NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Contact: Stacey James, Director of Media Relations or Anthony Moretti, Asst. Director or Michelle L. Murphy, Media Relations Asst. Gillette Stadium * One Patriot Place * Foxborough, MA 02035 * 508-384-9105 fax: 508-543-9053 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] For Immediate Release, September 24, 2002 BATTLE OF DIVISION LEADERS – NEW ENGLAND (3-0) TRAVELS TO SAN DIEGO (3-0) MEDIA SCHEDULE This Week: The New England Patriots (3-0) will try to close out the month of September Wednesday, Sept. 25 as only the fifth team in franchise history to begin a campaign with a four-game winning streak when they trek cross-country to face the San Diego Chargers (3-0). The New 10:45-11:15 Head Coach Bill Belichick’s Press England passing attack, which is averaging an NFL-best 316 yards per game, will be Conference (Media Workroom) challenged by the Chargers top rated pass defense. San Diego’s defense leads the NFL, 11:15-11:55 Open Locker Room allowing only 132 passing yards per game and posting 16 sacks. The Patriots currently 12:40-12:55 Photographers Access to Practice hold a 10-game winning streak in the series, their longest against any opponent. The last TBA Chargers Player Conference Call time the Chargers defeated the Patriots was on Nov. 15, 1970. TBA Marty Schottenheimer Conference Call Television: This week’s game will be broadcasted nationally on CBS (locally on WBZ 3:10 Drew Brees National Conference Call Channel 4). The play-by-play duties will be handled by Greg Gumbel, who will be joined in the booth by Phil Simms. Armen Keteyian will provide sideline reports throughout Thursday, Sept. 26 the game. 10:45-11:05 Head Coach Bill Belichick’s Press Radio: Every Patriots game can be heard in stereo on the Patriots official flagship station Conference (Media Workroom) WBCN 104.1 FM. Gil Santos, now in his 26th season as the voice of the Patriots, will 11:15-11:55 Open Locker Room call the game along with Patriots Hall of Famer Gino Cappelletti, who will provide in- nd 12:40-12:55 Photographers Access to Practice depth analysis for his 22 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. Friday, Sept. 27 No Media Access – Travel to San Diego Troy Brown: The Patriots wide receiver currently leads the NFL with 31 receptions following his 16-catch day against the Chiefs. His prolific day tied the fourth-highest total in NFL history and established a Patriots franchise record. He also set a personal high with 2002 PATRIOTS SCHEDULE 176 yards receiving and currently ranks third in the AFC with 292 yards receiving. Winning Ways: The Patriots 41-38 overtime victory over the Chiefs was their ninth REGULAR SEASON (3-0) consecutive regular season victory, setting a franchise record. They eclipsed the previous Mon., Sept. 9 Pittsburgh W 30-14 mark of eight set from Nov. 3, 1994 – Sept. 3, 1995. Including postseason contests, the Sun., Sept. 15 at N.Y. Jets W 44-7 Patriots have now won 12 consecutive games. The steak started with a 34-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 25, 2001. Their last loss came against the St. Louis Rams Sun., Sept. 22 Kansas City W ot 41-37 on Nov. 18, 2001. Sun., Sept. 29 at San Diego 4:15 CBS Sun., Oct. 6 at Miami 1:00 CBS Turnovers: The Patriots lead the AFC and are second in the NFL with 10 takeaways this Sun., Oct. 13 Green Bay 1:00 FOX season. They have converted seven of those into scores (six touchdowns and one field goal). New England owns a +6 turnover ratio through three games this season and during Sun., Oct. 20 BYE their current nine-game regular season winning streak the Patriots have a takeaway ratio Sun., Oct. 27 Denver 4:15 CBS of +17. Sun., Nov. 3 at Buffalo 1:00 CBS Sun., Nov. 10 at Chicago 4:15 CBS Scoring is Soaring: The New England Patriots are 3-0 for just the fifth time in franchise history and have scored 115 points (38.3 ppg.) in those three games. The 115 points Sun., Nov. 17 at Oakland 8:30 ESPN scored ranks second among the most prolific offensive performances by a defending Sun., Nov. 24 Minnesota 1:00 FOX Super Bowl Champion in NFL history. The 2000 St. Louis Rams were the most prolific Thur., Nov. 28 at Detroit 12:30 CBS offense of all the NFL defending champions, scoring 119 points in their first three games Sun., Dec. 8 Buffalo 1:00 CBS that year. But, the Rams allowed 94 points in those three games, while the Patriots have Mon., Dec. 16 at Tennessee 9:00 ABC surrendered just 59 points. Sun., Dec. 22 N.Y. Jets 8:30 ESPN Scoring by Defending Champions (3 Game Totals) Sun., Dec. 29 Miami 1:00 CBS Year Team PF PA Year Team PF PA 2000 St. Louis Rams 119 94 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers 100 36 2002 New England Patriots 115 59 1995 S.F. 49ers 93 35 RATINGS GAME 1998 Denver Broncos 103 61 The broadcast of the Patriots-Chiefs game LONG ROAD AHEAD this past Sunday generated a 27.6 rating and 58 share. It was the number one rated show The Patriots next four opponents have a combined record of 11-1 (San Diego 3-0; Miami 3-0; Green Bay 2-1; Denver 3-0). New England will travel 7,480 miles over the in the Boston market for the week of next two weeks to play the Chargers and Dolphins and then return to Gillette Stadium to 9/16/02 – 9/22/02. The 58 share was the host the Packers and Broncos. Following this four game swing, the Patriots will embark largest for a Patriots game this season. on a three-game road trip against Buffalo, Chicago and Oakland, the longest road streak this year in the NFL. PATRIOTS AND CHARGERS SERIES RESULTS SERIES HISTORY TALE OF THE TAPE This week’s game will be the 32nd meeting between the Patriots and Chargers, dating back to the first season of the Categories New England San Diego Record......................................................... 3-0.....................3-0 AFL. The Patriots currently have a 10-game winning streak in st st the series. It's the longest current winning streak the Patriots Divisional Standings.....................................T 1 ................... T 1 Total Yards Gained ....................................1,271.................... 957 hold over any other team in the NFL. The last time the Total Offense .......................................423.7 (3)..........319.0 (17) Chargers beat the Patriots was in 1970, the final year of the Rush Offense .....................................107.7 (17)............163.3 (3) AFL. This will be the Patriots first game in the state of Pass Offense ...................................... 316.0 (1)..........155.7 (29) California since the last time they played the Chargers in San Points Per Game..........................................38.3................... 27.0 Diego on Dec. 1, 1996. The Patriots, who will travel 19,510 Total Yards Allowed......................................832.................... 618 th miles this season, the 11 highest total in the league, will Total Defense.......................................277.3 (7)............206.0 (1) return to California on Nov. 17 to face the Oakland Raiders. Rush Defense.....................................109.0 (16)..............74.0 (3) Pass Defense .......................................168.3 (5)............132.0 (1) PATRIOTS 17, CHARGERS 12 (2 ties) Points Allowed/Game...................................19.7.....................8.0 Date Result +/- Site Possession Avg..........................................34:11................. 34:50 1960—NE 35, at Los Angeles 0 ...... +35..... LA Coliseum Sacks Allowed/Yards Loss ........................... 6/25...................5/37 Los Angeles 45, at NE 16 .....-29 ..... Boston University Sacks Made/Yards .....................................13/80............... 16/118 1961—San Diego 38, at NE 27 .......-11 ..... Boston University Interceptions By ......................................... 6/93.................5/110 NE 41, at San Diego 0 ........ +41..... Balboa Penalties Against/Yards............................22/224............... 16/154 1962—at NE 24, San Diego 20 ....... +4...... Boston University Punts/Avg. .............................................13/38.5.............. 18/39.6 Takeaway/Giveaway Ratio ............................. +6..................... +5 NE 20, at San Diego 14 ....... +6...... Balboa 1963—at San Diego 17, NE 13 ........-4 ...... Balboa CONNECTIONS San Diego 7, at NE 6 ............-1 ...... Fenway Park Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer was a linebacker for the *at San Diego 51, NE 10 ....-41 ..... Balboa Patriots from 1969-1970. Schottenheimer holds a 5-1 record 1964—NE 33, at San Diego 28 ....... +5...... Balboa against the Patriots … Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie grew up San Diego 26, at NE 17 ........-9 ...... Fenway Park in Natick, Mass., played collegiate football at Boston College and 1965—at NE 13, San Diego 13 ....... tie ...... Fenway Park was a member of the Patriots from 1987-89 … Chargers wide NE 22, at San Diego 6 ........ +16..... Balboa receiver Curtis Conway was coached by Patriots running back 1966—at San Diego 24, NE 0 .........-24 ..... Balboa coach Ivan Fears at Chicago from 1993-98 … Chargers tackle Ed at NE 35, San Diego 17 ...... +18..... Fenway Park Ellis played with the Patriots from 1997-99 … Chargers defensive 1967—at San Diego 28, NE 14 .......-14 ..... San Diego Stadium tackle Marcellus Wiley played with Patriots guard/tackle Adrian NE 31, at San Diego 31 ....... tie ...... San Diego Stadium Klemm while at St. Monica High in Los Angeles … Chargers kicker Steve Christie, Wiley and Flutie all played with Patriots running 1968—San Diego 27, at NE 17 .......-10 ..... Fenway Park back Antowain Smith in Buffalo from 1997-2000 … Patriots 1969—San Diego 13, at NE 10 ........-3 .....