The Patriots have totaled a 76-109-1 (.411) preseason record, including last week's 31-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Patriots have finished four of the past six preseasons above .500, totaling a 14-12 mark (.538).
Bill Belichick's Patriots are 2-2 through their first four games of the 2000 preseason. His overall preseason record is 11-9 (.550). His best preseason came in 1994 when the Browns finished 3-1. The Browns went on to finish the season 11-5, their best record under Belichick.
This is the 15th preseason that the Patriots will play in five or more games. The last occurrence was in 1998 and they finished 3-2. In fact, the last five times the Patriots played in five or more games during the preseason, they finished at or above .500. Also, in the last four regular seasons, following a five-game preseason, they finished above .500. (see below)
| **YEAR** | **PRE** | **REG** | **FINISH** |
| 2000 | 2-1 | ? | ? |
| 1998 | 3-2 | 9-7 | 4th in AFC East - Wild Card |
| 1986 | 4-1 | 11-5 | 1st in AFC East - Divisional Playoffs |
| 1977 | 5-1 | 9-5 | 3rd in AFC East |
| 1976 | 3-3 | 11-3 | 2nd in AFC East – Divisional Playoffs |
This weekend against the Panthers, the Patriots will extend their consecutive home sell out streak to 63 games. The streak, which dates back to the 1994 season opener, includes preseason, postseason and regular season games.
The Patriots have a 22-10 (.696) record at Foxboro Stadium over the past four seasons, including a 4-3 record in the preseason. In 1999, the Patriots finished 1-1 in the preseason and 5-3 during the regular season.
Over the past seven seasons the Patriots have scored a 10-5 (.666) record at home in the preseason, including undefeated campaigns in 1994, '96 and '97.
Connections
- Patriots special teams coach Brad Seely held the same position with the Panthers from 1995-98.
Patriots wide receiver coach Ivan Fears and Panthers offensive line coach Tony Wise were on the same staff together in Chicago with the Bears from 1993-98. *
Panthers strength and conditioning coach Jerry Simmons held the same position in New England from 1988-90. *
Panthers cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock played with the Patriots (1995-97). *
Panther defensive tackle Eric Swann played with the Bay State Titans of the Minor League Football System in Lynn, Mass in 1990. Swann was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 1991 draft by the Arizona Cardinals. *
Carolina's defensive tackle Tim Morabito played his collegiate football at Boston College.
