What You Need to Know About Thursday Night's Patriots Game Against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium

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

The New England Patriots will play their second game in five days when they host AFC East rival Miami on Thursday Night Football. The Patriots will be playing in their second game on Thursday night in 2015. The Patriots kicked off the season as part of the NFL’s Kickoff celebration as defending Super Bowl Champions and beat Pittsburgh, 28-21, on Sept. 10 at Gillette Stadium. It is the first time in team history that the Patriots will play in two Thursday games. Tom Brady is 8-0 all-time when starting on Thursday.

The Patriots improved to 6-0 with a 30-23 win last Sunday against the New York Jets and will look to start the year at 7-0 for the second time in team history and for the first time since 2007.

Since 2001, the Patriots have the NFL’s top divisional record with a 69-19 (.784) mark. Indianapolis is second with a 66-23 (.742) record.

The Patriots have scored 30 or more points in five straight games. The streak is the longest for the Patriots since 2011, when they had a streak of six such games.

To help you get ready for Thursday night’s game, where is what you need to know.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be broadcast by CBS/NFL Network and can be seen locally on WBZ-TV Channel 4 in Boston. Jim Nantz will handle play-by-play duties with Phil Simms as the color analyst. Tracy Wolfson will work the sidelines. The game will be produced by Lance Barrow and directed by Mike Arnold.

NATIONAL RADIO: This week’s game will be broadcast to a national audience on Westwood One Radio. Ian Eagle and Boomer Esiason 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 to arrive during the evening commute, 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 4:30 p.m. and the stadium gates open at 6:30 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

• South Station: Departs at 6:35 p.m.
• Back Bay: Departs at 6:40 p.m.
• Dedham Corp: Departs at 6:55 p.m.
• Train arrives at Gillette Stadium at 7:40 p.m.

TF Green Airport Station Schedule

• TF Green Airport: Departs at 6:05 p.m.
• Providence: Departs at 6:35 p.m.
• South Attleboro: Departs at 6:45 p.m.
• Attleboro: Train arrives at 6:55 p.m.
• Mansfield: Departs at 7:05 p.m.
• Train arrives at Gillette stadium at 7:40 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.

It’s Willie McGinest Night!

The New England Patriots will honor their 2015 Patriots Hall of Fame inductee Willie McGinest, at halftime.

Throughout his career, McGinest was a leader of a defensive unit that propelled the Patriots to three Super Bowl championships in four seasons and was a part of many memorable moments for Patriots fans during his career,

McGinest was the fourth overall selection in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft and Robert Kraft’s first draft pick as Chairman and CEO of the New England Patriots. Kraft said he and McGinest will always share a special bond because they came into the NFL together.

A versatile player, who played defensive end and linebacker, McGinest was a two-time Patriots all-decade team member. He played 12 of his 15 NFL seasons with the Patriots and was one of the cornerstones of the team’s success in winning the Super Bowl in the 2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons. He ranks third in team history with 78 sacks and owns an NFL record with 16 career postseason sacks.

Series History

The New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins will square off for the 100th time, including three playoff games, in their 50th year as division foes and for the for the first of two meetings in 2015. The Patriots will travel to Miami to play at Sun Life Stadium in the final game of the regular season on Jan. 3, 2016. Miami snapped the Patriots 10-game winning streak on on opening day in 2014 after overcoming a 20-10 halftime deficit to win 33-20 at SunLife Stadium on Sept. 7, 2014. The Patriots avenged that loss with a 41-13 victory over Miami in the second meeting, which was played at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 14, 2014.

The Patriots have had the upper hand at home against Miami, holding a 31-17 record in games played in New England in the regular-season, including an 11-2 record at Gillette Stadium. But the Patriots are only 15-34 all-time in Miami, including two postseason games. Miami beat the Patriots at Gillette Stadium for the first time in the final game of the 2005 season, 28-26, when Patriots starting QB Tom Brady was pulled out of action after the first quarter. Miami also beat the Patriots, 38-13, at Gillette Stadium, on Sept. 21, 2008.

The Dolphins and Patriots met for the first time in 1966 and began playing twice a year during the regular season in 1967, except in 1982 during the strike year. The Patriots swept the series nine times.

The two have played three times in the postseason with New England holding a 2-1 advantage.

Quick Hits

• Since Bill Belichick became Patriots head coach in 2000, New England is 19-11 (.633) against the Miami Dolphins.
• Since 2000, the Patriots are 71-25 (.740) against AFC East opponents. The Patriots are 19-11 against the Dolphins over that span, 22-9 against the New York Jets and 27-4 against the Buffalo Bills in that time. The Patriots were 3-1 against Indianapolis from 2000 through 2001 when they were in the AFC East.
• The Patriots have not been swept in their season series with a divisional opponent since 2000, when they lost both games to Miami and also to the New York Jets.
• Tom Brady owns an 18-8 record when playing against Miami. While he is 12-1 against Miami in home games, including wins in the last eight games, Brady is just 6-7 in games played in Miami.
• Brady’s only home loss to Miami was on Jan. 1, 2006 in the final game of the 2005 season when the Patriots had already locked up the AFC East title and Brady played in the first quarter before being relieved by backup Matt Cassel.

Connections

NEW ENGLAND TIES

• Dolphins assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi played tight end at Rhode Island where he walked on in 1988. He returned to the school in 2008 and held the role of head coach for one season.
• Dolphins assistant offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. played center at Boston College from 1981-85 and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the school before moving on to New Hampshire where he coached the defensive line (1987-92) and offensive line (1993-96). In 2007, Bicknell returned to Boston College after a stint with Louisiana Tech and coached the offensive line there for two seasons before he began his NFL career.
• Dolphins assistant defensive backs coach Jeff Burris coached cornerbacks for the Massachusetts Minutemen in 2012.
• Dolphins assistant quarterbacks coach Ben Johnson spent three seasons (2009-11) coaching for Boston College, the first two as a graduate assistant and the final one as tight ends coach.
• Dolphins offensive assistant Ben Martin is a native of Danvers, Mass., and was a standout offensive lineman at Trinity College.
• Dolphins assistant wide receivers coach Phil McGeoghan played wide receiver at Maine for three seasons (1998-2000).
• Dolphins assistant strength and conditioning coach Dave Puloka is a native of Arlington, Mass., and lettered in football and track at Holy Cross College from 1997-2000.
• Dolphins senior offensive assistant Ken O’Keefe is a native of Milford, Conn. and served as head coach for Worcester Academy from 1978-84.

MIAMI TIES

• Patriots LB Jon Bostic grew up in Wellington, Fla. and played football for Palm Beach Central HS, where he was an all-state selection for Florida Class-6A. Heavily scouted coming out of high school, Bostic chose to attend Florida, and appeared in 51 games with 32 starts for the Gators from 2009-12. Bostic finished his collegiate career with 237 tackles, 19.0 TFLs, 7½ sacks, seven passes defensed, five interceptions and two forced fumbles and to the Coaches’ All-SEC Second Team on defense as a senior.
• Patriots DL Dominique Easley started 26-of-32 games over his four-year career at Florida (2010-13), and finished his career with 81 tackles, 18 TFLs, 5½ sacks, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.
• Patriots DL Jabaal Sheard attended Hollywood Hills (Fla.) HS, where he played football and also competed in track, participating in the 200m and shotput. Sheard was awarded a medal of bravery from his hometown at the age of 11 after he helped an elderly woman escape from her burning home.
• Patriots RB James White attended St. Thomas Aquinas HS in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he was named first-team all-county as a senior, after compiling 136 rushes for 1,145 yards and 15 touchdowns and catching 24 passes for 253 yards and five touchdowns.
• Patriots LB Jonathan Freeny attended Coconut Creek (Fla.) HS, where he started at linebacker and defensive end.

FORMER PATRIOTS

• Dolphins RB Jonas Gray spent the beginning of the 2014 season on the Patriots practice squad before being signed to the active roster on Oct. 16th. He played in eight games with three starts for the Patriots in 2014, including a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 16, where Gray was rushed for 201 yards on 38 carries and a franchise-record four touchdowns en route to a 42-20 victory.

FORMER DOLPHINS

• Patriots tight ends coach Brian Daboll spent one season as the offensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins. While at Miami, the Dolphins offense had both a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver for the first time in franchise history. RB Reggie Bush picked up 1,086 yards on 216 carries and had five 100-yard rushing performances. WR Brandon Marshall caught a team-high 81 passes for 1,214 yards and recorded five 100-yard receiving games en route to a Pro Bowl appearance for the AFC squad.
• Patriots LB Jonathan Freeny joined the Dolphins as a rookie free agent in 2011. He spent his rookie season on the practice squad and was promoted to the active roster the following season, appearing in 44 out of the Dolphins 48 games from 2012-14.
• Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich appeared in five games with the Dolphins from 2007-08.
• Patriots offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo spent three seasons (2009-11) with the Dolphins as their offensive line coach. With the Dolphins, DeGuglielmo’s tutelage helped T Jake Long earn a starting spot in three consecutive Pro Bowls.

FORMER NFL TEAMMATES

• Patriots tight ends coach Brian Daboll tutored Dolphins T Brandon Albert in 2012, when Daboll held the role of offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Patriots tight ends coach Brian Daboll worked with Dolphins assistant offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr., when they were members of the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coaching staff. Daboll held the role of offensive coordinator, while Bicknell tutored the offensive line.
• Patriots LB Jonathan Bostic and Dolphins CB Zach Bowman were defensive teammates with the Chicago Bears in 2013.
• Dolphin T Jason Fox and Patriots TE Michael Williams were teammates on the offensive line for the Detroit Lions, where Williams played tackle in 2013.
• Patriots assistant special teams coach Ray Ventrone and Dolphins DT C.J. Mosley were defensive teammates with the Cleveland Browns in 2009 when Ventrone played safety.
• Patriots WR Brandon LaFell was teammates with Dolphins QB Matt Moore in 2010 as a member of the Panthers offense.
• Patriots WR Brandon LaFell and Dolphins TE Brandon Williams were offensive teammates for the Carolina Panthers in 2013.

FORMER COLLEGE TEAMMATES

• Patriots DB Tavon Wilson and Dolphins S Walt Aikens were teammates in the defensive backfield at the Illinois in 2009, when Wilson was a sophomore and Aikens played as a true freshman.
• Dolphins LB Jelani Jenkins (2009-12) played with Patriots LB Jonathan Bostic (2009-12) and DL Dominique Easley (2010-13) when they were defensive teammates at the University of Florida.
• Patriots DL Geneo Grissom and Dolphins DT Jordan Phillips were teammates on the defensive line for all four years at Oklahoma (2011-14).
• Patriots DL Sealver Siliga (2008-10) and Dolphins DE Derrick Shelby (2008-2011) were teammates on the defensive line at Utah.
• Patriots WR Keshawn Martin (2008-11) and Dolphins TE Dion Sims (2009-12) were offensive teammates at Michigan State.
• Patriots DB Jordan Richards and Dolphins S Michael Thomas were teammates in the defensive backfield at Stanford for one season (2011).
• Dolphins senior offensive assistant Ken O’Keefe worked with Patriots TE Scott Chandler (2004-06) when O’Keefe served as the offensive coordinator at Iowa.

FORMER HIGH SCHOOL TEAMMATES

• Dolphins G Dallas Thomas blocked for Patriots RB Brandon Bolden when they attended Scotlandville Magnet HS in Baton Rouge, La. from 2006-08

Photo Credit: New England Patriots