What You Need to Know About Sunday's New England Patriots Game vs. the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium

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

The New England Patriots’ 27-6 victory over the Houston Texans clinched a playoff spot for the 17th time in the 22 seasons since Robert Kraft purchased the team and the New York Giants’ victory over the Miami Dolphins on Monday night gave the Patriots the AFC East title. The Patriots have now won the AFC East for seven straight seasons, the longest streak in AFC East division history. The Patriots join the Los Angeles Rams (7, 1973-79) for the most consecutive division titles in NFL history. The Patriots have won 13 of the last 15 division crowns and it is the 15th division title under the ownership of Robert Kraft.

Bill Belichick now has thirteen 11-win seasons, including 12 with the Patriots, tying Don Shula for the most 11-win seasons by a head coach.

The Patriots can become the second NFL team to win 12 games in six straight seasons with a win this week. Indianapolis had seven straight 12-win seasons from 2003-09.

Here’s what you need to know to help you get ready for the game.

Broadcast Information

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be broadcast by CBS and can be seen locally on WBZTV 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 Sports. John Sadak and Ross Tucker will call the game.

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.

Arrive Early and Allow for Plenty of Time Around Gillette Stadium

With a capacity crowd of nearly 67,000 fans 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 9 a.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

• South Station: Departs for Gillette Stadium at 11 a.m.
• Back Bay: Departs for Gillette Stadium at 11:05 a.m.
• Dedham Corp: Departs for Gillette Stadium at 11:20 a.m.
• Arrive: Train arrives at Gillette Stadium at 12:05 p.m.

TF Green Airport Station Schedule

• TF Green Airport: Departs for Gillette Stadium at 10:30 a.m.
• Providence: Departs for Gillette Stadium at 11 a.m.
• South Attleboro: Departs for Gillette Stadium at 11:10 a.m.
• Attleboro: Train arrives at Gillette Stadium at 11:20 a.m.
• Mansfield: Departs for Gillette Stadium at 11:30 a.m.
• Arrive: Train arrives at Gillette stadium at 12:05 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.

Playoff Situation

The Patriots can clinch a first-round bye with a win and either a loss by Denver or a Cincinnati loss and Denver tie.

Series History

The New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans (formerly the Houston Oilers) will play for the 41st time since the two charter members of the American Football League began play in 1960. The Patriots and Oilers played twice each year from 1960-1969 in the AFL, and have played 20 times since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. In those 20 post-merger games, the Patriots have a 13-7 record, including a 1-1 mark in playoff games. New England leads the overall series, 23-16-1 and owns an 11-3 record against the Titans franchise since 1981. The last time Tennessee traveled to New England came during the 2009 season when the Patriots beat Tennessee, 59-0, in a game played in the snow at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 18, 2009.

The last time the two teams played was on opening day of the 2012 season when the Patriots pulled away with a 34-13 victory on Sept. 9, 2012.

The Patriots and the Tennessee franchise met two times in the postseason. In 1978, The Houston Oilers beat New England 31-14 in an AFC Divisional matchup at Foxborough. The Patriots beat the Titans, 17-14, in a 2003 postseason game to advance to the AFC Championship game.

Connections

NEW ENGLAND TIES

• Titans quarterbacks coach John McNulty spent two seasons (1995-97) coaching wide receivers at Connecticut.
• Titans C Andy Gallik played in 47 games with 41 starts at Boston College, where he was a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference honoree.
• Titans CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson played in 46 games with 39 starts at Connecticut, where he totaled 181 tackles, 27 passes defensed, eight interceptions, a fumble recovery, and half a sack.

TENNESSEE TIES

• Patriots LB Jerod Mayo attended Tennessee from 2004-07, where he was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection and earned All-American second-team honors as a senior.
• Patriots K Steven Gostkowski attended Memphis from 2002-05, where he totaled a school-record 369 points, converting 70-of-92 field goals and 159- of 165 extra points.
• Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower attended Marshall County HS in Lewisburg, Tenn., where he started out as a running back before switching to linebacker and tight end as a junior and finally defensive end as a senior. Hightower recorded 168 tackles (14 for loss), five forced fumbles, five interceptions and four fumble recoveries and was named 3A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year and Defensive Most Valuable Player as a senior in 2007.
• Patriots OL Shaq Mason attended Columbia (Tenn.) Central HS, where he served as a captain for two years and helped his team to a Tennessee 5A state championship in 2010.

HOMETOWN TIES

• Patriots RB James White and Titans CB Cody Riggs were teammates for all four years of high school at St. Thomas Aquinas HS in Ft. Lauderdale Fla., from 2006-2009. They are still close friends today and stay in contact.

FORMER NFL TEAMMATES

• Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton tutored Patriots DL Jabaal Sheard in 2013 when Horton served as defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns.
• Patriots tight ends coach Brian Daboll and Titans offensive coordinator Jason Michael worked together as members of the New York Jets offensive coaching staff in 2007.
• Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Titans running backs coach Sylvester Croom worked together as members of the St. Louis Rams offensive coaching staff in 2011.
• Patriots DL Jabaal Sheard worked with defensive quality control coach Cannon Matthews in 2013 when Matthews was a defensive coaching intern with the Cleveland Browns.
• Patriots LB Jon Bostic and Titans LB David Bass were defensive teammates for two seasons (2013-14) with the Chicago Bears. H Patriots WR Brandon LaFell and Titans OT Byron Bell were offensive teammates for three seasons (2011-13) with the Carolina Panthers.
• H Patriots tight ends coach Brian Daboll worked with Titans TE Anthony Fasano when Daboll served as the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in 2011.
• Patriots DL Sealver Siliga, Titans LB Wesley Woodyard, and Titans LB Steven Johnson were defensive teammates with the Broncos in 2012.
• Patriots tight ends coach Brian Daboll worked with Titans RB Dexter McCluster when Daboll served as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012.
• Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount and Titans OT Jamon Meredith were offensive teammates with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012.
• Patriots DL Alan Branch and Titans S Da’Norris Searcy were teammates with the Buffalo Bills in 2013.

FORMER COLLEGE TEAMMATES

• Titans offensive line coach Bob Bostad tutored Patriots RB James White for two seasons (2010-11) when Bostad served as run game coordinator/offensive line coach at Wisconsin.
• Patriots special teams coach Joe Judge played under Titans running backs coach Sylvester Croom in 2004 when Croom served as the head coach at Mississippi State.
• Patriots DB Brandon King and Titans DE Angelo Blackson were defensive teammates for two seasons (2013-14) at Auburn.
• Patriots RB Brandon Bolden and Titans RB Dexter McCluster shared a backfield when they were offensive teammates at Mississippi in 2008-09.
• Titans CB Cody Riggs (2010-13) played at Florida with Patriots LB Jon Bostic (2009-12) and DL Dominique Easley (2010-13).
• Patriots DB Tavon Wilson and Titans LB Justin Staples were teammates at Illinois from 2009-11.

Photo Credit: New England Patriots