This Week:
The New England Patriots host the San Diego Chargers at Gillette Stadium on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. This is the 2011 Home Opener for the Patriots.
The Patriots (1-0) are 0-0 at The Razor, 0-0 against the AFC West and 1-0 in the AFC conference. The Chargers (1-0) are 0-0 on the road, 0-0 vs. the AFC East and 0-0 against the AFC conference.
The Line/Prediction
As of Thursday the line on the game from Yahoo! Sports has the Patriots plus 7. The over under is 54.
My Prediction is Patriots 36, Chargers 24. Give the points (Patriots) and take the over. I am 1-0 against the spread and 1 of 1 on calling the over/under in 2011.
Tickets
The Patriots are reporting the game as a sellout. It is the 184th consecutive sellout 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
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 717.
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 86, XM Channel 228 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 882.
The Chargers Radio Network has Josh Lewin calling the game while former Charger player and coach Hank Bauer provides the game analysis with Jim Laslavic doing the sideline reporting via their flagship KIOZ-FM. Their call is available on Sirius Channel 93 and on XM Channel Internet 886.
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 Saturday 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 team website in the media section.
To continue reading the San Diego Chargers @ New England Patriots preview, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Last Week
The Patriots beat the Dolphins on the road 38-24 behind Tom Brady’s career passing day; while the Chargers beat to the Vikings, 24-17 at home.
History
- This is the 39th meeting between the Patriots and the Chargers since they started to face each other as AFL foes in 1960.
- The Patriots lead the all-time series 21-15-2, which includes a 2-1 record vs. the Chargers in the post season.
- The Patriots 21-12 win in the 2007 playoffs gave them an 18-0 record.
- New England has dominated the series since the merger having won 14 of the last 18 meetings.
- The Patriots won the last meeting in 2010 in San Diego, 23-20 behind a very good defensive effort that caused four turnovers.
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 402-363-9. 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 team will give every fan attending the game a “MHK” lapel pin like the one worn by owner Robert Kraft on his jacket.
The Patriots have not lost a regular season game at Gillette Stadium since the 2008 season having won 17 consecutive regular season home games.
The Patriots are 9-0 in Gillette Stadium home openers.
The Patriots have been perfect at home five times in team history, all have occurred since 2003.
New England was the only undefeated team at home in the NFL last season.
Since 2002 when Gillette Stadium opened the Patriots are 67-14 at home.
The Patriots are 2-1 vs. San Diego at Gillette Stadium; they were 7-0 in Foxboro/Schaefer/Sullivan Stadium. They were 2-7-1 in the Boston venues.
The Patriots have hosted the Chargers in six different stadiums over the years. They are BU Field, Fenway Park, BC Alumni Stadium, Harvard Stadium, Foxboro Stadium (aka Schaefer/Sullivan Stadium) and Gillette Stadium
The Patriots are 15-11 vs. the AFC West including playoffs since 2000.
Since 2001, the Patriots are 22-10 in September that’s the second best record among all NFL teams.
The 622 total yards vs. Miami set a team record; the previous high was 619 yards vs. Tennessee in 2009.
The Patriots have scored 30 or more points in 9 consecutive regular season games.
New England is even in turnover differential. On defense they have 1 INT and 0 fumbles recovered, while offensively they have thrown 1 INT and have 0 fumbles lost.
Patriots Staff Notes
This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Chargers.
Bill Belichick coached teams are 6-5 vs. San Diego including a 2-0 playoff record. Belichick was 1-2 vs. the Chargers as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns with no playoff match ups.
Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 163-94 in 16 NFL seasons. He is 127-51 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 178-100.
Belichick’s 178 wins are good for 10th all-time. Bill Parcells is 9th with 183 wins.
He is a three-time winner of the NFL Coach of the Year Award.
Patriots Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Light
- LG: Mankins
- C: Connolly
- RG: Waters
- RT: Vollmer
- QB: Brady
- RB: Green-Ellis
- TE: Hernandez
- TE: R. Gronkowski
- WR: Welker
- WR: Branch
Defense:
- DE: Ellis
- DT: Wilfork
- DT: Haynesworth
- DE: Carter
- WLB; Mayo
- MLB: Guyton
- SLB: Ninkovich
- LCB: McCourty
- RCB: Dowling
- S: Chung
- S: Brown
Patriots Players Notes
This Tom Brady’s 12th NFL season he is 5-2 vs. the Chargers including 2-0 in the playoffs.
Overall Brady is 112-32 as a starting QB and is 14-5 in the playoffs for an overall record of 126-37. 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.
He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week, for his Week 1 performance vs. Miami. It is the 18th time he has won the award.
Brady has won 28 consecutive regular season games at home, a NFL record. His last regular season home loss was November 12, 2006 to the New York Jets.
Brady is 62-10 at home in the regular season in his career.
Brady has 265 TD passes in his career he is now 10th all-time. Joe Montana is 9th with 273.
Brady became the 18th NFL quarterback to surpass 35,000 career-passing yards. He has 35,261 yards, Jim Kelley is 17th at 35,467.
WR Wes Welker now has catches in 80 consecutive games, 66 as a Patriot. The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.
San Diego originally signed Welker as an undrafted free agent in 2004.
TE Aaron Hernandez had his second 100-yard game vs. Miami on Monday night when he had 7 catches for a career high 103 yards.
TE Rob and TE Dan Gronkowski became the 4th set of brothers to play for the Patriots in the same season. They join DE Whit and G Justin Canale (1968); WR Clarence and RB Robert Weathers (1983-84) and RB Chuck and CB Rod McSwain (1987).
The team signed former UConn OL Donald Thomas, who was a 2008 draft pick of the Miami Dolphins.
They also released LB Aaron Lavarias and OL Nick McDonald from the practice squad and re-signed TE Garrett Mills and OL Thomas Welch to take their spots.
The Patriots have three New England natives on the roster they are: TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT – Florida), OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT – UConn) and S James Ihedigbo (Northampton MA – UMass). They have 7 players who played for a New England school or a current or former Big East Conference member. They are: WR Deion Branch (Louisville); S James Ihedigbo (UMass); C Dan Koppen (Boston College); CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers); NT Vince Wilfork (Miami), OL Donald Thomas (UConn) and DE Mike Wright (Cincinnati).
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.
Chargers Team Notes
Here is the Chargers roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
2011 Chargers Schedule/Results
San Diego’s all-time record is 385-377-11 they are 10-16 in the post season with their last post season appearance coming in 2009 when they lost to New York in the AFC Division game. They last played for a conference championship in 2007 when they lost to New England in the AFC Title game, 21-12. They are 0-1 in Super Bowls, having lost to San Francisco (XXIX). The Chargers franchise started in 1960 in the AFL and they won one AFL Championship (1963) in five appearances.
When San Diego won the 1963 AFL Championship they beat the Boston Patriots 51-10 in the title game.
The Bolts have been eliminated by the Patriots in the playoffs twice in the last five seasons losing to New England in 2006 in the AFC Divisional Round and 2007 in the AFC Championship Game.
This is the second time that San Diego has been the opponent for a Patriots home opener at Gillette Stadium. They faced the Chargers in Week 2 (home opener) in 2007.
San Diego was also the opponent in the 1997 home opener at Foxboro Stadium.
The Chargers are 0-2 in Patriots home openers.
The Chargers are 8-11-1 vs. Patriots all-time on the road.
The Bolts have lost 4 of the last 5 games in the series.
Since 2001 against the AFC East, San Diego is 9-15 including playoffs.
Are the Bolts primed to make the playoffs this season after missing out in 2010?
The Chargers are one of only a few teams with a theme song.
San Diego has a turnover differential of minus 1. The offense has 2 INT’s and 0 fumbles lost, the defense has 1 INT and 0 fumbles recovered.
The Chargers, who have called Qualcomm Stadium home since 1967, are rumored to have a chance of relocating to a new stadium being built in Los Angeles. While their owner is trying to find a way to build a stadium to keep them in San Diego.
The Bolts have already played in Los Angeles, in the AFL inaugural season they were the LA Chargers.
Chargers Staff Notes
See what San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner had to say to the New England media about the match up.
Overall in his NFL career San Diego head coach Norv Turner is 100-105-1 in 13 NFL seasons. He is 42-23 in 5 seasons with San Diego, 49-59-1 in 7 years with Washington and 9-23 in two seasons with Oakland. He is 4-4 in the playoffs, 3-3 as the head coach of the Chargers in the postseason. When you combine the regular season and postseason records, Turner is 104-109-1.
Turner coached teams are 2-5 vs. New England.
A columnist for the LA Times has an interesting take on San Diego general manager A.J. Smith.
Smith is a native of Warwick RI and graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School.
Chargers Players Notes
San Diego QB Philip Rivers is 56-25 in his career and 3-4 in the post season for an overall record of 59-29. Rivers, out of North Carolina State, was the first round pick of the New York Giants in 2004 at #4 overall. He was then traded for the #1 pick Eli Manning.
Rivers is 1-4 vs. the Patriots with two of the losses coming in the playoffs.
Rivers, who is my prediction for the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2011, had a conference call on Wednesday with the Boston media.
San Diego has lost K Nate Kaeding for the year. He has a torn ACL suffered on the first play of the season when he tried to make a tackle on Percy Harvin during the game opening kickoff return last week against Minnesota.
They signed P Nick Novak to replace Kaeding on Tuesday.
DE Luis Castillo broke his leg in the game vs. the Vikings and will be out at least 8-10 weeks and possibly for the season.
Chargers stick to their plan of keeping their own by signing P Mike Scifres to a contract extension.
Chargers look to have a good 1-2 running punch as 2nd year RB Ryan Matthews ran for 73 yards and added 46 yards more in receptions in Week1 vs. Minnesota while RB Mike Tolbert scored all 3 San Diego TD’s vs. the Vikings in the 24-17 win.
The San Diego captains for 2011 are: Rivers, OL Nick Hardwick, LB Takeo Spikes, DB Eric Weddle and RB Jacob Hester.
Spikes had 11 tackles against Minnesota and looks like a solid free agent pick up for San Diego.
Losing a player like RB Darren Sproles is a way of life in the NFL.
San Diego drafted former UConn RB Jordan Todman in 6th round of the 2011 NFL Draft. In 2010 he was Big East Offensive Player of the Year, All Big East 1st Team, ESPN.com All-American, Rivals 1st Team All-American, Sporting News 1st Team All-American, AP 2nd Team All-American and Walter Camp 2nd Team All-American.
The Chargers have 6 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member. They are: DE Jacques Cesaire – Southern CT State; LB Stephen Cooper – Maine; DE Antonio Garay – Boston College; DB Steve Gregory – Syracuse; RB Jordan Todman – UConn and LS Mike Windt – Cincinnati.
San Diego also has three players who are New England natives. Cesaire is from Gardner MA; Cooper is from Wareham MA and Todman is from Chestnut Hill MA.
The Chargers have 2 retired numbers: 14 – Dan Fouts and 19 – Lance Alworth
Next Week
The Patriots visit their AFC East Rival Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park NY. The kickoff is at 1 p.m. on CBS.
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