This Week:
The New England Patriots (2-0) will return to their new home, Gillette Stadium, this weekend following their 44-7 victory over the New York Jets at the Meadowlands last weekend. The Chiefs (1-1) lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-16 in week two and will try and be the first road team in the series to win in the last five games.
Television:
This week's game will be broadcasted nationally on CBS (locally on WBZ Channel 4). The play-by-play duties will be handled by Dick Enberg, who will be joined in the booth by Dan Dierdorf. Bonnie Bernstein will provide sideline reports throughout the game.
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.
Winning Ways:
Last week's victory was the Patriots eighth consecutive regular season victory, tying the longest streak in franchise history (Nov. 3, 1994 – 9/3/95). Including postseason games, the Patriots have now won 11 consecutive games. The steak started with a 34-17 victor over the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 25, 2001. Their last loss came against the St. Louis Rams on Nov. 18, 2001.
Scoring is Soaring:
The Patriots are averaging 37.0 points per game, while limiting their opponents to only 10.5 during their first two games of the year. Their 26.5 margin of victory is currently the largest in the NFL.
Take That:
The Patriots are tied for the lead in the NFL with seven takeaways and a turnover ratio of 4 through the first two games of the 2002 season. During their current 8-game winning streak the Patriots have a takeaway ratio of 15.
First Impressions:
In New England's season opener, three newcomers scored touchdowns for the Patriots when Christian Fauria, Donald Hayes and Deion Branch each made touchdown receptions. It was the first time in NFL history that such a feat had been accomplished (excluding expansion teams). That trend continued this past week when the Patriots fourth touchdown of the 2002 season was scored by tight end Cameron Cleeland, who joined the Patriots as an unrestricted free agent for the New Orleans Saints in 2002.
