NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-0) vs. New Orleans Saints (0-0)
Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Gillette Stadium (66,829)
Patriots: Roster | **Depth Chart** | **Download Game Release**
Saints: **Roster** | Depth Chart | Download Opponent Release
After reporting to training camp on July 27, the New England Patriots will open the preseason at home against the New Orleans Saints on Thurs., Aug. 11 at Gillette Stadium. Prior to the preseason opener, the Patriots will host the Saints for two days of joint practices on Tues., Aug. 9, and Wed, Aug. 10. The 2016 preseason marks the fourth time that New England and New Orleans will practice together prior to a preseason game. The Saints traveled to Foxborough in 2010 and 2012, and the Patriots practiced with the Saints last season at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
The Patriots and Saints will be facing off in the preseason for the 12th time overall and for the fourth time since 2010. New England holds a 7-4 edge in the series.
The Patriots traveled to New Orleans last season for their second preseason game, where they claimed a 26-24 victory on Aug. 22 at The Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
SERIES HISTORY
Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft's first game as owner of the team was a 1994 preseason game at Foxboro Stadium against the Saints. The Patriots won that game 24-6.
The two teams will meet this week for the 12th preseason meeting and for second straight season in a preseason contest. Last season, the Patriots held joint practice sessions with New Orleans at their training camp site in West Virginia prior to a Week 2 preseason game in New Orleans on Aug. 22, a game won by the Patriots 26-24.
Team photographer, David Silverman, offers his best photos from the Patriots preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, August 23, 2015.
The Patriots have won the last three preseason contests, with wins at home in 2010, 2012 and at New Orleans in 2015.
The Patriots and Saints have played 13 times in the regular season with the Patriots leading the all-time series, 9-4. The two teams last played in the regular season in 2013 with the Patriots taking a 30-27 win on Oct. 13 at Gillette Stadium.
HIGH SCORING MATCHUP
The New England Patriots and the New Orleans Saints are among the highest scoring NFL teams since the 2010 season.
- New England Patriots, 2,965 (30.9 points/game)
- Green Bay Packers, 2,652 (27.6 points/game)
- New Orleans Saints, 2,615 (27.2 points/game)
- Denver Broncos, 2,577 (26.8 points/game)
- Philadelphia Eagles, 2,408 (25.1 points/game)
TALE OF THE TAPE
| **2015 Regular Season** | **New England** | **New Orleans** |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 12-4 | 7-9 |
| Divisional Standings | 1st | 3rd |
| Total Yards Gained | 5,991 | 6,461 |
| Total Offense (Rank) | 374.4 (6) | 403.8 (2) |
| Rush Offense | 87.8 (30) | 93.2 (24) |
| Pass Offense | 286.7 (5) | 310.6 (1) |
| Points Per Game | 29.0 (3) | 25.5 (8) |
| Touchdowns Scored | 52 | 51 |
| Third Down Conversion Pct. | 40.9 | 47.7 |
| Team Passer Rating | 101.9 | 100.6 |
| Total Yards Allowed | 5,431 | 6,620 |
| Total Defense (Rank) | 339.4 (9) | 413.8 (31) |
| Rush Defense | 98.8 (9) | 129.8 (31) |
| Pass Defense | 240.7 (17) | 284.0 (31) |
| Points Allowed/Game | 19.7 (10) | 29.8 (32) |
| Touchdowns Allowed | 36 | 59 |
| Third Down Defense (Pct.) | 37.3 | 40.3 |
| Field Goals Made/Attempted | 33/36 | 18/26 |
| Possession Avg. | 30:08 | 31:11 |
| Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost | 38/225 | 32/235 |
| Sacks Made/Yards | 49/358 | 31/211 |
| Passing TD/Int. (Off.) | 36/7 | 32/12 |
| Passing TD/Int. (Def.) | 24/12 | 45/9 |
| Penalties Against/Yards | 96/859 | 130/1112 |
| Punts/Avg. | 74/45.4 | 67/44.9 |
| Takeaway/Giveaway Ratio | +7 (5t) | +3 (15) |
PATRIOTS IN NEW ORLEANS
The Patriots have played in three Super Bowls in New Orleans at the Louisiana Superdome, the home of the Saints. The 1985 Patriots qualified for the first Super Bowl in team history, but lost to the Chicago Bears, 46-10. In 1996, the Patriots reached their second Super Bowl in the Crescent City and fell to the Green Bay Packers, 35-21, in Super Bowl XXXI. New England returned to the Big Easy for Super Bowl XXXVI and defeated the St. Louis Rams, 20-17, to claim the first NFL title in team history.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TELEVISION:This week's game will be broadcast by the Patriots Preseason Television Network and can be seen in every New England state, as well as Alaska and Hawaii. The preseason network's flagship station is WBZ-TV CBS in Boston. WBZ-TV's Dan Roche provides play-by-play and is joined by former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria in the broadcast booth. Former Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham will provide sideline analysis along with WBZ-TV's Steve Burton. Patriots Football Weekly's beatwriters **Paul Perillo** and **Andy Hart **will also provide insight and analysis.
PATRIOTS PRESEASON TELEVISION NETWORK
Massachusetts
Boston, Mass. WBZ-TV Ch. 4
Springfield, Mass. WWLP-TV Ch. 22
Connecticut
Hartford, Conn. WTNH-TV Ch. 8
Maine
Portland, Maine WMTW-TV Ch. 8
Bangor, Maine WVII-TV Ch. 7
New Hampshire
Manchester, N.H. WMUR-TV Ch. 9
Rhode Island
Providence, R.I. WPRI-TV Ch. 12
Vermont
Burlington, Vt. WCAX-TV Ch. 3
Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska KYUR-TV Ch. 13
Fairbanks, Alaska KATN-TV Ch. 2
Juneau, Alaska KJUD-TV Ch. 8
Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii KFVE-TV Ch. 5
RADIO:98.5 FM, The Sports Hub, is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. A complete listing of the network's 40 stations can be found here. Play-by- play broadcaster Bob Socciwill call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. The games are produced by Marc Cappello.
PRE-GAME / POSTGAME BROADCASTS
DUNKIN' DONUTS PATRIOTS PRE-GAME SOCIAL(2 hours before each Patriots game)
Two hours before every Patriots game, host Rich Keefe is joined by Patriots Football Weekly's Paul Perillo and Andy Hart to preview all the action and get the fans' take heading into each game. You'll hear from opponent beat writers and get all the late-breaking news. Streaming live on Patriots.com Radio.
X-BOX ONE PATRIOTS POSTGAME SHOW (Immediately following each Patriots game)
Immediately after the game host Rich Keefe returns with Patriots Football Weekly's Paul Perillo and Andy Hart to break down all the action. You'll hear live press conferences, exclusive player interviews and more on the X-Box One Patriots Postgame Show. Streaming live on Patriots.com Radio.
