The Patriots announced the team's four preseason opponents on Tuesday, including the Giants, Redskins, Eagles and Bears. While the exact dates and times have not yet been determined, the approximate dates and locations are set.
New England will open the 2003 preseason at Gillette Stadium against New York between Aug. 7-11. The following week, Aug. 14-18 the team will travel to FedEx Field in Washington to battle the Redskins.
The Patriots third preseason game will be a historic one as the team travels to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in the inaugural game at the team's new $512 million stadium, Lincoln Financial Field. The third exhibition will take place sometime between Aug. 21-25 and has the potential to be a national TV matchup, much as the matchup between the two teams was last season when they christened Gillette Stadium on Aug. 17, 2002.
The final tune up for the regular season will take place between Aug. 28-31 against the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots will also play three of these preseason opponents, Eagles, Redskins and Giants, in the regular season. New England's schedule pits them against the NFC East this season and will therefore face the Cowboys and Giants at home in the regular season, while traveling to face the Eagles and Redskins.
While the times and dates for the regular season are not yet determined, the home and away opponents are set. The Patriots will play the Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Browns, Cowboys, Jaguars, Giants and Titans at Gillette during the regular season. The team will be on the road to face the Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Broncos, Texans, Colts, Eagles and Redskins.
NFL Notes
The NFL announced this week that more than one million viewers in the United Kingdom tuned in to watch Super Bowl XXXVII on January 26. … The 2003 Hall of Fame inductees announced their presenters for the August 3 ceremony last week. Marcus Allen will be introduced by his father Harold "Red" Allen. Allen is just the third father to serve as a presenter. The others were the fathers of Ronnie Lott and Patriots Hall of Fame lineman John Hannah. Elvin Bethea will be presented by his former North Carolina A&T coach, Hornsby Howell. Joe DeLamielleure will be presented by retired Buffalo News sports writer/columnist Larry Felser. James Lofton chose his oldest son David Lofton to be his presenter. Hank Stram will be presented by former player Lenny Dawson. Stram was Dawson's presenter in 1987 for his Hall of Fame induction.
