NEW ENGLAND (0-0) vs. WASHINGTON (0-0)
Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Gillette Stadium (65,878)
After reporting to training camp on July 25, the New England Patriots will open the preseason at home against Washington on Thursday, Aug. 9, at Gillette Stadium.
New England and Washington will square off for the 22nd time in the preseason, with the Patriots holding a 13-8 edge. The Patriots 13 preseason victories over Washington are their highest total over any preseason opponent. Washington defeated New England, 23-6, in their most recent meeting (Aug. 7, 2014) at FedEx Field. Overall, Washington owns a 6-4 record in regular-season play over the Patriots. The two teams most recently met at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 8, 2015, when New England scored a 27-10 victory.
SERIES HISTORY
New England and the Washington will meet for the 22nd time in the preseason, with New England holding a 13-8 advantage in the previous 21 contests. The only other teams the Patriots have played more in the preseason is the New York Giants with 27 and the Philadelphia Eagles with 22 preseason meetings.
The Patriots 13 preseason victories over Washingtonare their highest total over any preseason opponent.
The Patriots and Washington last played in the preseason in the first game of the 2014 preseason when Washington prevailed with a 23-6 win in Washington. This week's game will be Washington's second visit to Gillette stadium for a preseason game. New England beat Washington, 41-0, in a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on August 26, 2006.
The Patriots and Washington have met in the regular season 10 times with the Washington holding a 6-4 advantage. The Patriots beat Washington, 27-10, at
Gillette Stadium in the last regular-season meeting on Nov. 8, 2015.
TALE OF THE TAPE
| 2017 Regular Season | New England | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 13-3 | 7-9 |
| Divisional Standings | 1st | 3rd |
| Total Yards Gained | 6,307 | 5,199 |
| Total Offense (Rank) | 394.2 (1) | 324.9 (16) |
| Rush Offense | 118.1 (10) | 90.5 (28) |
| Pass Offense | 276.1 (2) | 234.4 (12) |
| Points Per Game | 28.6 (2) | 21.4 (16) |
| Total Yards Allowed | 5,856 | 5,566 |
| Total Defense | 366.0 (29) | 347.9 (21) |
| Rush Defense | 114.8.1 (20) | 134.1 (32) |
| Pass Defense | 251.3 (30) | 213.8 (9) |
| Points Allowed/Game | 18.5 (5) | 24.3 (27t) |
| Possession Avg. | 30:37 | 29:40 |
| Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost | 35/201 | 41/342 |
| Sacks Made/Yards | 42/299 | 42/272 |
| Passing TD/Int (off.) | 32/8 | 27/13 |
| Passing TD/Int (def.) | 24/12 | 23/16 |
| Total Touchdowns | 49 | 39 |
| Penalties Against/Yards | 95/835 | 92/732 |
| Punts/Avg. | 58/43.4 | 83/45.7 |
| Field Goals Made/Att. | 37/40 | 24/28 |
| Takeaway/Giveaway Ratio | +6 (11) | -4 (23t) |
FREQUENT OPPONENT
The Patriots and Washington will meet for the 22nd time in the preseason to match the Philadelphia Eagles (22) for the second-most frequent preseason opponent, behind the 27 meetings between the Patriots and New York Giants.
PRESEASON HISTORY
The Patriots are 53-45 (.541) in the preseason since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994. Prior to 1994, the Patriots were 60-96-1 (.385) in the preseason. New England enters this week's game with an all-time preseason mark of 113-141-1 (.445).
BELICHICK IN THE PRESEASON
Bill Belichick has compiled an overall record of 50-43 (.538) in the preseason, including a 39-34 (.534) mark as Patriots head coach.
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. Bob Socci provides play-by-play and is joined by former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak in the broadcast booth. Former Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich will provide sideline analysis along with WBZ-TV's Steve Burton. Patriots Football Weekly's beat writers Paul Perillo and Andy Hart will also provide insight and analysis.
PATRIOTS PRESEASON TELEVISION NETWORK
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 Dan Roche will call the action along with former Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham, who will provide color analysis. The games are produced by Marc Cappello.
