What You Need to Know About the New England Patriots' Divisional Round Game Against the Kansas City Chiefs

Editor’s Note: Information in this article was provided by Patriots Media Relations

The New England Patriots will host the Kansas City Chiefs in a Divisional Playoff game on Sat., Jan. 16, at Gillette Stadium. The Chiefs advanced to the second round of the playoffs after a 30-0 victory at Houston last Saturday. This week’s game will be the first postseason meeting between the two teams. Kansas City holds a 17-13-3 edge in 33 regular-season meetings.

The Patriots will try to advance to the AFC Championship Game for the fifth straight season, joining Oakland (5; 1973-77) as the second team to reach five straight conference championship games.

The Patriots finished the 2015 regular season with a 12-4 record and the No. 2 seed in the conference. The Patriots won their seventh straight AFC East Title in 2015 (2009- 2015) to match the Los Angeles Rams (1973-1979) for the most consecutive division titles in NFL history. The Patriots won at least 12 games for the sixth straight season, second only to the seven by Indianapolis (2000-2009). The Patriots earned a first round bye for the 11th time since the current playoff format was instituted, the most in the NFL.

To help you get ready for the game, here is what you need to know:

Broadcast Information

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be broadcast by CBS and can be seen locally on WBZ- TV Channel 4 in Boston. Ian Eagle will handle play-by-play duties with Dan Fouts as the color analyst. Evan Washburn will work the sidelines. The game will be produced by Mark Wolff and directed by Bob Fishman.

NATIONAL RADIO: This week’s game will be broadcast to a national audience on Westwood One. Dan Miller and Tony Boselli will call the game with Ross Tucker with Ross Tucker providing sideline analysis.
LOCAL RADIO: 98.5 FM, The Sports Hub, is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. Produced by Marc Cappello.

Parking Lot and Transportation Information

Arrive Early and Allow for Plenty of Time Around Gillette Stadium

With a capacity crowd expected, Gillette Stadium officials encourage drivers to allow themselves plenty of time when traveling near the stadium on game day. Traffic restrictions will be in place on local roads before and after the game. Fans must use I-95, I-495 or Route 140 to access Route 1 and Gillette Stadium. For ease of entry and exit, fans are reminded of the following:

Parking and Public Transportation

Stadium parking lots open at 12: 30 p.m. Parking is $40 for cars and motorcycles and $150 for buses, RVs, and limos. Those who would prefer to not drive can take the MBTA Commuter Rail to the stadium from South Station in Boston and TF Green Airport in Warwick, R.I. for $15 roundtrip.

South Station Schedule

• Departs South Station: 2 p.m.
• Departs Back Bay: 2:05 p.m.
• Departs Dedham Corp: 2:20 p.m.
• Arrives at Gillette Stadium: 3:05 p.m.

TF Green Airport Station Schedule

• Departs TF Green Airport: 1:30 p.m.
• Departs Providence: 2 p.m.
• Departs South Attleboro: 2:10 p.m.
• Departs Attleboro: 2:20 p.m.
• Departs Mansfield: 2:30 p.m.
• Arrives at Gillette Stadium: 3:05 p.m.

Both trains will leave Gillette Stadium 30 minutes after the conclusion of the game.

The Dos and Do Nots of the Parking Lot

No one wants to be that person that gets in trouble for something that could have been avoided by knowing the rules of the parking lot. Here are the regulations for parking at the stadium. To provide all visitors with a safe and enjoyable visit to Gillette Stadium, the following parking lot restrictions apply on game days:

• Visitors must be in possession of a valid ticket to that day’s game to gain access to parking lots.
• Parking license is limited solely to the purpose of parking your vehicle on our property to gain entry to Gillette Stadium. Each paid license entitles the licensee to occupy one parking space.
• Solicitation, commercial or otherwise, by anyone for any purpose is expressly prohibited.
• Sale of any food, beverage or other items in Gillette Stadium parking lots, either prepaid or walk-up, without obtaining prior written approval of stadium management is expressly prohibited.
• Visitors must follow the directions given by the parking attendants and park within the space designated for your use.
• Spaces cannot be held for vehicles arriving at a later time.
• Vehicles cannot be pulled into drive aisles after they are parked.

Prohibited Items

• Fans may not bring the following items into the stadium:
• Bags larger than a 12” x 12” x 6”. Contents of all bags will be inspected. Exceptions can be made for guests with special medical needs.
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• Remotely Controlled Model Aircraft
• Selfie sticks
• GoPro Cameras
• Battery Operated Heated Jackets
• Any type of portable chair or seat, other than those approved for persons with accessibility issues
• Video cameras
• Tripods or monopods
• Flagpoles over 2 feet in length
• Weapons of any kind, including pocket/utility knives
• Food or beverages
• Illegal drugs and substances
• Coolers or containers, including cans and bottles
• Umbrellas
• Fireworks, pyrotechnics, flares
• Laser pointers
• Animals, other than service dogs assisting those with disabilities
• Strollers or baby seats
• Segways
• Noisemakers, bullhorns, air horns, vuvuzelas
• Helium balloons, beach balls
• Lacrosse balls
• Any alcoholic beverages
• Food or beverages [unless the individual is in possession of a letter signed by Kelly Way, Director of Operations, TeamOps LLC
• Folding and/or standalone chairs
• Seat Cushions
• Soccer balls

Clear Bag Policy

The NFL Clear Bag Policy will be in effect once again throughout the 2015 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 one-gallon clear (see through) plastic freezer bag or similar. In addition, small clutch bags (not to exceed 7” x 4” 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 clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, seat cushions, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size. For additional information, go to NFL.com/allclear.

Series History

The Patriots and Chiefs will meet in the postseason for the first time. The last two regular season meetings between the two have been played on Mon- day Night Football, with the Patriots taking a 34-3 win at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 21, 2011, and falling 41-14, at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 29, 2014.

Kansas City holds a 17-13-3 edge against New England, including an 11-3- 1 advantage in games played in Kansas City and a 5-1 record at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs are 6-10-2 in games played at New England, including 0-3 at Gillette Stadium.

The two teams played twice a year from 1960 until the 1970 merger and two of the original American Football League teams.

The Last Time they Met

The Kansas City Chiefs beat the visiting New England Patriots in every facet of the game in a 41-14 beating at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday Night Football. Chiefs QB Alex Smith threw three touchdown passes, including two to RB Jamaal Charles. The Chiefs gained 207 yards on the ground, and their defense held the Patriots to just 13 first downs. The Chiefs forced three turnovers that

resulted in 17 second-half points.
Patriots QB Tom Brady completed 14-of-23 passes for 159 yards, was

picked off two times with one returned for a touchdown and lost one fumble on a sack. Kansas City gained 303 yards in the first half alone, the most ever given up in the first half against any Bill Belichick-coached team, and took a 17-0 halftime lead.

Charles initially capped an 11-play, 73-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. On Kansas City’s next possession early in the second quarter, they scored in just three plays. First, RB Knile Davis broke free for a 48-yard run, followed by a 33-yard pass from Smith to TE Travis Kelce. Smith then connected with Charles on a 5-yard touchdown pass on the next play for a 14-0 lead.

New England, who was 1-for-5 on third down in the first half and 2-for-9 in the game, allowed Kansas City to execute a two-minute drill at the end of the half that resulted in a field goal and a 17-0 first half lead.

The Patriots went three-and-out after receiving the second half kickoff and then two turnovers on their next two drives allowed the Chiefs to start those drives inside the New England 20-yard line, resulting in 10 points for a commanding 27-0 lead. Kansas City LB Tamba Hali forced and recovered a fumble on a sack of Brady at the New England 9-yard line. Two plays later, Smith connected with Charles on an 8-yard touchdown pass for a 24-0 lead. Brady threw the first of his two interceptions on the next offensive series when CB Sean Smith picked off a pass and returned it 34 yards to the Patriots 13-yard line. That turnover led to a 31-yard field goal for a 27-0 lead.

The Patriots got on the scoreboard on the ensuing drive when Brady connected with RB Shane Vereen for a 28-yard gain, followed by a 44-yard touchdown pass to WR Brandon LaFell, who finished the game with six receptions for 119 yards and a score.

The Chiefs scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 41- 7. Smith engineered a 12-play, 80-yard drive that ended with his third touchdown pass of the night, a 2-yarder to Kelce. Kansas City S Husain Abdullah intercepted a Brady pass intended for LaFell on the next series and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown for a 41-7 lead.

QB Jimmy Garoppolo came into the game with the score out of reach and engineered a seven-play, 81-yard drive that ended with his first touchdown pass, a 13-yard strike to TE Rob Gronkowski for a 41-14 final.

Connections

NEW ENGLAND TIES

• Chiefs DB Tyvon Branch played in 48 games with 31 starts in four years at Connecticut. Branch tallied 230 career tackles and three interceptions. He also contributed on special teams, returning 37 kickoffs for 980 yards and two touchdowns. He was the first Huskie to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same season.
• Chiefs DB Marcus Cooper attended Bloomfield (Conn.) HS, where he be- came the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards, touchdowns, receptions and consecutive games with a touchdown.
• H Chiefs DL Mike Devito hails from Wellfleet, Mass., and attended Maine, where he recorded 112 tackles and 16.0 sacks. DeVito earned All-Atlantic 10 honors twice in his collegiate career.
• Chiefs RB Anthony Sherman attended North Attleboro (Mass.) HS, just eight miles south of Gillette Stadium, where he was the team captain in football, track and baseball. He was named the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006 and was thrice named to the Attleboro Sun Chronicle All-Star team. During his high school career, Sherman rushed for a school-record 2,537 yards and 48 touchdowns. After graduation, Sherman played 51 games at Connecticut, where he rushed for 61 yards on 17 carries and caught 48 passes for 477 yards and a touchdown.

PATRIOTS TIES

• Chiefs assistant offensive line coach Eugene Chung was selected by the Patriots in the first round (13th overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft and spent three seasons (1992-94) with the team.

FORMER CHIEFS

• Patriots tight ends coach Brian Daboll spent one season (2012) as offensive coordinator for the Chiefs.
• Patriots wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea began his NFL career as a volunteer special teams assistant for the Chiefs in 2003 and was promoted to special teams/linebackers coach in 2004.

FORMER NFL TEAMMATES

• Patriots LB Jonathan Freeny and Chiefs CB Sean Smith were defensive teammates with the Miami Dolphins in 2012. Both players worked with Chiefs assistant secondary coach Al Harris, who was a coaching intern for the Dolphins at the time
• Chiefs running backs coach Eric Bieniemy worked with Patriots wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea and defensive line coach Brendan Daly from 2006-08 when they were members of the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff, under Chiefs spread game analyst/special projects coach Brad Childress, who served at the Vikings head coach from 2006-10.
• Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich worked with Chiefs linebackers coach Gary Gibbs when he served as defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints from 2006-08.

FORMER COLLEGE TEAMMATES

• Patriots LB Jerod Mayo and Chiefs DB Eric Berry were defensive teammates at Tennessee in 2007.
• Patriots DL Geneo Grissom (2011-14), Chiefs DL David King (2009-12) and Chiefs DB Jamell Fleming (2008-11) were defensive teammates at Oklahoma.
• Chiefs DB Marcus Cooper (2010-12) played with Patriots DB Duron Har- mon (2009-12), CB Logan Ryan (2010-12), LB Jonathan Freeny (2007-10) and coaching assistant Steve Belichick (2009-11) at Rutgers
• Patriots S Brandon King and Chiefs LB Dee Ford were defensive teammates at Auburn in 2013.
• Patriots LB Jon Bostic and Chiefs DL Jaye Howard were defensive teammates at Florida from 2009-11.
• Patriots C David Andrews (2011-14) blocked for Chiefs QB Aaron Murray (2010-13) at Georgia

Photo Credit: New England Patriots