This Week
The New England Patriots host the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium on Sunday at 4:15 p.m.
The Patriots (5-2) are 3-0 at The Razor, 1-0 against the NFC East and 1-0 vs. the NFC. The Giants (5-2) are 2-1 on the road, 2-0 vs. the AFC East and 2-0 against the AFC.
The Line/Prediction
As of Thursday the line on the game from Yahoo! Sports has the Patriots at minus 9. The over under is 51.
My Prediction is Patriots 35, Giants, 28 take the points (Giants) and take the over. I am 4-2-1 against the spread and 5 of 7 on calling the over/under in 2011.
Tickets
The Patriots are reporting the game as a sell out. It is the 187th 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
FOX is televising the game regionally and Joe Buck will do play by play while Troy Aikman will provide the game analysis and Pam Oliver will be the sideline reporter. 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 714.
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 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 94, XM Channel 227 and on SiriusXM Internet Channel 879.
The Giants Radio network has Bob Papa calling play by play and former Giant Carl Banks provides the color via their flagship station WFAN. Their call is available on Sirius Channel 86 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 881.
Sports USA Radio Network will also broadcast the game to its nationwide affiliates with Larry Kahn 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 the New York Giants @ New England Patriots preview, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Last Week
The Patriots lost to the Steelers on the road 25-17; while the Giants beat the Dolphins, 20-17 at home.
History
- The Patriots lead the all-time series 5-4 including playoffs.
- The Patriots are 2-2 as the home team in the series.
- The Patriots have won the last four regular season meetings between the teams.
- This is only the Giants 2nd appearance in Foxboro since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002.
- In Week 17 of the 2007 season the Patriots beat the Giants 38-35 at Giants Stadium to complete the first 16-0 season in NFL history.
- The two teams last met in Super Bowl XLII with the Giants defeating the Patriots, 17-14.
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 406-365-9. 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 have not lost a regular season meeting with the Giants since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994 (4-0).
New England is a NFL best 18-1 vs. the NFC at Gillette Stadium (since 2002). The lone loss is vs. Green Bay in 2002.
Since 2002 the Patriots are 8-1 vs. the NFC East in the regular season. The lone loss was at Washington in 2003.
The Patriots have not lost a regular season game at Gillette Stadium since the 2008 season having won 20 consecutive regular season home games.
Since 2002 when Gillette Stadium opened the Patriots are 70-14 at home the best mark in the NFL.
Since 2003 New England is 26-2 following a loss and have lost back-to-back games only twice; once in 2006 and once in 2009.
Patriots and their opponents have each scored 59 points in the 4th quarter.
The Patriots defense has allowed opponents to convert 46.1% of the time on 3rd down (30th), while the offense has a 3rd down conversion rate of 50.6% 4th best in the NFL.
The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 15 times in 7 games.
The Patriots are 5th in the NFL in points per game with 28.9. While they allow 22.9 points per game good for 17th in the NFL.
New England is now plus 2 in turnover differential, tied for 13th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 8 INT and 2 fumbles, while the defense has 9 INT and 3 fumble recoveries.
Patriots Staff Notes
This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Jets.
Bill Belichick is 2-3 vs. the Giants in his career. He is 2-1 against them as the head coach in New England and that includes one Super Bowl (0-1).
Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 167-96 in 16 NFL seasons. He is 129-53 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 182-102.
Belichick’s 182 wins are good for 10th all-time. Bill Parcells is 9th with 183 wins.
He was named NFL Coach of the Year for the 3rd time in 2010.
Patriots Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Light
- LG: Mankins
- C: Connolly
- RG: Waters
- RT: Vollmer
- QB: Brady
- RB: Green-Ellis
- TE: R. Gronkowski
- TE: Hernandez
- TE: D. Gronkowski
- WR: Branch
Defense:
- DE: Anderson
- DT: Wilfork
- DT: Love
- DE: Carter
- OLB: Mayo
- ILB: Spikes
- OLB: Ninkovich
- LCB: McCourty
- RCB: Arrington
- S: Chung
- S: Ihedigbo
Patriots Players Notes
This Tom Brady’s 12th NFL season he is 2-1 vs. the Giants including 0-1 in the playoffs.
Overall Brady is 116-33 as a starting QB and is 14-5 in the playoffs for an overall record of 130-38. 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 21st 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 18 TD’s and 8 INT’s while being sacked 14 times in 7 games.
Brady has 279 TD passes in his career he is now 8th all-time. Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas is 7th with 290.
With a win on Sunday Brady and Belichick will break the record they share with Dan Marino and Don Shula as the winningest quarterback-coach combination in the Super Bowl era with 116 wins.
WR Wes Welker now has catches in 89 consecutive games including playoffs, 72 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 4 INT’s in 2011, DT Vince Wilfork is 2nd with 2.
CB Devin McCourty leads the team in tackles with 52, S Patrick Chung is 2nd with 51.
DE Mark Anderson and DE Andre Carter lead the team with 4.5 sacks apiece. Anderson also leads the team with 6 quarterback hits while Carter has 5.
Anderson, Wilfork, Carter and LB Jerod Mayo have each forced a fumble this season while LB Rob Ninkovich, DL Kyle Love and DE Gerard Warren each have recovered a fumble.
WR Matthew Slater leads the team with 7 special teams tackles, LB Tracy White is 2nd with 6.
Carter had his second consecutive 2 sack games last week at Pittsburgh.
DE Ron Brace will more than likely be activated from the PUP list possibly as early as Friday.
DE Shaun Ellis suffered a rib injury Sunday against Pittsburgh and he may miss some time.
Players not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday due to injuries were: WR Wes Welker (neck – out Wednesday only) and LB Dane Fletcher (thumb). A few others saw limited action in practice they were: Ellis (ribs); TE Aaron Hernandez (knee); S Josh Barrett (thumb); RB Kevin Faulk (knee); RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe); LB Jerod Mayo (back) and T Sebastian Vollmer (back).
It appears that most of the limited players, as well as Welker, are just precautionary measures as they have all come back from injuries in the last few weeks.
It looks like Ellis may not play as of Thursday so there will be some juggling on the defensive line. Brace, if activated from PUP as anticipated, will see some time and may possibly start, if not, Mark Anderson is a candidate for his first start of the year.
On Thursday the team released S Ross Ventrone, again. According to the Patriots this is the 3rd time he has been released just this season. Since April 2010 when he originally signed with the team he has been involved in 17 roster transactions and has been released 7 times. It’s obvious that the staff likes what he brings to keep bringing him back. Expect him to be back on the practice squad after he clears waivers.
WR Julian Edelman was arrested on Tuesday morning for indecent assault and battery; he pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. He did practice during the week but there was no comment from the team either on the charges or how it will effect his playing time. Last Sunday at Pittsburgh, Edelman was a healthy scratch.
There are only eight players on the Patriots roster that played in Super Bowl XLII vs. the Giants in February 2008. They are: C Dan Koppen; WR Wes Welker; K Stephen Gostkowski; G Logan Mankins; DT Vince Wilfork; T Matt Light; QB Tom Brady and RB Kevin Faulk.
The Patriots have four New England natives on the roster they are: 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.
Giants Team Notes
Here is the Giants roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
The Giants all-time record is 641-526-33 and they are 20-24 in the playoffs with their last playoff appearance coming in 2008. That season the Giants lost to Philadelphia in the NFC Divisional round, 23-11. The Giants last appeared in a Super Bowl following the 2007 season and defeated the previously undefeated New England Patriots, 17-14 to win Super Bowl XLII. It is considered one the biggest upset in sports history. The Giants have won three Super Bowls (XXI, XV, XLII) in four appearances and have also won 4 NFL Championships (1927, 1934, 1938, 1956) prior to the Super Bowl era.
New York is one of three NFL teams with at least 600 wins as a franchise.
The Giants have a new alternate throwback uniform for 2011. It replaces the red alternate jersey they wore between 2004 and 2007.
The Giants have a huge New England following due to the fact that they were the closest pro football team to the region prior to the formation of the AFL in 1960 and the birth of the Patriots franchise.
The Giants can’t live in the shadow of 2007.
The Giants defense has allowed opponents to convert 34.7% of the time on 3rd down (9th), while the offense has a 3rd down conversion rate of 34.8% 20th best in the NFL.
The New York defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 26 times in 7 games that is the most in the NFL.
The Giants are 10th in the NFL in points per game with 24.9. While they allow 24.3 points per game good for 21st in the NFL.
New York is now plus 5 in turnover differential, tied for 6th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 5 INT and 4 fumbles, while the defense has 8 INT and 6 fumble recoveries.
Giants Staff Notes
Hear what New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin had to say to the New England media about the match up.
Tom Coughlin is 138-109 in his 16th season as a head coach. He is 70-49 in 8 seasons with the Giants and was 68-60 in 8 years with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is 8-7 in the playoffs with one Super Bowl victory for an overall record of 146-116.
Coughlin coached teams are 2-4 vs. New England including 1-1 in the post season.
Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride is from New Haven, CT and secondary coach Peter Giunta is a Salem, MA native.
Giants Players Notes
Eli Manning is 65-45 as a starting QB and is 4-3 in the playoffs for an overall record of 69-48. Manning was the Number 1 overall pick by the San Diego Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft out of Mississippi. He was then traded to New York for QB Philip Rivers and additional draft picks.
Manning is 1-1 vs. the Patriots in his career including the Super Bowl.
Manning was the MVP of Super Bowl XLII.
Eli and his brother, Peyton of the Indianapolis Colts, are the only brother QB’s to lead their teams to Super Bowl wins. They are also the only brothers to both win the Super Bowl MVP Award.
Manning’s father is the legendary New Orleans Saints QB, Archie Manning.
Reportedly spurned prior to warm ups at the Super Bowl, Manning deserves Tom Brady’s respect.
Manning will start his 111th game in a row, tying the fourth longest streak in NFL history with Brady, who streak ran from September 30, 2001 until the 2nd Week of the 2008 season when Matt Cassel started in place of the injured Brady.
CB Corey Webster has the task of covering New England WR Wes Welker on Sunday.
New York RB Ahmed Bradshaw has a broken bone in his foot but is expected to play Sunday.
The New York captains for 2011 are: Manning, DE Justin Tuck and LB Zak DeOssie.
The Giants have two New England natives on the roster they are: LB Zak DeOssie (North Andover MA) and LB Jonathan Goff (Peabody MA). They have nine players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member. They are: WR Victor Cruz (UMass); OT Will Beatty (UConn); RB Henry Hynoski (Pitt); LB Mathias Kiwanuka (Boston College); DE Jason Pierre-Paul (USF); G Chris Snee (Boston College); LB Zak DeOssie (Brown) LB Jacquian Williams (USF) and LB Mark Herzlich (Boston College).
The Giants have 7 retired numbers: 1 – Ray Flaherty; 4 – Tuffy Leemans; 7 – Mel Hein; 11 – Phil Simms; 14 – Y.A. Tittle; 16 – Frank Gifford; 32 – Al Blozis; 40 – Joe Morrison; 42 – Charlie Conerly; 50 – Ken Strong and 56 – Lawrence Taylor.
Next Week
The Patriots visit the New York Jets next Sunday at the Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford NJ. Kick off is at 8:20 p.m. on NBC.
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