The New England Patriots (2-0) will host the Carolina Panthers (1-1).
The Patriots are hosting their first week of preseason practice without another team in the building. While head coach Bill Belichick says there is nothing similar with week 3 of the preseason and the actual regular season, I would expect that he is teaching his younger players how to prepare for an away game.
The Panthers are the reigning NFC champions and have one of the best defensive fronts in football. Charles Johnson and Kony Ealy are dominant pass rushers on the edge, while first round pick Vernon Butler will join Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short to create one of the best defensive interior lines in football.
Carolina has the best linebacker in football in Boston College’s Luke Kuechly, while Thomas Davis and Kuechly were both First Team All Pros last season. They are joined by 2015 1st round pick and former member of the Boston Red Sox farm system Shaq Thompson.
The Patriots offensive line will have their hands full against this defense and it will be a baptism by fire as the team has to adjust and move on from the injuries to right guard Shaq Mason and right tackle Sebastian Vollmer.
Former Patriots defensive tackle Kyle Love is in the Panthers rotation, as is former Patriots cornerback Robert McClain. And while safety Tre Boston has not played for the Patriots, I felt I should highlight his name.
Date: Friday, August 26th, 2016
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Kickoff: 7:30 PM EST
SB Nation Affiliates: Cat Scratch Reader
TV: CBS
Announcers: Dan Roche and Christian Fauria, with Matt Chatham on the sideline
Channels: Courtesy of the New England Patriots media guide.
Massachusetts
Boston, Mass. WBZ-TV Ch. 4
Springfield, Mass. WWLP-TV Ch. 22
Connecticut
Hartford, Conn. WTNH-TV Ch. 8
Maine
Portland, Maine WMTW-TV Ch. 8
Bangor, Maine WVII-TV Ch. 7
New Hampshire
Manchester, N.H. WMUR-TV Ch. 9
Rhode Island
Providence, R.I. WPRI-TV Ch. 12
Vermont
Burlington, Vt. WCAX-TV Ch. 3
Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska KYUR-TV Ch. 13
Fairbanks, Alaska KATN-TV Ch. 2
Juneau, Alaska KJUD-TV Ch. 8
Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii KFVE-TV Ch. 5
Online Streaming: NFL Game Pass for international viewers, 98.5 The Sports Hub Online Radio Stream. You can access a free 7-day trial for NFL Game Pass to watch the game in the USA.
Radio: 98.5 FM, with Scott Zolak and Bob Socci
Additional Information: The Patriots provide an incredible breakdown on their website.