NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-0) at CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-1)
Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, 7:30 p.m. ET. Bank of America Stadium (73,778)
PATRIOTS: Download Game Release | Roster| Depth Chart | Watch Games
PANTHERS: Roster| Depth Chart
After opening the preseason at home for the first two weeks, the Patriots will close out the 2016 preseason on the road for the final two weeks, starting with a visit to the defending NFC Champion Carolina Panthers. It will be the third straight year the two teams will be meeting in the preseason.
The Patriots are off to a 2-0 start and will be looking to begin the preseason with a 3-0 record for the first time since finishing the preseason a perfect 4-0 in 2003.
The Patriots will close out the preseason on Thu., Sept. 1 when they travel to play the New York Giants.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TELEVISION:This week's game will be broadcast by the Patriots Preseason Television Network and can be seen in every New England state, as well as Alaska and Hawaii. The preseason network's flagship station is WBZ-TV CBS in Boston. WBZ-TV's Dan Roche provides play-by-play and is joined by former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria in the broadcast booth. Former Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham will provide sideline analysis along with WBZ-TV's Steve Burton. *Patriots Football Weekly's *beatwriters Paul Perillo and Andy Hart will also provide insight and analysis.
Massachusetts
Boston, Mass. WBZ-TV Ch. 4
Springfield, Mass. WWLP-TV Ch. 22
Connecticut
Hartford, Conn. WTNH-TV Ch. 8
Maine
Portland, Maine WMTW-TV Ch. 8
Bangor, Maine WVII-TV Ch. 7
New Hampshire
Manchester, N.H. WMUR-TV Ch. 9
Rhode Island
Providence, R.I. WPRI-TV Ch. 12
Vermont
Burlington, Vt. WCAX-TV Ch. 3
Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska KYUR-TV Ch. 13
Fairbanks, Alaska KATN-TV Ch. 2
Juneau, Alaska KJUD-TV Ch. 8
Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii KFVE-TV Ch. 5
RADIO: 98.5 FM, The Sports Hub, is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. A complete listing of the network's 40 stations can be found here. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. The games are produced by Marc Cappello.
Check out a selection of the best images from the Patriots preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Friday, August 28, 2015.
A New England Patriots fan holds a sign supporting Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots players warm up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, left, talks with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, before an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) looks to hand the ball off against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) is tackled by New England Patriots' Patrick Chung (23) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Scott Simonson (80) is tackled by New England Patriots' Jerod Mayo (51) and Jamie Collins (91) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sidelines during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) scrambles as Carolina Panthers' Kony Ealy (94) pursues during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' James Develin (46) runs as Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Brandon Bolden (38) carries as Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) hands the ball off to Brandon Bolden (38) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Scott Chandler catches a pass as Carolina Panthers' Bene' Benwikere (25) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Scott Chandler (88) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Scott Chandler (88) catches a touchdown pass as Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, talks to an official during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches the action against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo (10) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Dion Lewis (33) carries as Carolina Panthers' Melvin White (23) defends during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera, left, greets New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. The Patriots won 17-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New England Patriots' Stephen Gostkowski (3) kicks a field goal against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. The Patriots won 17-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Joe Webb (14) scrambles against the New England Patriots during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. The Patriots won 17-16. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo (10) scrambles past Carolina Panthers' Jason Trusnik (93) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. The Patriots won 17-16. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton, right, hugs New England Patriots' Dont'a Hightower, left, after a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. The Patriots won 17-16. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New England Patriots' Daxton Swanson, front, defends a pass to Carolina Panthers' Corey Brown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. The pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
SERIES HISTORY
The New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers will meet for the third consecutive season in the preseason and for the ninth time in the preseason overall, when the Patriots travel to Carolina this week. In 2014, the Patriots hosted the Panthers at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 22 and pulled out a 30-7 victory. Last season, the Patriots traveled to Carolina on Aug. 28 and pulled out a 17-16 preseason victory.
The teams last played in the regular season on November 18, 2013. It was a competitive Monday Night Football contest when a Tom Brady pass to TE Rob Gronkowski fell incomplete on the last play of the game to give Carolina a 24-20 win at Bank of America Stadium.
New England leads the preseason matchups with a 6-2 advantage in the eight preseason games.
Carolina holds the edge in the regular season with a 3-2 margin.
The Patriots and Panthers met in Super Bowl XXXVIII on Feb. 2, 2004. The Patriots-Panthers Super Bowl is widely believed to be among the most entertaining Super Bowls ever played, as the Panthers took a fourth-quarter lead only to see the Patriots came up with a game-winning field goal in the final seconds to clinch the see-saw battle.
SERIES RESULTS
- Overall Record (including playoffs): 3-3
- Record in Foxborough: 1-1
- Record in Charlotte: 1-2
- Record in Houston: 1-0
- Total Points in the Series: Patriots 144, Panthers 116
- Patriots' Largest Margin of Victory: 32 points (01/06/02)
- Patriots' Largest Margin of Defeat: 10 points (09/18/05)
- Highest Combined Point Total: 61 points (02/01/04)
- Lowest Combined Point Total: 37 points (10/29/95)
- Games Decided by Seven or Fewer Points: 3
- Games Decided by 21 or More Points: 1
- Current Win Streak: Panthers, one game
TALE OF THE TAPE
| **2015 Regular Season** | **New England** | **Carolina** |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 12-4 | 15-1 |
| Divisional Standings | 1st | 1st |
| Total Yards Gained | 5,991 | 5,871 |
| Total Offense (Rank) | 374.4 (6) | 366.9 (11) |
| Rush Offense | 87.8 (30) | 142.6 (2) |
| Pass Offense | 286.7 (5) | 224.3 (24) |
| Points Per Game | 29.0 (3) | 31.3 (23) |
| Touchdowns Scored | 52 | 59 |
| Third Down Conversion Pct. | 40.9 | 42.4 |
| Team Passer Rating | 101.9 | 99.2 |
| Total Yards Allowed | 5,431 | 5,167 |
| Total Defense (Rank) | 339.4 (9) | 322.9 (6) |
| Rush Defense | 98.8 (9) | 88.4 (4) |
| Pass Defense | 240.7 (17) | 234.5 (11) |
| Points Allowed/Game | 19.7 (10) | 19.3 (6) |
| Touchdowns Allowed | 36 | 35 |
| Third Down Defense (Pct.) | 37.3 | 37.9 |
| Field Goals Made/Attempted | 33/36 | 30/36 |
| Possession Avg. | 30:08 | 31:44 |
| Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost | 38/225 | 33/284 |
| Sacks Made/Yards | 49/358 | 44/302 |
| Passing TD/Int. (Off.) | 36/7 | 35/10 |
| Passing TD/Int. (Def.) | 24/12 | 21/24 |
| Penalties Against/Yards | 96/859 | 103/887 |
| Punts/Avg. | 74/45.4 | 70/45.4 |
| Takeaway/Giveaway Ratio | +7 (5t) | +20 (1) |
