PREVIOUS FRANCHISE ARCHIVES BEGINS FROM THIS POINT BELOW: 2012 Week 11 - Angry over Loss to Texans, Patriots bounce back on Miami

The Patriots crush the Dolphins once more

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts - New England appears to have Miami's number. After their Week 6 route of the 'Fins, Miami came to New England for a re-match. Different arena, but similar result. The game was not mistake-free by the Patriots by any means - Miami RB Isaac Rider had well over 100 yards rushing and the Dolphins did intercept Brady - but the winning theme for this game for New England was points off of turnovers. The Pats' D forced Miami to turn the ball over multiple times, which almost always resulted in the offense getting more points on the board.

2012 Week 10 - Texans Break New England's four-game winning streak, Pats go to 6-3

Houston QB Matt Schaub ended with a much better passer rating than Brady, and gave his team the win

HOUSTON, Texas - The Texans showed the Patriots how difficult a balanced offensive attack can be to defend, especially as the Patriots' struggles at safety and linebacker continue. Texans QB Matt Schaub and RB Adrian Foster combined to do well on more than enough plays to give their team the win, 31-21 over New England. Texans TE "The Big O" Owen Daniels was absolute money on a significant number of plays, coming through throughout the game for Schaub. Houston's new HC Russ Grimm had his team playing well. Patriots fall to 6-3, while Houston moves up to 4-4.

[In-game footage coming soon]

2012 Week 9 - Patriots Outlast Seahawks in Fourth

New England was able to overcome a 10-3 deficit at halftime to win the game

SEATTLE, Washington - Facing Pete Carroll's squad in Week 9, Seattle was 3 and 4 coming into the game, and made the controversial move of benching veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck and starting rookie QB Eaton Grace. Grace did well in the spotlight, going into the half with better stats than Patriots QB Tom Brady, but New England would muster up a rally in the third and fourth quarters to grab the lead, and Patriots CB Devin McCourty's leaping batting-down of a fourth down, last-second pass into the endzone single-handedly precluded overtime.

2012 Week 7 - Patriots Barely Win in Jacksonville, Rise to 5 and 2

Garrard & MJD kept it a tie ballgame heading into the fourth

JACKSONVILLE, Florida - After their Week 6 pounding of division rival Miami, the Patriots traveled just a bit north to Jacksonville, to take on the AFC South's Jaguars. While the Jags were just 1-4, there could be little doubt that they would try their best to exploit the match-up of RB Maurice Jones-Drew against the Patriots' porous run-defense. And they did just that, gaining a lot of yards on the ground while milking the clock and keeping Brady on the sidelines. Their upkeep helped them make it a tie going into the fourth quarter. However, the Patriots' defense stepped it up in the fourth, and were able to put the game on ice when they went up by a score late, forcing Garrard to hold the ball longer for passing opportunities to materialize deeper downfield, which is not Garrard's forte. With back-to-back sacks of David, the Patriots finish the Jags by sacking the QB for a safety with less than 2 minutes left in the fourth.

2012 Week 6 - Patriots Pound Dolphins, Recapture AFC East Lead

Despite 3 INTs by Brady, the Patriots won thanks to excellent defense

 

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts -  The Patriots knew their Week 6 match-up against then-AFC East Division leader Miami Dolphins couldn't have come at a better time. Eager to retain leadership atop the division after having lost it after 3 games for the first time in a long time, the Patriots defense, both rush defense and pass defense, stepped up their play, and even the Patriots ground game got in the act. The result is a 33-7 rout of Miami, who falls to 3-2. Patriots rise to 4-2, and stay within Florida but travel a little north to face the 1-4 Jacksonville Jaguars.

2012 Week 5 - Patriots Continue Rebound Against Cards, get above .500, at 3-2

Arizona fans watched a fired-up New England return to plus-.500 status

GLENDALE, Arizona - The Patriots traveled to the University of Phoenix Stadium in this Week 5 match-up of the Patriots against the Cardinals. Both teams were 2-2 going into this one, and Arizona's new HC Brian Daboll had his team playing exceptionally well. 'Zona's dynamic duo RBs of Chris "Beanie" Wells and Tim Hightower ran well against the Patriots, and QB Kevin Kolb did well thanks to WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston. However, the Patriots revamped their offensive approach again, but this time instead of employing more 5-WR set usage, they got RB Deshaun Copeland more involved in the passing game as a receiving option out of the backfield, which helped the Patriots earn the victory and improve their 2012 record to 3-2. 

2012 Week 4 - Patriots defeat Jets, bounce back to 2-2

Brady helped get the Pats back on track with 400 even passing yards, 3 TDs, and this time just 1 INT

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts - After bitter losses to Indianapolis at home, and then to Tennessee at Nashville, and falling to 1-2 on the season, the Patriots were eager to rebound. However, they faced an extremely formidable opponent in Week 4, the 90-OVR New York Jets. Revising their offensive approach to use more 5-WR sets, coupled with solid defensive play, the Patriots were able to get back on track, and eek out a win against archrival Jets, 27-21.

2012 Week 3 - Patriots lose at Tennessee, fall to 1-2

The Patriots had their hands full trying to contain CJ2K, which opened up the passing lanes for VY

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - It didn't take a Music City Miracle to beat New England. Even though the score ended as 25-21, the game wasn't as close as the score suggests, as Tennessee's defense absolutely suffocated Brady & Co. Brady ended the day with a 68.6 passer rating, whereas Titans QB Vince Young finished with an excellent 105.7 rating. Tennessee gets its first win of the season, and New England loses two straight.

It's clear that the Patriots struggles are at least in part a direct result of the loss of Pro Bowler Safety Brandon Meriweather, and whether through the draft, trades, or free agency, the Patriots will need to focus on getting run-stopping linebackers and defensive ends. 

2012 Week 2 - Patriots Lose Close One to Colts, 35-30

Colts QB Peyton Manning finally got his revenge this time

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts - The annual regular season classic, Colts vs. Patriots (a.k.a. Brady vs. Manning) came early this year, as the Patriots hosted Indianapolis in Foxborough after rallying from a 14-10 halftime deficit to beat Buffalo in Gillette Stadium the prior week. Recall last year's game, where New England won by just one point. In this game, New England was tied with Indy going into halftime, and the two powerhouse franchises continued to trade proverbial punches in the second half, but Indy delivered the knockout blow when star LB Gary Brackett made an extremely acrobatic leap to intercept a Brady throw deep in the endzone. It was undoubtedly a team effort by Indy, however, as the Old Spice Player of the Game was Joseph Addai, who finished with over 100 yards rushing, averaging over 10 YPC, and had 3 rushing TDs. Patriots lose a close one, 35-30.

2012 Week 1 - Patriots Rally from Halftime Deficit to Beat Buffalo

Patriots QB Tom Brady was able to rally New England to overcome a halftime deficit

BUFFALO, New York - Buffalo's triple-headed backfield monster, comprised of running backs C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson, and Larry Johnson, made things easy on Bills' QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, and helped give Buffalo a 14-10 lead going into halftime. However, Brady would rally New England in the third and fourth quarters to grab the lead and win 42-27.

2012 Preseason - Lineup

* Denotes rookie; + Denotes 2012 free agent acquisition; (c) Denotes Team Captain

QB: Tom Brady (c), Derek Anderson+
RB: Deshaun Copeland, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead
FB: Sammy Morris
WR: Sean Addison, Wes Welker (c), Julian Edleman, Ben Tate, Taylor Price, Brett Swain
TE: Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez
LT: Matt Light
LG: Logan Mankins
C: Dan Koppen (c)
RG: Brian Hogan
RT: Sebastian Vollmer
LE: Matt Wright
RE: Ron Brace
DT: Vince Wilfork, Jacob Hargill
OLBs: Rob Nikovich, Tully Banta-Cain, Jermaine Cunningham, Rashad Jeanty+
MLBs: Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton
CBs: Devin McCourty, Darius Butler, Kyle Arrington
FS: Leigh Bodden, James Sanders
SS: Patrick Chung, Jarrad Page
K: Stephen Gostowski
P: Zoltan Mesko

2012 Preseason - Retirements, Offseason Changes, and Drafted Rookies Review

2011 Super Bowl - Patriots beat Giants by 10, repeat as World Champions!

Despite Eli Manning finishing with a better passer rating, Brady & Co. win the Super Bowl

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - Despite having history (2007) on its side, being deemed the "home team," having a true homefield advantage thanks to big brother Peyton, having its QB finish with a superior passer rating, gaining nearly as much yards through the air, and much more on the ground rushing, the G-Men fight a good game, and keep it tight, but lose by 10 to New England, who are back-to-back Super Bowl champions.

Brady was named Super Bowl MVP

 [Game footage coming soon]

2011 Playoffs - Super Bowl Preview - Shocker! 9-7 Giants Pull off the Upset (or, 2007 Cindarella, revisited)

NEW YORK, New York - Surging on the strength of their depth provided by the best draft of all teams this past offseason, in what has to be the most amazing story of the 2011 post-season, the Wildcard 9-7 Giants return to the Big Dance, coming off of a startling, narrow 23-17 upset of the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome to secure the NFC Championship crown, after having defeated the 2010 NFC Champion Green Bay Packers in the Divisional round. And to top it off, the Giants will face none other than New England in the Super Bowl. Is this Super Bowl XLVI, or Super Bowl XLII? Did we all step into a giant (pun intended) time machine set for the 2007 post-season?

We gonna party like its 2008!

Are you kidding me? Are we going back in time?!

2011 Playoffs - Divisional Round - Patriots defeat Chiefs

A long TD reception by Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe wasn't enough to defeat New England

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts - In a repeat of 2010, Kansas City traveled to New England for an AFC Divisional playoffs match-up. And unfortunately for the Chiefs, the Patriots continue to have their number, and won this game handily, 37 to 7.

2011 Playoffs - Wildcard Winners

• Raiders upset Colts - In a tight game that went down to the wire, with a game-ending interception of Colts QB Peyton Manning by none other than Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha, the Raiders pull off the upset of the year in a downpour, rain-drenched Oakland Colosseum. It will be Oakland, not Indianapolis, that advances to the Divisional Playoffs. Raiders LB Rolando McClain was a one-man wrecking crew out there, and the man driving the go-ahead touchdown for the Raiders was indeed the rookie QB, Cody Garvell, finding and throwing a laser to WR Louis Murphy just inside the redzone. Can Garvell be the future franchise QB? Raiders proceed to the Divisional round and go north to face another tough, defensive-minded team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

•  Lions beat Rams - In the battle of the " 'ford surname" QBs, Stafford gets the better of Bradford and the Lions beat the Rams, 26-20. Detroit will face a much tougher challenge as they travel to New Orleans to take on the 2009 Super Bowl champs led by QB Drew Brees.

 

• Chiefs take out Titans - Kansas City shows that last year was no fluke, will proceed to face off against the Patriots in a repeat of 2010.

 

• Giants edge Vikings - Giants QB Eli Manning & RB Ahmad Bradshaw work well together in this contest, in sharp contrast to the struggling, subpar performance by Vikings QB Donovan McNabb, to help the G-Men defeat the Vikes. Will we yet again see a new starting QB for Minnesota in 2011? The Giants will go on to face another NFC North team, the Green Bay Packers.

2011 Playoffs - Preview of Wildcard Weekend

• Chiefs at Titans - The Chiefs (10-6), who beat the Chargers in the Wildcard round but lost the Divisional game against the Patriots back in 2010, are back in 2011's Wildcard Weekend, but this time face off against newcomer Tennessee (11-5). Will the Chiefs fail to make it further than they did last year, or will the Titans be one-and-done?

• Lions at Rams - Detroit (8-8) and St. Louis (10-6), two teams that were both considered laughingstock of the NFL not too long ago, now face off in this 2011 Wildcard newcomers match-up. Who will win the "Loser Bowl"?

 

• Colts at Raiders - Manning & Co. (11-5) pay a visit to resurgent newcomers Oak-town (10-6). Will the run-heavy Raiders, featuring top-10 rusher RB Darren McFadden, be able to overcome an injury-depleted linebacking corps, and having to start rookie QB Cody Garvell in place of injured QB Bruce Gradkowski, and pull off the upset?

•  Vikings at Giants - Minnesota (8-8) making the playoffs during the first season of the post-Favre era with QB Donovan McNabb at the helm, travel to the Meadowlands to take on fellow newcomers New York Giants (9-7), who struck gold during the 2010 draft. Who will come out on top in this one?

2011 Playoffs - Awards Recap

Awards (parenthetical indicates year in which award was won previously, since 2010):

• 2011 NFL MVP - Patriots QB Tom Brady (2010)
• 2011 Offensive Player of the Year - Patriots QB Tom Brady (2010)
• 2011 Quarterback of the Year - Patriots QB Tom Brady
• 2011 Defensive Player of the Year - Colts ROLB Clint Session
• 2011 Offensive Rookie of the Year- Patriots WR Sean Addison
• 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year - Falcons LOLB Fred Patterson

Week 17 - Patriots win "Backup Bowl" against NY Giants, 24-21

We were going to show highlights of the "Backup Bowl," but then wisened up

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey - Both Patriots Head Coach Bill Belicheck and NY Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin decided to rest their starting QBs for this game, as both teams had clinched their divisions (and the Patriots clinched the first round BYE), thereby giving rise to this game being the "Backup Bowl" which pitted Patriots backup QB Brian Hoyer (pictured) against Giants backup QB Sage Rosenfels. The Patriots won 24 to 21, and other than Giants HB "Cadillac" Williams showing he still has some left in the tank with two explosive long runs for TDs, this game bares mention because Patriots star TE Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski suffered a broken forearm on a Special Teams play that will sideline him for 6 weeks.

The following is the list of players that New England has out due to injury, and the duration remaining:

• WR Wes Welker - Dislocated Elbow - 1 Week
• WR Ben Tate - Torn Hamstring - 2 Weeks
• MLB Gary Guyton - Partial PLC Tear - 4 Weeks
• TE Rob Gronkowski - Broken Forearm - 6 Weeks
• And of course, WR Deion Branch - Fractured Vertebrae - Career-Ending

What's most shocking about this injury list is that except for Guyton, it includes some of Brady's favorite receiving targets. Will the backups step up enough for the Patriots in the playoffs?

2011 Week 16 - Playoff Preview - Open Division Races

• AFC South - The winner of the AFC South is still undecided. Tennesee and Indianapolis hold identical records going into Week 16, at 11 and 4.

•  AFC West - The winner of the AFC West also remains unclear. Will it be the 9-5 Raiders, or the 9-6 Chiefs?

2011 Week 16 - Patriots Dismantle Steelers

Brady helped the Patriots push their unbeaten streak to 5-0 after the Broncos loss

PITTSBURGH, Pennyslvania - This Week 16 match-up of Division leaders (AFC North vs. AFC East) didn't really live up to its hype. Taking the same approach they took with the Jets, Roethlisberger sorely missed his #1 WR Hines Ward (out due to injury with a torn bicep), and couldn't consistently beat the Patriots' defense over the top. Pats leave Heinz Field victorious, 38 to 7.

The Patriots boast the best record in the NFL at 13 and 2, with Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and Indianapolis are all 11 and 4, and Green Bay is 10 and 4.

2011 Week 13 - Patriots blow out Jets in Foxborough

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts - New England's defense, stifiling the Jets' "ground and pound" game and forcing QB Mark Sanchez to beat them over the top consistently proved to be New York's undoing, and Gang Green's secondary couldn't consistently stop 2010 NFL MVP and the leading vote-getter for 2011's MVP award, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Add that to solid Special Teams play providing good "hidden yardage" for the Patriots' offense, and you've got yourselves a 45-24 blowout.

2011 Week 12 - Patriots blow out Eagles

Despite 2 INTs by Brady, the Patriots were still able to blow out the Eagles on the scoreboard

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts - Continuing their NFC "Beast" match-ups, the Patriots hosted the Eagles at Gillette Stadium in Week 12. Seeking to make amends for their bitter last-minute loss to the Broncos, the Patriots came out firing. While the Eagles' offense managed to keep pace early on, with help from their defense, they could not consistently keep up and were eventually overpowered by New England in this one. Patriots win in a rout, 45 to 23.

2011 Week 10 - Broncos outshoot Patriots, 44-41

Patriots HC Bill Belichick congratulates Broncos HC Josh McDaniels on the victory

DENVER, Colorado - This week 10 battle at Invesco Field at Mile High resulted in some mile high scoring. Denver's RB Knowshon Moreno ran all over the Patriots' defense, and second-year QB Tim Tebow, starting for the injured Kyle Orton, lit up New England, throwing 4 TDs and 0 INTs. The Patriots got the ball back in the fourth with a few ticks (15 seconds, to be precise) left on the clock, but the obvious deep bombs didn't connect. Patriots move to 7-2 on the season.

 Despite the loss, Patriots WR/KR Wes Welker had an outstanding day with 2 kick returns for touchdowns, helping his team win the "Very Special Teams" trophy presented by Sony and Electronic Arts. 

2011 Week 10 - Patriots Rally to Defeat Cowboys in OT

Despite New England QB Tom Brady throwing 4 INTs, the Patriots still won the game in overtime

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts - Despite having RB Felix Jones out with an injury, and despite having to start a rookie (albeit highly talented) on the O-line, the Cowboys ran the ball with authority against the Patriots. MBIII had well over 100 yards rushing and an amazing per carry average, and Tashard Choice spelled him well. But, despite throwing 4 interceptions, Patriots QB Tom Brady was still able to keep his team in the game, and put his team in FG-range for the game-winning drive in OT.

2011 Week 9 - New England Wins at San Diego, 24-17

Chargers QB Philip Rivers wasn't able to out-duel Patriots QB Tom Brady

SAN DIEGO, California - The team that was the only team to beat New England last season couldn't pull off the repeat, even though the game went down to the wire in the fourth quarter. 

This game also bares special mention because it was in this game that we bid farewell to wide receiver Deion Branch. In the third quarter, Branch was cutting over the middle for a catch when a hard hit by Chargers LB Shaun Phillips resulted in more than a dropped pass - Branch sustained a career-ending fractured vertebrae injury.

Patriots WR Deion Branch will be missed

2011 Week 8 - Patriots Rally from Halftime to Overtake Jets

New England's Week 8 showdown pitted them against New York's Sanchize & Co.

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts - Despite drawing first blood with Jets QB Mark Sanchez hitting Jets WR Braylon Edwards on a deep bomb in the first quarter to get 6, and later Gang Green's defense (LB Calvin Pace) getting a pick six of Patriots QB Tom Brady, to lead 14-3 and then 14-10 going into halftime, New England would rally in the third quarter to take the lead and stay ahead to secure the victory.

2011 Week 7 - NFL receiving record amount of complaints about Pats' "strength" of schedule

NEW YORK, New York - The NFL has received what appears to be a record number of complaints about the New England Patriots' strength of schedule for the 2011 season. Aside from being in a "cupcake" division, being pitted against a number of poorly-performing, non-playoff teams outside the division does not befit a Super Bowl champion, some have argued. The league office did not immediately respond when reached for comment.

2011 Week 7 - Patriots Steamroll Texans, move to 5-1

The Patriots defeated the Texans thanks in large part to solid offensive line play

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts - Having a relatively easy schedule that would make most teams envious, the Patriots faced the AFC South's lowest standing team, the Houston Texans, who have a notoriously weak secondary, and the result is what you'd expect. The highlights here include Patriots rookie WR Sean Addison's first goal-line fade/jump ball reception for a TD, showing off not only his hops but also his 6'4" height advantage over 5'10" Texans CB Kareem Jackson.

2011 Week 6 - Patriots Dominate Bills like they did Raiders, go to 4-1

Patriots QB Tom Brady connected with rookie WR Sean Addison for 3 of his five TDs in this game

BUFFALO, New York - Not unlike how New England destroyed Oakland in its Week 5 match-up, the Patriots also defeated the much lower rated Buffalo Bills this weekend. Brady dissected Buffalo's secondary for 5 touchdowns and finishing the game with nearly 450 yards passing, and on defense, the simple approach yet again was to contain the running back (in this case, C.J. Spiller instead of D-Mac), and force the QB to win over the top (in this case, Ryan Fitzpatrick instead of Bruce Gradkowski). The strategy worked very successfully and the Pats win in a rout of Buffalo, 38 to 13, to proceed to being 4 and 1 on the season so far, and part of a 4-way tie for best record in the NFL.

2011 Week 2 - Patriots Regain Championship Form, Defeat Dolphins 21-3

Patriots QB Tom Brady was the Player of the Game with 3 TDs, 0 INTs, and over 250 yards passing

MIAMI, Florida - After a stinging loss in overtime to the Redskins at FedEx field, the Patriots came to rain-soaked Sun Life Stadium looking to get their first win of the season. So were the Dolphins. However, the Patriots' defense suppressed the 'Fins running game, and forced Miami QB Chad Henne to beat them over the top, which he could not do consistently. Miami's defense crushed the Patriots' running game, but they had no answer for Brady and his deep receiving corps. New England gets their first win of 2011, 21-3, to go 1-1 on the season thus far. Patriots rookie WR Sean Addison catches his first career touchdown in this one.

2011 Week 1 - Redskins rookie QB shines in debut against Patriots

 

Poise under pressure - Redskins rookie QB Leonard Brown hits WR Anthony Armnstrong on an in-cut for six, while taking the free-blitzer hit in the face by Patriots CB Kyle Arrington.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - He didn't play like a rookie. Maybe that's why Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan started Leonard Brown over Rex Grossman for the season opener against none other than the reigning Super Bowl champions. And although hard-nosed defense and heavily milking the clock with a solid running game with a one-two punch of Ryan Torain and Clinton Portis helped Washington win in overtime, the Redskins needed a QB who would remain unfazed by the pressure the Patriots would bring. And Brown answered the call. Redskins narrowly defeat New England in overtime, 13-10. Is Brown Washington's future franchise QB? (Eds. note: I controlled Washington here, and I'm shocked that I won this game, despite the narrow margin, having to just barely convert a few fourth downs to keep drives alive, and despite my knowing how to exploit the Patriots' weaknesses. I've adjusted the sliders so that the CPU will now get +5 to all slider attributes using Playmaker's sliders as a base.)

2011 Preseason - Preview of Most Anticipated Storylines for 2011

 Patriots: With the Super Bowl champs having a monster draft and no major losses in the off-season, can anyone stop them from dominating?

Giants: Having arguably the best draft out of all, will the G-Men make the post-season this year?

Redskins: With a new and highly-talented quarterback in rookie Leonard Brown, will he start immediately over Rex, and can Mike Shanahan improve the team's fortunes this season?

Cardinals: Can Kevin Kolb prove to be Arizona's new franchise quarterback?

 Dolphins: Having landed arguably the best running back available in the draft in Issac Rider, how well will a stronger running game translate into more wins for the 'Fins?

49ers: Will rookie quarterback Derek Boss bring stability to the quarterback position for the Niners?

Vikings: Now that McNabb is under center, are the playoffs back within reach of Minnesota?