Game Information:
The New England Patriots (2-1) will travel to Washington D.C. to face the Redskins on Thursday, Aug. 29. The contest will be the final preseason tune-up for both teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. at FedEx Field.
Television:
CBS play-by-play veteran Don Criqui returns to the booth along with fan-favorite Jerry Glanville. WCVB sports anchor Mike Lynch will provide sideline reports throughout the game. This week's game will be televised live locally on WCVB (ABC) Ch. 5 in Boston, WNAC (Fox) Ch. 64 in Providence, WWLP (NBC) Ch. 22 in Springfield and WMUR (ABC) Ch. 9 in Concord, NH. Other tape-delayed broadcasts of the game will be shown in other New England markets. Please check your local listings.
Radio:
Every Patriots game can be heard in stereo on the Patriots official flagship station WBCN 104.1 FM. Gil Santos, now in his 26th season as the voice of the Patriots, will call the game along with Patriots Hall of Famer Gino Cappelletti, who will provide in-depth analysis for his 22nd season. A complete list of the Patriots WBCN Rock Radio Network can be found on pages 462-463 of the 2002 Patriots media guide or at www.patriots.com.
This Week:
The Patriots wrap up the preseason in the nation's capital on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 8:00 p.m. against Steve Spurrier's Washington Redskins. Through the first four games of the preseason, the Redskins lead the NFL with an average of 37.5 points per game and rank second with an average of 398.0 yards per game. Last week the Redskins defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40-10. Washington's defense forced seven turnovers and returned two for scores as they scored 35 or more points for the fourth time during the 2002 preseason.
Last Week:
The Patriots scored 23 unanswered points and defeated the Carolina Panthers 23-3 at Gillette Stadium. They improved to 2-1 on the preseason as quarterback Tom Brady led the offense on two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. Wide receiver David Patten led all receivers with 124 yards on four catches.
Preseason Finales:
The Patriots have won their last two preseason finales and five of their last six. If the Patriots are victorious this week, they will also finish the preseason with a winning record for the seventh time in the past nine years.
Home Sweet Home:
The Patriots extended their home win streak with their victory over the Panthers last week. The 23-3 win was their sixth consecutive victory in Foxborough, including last season's playoff win over the Oakland Raiders. Their last loss at home was on Nov. 18, 2001, when the Rams defeated the Patriots 24-17. The preseason victory was also the fifth consecutive win at home in the preseason. The last time the Patriots lost a preseason contest at home was on Aug. 20, 2000 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-21). Foxborough has been a wonderful home to the Patriots since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994. The team has compiled a 56-28 (.667) overall record at home, including a 14-4 (.778) record in the preseason.
Next Week:
The Patriots will hold the grand opening of Gillette Stadium on Monday, Sept. 9 on Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Camp Cuts:
The league's mandatory roster limits get reduced this week, as all teams must trim their rosters to a maximum of 65 players (plus NFL Europe exemptions) on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Roster limits of 53 players will be enforced on Sunday, Sept. 1.
