip); G Logan Mankins (ankle/calf); and DE Chander Jones (ankle) did not practice. DT Ron Brace (back); S Patrick Chung (shoulder); G Dan Connolly (back); S Steve Gregory (hip); TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle); LB Dont’a Hightower (hamstring); WR Brandon Lloyd (knee); G Nick McDonald (shoulder); DE Trevor Scott (hamstring); LB Brandon Spikes (knee); T Sebastian Vollmer (back/knee); LB Tracy White (foot) and WR Wes Welker (ankle) had limited participation. WR Julian Edelman (hand); DT Kyle Love (knee) and LB Jerod Mayo (elbow) had full participation in practice.
On Tuesday the following players were on the injury list after a walk through. TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm/hip); G Logan Mankins (ankle/calf); and DE Chander Jones (ankle) did not practice. DT Ron Brace (back); S Patrick Chung (shoulder); G Dan Connolly (back); S Steve Gregory (hip); TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle); LB Dont’a Hightower (hamstring); WR Brandon Lloyd (knee); G Nick McDonald (shoulder); DE Trevor Scott (hamstring); LB Brandon Spikes (knee); T Sebastian Vollmer (back/knee); LB Tracy White (foot) and WR Wes Welker (ankle) had limited participation. WR Julian Edelman (hand); DT Kyle Love (knee) and LB Jerod Mayo (elbow) 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 12 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 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 363-427-8 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 has lost 14 of the last 21 meetings with New England including playoffs.
The Jets have lost the last four regular season meetings between the teams.
The Jets have swept the Patriots 14 times in the series the last time was in 2000.
The Jets are 1-1 vs. New England at Met Life Stadium, overall they are 27-25 as the home team all-time in the series.
New York is 36-34 vs. the AFC East in the regualr season since 2001.
The New York defense has allowed opponents to convert 42.9% (60 of 140) of the time on 3rd down, while the offense has a 3rd down conversion rate of 38.6% (54 of 140). On 4th down the jets defense has allowed opponents to convert 75% (6 of 8) of the time, while the offense has a 4th down conversion rate of 67% (6 of 9).
The New York defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 17 times, while their quarterbacks have been sacked 25 times in 10 games.
The Jets are 23rd in the NFL in points per game with 20.2. While they allow 24.1 points per game good for 21st in the NFL.
New York is PLUS 1 in turnover differential, 13th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 9 INT and 8 fumbles, while the defense has 8 INT and 10 fumble recoveries.
Jets Staff Notes
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan is 32-26 in his fourth season as a head coach. He is 4-2 in the playoffs for an overall record of 36-28.
He is 3-5 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).
General Manager Mike Tannenbaum hails from Needham MA and attended the University of Massachusetts.
Assistant General Manager Scott Cohen attended the University of Massachusetts.
Jets Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Ferguson
- LG: Slauson
- C: Mangold
- RG: Moore
- RT: Howard
- TE: Cumberland
- WR: Schilens
- WR: Gates
- QB: Sanchez
- RB: Greene
- RB: Hilliard
Defense:
- DE: Wilkerson
- NT: Pouha
- DE: DeVito
- LB: B. Thomas
- LB: B. Scott
- LB: Harris
- LB: Pace
- LCB: K. Wilson
- RCB: Cromartie
- S: Bell
- S: Landry
Jets Players Notes
Mark Sanchez is 31-26 as a starting QB and is 4-2 in the playoffs for an overall record of 35-28. Sanchez was the Jets 1st round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft out of Southern California.
He is 3-5 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.
Sanchez has fumbled in 4 of his last 6 games. The 4 fumbles have led to 17 opposition points and the ending of an overtime game in a loss to New England.
On the season Sanchez is 168 of 314 (53.5%) for 2038 yards with 11 TDs and 9 INTs his QB rating is 73.4.
RB Shonn Greene leads the Jets in rushing with 631 yards on 172 carries.
He also has 5 TD’s to lead the team.
WR Jeremy Kerley has 38 catches for 578 yards to lead New York in receiving.
WR Stephen Hill has the most receiving TD’s with 3.
LB David Harris has 75 tackles (49 solo) to lead New York.
S LaRon Landry and DE Muhammad Wilkerson share the team lead with 3 forced fumbles each.
LB Bryan Thomas has 2.5 sacks to lead the Jets.
CB Antonio Cromartie leads the team in INTs with 3 on the season.
DE Mike DeVito is a native of Wellfleet MA.
Practice Squad RB John Griffin is from Westminster MA.
OL Vladimir Ducasse was born in Haiti and moved to Stamford CT in 2002 and played high school football at Stamford High School.
RB Lex Hilliard was with the Patriots earlier this season before being released.
On Monday the following players were on the injury list after the Jets had a walk through. WR Jason Hill (low back) did not practice. DB Aaron Berry (quad); DL Kenrick Ellis (knee); WR Jeremy Kerley (heel/hamstring); RB Joe McKight (ankle); DL Sione Pouha (low back) and LB Bart Scott (toe) had limited participation. TE Jeff Cumberland (wrist); DL Mike DeVito (finger); WR Clyde Gates (shoulder); WR Steven Hill (ankle); DB LaRon Landry (heel); C Nick Mangold (thumb); OL Brandon Moore (hip/foot); LB Calvin Pace (shoulder); RB Bilal Powell (shoulder); QB Mark Sanchez (low back); OL Matt Slauson (knee) and QB Tim Tebow (ribs) had full participation.
On Tuesday the following players were on the injury list. WR Jason Hill (low back) did not practice. DB Aaron Berry (quad); DL Kenrick Ellis (knee); WR Jeremy Kerley (heel/hamstring); RB Joe McKight (ankle); DL Sione Pouha (low back) and LB Bart Scott (toe) had limited participation. TE Jeff Cumberland (wrist); DL Mike DeVito (finger); WR Clyde Gates (shoulder); WR Steven Hill (ankle); DB LaRon Landry (heel); C Nick Mangold (thumb); OL Brandon Moore (hip/foot); LB Calvin Pace (shoulder); RB Bilal Powell (shoulder); QB Mark Sanchez (low back); OL Matt Slauson (knee) and QB Tim Tebow (ribs) had full participation.
New York does not name team captains. They are appointed on a weekly basis prior to the game.
The Jets have 8 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) DB Donnie Fletcher (Boston College – practice squad); RB John Griffin (UMass – practice squad) 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 vist the Miami Dolphins on Sunday December 2nd at Sun Life Stadium in Miami FL. Kick off is at 1 p.m. on CBS.
Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII
