5 Things You Need to Know About Thursday's Patriots Game

After three weeks of preparation through Training Camp practices in front of record crowds in Foxborough, the New England Patriots will open its 2012 preseason schedule Thursday night against the New Orleans Saints at . Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Here's five things you need to know about Thursday's game:

1. Parking Information and Time Gates Open

View the PDF file in the photo gallery above for a parking map of Gillette Stadium.

General Parking Rates

• $40 for cars
• $125 for RVs (enter P10 N from the North, Enter P11 from the South)
• $125 for Limos (enter P1 N from north or P7 S from the south)
• $200 for buses (Enter P10 N from the North, Enter P11 from the South)
• $40 for motorcycles (one per space)

All Gillette Stadium Lots are cash only.

Parking lots open for game day at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Gillette Stadium's gates open at 5:30 p.m. for admission to the game.

2. Allow Plenty of Time for Traffic Around the Stadium

Drivers are advised to allow themselves plenty of time when travelling near the stadium on game day. Traffic restrictions will be in place on local roads before and after Thursday's game. Fans must use I-95, I-495 or Route 140 to access Gillette Stadium.

Because the game is on a Thursday night, motorists should expect a larger traffic load because game traffic will be combined with the evening commute.

3. The Dos and Don’ts at Gillette Stadium

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. Quick Hits About Thursday's Game at Gillette Stadium

• This will be the first chance for many Patriots fans to sample the new selections at the concessions stands inside Gillette Stadium, including healthy items like black bean burgers.
• This will be the first Patriots game since Gillette Stadium transitioned to a non-smoking venue.
• Foxborough is now the game day hometown of a Division 1 college football team. Swing by the UMass football tent in Patriot Place Plaza (next to The Hall) to learn more about the upcoming UMass football season.
• Mission Hill will provide pregame music in Patriot Place Plaza from 6-7 p.m.

5. Patch's Game Day Preview of Pats vs. Saints

The New England Patriots return to game action Thursday for the first time since Super Bowl XLVI this past February and will look to incorporate several new faces on both sides of the ball in preparation for the Sept. 9 season opener in Tennessee.

Here's a few things to watch for during Thursday's preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

• Keep a roster handy: The first preseason game always features a heavy workload for the roster's unknowns as coaching staffs take time to evaluate the depth of their rosters in game situations. In last year's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, many of the Patriots starters did not take the field, including quarterback Tom Brady. It is very likely Brady and other stars don't see the field Thursday, but you never quite know what Bill Belichick will do. Regardless, keep a roster handy so you know whom you're rooting for or yelling at against the Saints.
• Position battles the focus of camp: Perhaps the best position battle of camp this year is at wide receiver. Familiar faces Deion Branch, Donte Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney have all been reported to be battling for one to two roster spots – and you never know when an undrafted rookie will rise during the preseason, i.e. a Victor Cruz. Brady is familiar with these three targets so it will be interesting to see how this competition pans out in game situations. Staying with the offense, another great battle will be at running back. Stevan Ridley is the early favorite for the majority of carries but Danny Woodhead and second-year pro Shane Vereen will press Ridley for snaps as all three appear to be valuable in both the running and passing games. Don't count out rookie running back Brandon Bolden, who has the make of former Patriot Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis and has caught Belichick's attention during camp. On defense, the battle has to be won in the secondary - a significant weakness for the Patriots a season ago. It will be important for this unit to play well early and develop the confidence needed to succeed in 2012.
• Players to Watch: Speaking of that defense, let's take a good look at rookie defensive end Chandler Jones and linebacker Dont'a Hightower – considering Belichick plays both Thursday. Belichick has raved about Hightower throughout training camp and Jones has started to impress in recent days – especially in joint practices with the Saints this week.
• Final Thought: Glad to see the Patriots are back in action - with the Red Sox on the brink of irrelevance, it's even better to see football return to Foxborough.
• Prediction: I won't be doing this often, but I'm picking against the Patriots in this one. The truth is, the final score is meaningless in these games and Belichick will be too concerned with the development and performances of his players to worry about a game that doesn't count in the standings. See the Pats try to do some things with their younger, unproven players but see the Saints edge out New England on the scoreboard. Saints 28, Patriots 24.