Patriots vs. Bears at Gillette Stadium: What You Need to Know

Originally published Aug. 18, 2016.

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Halfway through the preseason and the Patriots are almost ready to say goodbye to Gillette Stadium until week 2 of the regular season.

Thursday night, the Patriots host the Chicago Bears in an NFL Preseason week 2 showdown. The game is the second home game for the Patriots, putting them on the road for the remainder of the preseason. Like the Saints last week, the Bears have been at training came for a week of joint-practices but they've been anything but friendly. Monday, Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler and Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery were thrown out of practice for fighting and following a scuffle the next day, Bryan Stork was told to hit the showers early.

Despite the skirmishes, Patriots receiver Chris Hogan told NESN to not expect more fights in the game, chalking the quarrels up to training camp competitiveness.

To help you get ready for the game, here's what you need to know.

KICKOFF

The Aug. 18 game at Gillette Stadium is scheduled to start at 8 p.m.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be shown locally on WBZ-TV CBS. Dan Roche and former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria will be in the broadcast booth, former Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham and Steve Burton will provide sideline analysis, and Patriots Football Weekly’s beatwriters Paul Perillo and Andy Hart will also provide insight and analysis.

RADIO: WBZ-FM 98.5 The Sports Hub is the official radio station of the New England Patriots. Bob Socci will call the game along side Scott Zolak.

PARKING LOT AND TRAINS

Gillette Stadium parking lots open at 3:30 p.m. Parking is $40 for cars and motorcycles and $150 for buses, RVs and limos. The full rules and regulations can be seen on the stadium's website.

Fans driving to the game are encouraged to arrive early and allow for plenty of time to get around the stadium. The usual traffic restrictions will be in place on local roads before and after the game. Fans attending the game must use Interstate 95, Interstate 495, or Route 140 to access Route 1 and Gillette Stadium.

The MBTA Commuter Rail will provide special train service from South Station in Boston and from the TF Green Airport in Warwick, R.I. to Gillette Stadium all season long. The stadium's clear bag policy will be in effect on the train and no personal items may be left on the trains during the game. All trains leave 30 minutes after the end of the game.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchase using the MBTA mTicket app.
South Station Train Departure Schedule

• South Station - 6 p.m.
• Back Bay - 6:05 p.m.
• Dedham Corp. - 6:20 p.m.
• Arrival - 7:05 p.m.

TF Green Airport Departure Schedule

• TF Green Airport: 4:35 p.m.
• Providence: 5:00 p.m.
• South Attleboro: 5:10 p.m.
• Attleboro: 5:20 p.m.
• Mansfield: 5:30 p.m.
• Arrival: 6:00 p.m.

CLEAR BAG POLICY
Fans attending the game are reminded that the Gillette Stadium Clear Bag Policy will be in effect at every game throughout the 2016 season. That policy states that all bags entering the stadium must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”. Fans can use a one-gallon clear (see-through) plastic freezer bag. In addition, small wristlets or handheld wallets with or without a handle or strap (not to exceed 8” x 5” x 2”) may be carried into the stadium along with one of the clear bag options. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: non see-through purses larger than a small clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch sacks, luggage of any kind, seat cushions, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.

More information is available on the Gillette Stadium website.

SERIES HISTORY

This week’s game will be the 16th meeting overall between the Patriots and Bears (including Super Bowl XX), and just the third time in the preseason. The Patriots beat the Bears in the previous two preseason meetings, in 1972 and 2003 in Foxborough.

The two teams last met in the regular season on Oct. 26, 2014 with the Patriots taking a 51-23 victory.The Patriots hold a 9-3 overall lead in the regular-season series, but Chicago claimed a victory in the teams’ only postseason matchup, taking a 46-10 decision in Super Bowl XX following the 1985 season. Since Super Bowl XX, the Patriots have recorded a 7-1 record against Chicago and held the Bears to a touchdown or less in four games.

One of the more memorable games between the two teams was in 2002 when the Bears played their home games at the University of Illinois during the remodeling of Soldier Field. The Patriots staged one of the most memorable comebacks in team history, rallying from a 27-6 deficit late in the third quarter to pull out for a 33-30 win that was clinched on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to David Patten with 21 seconds left in the game.

Information in this article was provided by Patriots Media Relations.