What You Need to Know About Tonight's Patriots' Game vs. the Giants at Gillette Stadium

It’s the final game of the preseason and that means it’s time to play the New York Giants. The meeting will be the 23rd preseason meeting between the two teams, making the Giants the Patriots’ most common preseason opponent.

Kickoff for the game at Gillette Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. To get you ready, here are five things you need to know.

1. Parking Lot Information and Traffic

The stadium lots will open at 3:30 p.m. Parking at Gillette Stadium is $40 for cars and motorcycles and $150 for busses, RVs, and limos.

In addition, the following vehicles will not be allowed in the lots:

• Any vehicle towing a trailer (this includes fifth-wheel RV units).
• Professional catering trucks and or services without prior written approval from Stadium Management.
• Excessive tailgate setups that impede on customers parked around your vehicles, emergency access or deemed to be unsafe or inappropriate by Stadium Management.
• Any type of swimming pool, portable pool, hot tubs, water filled pickup trucks, or the like.

Allow Plenty of Time for Traffic Around the Stadium

With traffic from the evening commute expected before the game, drivers are advised 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 tonight’s game. Fans must use I-95, I-495 or Route 140 to access Gillette Stadium.

This week’s game will be broadcast on WBZ-TV CBS and can be seen in every New England state as well as Hawaii. 

Dan Roche provides play-by-play and is joined by former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria in the broadcast booth. Former Patriots linebacker Matt  Chatham will provide sideline analysis along with WBZ-TV’s Steve Burton. 

Patriots Football Weekly’s beat writers Paul Perillo and Andy Hart will also provide insight and analysis.

The game will also be broadcast to a national audience by the NFL Network with  Spero Dedes calling the game with Mike Mayock. Alex Flanagan will provide  sideline analysis. Bob Goodrich and Mark Teitleman will produce the game and  Artie Kempner will be the director

98.5 FM, The Sports Hub, is the home for the radio commentary. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with  former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis.

No one wants to be "that fan" that doesn't know the stadium's security protocol. Be prepared on game day by reviewing the dos and don’ts at Gillette Stadium as well as other useful information about the facility:

• Ticket Policies
• Patron Screening
• Prohibited Items
• Acceptable Items
• Banner Policy
• Smoking Policy
• Medical Supplies or Dietary Considerations
• Fan Code of Conduct
• Security Assistance During an Event
• Lost & Found
• Letters of Disinvite
• Designated Driver Program

4. Allow Extra Time to get into the Stadium

Each person entering the stadium will be screened, and all bags will be searched and tagged before being allowed through the gates

To help speed up the process, fans are asked to review the list of prohibited items.

Gillette Stadium also asks you to do the following to help security:

• Leaving any unnecessary bags at home or in your vehicles. There will be express lanes for guests with no bags.
• Arriving early at the gates
• Having any bags you need to bring into the stadium open when approaching the gates
• Removing all metal from your pockets; i.e. cell phone, keys, loose change prior to being screened
• Follow signs and directions given by staff during the bag searches and individual screenings

New Bag Policy:

For every game this season, fans arriving for Patriots games at Gillette Stadium gates, plaza areas, or other areas where fans queue for entry into the stadium must have bags that are in compliance with the new policy. Bags that are not in compliance will not be stored and must be returned to the patron’s vehicle. A description of the style and size of the bags that will be allowed is described below

• Bags that are clear (see through) plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12.”
• One-gallon clear (see through) plastic freezer bag or similar.
• Small clutch bags, not to exceed 7” x 4” x 2” (approximately the size of a hand), with or without a handle or strap, 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.

In addition, clear plastic freezer bags will be distributed to all vehicles that arrive at Gillette Stadium for the first couple of games. In the parking lots, there will be eight different locations where fans can purchase NFL compliant clear plastic bags as well.

• While Patriots QB Tom Brady said he expected to play tonight, don’t expect to see too many starters tonight. The fourth preseason game has traditionally been used to give substitutes and players on the bubble one last chance to showcase their abilities before the second cut deadline. All teams must reduce their roster to no more than 53 players by Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.
• Some eyes will be on quarterback Tim Tebow to see if he can earn a spot on the regular season roster. If the former Florida Gator wants to make the team, he is going to have to produce a quality game tonight. In two preseason games, Tebow is 5-19 with 54 yards passing and an interception. Against the Buccaneers, he threw for -1 yard.
• Look for Alfonzo Dennard to get some time during the game. The cornerback has not dressed for any of the three preseason games but he has been practicing with the team. Rookie Logan Ryan should get some snaps too.
• Even veteran Adrian Wilson could find himself without a team if he cannot impress the coaches tonight. The 33-year old is fighting with Steve Gregory for a spot at safety and there is still a chance one of the two may not make the final cut.
• While it’s almost certain that Danny Amendola will be the No. 1 receiver and rookie Kenbrell Thompkins is the likely No. 2 receiver, there is still a battle for the third spot. Julian Edelman has filled that position recently but faces competition from Aaron Dobson. 
• Stevan Ridley is the likely top running back for the team but will two-time Pro Bowler Leon Washington get a chance to play after seeing little action on offense and special teams this preseason?