FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots have finalized the dates and times of their preseason schedule:
Thursday, Aug. 18 -- vs. Chicago Bears (8 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 26 -- at Carolina Panthers (7:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Sept. 1 -- at New York Giants (7 p.m.)
All four games will be broadcast on WBZ-TV and the Patriots preseason television network.
This schedule sets up nicely for the Patriots to host joint practices within the first two weeks, with the Saints and/or the Bears.