The Patriots have totaled a 76-108-1 (.414) preseason record, including last week's 30-20 loss to the Washington Redskins. The Patriots have finished four of the past six preseasons above .500, totaling a 14-11 mark (.560).
Bill Belichick's Patriots are 2-1 through first three games of the 2000 preseason. His overall preseason record is 11-8 (.579). His best preseason came in 1994 when the Browns finished 3-1. The Browns went on to finish the season 11-5, their best record under Belichick.
This is the 15th preseason that the Patriots will play in five or more games. The last occurrence was in 1998 and they finished 3-2. In fact, the last five times the Patriots played in five or more games during the preseason, they finished at or above .500. Also, in the last four regular seasons, following a five-game preseason, they finished above .500. (see below)
| **YEAR** | **PRE** | **REG** | **FINISH** |
| 2000 | 2-1 | ? | ? |
| 1998 | 3-2 | 9-7 | 4th in AFC East - Wild Card |
| 1986 | 4-1 | 11-5 | 1st in AFC East - Divisional Playoffs |
| 1977 | 5-1 | 9-5 | 3rd in AFC East |
| 1976 | 3-3 | 11-3 | 2nd in AFC East – Divisional Playoffs |
This weekend against the Buccaneers, the Patriots will extend their consecutive home sell out streak to 62 games. The streak, which dates back to the 1994 season opener, includes preseason, postseason and regular season games.
For the second time this preseason, the Patriots will face a foe they will also meet in the regular season. In fact, this week's opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will return to Foxboro in 14 days for the 2000 season opener. The Patriots also played the Detroit Lions during the preseason (Aug. 4), and will return to Detroit on Nov. 23 to play the Lions on Thanksgiving Day.
The Patriots will host Tampa Bay this Sunday in a nationally televised game on FOX. It will be their second game of the preseason broadcast nationally. This year marks the first time in the franchise's 41-year history, that they have two nationally televised games in the preseason. New England opened the preseason on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers in the Hall of Fame game.
In addition, the Patriots will be showcased in three prime time games during the regular season. For the first time in 16 years and just the second time in franchise history, the New England Patriots will play on Thanksgiving Day. The game will be played in Detroit against the Lions on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2000. The Patriots only other appearance on Thanksgiving was against the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 22, 1984 (Cowboys won, 20-17). In addition, the Patriots will also appear on two Monday night games, traveling to New York to battle the Jets on Sept. 11 and again when they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 4. It is the third time in the last four years they have been selected to appear on at least two Monday Night games and the fourth consecutive season that they have been featured in multiple prime time games.
- Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, offensive coordinator /running backs coach Charlie Weis and defenisve backs coach Eric Mangini were all on the New York Jets coaching staff when Buccaneers wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson was with the Jets (1997-99).
Tampa Bay's running back Jerry Ellison played in 12 games with the Patriots during the 1999 season and tight end Lovett Purnell played with the Patriots from 1996-98.
