| **DATE:** | Sunday, September 24, 2000 |
| **SITE:** | Pro Player Stadium (75,000) - Grass |
| **TIME:** | 1:00 p.m. EDT |
| **TELEVISION:** | This week's game will be broadcast nationally on CBS (locally on WBZ Channel 4 in Boston). Dick Enberg will provide the play-by-play detail and will be joined by broadcast partner Dan Dierdorf. The tandem will be joined by Bonnie Bernstein from the sidelines. |
| **RADIO:** | WBCN's Rock Radio Network 104.1 FM. Gil Santos, now in his 24th season as voice of the Patriots, will call the action along with Gino Cappelletti. The tandem is enjoying their 17th season together. |
The New England Patriots entered the 2000 season knowing that they would play one of the league's toughest schedules. No team drew as many 1999 playoff opponents as the Patriots (nine). Through Week 3, five NFL teams remain undefeated, including each of the Patriots first three opponents, Tampa Bay, New York Jets and Minnesota. Those three teams have a combined 9-0 record.
The road doesn't get any easier for the Patriots, who are 0-3 for the first time since 1993 and will head to Miami this week in search of their first win. Looking ahead, the first Patriots opponent on the schedule who is currently under .500 is the Cincinnati Bengals (0-2), who the Patriots will host on Nov. 19. The seven opponents the Patriots will play before then have a combined 13-6 record through Week 3 and include five division opponents. The Patriots will play on the road the next two weeks, traveling to Miami and Denver, two teams who are 2-1 through three weeks and undefeated at home.
Other than the bye week I don't see any breathers in the schedule, explained Belichick. Every team is tough. We have eight games on the road so those are tough. We have eight division games those are tough.
It is a critical month and a half for the Patriots, who will face five division opponents in their next six weeks. Since 1996, the Patriots have won 30 of 49 games against AFC opponents, which includes a 19-14 record against AFC East rivals.
While the Patriots have only lost by an average of four points in their three defeats, it does not offer the head coach any solace. I'm not into moral victories, I'm not into being competitive, the bottom line in this business is winning, said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Until we do that I don't think there is going to be any satisfaction from either me or I wouldn't expect anyone in the football organization.
Last week, the Dolphins enjoyed a 19-6 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in a prime time, nationally televised game to improve to 2-1. Miami has defeated the Patriots in each of their last two meetings and they have won nine of the last 11 games they have hosted in the series.
