2007 New England Patriots season: Difference between revisions

2007 New England Patriots season
2007 New England Patriots season
Head coach	Bill Belichick
Home field	Gillette Stadium
Results
Record	16-0
Division place	1st AFC East
Playoff finish	Won Divisional Playoffs (Jaguars) 31–20; Won Conference Championship (Chargers) 21–12; Lost Super Bowl XLII (Giants) 17–14
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The 2007 New England Patriots season was the 38th season for the team in the National Football League and 48th season overall. The season began with the team trying to improve on its 12–4 record of 2006 after finishing in first place in the AFC East but losing to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship. The Patriots clinched the AFC East before their eleventh game (in Week 12), only the fourth time since the NFL introduced the 16-game schedule in 1978 that a team had clinched a division title by its eleventh game.^[1] The team then went on to finish the regular season with the first 16-0 record in NFL history, and the first undefeated regular season in the NFL since the 1972 Miami Dolphins finished 14-0.^[2] Their two playoff wins to reach Super Bowl XLII, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, make them the first professional team in any of the four major American sports (football, basketball, baseball, hockey) since 1884 to win the first 18 games of their season.^[3] However, despite their 18-0 campaign, the Patriots lost to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, leaving the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only undefeated champion in NFL history. With the loss, the Patriots ended the year at 18-1, becoming only one of three teams to go 18-1 along with the 1984 San Francisco 49ers and the 1985 Chicago Bears, both of whom won that year's Super Bowl.

Offseason

Death of Marquise Hill

On the evening of May 27, 2007, Marquise Hill and his friend, Ashley Blazio,^[4] fell off a jet ski in Lake Pontchartrain, north of New Orleans. Neither was wearing a personal flotation nor tracking device. According to Hill's agent, who spoke with Blazio, Hill "ended up saving her life, keeping her calm until she could grab onto a buoy.^[5]" Blazio was rescued and sent to Tulane Medical Center. Coast Guard units searched the area, and Hill's body was found by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries around 2:15 PM CDT on May 28.

Hill's funeral, paid for by the team,^[6] was attended by many members of the Patriots team and staff, as well as by Hill's former coach Nick Saban.^[7]

For the 2007 season, all members of the Patriots wore a black #91 decal on the backs of their helmets.^[8] A friend of Hill's since high school, fellow Patriots defensive lineman Jarvis Green supported Hill's fiancée Inell Benn and son Ma’Shy financially following Hill's death.^[9] Green also wore Hill's old shoulder pads for the Patriots' October 14 game against the Cowboys, which Benn attended.^[8]

Coaching changes

Unlike previous offseasons, Bill Belichick's 2007 coaching staff remained generally unchanged. Wide receivers coach Brian Daboll left to become the quarterbacks coach for the New York Jets and was replaced by Director of Pro Personnel Nick Caserio.^[10] Former Duke University offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien was also hired as an offensive assistant.^[11] A former special teams contributor for the Patriots, linebacker Don Davis retired and joined the coaching staff as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.^[12]

Departures

Free agency saw the departure of two 2006 starters for the Patriots: tight end Daniel Graham signed with the Denver Broncos,^[13] and linebacker Tully Banta-Cain signed with the San Francisco 49ers,^[14] while running back Corey Dillon, the Patriots' leading rusher in 2006, asked to be released; the Patriots released him on March 2.^[15] Safety Tebucky Jones was also released early in the offseason.^[16] Another departure came when punter Todd Sauerbrun signed with the Denver Broncos. When Sauerbrun was signed by the Patriots in December 2006, he agreed to a right of first refusal, meaning that the Patriots could match any offer by any other team made in the subsequent offseason. When the unrestricted free agent signing period came, the Broncos tendered Sauerbrun, and the Patriots exercised their right and matched the offer. However, the Broncos argued that the Patriots had not filed the proper documents required for that right, and ordered a hearing before an NFL special master^[17] The Broncos won this hearing and Sauerbrun was allowed to sign with the Broncos.^[18] After spending all of training camp with the team, veteran punter Josh Miller was released on August 16.^[19]

Signings

The offseason brought the arrival of seven unrestricted free agents to the Patriots. On offense, the Patriots added running back Sammy Morris,^[20] tight end Kyle Brady,^[21] and wide receivers Donté Stallworth and Kelley Washington.^[22] On defense, they added linebacker Adalius Thomas^[23] and cornerbacks Tory James^[24] and Eddie Jackson.^[25] Other arrivals were defensive linemen Rashad Moore (New York Jets), Kenny Smith (Tampa Bay Buccaneers),^[26] linebacker Chad Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers),^[27] tight end Marcellus Rivers (New Orleans Saints),^[28] and punter Chris Hanson (New Orleans Saints).^[29]

Randy Moss lined up during the first training camp practice

Free agents or potential free agents Heath Evans, Billy Yates,^[30] Larry Izzo,^[31] Rashad Baker, Gene Mruczkowski,^[32] Junior Seau,^[33] Randall Gay,^[34] Troy Brown,^[35] and Vinny Testaverde^[36] were all re-signed. The Patriots used their non-exclusive franchise tag on cornerback Asante Samuel;^[37] Samuel signed it on August 28.^[38]

Trades

In the first week of free agency, the Patriots traded their second- and seventh-round picks in the 2007 NFL Draft to the Miami Dolphins for wide receiver Wes Welker. A restricted free agent, Welker signed a five-year contract with the Patriots to complete the trade.^[39]

During the second day of the draft, the Patriots added yet another wide receiver, this time trading a fourth-round draft pick (which the Patriots acquired the day before from the San Francisco 49ers with the 49ers' 2008 first-round pick in exchange for the Patriots' original 2007 first-round pick) to the Oakland Raiders for Randy Moss, who agreed to take a pay cut of over $6 million.^[40]^[41]

During the preseason, on August 7, the Patriots traded an undisclosed pick in the 2008 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears for cornerback Dante Wesley,^[42] but since Wesley was cut, the Bears did not receive that pick.

2007 NFL Draft

The Patriots traded their original fifth-round pick to the Oakland Raiders during the 2006 season for Doug Gabriel.^[43] They also traded Patrick Cobbs to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ross Tucker to the Cleveland Browns prior to the 2006 season for late-round conditional draft picks, but neither players made their respective rosters, so the Patriots received no compensation.^[44]

2007 New England Patriots Draft Selections
Round	Overall	Player	Position	College
1^[45]	24	Brandon Meriweather	Safety	Miami (FL)
4	127	Kareem Brown	Defensive end	Miami (FL)
5	171	Clint Oldenburg	Offensive tackle	Colorado State
6^[46]	180	Justin Rogers	Linebacker	SMU
6	202	Mike Richardson	Cornerback	Notre Dame
6	208	Justise Hairston	Running back	Central Connecticut State
6	209	Corey Hilliard	Offensive guard	Oklahoma State
7^[47]	211	Oscar Lua	Linebacker	USC
7	247	Mike Elgin	Center	Iowa

	compensatory selection

2007 New England Patriots Draft Day Trades^[48]
Round	Overall	Team	Received
1	28	to San Francisco 49ers	Received San Francisco's fourth-round pick (110 overall) in 2007 and first-round pick in 2008
3	91	to Oakland Raiders	Received Oakland's seventh-round pick (211 overall) in 2007 and third-round pick in 2008
4	110	from San Francisco 49ers to Oakland Raiders	Received Randy Moss

Undrafted free agents

The Patriots signed nine undrafted free agents following the draft. Quarterback Matt Gutierrez was the only one to make the Patriots' roster to start the season.^[49] Linebacker Justin Warren,^[50] safety Denny Poland,^[51] and tight end Jake Nordin^[52] were all released before training camp, while linebacker Kyle Bissinger was released during the preseason after suffering an injury.^[53] Defensive back Larry Anam, wide receiver Chris Dunlap, running back Quinton Smith, and defensive lineman Zach West were all released after the preseason.^[54]

External links

Draft Page at Patriots.com

Rosters

Opening training camp

New England Patriots 2007 opening training camp roster

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

95 Kareem Brown DE ^R
97 Jarvis Green DE
63 Rashad Moore NT
60 Kenny Smith DE
90 Le Kevin Smith NT
92 Santonio Thomas DE
94 Ty Warren DE
69 Zach West DE ^UR
75 Vince Wilfork NT
99 Mike Wright NT/DE

Linebackers

52 Eric Alexander ILB
48 Kyle Bissinger OLB ^UR
98 Chad Brown OLB
54 Tedy Bruschi ILB
59 Rosevelt Colvin OLB
53 Larry Izzo ILB
49 Oscar Lua ILB
46 Corey Mays ILB
51 Justin Rogers OLB ^R
55 Junior Seau ILB
96 Adalius Thomas ILB/OLB
50 Mike Vrabel OLB/ILB
58 Pierre Woods OLB

Defensive Backs

41 Larry Anam CB/SS ^UR
23 Willie Andrews CB/FS
32 Rashad Baker FS
21 Randall Gay CB
37 Rodney Harrison SS
25 Artrell Hawkins FS
27 Ellis Hobbs CB
28 Tory James CB
38 Brandon Meriweather S/CB ^R
35 Mike Richardson CB ^R
22 Asante Samuel CB
36 James Sanders SS
30 Chad Scott CB
42 Gemara Williams CB
26 Eugene Wilson FS

Special Teams

Reserve Lists

80 Troy Brown WR (Active/PUP)
43 Justise Hairston RB (Active/PUP) ^R
17 Chad Jackson WR (Active/PUP)
29 Eddie Jackson CB (Active/PUP)
24 Mel Mitchell FS (Active/PUP)
93 Richard Seymour DE (Active/PUP)
86 David Thomas TE (Active/PUP)

Notations

R: 2007 Rookie
UR: 2007 Undrafted Rookie

Week 1

New England Patriots 2007 week 1 roster

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

95 Kareem Brown DE ^R
97 Jarvis Green DE
90 Le Kevin Smith NT/DE
92 Santonio Thomas DE
94 Ty Warren DE
75 Vince Wilfork NT
99 Mike Wright DE/NT

Linebackers

52 Eric Alexander ILB
54 Tedy Bruschi ILB
59 Rosevelt Colvin OLB
51 David Herron ILB ^UR
53 Larry Izzo ILB
46 Corey Mays ILB
55 Junior Seau ILB
96 Adalius Thomas ILB
50 Mike Vrabel OLB
58 Pierre Woods OLB

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

Reserve Lists

80 Troy Brown WR (PUP)
43 Justise Hairston RB (IR) ^R
37 Rodney Harrison SS (Susp.)
17 Chad Jackson WR (PUP)
29 Eddie Jackson CB (PUP)
49 Oscar Lua ILB (IR) ^R
35 Mike Richardson CB (IR) ^R
30 Chad Scott CB (IR)
93 Richard Seymour DE (PUP)

Practice Squad

13 Bam Childress WR/KR
38 Kyle Eckel FB
19 C. J. Jones WR/KR
76 Clint Oldenburg OT ^R
85 Jason Rader TE

Notations

R: 2007 Rookie
UR: 2007 Undrafted Rookie
Italicized players are not on the 53-man roster.

Final

New England Patriots 2007 final roster

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

52 Eric Alexander ILB
54 Tedy Bruschi ILB
53 Larry Izzo ILB
55 Junior Seau ILB
96 Adalius Thomas OLB/ILB
50 Mike Vrabel OLB
58 Pierre Woods OLB

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

Reserve Lists

59 Rosevelt Colvin OLB (IR)
49 Oscar Lua ILB (IR) ^R
24 Mel Mitchell S (IR)
34 Sammy Morris RB (IR)
35 Mike Richardson CB (IR) ^R
30 Chad Scott CB (IR)
86 David Thomas TE (IR)
99 Mike Wright DE/NT (IR)

Practice Squad

48 Kyle Bissinger OLB ^UR
13 Bam Childress WR/KR
63 Dan Connolly C
19 C. J. Jones WR/KR
25 Tim Mixon CB ^UR
85 Jason Rader TE
42 Gemara Williams CB/KR

Future Contracts

-- Jimmy Martin G/T

Notations

R: 2007 Rookie
UR: 2007 Undrafted Rookie
Italicized players are not on the 53-man roster.

Coaching staff

New England Patriots 2007 coaching staff

Front Office

Owner/Chairman/CEO - Robert Kraft
President - Jonathan Kraft
Vice President of Player Personnel - Scott Pioli

Head Coaches

Head Coach - Bill Belichick
Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line - Dante Scarnecchia

Offensive Coaches

Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks - Josh McDaniels
Running Backs - Ivan Fears
Wide Receivers - Nick Caserio
Tight Ends - Pete Mangurian
Offensive Assistant - Bill O'Brien

Defensive Coaches

Defensive Coordinator - Dean Pees
Defensive Line - Pepper Johnson
Linebackers - Matt Patricia
Secondary - Joel Collier

Special Teams Coaches

Special Teams - Brad Seely

Strength and Conditioning

Strength and Conditioning - Mike Woicik
Assistant Strength and Conditioning - Harold Nash
Assistant Strength and Conditioning - Don Davis

Coaching Assistants

Kevin Bickers, Josh Boyer

Schedule

Preseason

Week	Kickoff	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game Site	TV	NFL.com Recap
1	7:30 PM EDT	August 10, 2007	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 10-13	0-1	Raymond James Stadium	WCVB	Recap
2	8:00 PM EDT	August 17, 2007	Tennessee Titans	L 24-27	0-2	Gillette Stadium	WCVB	Recap
3	8:00 PM EDT	August 24, 2007	Carolina Panthers	W 24-7	1-2	Bank of America Stadium	CBS	Recap
4	7:30 PM EDT	August 30, 2007	New York Giants	W 27-20	2-2	Gillette Stadium	WCVB	Recap

Regular season

Week	Kickoff	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	TV	NFL.com Recap
1	1:00 PM EDT	September 9, 2007	New York Jets	W 38-14	1-0	Giants Stadium	CBS	Recap
2	8:15 PM EDT	September 16, 2007	San Diego Chargers	W 38-14	2-0	Gillette Stadium	NBC	Recap
3	1:00 PM EDT	September 23, 2007	Buffalo Bills	W 38-7	3-0	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
4	8:30 PM EDT	October 1, 2007	Cincinnati Bengals	W 34-13	4-0	Paul Brown Stadium	ESPN^[a]	Recap
5	1:00 PM EDT	October 7, 2007	Cleveland Browns	W 34-17	5-0	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
6	4:15 PM EDT	October 14, 2007	Dallas Cowboys	W 48-27	6-0	Texas Stadium	CBS	Recap
7	1:00 PM EDT	October 21, 2007	Miami Dolphins	W 49-28	7-0	Dolphin Stadium	CBS	Recap
8	4:15 PM EDT	October 28, 2007	Washington Redskins	W 52-7	8-0	Gillette Stadium	FOX	Recap
9	4:15 PM EST	November 4, 2007	Indianapolis Colts	W 24-20	9-0	RCA Dome	CBS	Recap
10	Bye
11	8:15 PM EST^[55]	November 18, 2007	Buffalo Bills	W 56-10	10-0	Ralph Wilson Stadium	NBC	Recap
12	8:15 PM EST	November 25, 2007	Philadelphia Eagles	W 31-28	11-0	Gillette Stadium	NBC	Recap
13	8:30 PM EST	December 3, 2007	Baltimore Ravens	W 27-24	12-0	M&T Bank Stadium	ESPN^[a]	Recap
14	4:15 PM EST^[56]	December 9, 2007	Pittsburgh Steelers	W 34-13	13-0	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
15	1:00 PM EST	December 16, 2007	New York Jets	W 20-10	14-0	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
16	4:15 PM EST^[57]	December 23, 2007	Miami Dolphins	W 28-7	15-0	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
17	8:15 PM EST	December 29, 2007	New York Giants	W 38-35	16-0	Giants Stadium	NFLN^[a]^[b]	Recap

^a Simulcast on WCVB-TV and WMUR-TV.

^b Simulcast on CBS, NBC, WMUR-TV, WWOR-TV, and WCVB-TV.

Final divisional standings

AFC East
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
⁽¹⁾ New England Patriots	16	0	0	1.000	6–0	12–0	589	274	W16
Buffalo Bills	7	9	0	.438	4–2	6–6	252	354	L3
New York Jets	4	12	0	.250	2–4	4–8	268	355	W1
Miami Dolphins	1	15	0	.063	0–6	1–11	267	437	L2

Standings breakdown

	W	L	T	Pct.	PF	PA

Home	8	0	0	1.000	275	103
Away	8	0	0	1.000	314	171
AFC East Opponents	6	0	0	1.000	229	76
AFC Opponents	12	0	0	1.000	420	177
NFC Opponents	4	0	0	1.000	169	97
By Stadium Type
Indoors	2	0	0	1.000	72	47
Outdoors	14	0	0	1.000	517	227
By Time of Day
1:00 PM EST	5	0	0	1.000	179	76
4:15 PM EST	5	0	0	1.000	186	74
8:00 PM EST or later	6	0	0	1.000	224	124
By Day of Week
Saturday	1	0	0	1.000	38	35
Sunday	13	0	0	1.000	490	202
Monday	2	0	0	1.000	61	37
By Broadcast Network
on CBS^[a]	9	0	0	1.000	313	143
on NBC^[a]	3	0	0	1.000	125	52
on ESPN	2	0	0	1.000	61	37
on FOX	1	0	0	1.000	52	7
on NFLN	1	0	0	1.000	38	35

^a Does not include the Week 17 game simulcast.

Regular season results

Week 1: at New York Jets

	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	7	7	14	10	38
Jets	0	7	7	0	14

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C), partly cloudy
TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)
Referee: Jeff Triplette
Game attendance: 77,900

In the Patriots' fourth matchup with the Jets in their past 20 games, head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots traveled to The Meadowlands to face former Patriots assistant coach and current Jets head coach Eric Mangini in the season opener. On the Patriots' first possession of the game, a 91-yard drive led to a 11-yard Wes Welker touchdown reception that gave the Patriots a 7-0 lead. The Jets tied the game on the ensuing drive with a 7-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Laveranues Coles from quarterback Chad Pennington. The Patriots responded with a 73-yard drive late in the second quarter, finished by a Benjamin Watson 5-yard touchdown catch that gave the Patriots a 14-7 lead they would not surrender.

Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs returned the opening kickoff of the second half 108 yards for a touchdown and a new NFL record for the longest kickoff return in the league's history; at the time, it also tied the existing record for longest play in NFL history (a record broken a few weeks later by Antonio Cromartie). On their next possession, a 51-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Tom Brady to wide receiver Randy Moss gave the Patriots a 28-7 lead. After another Coles touchdown reception, this one from 1 yard out, the Patriots extended their lead to 31-14 with a 22-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal. Late in the second half, running back Heath Evans dove into the end zone from 1 yard out for a touchdown and the final points of the game.

Illegal videotaping incident

On September 10, Bill Belichick was accused by the Jets of authorizing his staff to film the Jets' defensive signals from an on-field location, a violation of league rules. The Jets confiscated the video camera used by video assistant Matt Estrella to film the signals during the game and filed a complaint to the league office, detailing the accusations.^[58]

On September 13, Belichick was officially fined $500,000, while the Patriots were also fined $250,000, and forfeited their first round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.^[59] If the Patriots had missed the playoffs, they would have instead forfeited their second and third round selections in the 2008 draft.^[60] Goodell said that he fined the Patriots as a team because Belichick is effectively the team's general manager as well as head coach, and exercises so much control over the Patriots' on-field operations that "his actions and decisions are properly attributed to the club." Goodell considered suspending Belichick, but decided that taking away draft picks would be more severe in the long run.^[61]

Belichick later issued a statement in which he apologized for what he called a "mistake" in his interpretation of the rules. However, he denied ever using videotape to gain an advantage while a game was underway.^[62]

Week 2: vs. San Diego Chargers

	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	0	7	7	14
Patriots	14	10	7	7	38

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game time: 8:15 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), clear
TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator), and Andrea Kremer (field reporter)
Referee: Ed Hochuli
Game attendance: 68,756

The Patriots' home opener was a rematch from the 2006 divisional playoffs, against the Chargers. For the second consecutive week, the game began with a touchdown on the Patriots' first series: this time, Brady hit Watson for a 7-yard touchdown pass to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead. On the first play of the ensuing Chargers possession, their first, linebacker Rosevelt Colvin intercepted a Philip Rivers pass, but it did not translate into points for the Patriots as Gostkowski then missed a 41-yard field goal attempt on the ensuing series. On their next possession, the Patriots capped off a 75-yard drive with a Moss 23-yard touchdown reception. Colvin then added a sack and forced fumble to his game statistics, as he strip-sacked Rivers and defensive lineman Vince Wilfork recovered the fumble for the Patriots' second forced turnover of the game. This set-up a 24-yard Gostkowski field goal to give the Patriots a 17-0 lead. By halftime, the score stood at 24-0 in favor of the Patriots after linebacker Adalius Thomas intercepted a Rivers pass and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown.

The Chargers responded with a 72-yard touchdown drive of their own to start the second half, but another Moss touchdown, this one from 23 yards out, gave the Patriots a 31-7 lead. The teams traded touchdowns again in the fourth quarter: the Patriots answered a 12-yard Antonio Gates reception for the Chargers with a drive that consumed over 10 minutes of clock time, culminating in a 3-yard Sammy Morris run for the final points of the game. With their second 38-14 win of the season, the Patriots' record stood at 2-0.

Week 3 vs. Buffalo Bills

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	7	0	0	0	7
Patriots	3	14	14	7	38

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), clear
TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Rich Gannon (color commentator)
Referee: Scott Green
Game attendance: 68,756

The 0-2 Bills, who had not beaten the Patriots since Week 1 of the 2003 season, faced off against the Patriots in Foxboro. On the opening drive of the game, Wilfork was penalized for roughing the passer for a late hit on Bills quarterback J. P. Losman. The tackle led to a sprained for Losman; two plays later, Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs sacked Losman, causing a fumble that set-up a 24-yard Gostkowski field goal. Trent Edwards replaced Losman at quarterback for the Bills on their next possession.^[63] Losman was later diagnosed with a sprained MCL. The Bills took the lead on a 12-play drive finished off with an 8-yard Marshawn Lynch touchdown run, but these points proved to be the only of the game for the Bills. In the second quarter, the Patriots drove to the Bills' 3-yard line, but a Brady fumble on a rushing attempt kept the Patriots from scoring. Entering halftime, the Patriots held a 17-7 lead after touchdown receptions by Moss and Watson. A 4-yard touchdown pass to Jabar Gaffney and a 4-yard touchdown run by Sammy Morris increased the Patriots' lead to 31-7 by the fourth quarter. A 45-yard touchdown catch by Moss finished the scoring, giving the Patriots their third 38-point offensive performance of the season as they improved their record to 3-0.

Week 4: at Cincinnati Bengals

	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	10	7	7	10	34
Bengals	0	7	3	3	13

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game time: 8:30 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), clear & mild
TV announcers (ESPN^[a]): Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser (color commentators), Michele Tafoya and Suzy Kolber (field reporters)
Referee: Jerome Boger
Game attendance: 66,113

Coming off a divisional home win over the Bills, the Patriots traveled to Paul Brown Stadium for a matchup with the Bengals. In the first quarter, the Patriots began the game's scoring with a 31-yard Gostkowski field goal after driving to the Bengals' 16-yard line on the opening drive. Later in the quarter, a 49-yard Morris run set up a 1-yard touchdown pass to Mike Vrabel. In the second quarter, a Brady interception to Leon Hall at the Patriots' 37-yard line led to a 1-yard T. J. Houshmandzadeh touchdown catch from Carson Palmer, cutting the Patriots' lead to 10-7. The Patriots extended that lead to 17-7 on the next drive, going 62 yards over more than six minutes and ending in a Moss touchdown catch from 7 yards out. The Bengals then drove to the Patriots' red zone, but with less than 2 minutes remaining in the half, Asante Samuel intercepted Palmer at the Patriots' 2-yard line to prevent the Bengals from scoring.

The Patriots' first drive of the second half, an 81-yard drive, was capped by a 7-yard touchdown run by Morris. On the Bengals' ensuing drive, three Houshmandzadeh receptions helped bring the Bengals to the Patriots' 22-yard line before a 40-yard Shayne Graham field goal cut the Patriots' lead to 24-10. The fourth quarter began with 36-yard Gostkowski and 48-yard Graham field goals to keep the Patriots' lead at 14 points. On the Patriots' penultimate possession of the game, an 85-yard drive ended in a 14-yard Moss touchdown reception. After a 17-yard Houshmandzadeh catch on the next play, an interception by Randall Gay, his first since 2004, gave the Patriots the ball to end the game for their fourth win of the season.

Week 5: vs. Cleveland Browns

	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	0	0	3	14	17
Patriots	10	10	0	14	34

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), cloudy and cool, chance of showers
TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel (play-by-play) and Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)
Referee: Walt Coleman
Game attendance: 68,756

Returning the Foxboro, the Patriots faced off against the Browns, coached by their former defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. The Patriots opened the game with a 14-play, 78-yard drive culminating in a Gostkowski 20-yard field goal. After a 65-yard drive brought them to the Patriots' 1-yard line, the Browns failed to score on two downs before quarterback Derek Anderson threw an interception to linebacker Junior Seau on third down. A Samuel interception on the Browns' next drive set up a 34-yard touchdown pass from Brady to wide receiver Donté Stallworth. In the second quarter, another Seau interception set up a 7-yard touchdown reception by Watson.

In the second half, the Browns got onto the scoreboard with a 42-yard field goal by Phil Dawson, the only points from either team in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Browns capped off a 55-yard drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Anderson to wide receiver Tim Carter. The ensuing 71-yard Patriots drive ended with another touchdown catch by Watson, this one from 25 yards out. After an exchange of punts gave the Browns the ball at the Patriots' 35-yard line, Anderson hit tight end Kellen Winslow II for a 14-yard touchdown, cutting the Patriots' lead to 10. On the next and final Patriots series, an 11-play, 64-yard drive ended with an incomplete pass to Kyle Brady from the Browns' 4-yard line. The final points were of the game were scored on the next play when Gay stripped Winslow and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Patriots a 34-17 win. With three touchdown passes on the day, Brady tied Steve Young's 1998 record of five consecutive three-touchdown games to start the season.^[64]

Week 6: at Dallas Cowboys

	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	14	7	10	17	48
Cowboys	0	17	7	3	27

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT/3:15 p.m. CST
Game weather: 85°F, played indoors, domed stadium
TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)
Referee: Mike Carey
Game attendance: 63,984

In what was, at the time, the most-watched NFL regular season game since 1996,^[65] the Patriots faced the Cowboys, the NFC's only remaining unbeaten team. The Patriots' first drive of the game spanned 74 yards and ended in a 6-yard touchdown catch by Moss from Brady. Their lead increased to 14-0 after another Brady touchdown pass, this one from 35 yards out to Welker. However, in the second quarter, after a 38-yard field goal by Cowboys kicker Nick Folk, defensive end Jason Hatcher forced a Brady fumble on a strip-sack; he recovered the ball and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Patriots' lead to 14-10. The first half scoring ended with a pair of 12-yard touchdown receptions, the first for the Patriots by Welker, the second for the Cowboys by Terrell Owens, to keep the Patriots ahead 21-17.

In the third quarter, an 8-yard touchdown catch from Tony Romo to Patrick Crayton put the Patriots behind 24-21. A 1-yard touchdown reception by Kyle Brady re-gained the lead for the Patriots; the Patriots also added a 45-yard Gostkowski field goal in the third quarter. The lead increased further on a 69-yard touchdown reception by Stallworth, Brady's fifth touchdown pass of the game, a career best for Brady.^[66] After an exchange of field goals, the Patriots closed out the scoring with a 1-yard Kyle Eckel touchdown run, giving the team a 48-27 win and a season record of 6-0.

Week 7: at Miami Dolphins

	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	14	28	0	7	49
Dolphins	0	7	0	21	28

at Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C), sunny
TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel (play-by-play) and Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)
Referee: Pete Morelli
Game attendance: 71,951

A week after facing the undefeated Cowboys, the Patriots squared off against the winless Dolphins. The Patriots took the opening drive of the game 80 yards and capped it off with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Stallworth. After Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon fumbled to give the Patriots the ball on the Dolphins' 28-yard line, the Patriots took a 14-0 lead with a 2-yard touchdown reception by Kyle Brady. The Dolphins cut the lead in half with a 4-yard Lemon touchdown run to end a 79-yard drive, but Willie Andrews returned the ensuing kickoff 74 yards to give the Patriots another 14-point lead with 14:45 remaining in the second quarter. By halftime, the Patriots had scored 21 more unanswered points on 35-yard and 50-yard touchdown catches by Moss and a 14-yard touchdown reception by Welker, to give the Patriots a franchise record 42 points in a half.^[67]

In the second half, the Dolphins drove to the Patriots' 19 yard line but a Gay interception retained the Patriots' 42-7 lead, one that remained for the duration of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Dolphins cut their deficit to 28 with a 1-yard Patrick Cobbs touchdown run. The Patriots replaced Brady with backup Matt Cassel on the next drive, but after Cassel threw an interception to defensive end Jason Taylor which Taylor returned for a touchdown, Brady returned for the Patriots' next possession. That drive spanned 59 yards and ended with a 16-yard Welker touchdown catch, Brady's sixth touchdown pass of the game, a Patriots record.^[68] On their penultimate drive of the game, the Dolphins drove 75 yards and ended the game's scoring with a 7-yard Jesse Chatman touchdown run. With their 49-28 win, the Patriots began a season for 7-0 for the first time in team history.

Week 8: vs. Washington Redskins

	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	0	0	0	7	7
Patriots	7	17	14	14	52

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), clear, windy and cool
TV announcers (FOX): Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color commentator), and Pam Oliver (field reporter)
Referee: Larry Nemmers
Game attendance: 68,756

At home for the first time in three weeks, the Patriots, looking to remain unbeaten, faced off against the 4-2 Redskins. After spending the first seven weeks of the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, defensive end Richard Seymour was activated for the game, but did not start. In their first possession of the game, the Patriots drove 90 yards over more than 7 minutes, finishing the drive with a 3-yard Brady rushing touchdown, continuing a season-long opening drive scoring streak.^[69] In the second quarter, a 67-yard Patriots drive was capped off with a 2-yard touchdown reception by Vrabel, his second for the season and the tenth of his career (including playoffs). On the Redskins' ensuing possession, Ty Warren recovered a Vrabel strip-sack of Jason Campbell, setting up a 36-yard Gostkowski field goal. The Redskins turned the ball over again on their next possession on a Samuel interception, only to regain it on the next play after Brady was strip-sacked by Phillip Daniels. The string of turnovers continued as the Redskins drove 20 yards before another Vrabel strip-sack of Campbell was again recovered by Warren. With less than 2 minutes remaining in the first half, the Patriots drove 73 yards, and on a fake spike play from the Redskins' 6-yard line, increased their lead to 24-0 on a touchdown catch by Moss from Brady. That touchdown pass was Brady's 29th of the season, eclipsing his career high set in 2004 and 2002.

On the opening drive of the second half, an 85-yard Patriots drive ended in another Brady touchdown run, this one from 2 yards out. The Redskins committed their fourth turnover of the game on their next possession, as Vrabel strip-sacked Campbell for the third time in the game; this time Colvin recovered the fumble and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown to increase the Patriots' lead to 38-0. In the fourth quarter, a 88-yard Patriots drive finished in a 2-yard touchdown reception by Welker. On their next series, with Cassel in for Brady, a 21-yard pass from Cassel to Gaffney gave the Patriots their 33rd first down of the game, a new single-game franchise record.^[70] Two plays later, Cassel ran it in for a touchdown from 15 yards out, and the first rushing touchdown of his career, increasing the Patriots' lead to 52-0. The Redskins then drove 63 yards and scored their first and only points of the game on a 15-yard Chris Cooley touchdown reception. The Patriots' 52-7 win gave them a 8-0 record heading into a Week 9 matchup against the 7-0 Colts.

Week 9: at Indianapolis Colts

	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	0	7	3	14	24
Colts	3	10	0	7	20

at the RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST
Game weather: Played indoors, domed stadium
TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)
Referee: John Parry
Game attendance: 57,540

For the second time in four weeks, a Patriots game set TV rating records: their game against the 7-0 Colts was the most-watched Sunday afternoon NFL regular season since 1987, when network records began.^[71] After playing four of their last six games in Foxboro, the Patriots traveled to Indianapolis to face the Colts in a re-match of the 2006-07 AFC Championship game in a game some members of the media dubbed "Super Bowl XLI 1/2.^[72]" On the game's opening series, the Colts drove 52 yards on 14 plays but left the field without scoring after former Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri missed a 50-yard field goal, his first-ever miss in the RCA Dome. On the ensuing drive, the Patriots failed to make a first down, the first opening drive of the season in which they failed to score.^[73] With the ball on their own 9-yard line, the Colts moved to the Patriots' 3-yard line after two Joseph Addai rushes for 33 yards and a 37-yard defensive pass interference penalty on Asante Samuel. After two plays gaining no yards, the Colts were again forced to kick a field goal, this one good from 21 yards out, for the only points of the first quarter for either team.

After nine plays from scrimmage in the first quarter, the Patriots took a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter on a 4-yard touchdown catch by Moss. After a Gostkowski touchback on the next kickoff, the Colts again drove inside the Patriots' 10-yard line on 34 receiving yards by Addai on three catches as well as a 40-yard defensive pass interference call against Hobbs. The Patriots' red-zone defense, that had entered the game ranked last in the NFL,^[74] held the Colts to 1 yard on three plays and a 25-yard Vinatieri field goal to make the game 7-6. On the next series, the Patriots drove to the Colts' 23-yard line before a 15-yard personal foul penalty on Matt Light preceded a Brady interception (the third of the season), this one caught by Antoine Bethea at the Colts' 2-yard line. With 1:46 remaining in the first half, the Colts moved the ball to their 27-yard line, and with 28 seconds remaining, Peyton Manning threw a screen pass to Addai, who proceeded to run 73 yards for the touchdown, giving the Colts a 13-7 lead at halftime.

For their first two drives of the third quarter, the Patriots were unable to gain a first down and were forced to punt. The Colts fared similarly, with Manning throwing an interception to Rodney Harrison on his first play of the half. On their third possession of the quarter, facing a 3rd and 7 from the Colts' 41-yard line, Brady scrambled 19 yards for the first down. After catches of 12 and 9 yards from Moss and Kevin Faulk, respectively, the Patriots reached the Colts' 14-yard line but settled for a 34-yard Gostkowski field goal after Laurence Maroney ran for a 2-yard loss on 3rd and 1. A field goal was, once again, the only points of a quarter for either team; the third quarter ended with the Colts leading 13-10.

After a Colts punt and a Moss 14-yard catch on the first play of the 4th quarter, the Patriots had possession at the Colts' 42-yard line. On the next play, Brady was intercepted again by linebacker Gary Brackett, who returned it for 28 yards; after another 15-yard penalty from Light, the Colts took possession at the Patriots 32-yard line. Despite Vrabel sacking Manning on the first play of the Colts' drive, a 17-yard Dallas Clark reception helped set up a 1-yard Manning touchdown run to increase the Colts' lead to 20-10 with 9:42 remaining in the game. Starting from their own 27-yard line, Brady attempted passes to Moss on the first six plays of the drive. The second attempt was completed for 15 yards, while the fourth attempt went for 55 yards and put the Patriots on the Colts' 3-yard line. On the fifth attempt, Moss was penalized 10 yards for offensive pass interference in the end zone. After an incompletion to Moss, Brady hit Welker for 10 yards and then again for 3 yards and a touchdown to cut the Colts' lead to 20-17 with 7:59 remaining. This touchdown also set the Patriots' record for touchdown passes in a single season, breaking Babe Parilli's record of 31.^[75] After two offensive line penalties by the Colts pushed them back 15 yards, Colvin strip-sacked Manning at the Colts' 22-yard line, though Colts offensive tackle Charlie Johnson recovered the fumble. After Wes Welker returned the subsequent Colts punt 23 yards to the Patriots' 49-yard line, a 5-yard pass to Moss and a 33-yard pass to Stallworth set up a 13-yard touchdown pass by Faulk to put the Colts behind 24-20 with 3:15 remaining. That pass made this Brady's ninth consecutive game with at least three touchdown passes, breaking Peyton Manning's record of eight.^[75] After a Reggie Wayne 24-yard reception brought the Colts to their own 48-yard line, Jarvis Green strip-sacked Manning three plays later; Colvin's recovery of that fumble gave the Patriots the ball, and set up a situation where a first down would allow them to win the game. Unlike a similar situation in the 2006 AFC Championship, where the Patriots were forced to punt, the Patriots converted on 3rd and 6 with a 10-yard pass to Welker. Tom Brady took three knees to end the game, leaving the 9-0 Patriots the only remaining undefeated team as they headed into their bye week.

Week 11: at Buffalo Bills

	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	14	21	7	14	56
Bills	7	0	3	0	10

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game time: 8:15 p.m. EST
Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C), partly cloudy, chance of snow flurries
TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator), and Andrea Kremer (field reporter)
Referee: Bill Carollo
Game attendance: 71,338

Following their bye week, the Patriots traveled to Buffalo to play the Bills, who had won 5 of 7 since their 38-7 Week 3 loss to the Patriots. On the first drive of the game, Gay intercepted Losman to give the Patriots the ball at the Bills' 21-yard line. Two plays later, Maroney ran it in from 6 yards out for a Patriots touchdown. After a Bills punt, the Patriots increased their lead to 14-0 after a 43-yard touchdown reception by Moss from Brady. The touchdown, Moss' 13th on the season, broke Stanley Morgan's franchise record of 12 touchdown passes in a single season.^[76] On the ensuing drive, a Green strip-sack of Losman was recovered by the Bills, and two plays later, Roscoe Parrish caught a 47-yard touchdown pass for the only Bills touchdown of the game. The Patriots' next drive went for 72 yards and ended in a 16-yard Moss touchdown reception on the first play of the second quarter. A Bills punt on their next possession gave the Patriots the ball at their own 16-yard line. Aided by catches of 25, 15, 11, and 10 yards by Watson, Welker, Stallworth, and Faulk respectively, the Patriots drove 84 yards in under 7 minutes, capping off the drive with a 6-yard touchdown reception to Moss. That touchdown gave Brady the most career touchdown passes in Patriots franchise history, breaking Steve Grogan's record of 182.^[76] Another Bills punt led to the Patriots' fifth possession and fifth touchdown of the half, this time a 17-yard Moss touchdown catch ended another 72-yard drive. Moss' fourth touchdown of the half tied an NFL record for touchdowns for a single player before halftime,^[76] and set the Patriots' franchise record for touchdowns by a player in a game.^[77] Adalius Thomas also had 2.5 sacks in the half, setting a single-game career high.^[76]

The Patriots began the second half where they left off in the first, driving 73 yards in over 6 minutes for another touchdown, this one a 3-yard reception by Watson. The Bills responded with a 29-yard Terrence McGee kickoff return that led to a 52-yard Rian Lindell field goal to cut the Patriots lead to 42-10. The Patriots' next series, their seventh of the game, also ended in their seventh touchdown of the game, setting a Patriots franchise single-season touchdown record (1961 and 1980, 52).^[77] A Welker screen pass went 24 yards to put the Patriots in the Bills' red zone, and a 1-yard Eckel touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter gave the Patriots a 49-10 lead. On the second play of the Bills' next drive, safety James Sanders forced a fumble by running back Dwayne Wright after a 5-yard reception, which Hobbs recovered and returned 35 yards for the Patriots' eighth and final touchdown of the game. The Patriots' 56 points tied a franchise record,^[77] and were the most points scored by a road team in the NFL since 1973.^[78] Their 46-point scoring margin was also the second-largest in team history.^[77] The Patriots' 56-10 win brought their record to 10-0, the tenth time since 1970 a team started a season 10-0.^[77]

Week 12: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	7	14	7	0	28
Patriots	14	10	0	7	31

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game time: 8:15 p.m. EST
Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C), clear and cold
TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator), and Andrea Kremer (field reporter)
Referee: Gene Steratore
Game attendance: 68,756

Due to Buffalo's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier in the day, the Patriots entered the game against the 5-5 Eagles as AFC East champions for the fifth consecutive season. Their clinch in the 11th game of the season was tied for the earliest in NFL history.^[79]

On the first possession of the game, Eagles quarterback A.J. Feeley, starting in place of an injured Donovan McNabb, threw an interception to Samuel, who returned it for a touchdown. On the ensuing drive, the Eagles responded with a 14-play drive capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Brian Westbrook; thus, before the Patriots offense had its first possession, the game was tied 7-7. On that possession, Brady threw seven passes, was sacked once, and scrambled for 12 yards, before Evans had a 1-yard touchdown run (the first called run of the game for the Patriots). The Eagles tied the game again on their next possession when wide receiver Greg Lewis caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Feeley. After a successful onside kick attempt by the Eagles led to a three-and-out drive, the Patriots started at their own 20-yard line and moved the ball all the way to the Eagles' 11-yard line before the drive stalled and Gostkowski converted a 23-yard field goal. The Eagles responded with another touchdown pass from Feeley to Lewis, this one from 18 yards out, to end a 68-yard drive. With less than 3 minutes to go in the first half the Patriots were trailing the Eagles, 21-17. The Patriots then converted three third downs on their last possession of the half, and Gaffney caught a 19-yard touchdown pass to give the Patriots a halftime lead, 24-21.

After an exchange of punts to begin the second half, Maroney saw his first carries of the game on a drive that appeared to end in a 4-yard Moss touchdown pass before the catch was nullified by an offensive pass interference penalty. The next three plays were incomplete passes by Brady, and on fourth down, Gostkowski missed a 32-yard field goal to keep the score at 24-21 in favor of the Patriots. The Eagles responded with a 10-play, 78-yard drive, retaking the lead on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Brown. After an unsuccessful fourth down conversion attempt from the Eagles' 33-yard line, the Patriots defense held the Eagles to a three-and-out, forcing a punt. On a third down in the middle of the Patriots' next drive, Welker, who finished with 13 catches on the night, caught a 16-yard pass that moved the ball into the Eagles' red zone. With 7:24 left in the game, Maroney put the Patriots ahead 31-28 with a 4-yard touchdown run. The Eagles moved the ball to the Patriots' 29-yard line on their next drive, but on 2nd and 4, Feeley was intercepted by Samuel in the end zone with 2:49 remaining in the game. The Patriots, unable to run out the clock, punted, giving the Eagles the ball back with 18 seconds remaining. Feeley's last pass attempt was intercepted by Sanders to seal the Patriots' eleventh win of the season.

Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens

	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	3	7	7	10	27
Ravens	7	3	7	7	24

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST
Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C), clear
TV announcers (ESPN^[a]): Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser (color commentators), Michele Tafoya and Suzy Kolber (field reporters)
Referee: Walt Anderson
Game attendance: 71,382

For their third night game in as many weeks, the Patriots flew to M&T Bank Stadium to face the 4-7 Ravens. On the first drive of the game, a 42-yard Stallworth reception and three Ravens penalties helped set up a 1st and goal from the Ravens' 3-yard line. The Patriots next four plays gained a net of zero yards, and Gostkowksi kicked a 21-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 3-0 lead. After an exchange of punts, the Ravens took the lead with Kyle Boller completing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Mason after a 70-yard drive. In the second quarter, Baltimore increased its lead when kicker Matt Stover converted a 29-yard field goal to cap a 12-play, 55-yard drive. On the ensuing drive, the Patriots responded with a 9-play, 60-yard drive that included two more Stallworth receptions and two more Ravens penalties and ended in a 1-yard Evans touchdown run. Two possessions later, with 56 seconds remaining the first half, Brady threw his fifth interception of the season, this one to safety Ed Reed, who proceeded to fumble on the return. Watson recovered the fumble and the Patriots went into halftime in a 10-10 tie.

On the opening drive of the second half, the Ravens drove 73 yards and regained the lead on a 17-yard run by Willis McGahee, his sixth rush of the 8-play drive. The Patriots answered on their next possession with an 11-play, 72-yard drive that included a dump-off pass to Maroney for 36 yards. A 3-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Moss tied the game again at 17-17. In the first minute of the fourth quarter, Baltimore got the lead again, 24-17, as Boller completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Daniel Wilcox after an 8-play, 56-yard drive. The Patriots went 3-and-out on their next drive, and a 33-yard Yamon Figurs punt return coupled with a 5-yard Pierre Woods penalty gave the Ravens the ball at the Patriots' 26-yard line with less than 13 minutes remaining in the game. After two McGahee runs for 1 yard and a false start penalty gave the Ravens a 3rd and 14 situation, Boller was intercepted at the Patriots' 1-yard line by Sanders to hold the Ravens scoreless on the drive. Sanders' 42-yard return gave the Patriots the ball at their own 43-yard line, and another Maroney dump-off pass for 43 yards brought the Patriots to the Ravens' 24-yard line. The Patriots then failed to make the first down, and Gostkowski kicked another field goal, this one from 38 yards out, to cut the Ravens' lead to 24-20. The Patriots defense, which gave up almost 60 first half rushing yards to McGahee, held McGahee to 1 yard on the Ravens' next drive and forced a 3-and-out. The Patriots' ensuing drive brought them to the Ravens' 31-yard line before a 10-yard Dan Koppen penalty and incompletion forced another punt. With less than 6 minutes remaining, the Patriots defense again prevented the Ravens offense from completing a first down and got the ball back with 3:30 left in the game.

Starting from their own 27-yard line, the Patriots got to midfield on the second play of their drive with a 23-yard Watson reception. An incompletion and 9-yard Faulk catch brought 3rd and 1, where Brady rushed for 2 yards and the first down. After the two minute warning, another 9-yard Faulk catch on 3rd and 10 gave the Patriots a 4th and 1 from the Ravens' 30-yard line with 1:48 remaining. Brady attempted another sneak and was stopped short of the first, but the play was nullified by a timeout called by Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan just before the snap. A false start penalty by Russ Hochstein on the Patriots' next attempt set up a 4th and 6. Brady scrambled for the first down and Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle was penalized 5 yards for illegal contact to give the Patriots a fresh set of downs from the Ravens' 18-yard line with 1:38 left on the clock. A 5-yard Faulk rush and two incompletions gave the Patriots another fourth down situation. Brady's throw to Watson in the end zone fell incomplete, but the Patriots again received a fresh set of downs after Ravens defensive back Jamaine Winborne was called for defensive holding. On 1st and goal from the Ravens' 8-yard line with 55 seconds remaining, the Patriots took their first lead since the first quarter on a Gaffney touchdown reception that was upheld by official review. After the play, Ravens linebacker Bart Scott received two 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, and Reed was flagged for being offsides on the extra point, setting up a Patriots kickoff from the Ravens' 35-yard line. After a Gostkowski touchback, the Ravens completed two passes, bringing them to their own 45-yard line with 8 seconds remaining. Boller threw a Hail Mary pass that was caught by wide receiver Mark Clayton at the Patriots' 3-yard line, but he was tackled shy of the end zone as time expired.

The Patriots became the sixth team in NFL history to begin a season 12-0, in a game that was the most-watched program in the history of cable television.^[80]^[81]

Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	3	10	0	0	13
Patriots	7	10	14	3	34

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST
Game weather: 34 °F (1 °C), cloudy and cold
TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)
Referee: Terry McAulay
Game attendance: 68,756

Beginning a stretch of three straight home games, the Patriots faced off against the 9-3 Steelers in their first afternoon game in five weeks. After going three-and-out on their first drive, the Patriots fell behind 3-0 early on a 23-yard Jeff Reed field goal to cap an 8-minute, 15-play Steelers possession. A 39-yard Chad Jackson kickoff return gave the Patriots the ball at their own 48-yard line to begin a 9-play drive that ended in a 4-yard Moss touchdown catch to give the Patriots the lead. Moss' touchdown catch was his 18th of the season, surpassing Curtis Martin for the Patriots' record for touchdowns by a single player in a season.^[82] After a Steelers three-and-out the Patriots, on their first offensive play of the second quarter, increased their lead to 14-3 on a 63-yard play action pass from Brady to Moss. A 30-yard Willie Parker run on the Steelers' ensuing series set up a 32-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Najeh Davenport. After a Patriots drive in which a muffed punt recovery by Pittsburgh led to a missed 48-yard field goal attempt by Gostkowski, the Steelers mounted a 12-play drive that lasted almost 6 minutes before a 44-yard Reed field goal cut the Patriots' lead to 14-13. With 2:29 left in the half, a 32-yard Gaffney reception helped the Patriots drive to the Steelers' 24-yard line; after two Brady incompletions Gostkowski kicked a 42-yard Gostkowski field goal, giving the Patriots a 17-13 lead at halftime.

On the Patriots' first drive of the second half, on 1st and 10 from their own 44-yard line, after a Brady lateral pass to Moss fell short, Moss picked it up and threw it back to Brady, who then found Gaffney deep for a 56-yard touchdown. After another Steelers three-and-out, the Patriots' second possession of the half also went for a touchdown, as a 2-yard Welker reception capped a 10-play drive that included one run, a 4-yard Brady scramble. In the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, the Steelers moved the ball to the Patriots' 1-yard line, but failed to score on 3rd and goal and 4th and goal. The Patriots took the ball at their own 1-yard line and then began a 6-minute, 12 play drive, passing on every down. Using a no-huddle offense, Welker caught five straight passes to bring the Patriots to the Steelers' 36-yard line. Brady completed four more passes to set up first-and-goal from the Steelers' 10-yard line, but his next three passes were all incomplete, leading to a 28-yard Gostkowski field goal. The Steelers' next possession, a 13-play drive, ended in another failed fourth down conversion. After a Patriots punt, the Steelers ran the ball three times to give the Patriots their 13th win of the season; with the win, the Patriots also clinched a first-round playoff bye.

Week 15: vs. New York Jets

	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	0	7	0	3	10
Patriots	7	10	0	3	20

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C), rain
TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)
Referee: Jerome Boger
Game attendance: 68,756

Coming off their win over the Steelers, the Patriots stayed at home for an AFC East rematch with the 3-10 Jets. The Patriots punted on their first drive of the game, giving the Jets the ball at their own 3-yard line. After a 1-yard Thomas Jones run, Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens threw an interception to Eugene Wilson, who returned it for a touchdown. Clemens was hit by Seymour and suffered an ankle injury on the play and did not return to the game. Wilson also became the Patriots' 21st player to score a touchdown on the season, tying an NFL record set by the Denver Broncos in 2000 and Los Angeles Rams in 1987.^[83] On their ensuing possession, the Jets gained 49 yards on an option play to running back Leon Washington, but then failed a fourth down conversion from the Patriots' 17-yard line. With 6:36 remaining in the first quarter, the Patriots began a drive that ended 17 plays later, in the 2nd quarter, on a 26-yard Gostkowski field goal. After a Jets punt, the Patriots moved the ball to their own 40-yard line when a Chris Hanson punt attempt was blocked by David Bowens and returned for a touchdown to cut the Patriots' lead to 10-7. On the Jets' next possession, Kelley Washington blocked a Ben Graham punt attempt to give the Patriots the ball at the Jets' 3-yard line. A 1-yard Maroney touchdown run a play later gave the Patriots a 17-7 lead going into halftime. Gostkowski's extra point, his 67th of the season, broke Uwe von Schamann's single-season record of 66 with the Miami Dolphins in 1984.^[84]

A Jets punt gave the Patriots the ball at their own 9-yard line early in the third quarter. After two Maroney rushes for a total of 5 yards, a Brady pass on third down intended to Moss was intercepted by Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. The Jets moved into the red zone, but were driven back on a Thomas Jones run for a 1-yard loss and a delay of game penalty. On third down, quarterback Chad Pennington completed a 10-yard pass to tight end Chris Baker, who then fumbled. Wilson recovered it for the Patriots, but a subsequent exchange of punts kept the third quarter scoreless. Another Hanson punt began the fourth quarter, giving the Jets the ball from their own 15-yard line. The Jets then embarked upon a 17-play drive where Pennington completed 10 passes on 12 attempts, none for more than 14 yards. The drive ended at the Patriots' 15-yard line, where the Jets cut the Patriots' lead to 17-10 on a 33-yard Mike Nugent field goal. The Patriots' ensuing drive began with two incompletions intended for Moss. On third down, Brady completed a 16-yard pass to Moss, and then a 46-yard pass to Moss to give the Patriots the ball at the Jets' 14-yard line. A 4-yard Maroney run, incompletion, and sack for a loss of 6 yards set up a 33-yard Gostkowski field goal. The Jets' next possession ended in a 35-yard missed Nugent field goal, and the Jets failed to score on their final drive to give the Patriots a 20-10 win. It gave the Patriots a 14-0 record, tying them with the 1972 Miami Dolphins for the best record to start a season.^[85] The win also clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs for the Patriots.^[85]

Week 16: vs. Miami Dolphins

	1	2	3	4	Total
Dolphins	0	0	7	0	7
Patriots	7	21	0	0	28

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST
Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C), cloudy and mild with rain expected
TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)
Referee: Ron Winter
Game attendance: 68,756

Playing their third consecutive home game, the Patriots tried to improve their record to 15-0 against the 1-13 Dolphins. For the first time of the season, 15-year wide receiver Troy Brown was active; he saw action early in the game, returning a Dolphins punt on their first drive 10 yards. The Patriots' second first down of their first possession was their 349th of the season, breaking their 1994 franchise record.^[86] Six plays later, Brady connected with Moss for an 11-yard touchdown and a 7-0 Patriots lead. After three punts, the Patriots' third drive of the game began on the final play of the first quarter, a 51-yard Maroney rush to give the Patriots the ball at the Dolphins' 28-yard line. After a successful third-down conversion, Brady threw his second touchdown pass of the game to Moss from a yard out to give the Patriots a 14-0 lead. The Dolphins' punted again on their next drive, and the Patriots opened up a 21-point lead with a 59-yard Maroney touchdown run while also setting the franchise record for net yards on a season, breaking the record of 5,965 set in 1978.^[86] After the Dolphins' fourth three-and-out of the game, a 38-yard Brandon Fields punt was muffed by Troy Brown and recovered by the Dolphins, who punted again three plays later. After moving the ball from their own 20-yard line to the Dolphins' 48-yard line, Brady completed a 48-yard touchdown pass to Gaffney on the Patriots' 71st touchdown of the season, breaking the NFL record of 70 set by the 1984 Dolphins.^[86] The Dolphins drove the Patriots' 4-yard line with 21 seconds remaining in the half, but Tedy Bruschi batted down a Lemon pass on fourth down intended for Justin Peelle to preserve the Patriots' 28-0 lead heading into halftime.

On the opening drive of the second half, Welker caught his 101st pass of the season, tying the Patriots individual franchise record Brown set in 2001. On the next play, Brady was intercepted by Jason Allen the end zone on a pass intended for Moss. After a 22-yard Chatman rush began the Dolphins' ensuing drive, the Dolphins punted for the seventh time three plays later. On third down from their own 28-yard line, Brady threw his second interception of the game, this time picked off by linebacker Derrick Pope on a pass also intended for Moss. The Dolphins moved the ball on their next drive from their own 46-yard line to the Patriots' 1-yard line, where Lemon scrambled out of bounds short of the end zone on 4th and goal. The Dolphins challenged the ruling, which was upheld after review. The play gave the Patriots the ball from their own 1-yard line, where a three-and-out set-up a 64-yard Hanson punt from the end zone, his longest of the season. A 22-yard Lorenzo Booker rush on the Dolphins' next possession helped bring the Dolphins' to the Patriots 21-yard line, where Lemon connected with Greg Camarillo to cut the Patriots lead to 28-7. The Patriots committed their fourth turnover of the game when Brady was strip-sacked by Joey Porter to give the Dolphins the ball at their own 28-yard line. Four punts and a scoreless fourth quarter later, the Patriots picked up their 15th win of the season.

The Patriots' 15th win matched the win totals of the 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1998 Minnesota Vikings, 1985 Chicago Bears, and 1984 San Francisco 49ers, while their 15-0 season start was a first in NFL history.^[86] The Patriots' 6-0 record against division opponents was a franchise first.^[86] The win also marked the Patriots' 18th straight regular season victory since their December 2006 loss to the Dolphins, tying the Patriots' 2003-2004 NFL record.^[86]

Week 17: at New York Giants

	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	3	13	7	15	38
Giants	7	14	7	7	35

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game time: 8:15 p.m. EST
Game weather: 44 °F (7 °C), clear
TV announcers (NFLN^[a]^[b]):^[87] Bryant Gumbel (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (color commentator), and Adam Schefter (sideline reporter)
Referee: Mike Carey
Game attendance: 79,110

In their final regular season game, the 15-0 Patriots traveled to Giants Stadium, trying to win a record 16th game of the season. With the game scheduled to air on NFL Network, not available on some cable providers, the NFL arranged a three-way simulcast of the game with CBS and NBC, the first time an NFL game was broadcast on three networks, and the first national simulcast of any NFL game since Super Bowl I.^[88] The New York and Boston television markets both had a fourth channel, a local TV station in each respective market covering the game. In the week leading up to the game, the NFL Network aired a record 65.5 hours of game-specific coverage, including a six-hour pregame special which matched the longest NFL pregame show, including for a Super Bowl, on a single network.^[89]

On the second play of the game, the 10-5 Giants moved into the Patriots' red zone on a 52-yard completion from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress. Three plays later, The Giants took the lead on a 7-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Jacobs. The Patriots responded with a pair of 14-yard completions to Moss and Welker; Welker's catch, his 102nd of the season, set a Patriots franchise record.^[2] The Patriots then converted a fourth down, and on their next fourth down, they made a 37-yard Gostkowski field goal. The Patriots would regain the ball at midfield following a Giants three-and-out. Completions to Stallworth and Welker put the Patriots in the Giants' red zone, where Brady completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Moss, taking a 10-7 lead on the first play of the second quarter. On the play, three records were affected: the Patriots 560th point surpassed the 1998 Minnesota Vikings’s record of 556 points in a season; the touchdown pass was Brady’s 49th, tying Peyton Manning’s 2004 record; and Moss recorded his 22nd touchdown catch of the season, tying Jerry Rice's 1987 record.

As a result of a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct after the touchdown, the Patriots’ kicked off from the 15-yard line. Giants wide receiver Domenik Hixon received it from the Giants' 26-yard line and proceeded to run for a 74-yard touchdown return, retaking the lead for the Giants. Starting from their own 33-yard line, the Patriots moved into Giants territory on a 13-yard Maroney rush and 8-yard Faulk reception. Brady's 8 passing yards on the play gave him 4,557 for the season, breaking Drew Bledsoe's 1994 franchise record of 4,555 yards.^[2] After the drive stalled, Gostkowski’s recorded his second field goal for the game, making the score 14-13 in favor of the Giants. Following a Giants punt, the Patriots mounted a drive that resulted in Gostkowski’s third field goal of the night, from 37 yards, after a 3rd down end zone pass to Moss ricocheted off of linebacker Gerris Wilkinson’s helment. With 1:54 remaining the half and the Giants trailing 16-14, Manning completed five of his first seven passes to move from the Giants' 15-yard line to the Patriots' 3-yard line. On second down with 18 seconds remaining, Manning threw his second touchdown pass of the game, this time to Boss, to take a 21-16 lead at the half.

After the Patriots began the second half with a three-and-out, the Giants increased their lead to 12 points on a 19-yard touchdown catch by Burress from Manning. Facing their largest deficit of the season, the Patriots drove to the Giants' 16-yard line with several Brady completions. A pass interference call against the Giants’ Wilkinson gave the Patriots the ball at the Giants' 1-yard line. After an illegal formation penalty moved the Patriots back 5 yards, a 6-yard Maroney touchdown run cut the Giants' lead to 28-23. Three consecutive drives resulted in punts, and the Patriots gained possession of the ball with less than 12 minutes remaining in the game.

On the second play of the drive, Brady attempted a deep pass to Moss, which was underthrown and dropped. On the next play, Brady attempted another deep pass to Moss, who caught this one for 65 yards, setting two more NFL records: Moss set the record for most touchdown receptions in a season (23) and Brady set one for touchdown passes (50).^[2] The touchdown, Brady’s last of the game, also brought Brady’s touchdown-to-interception margin to +42; Peyton Manning held the previous record, +39 during the 2003-2004 season.^[90] The Patriots converted the subsequent two-point attempt on a Maroney rush to take a 31-28 lead with 11:15 remaining. On the Giants' ensuing drive, Hobbs intercepted a Manning pass intended for Burress at the Patriots' 48-yard line. After driving to the red zone, a 5-yard catch by Moss marked his 1,493rd reception yard for the season, breaking Stanley Morgan’s 1986 franchise record of 1,491 yards. On the subsequent play, Maroney scored his second touchdown of the game on a 5-yard run to give the Patriots a 38-28 lead. With 4:36 left in the game, the Giants drove the ball to the Patriots' 4-yard line, and two plays later, Manning completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Burress, Manning’s fourth for the game. After the Patriots’ Vrabel recovered the Giants' onside kickoff, the Patriots kneeled three times to end the game.

The Patriots' joined the 14-0 1972 Miami Dolphins, 11-0 1942 Chicago Bears, and 13-0 1934 Chicago Bears as the fourth team to record an undefeated season, also setting a record for most regular season wins in a single season.^[2] The victory was the Patriots’ 19th consecutive regular season victory, breaking their own record set during the 2003-2004 season. Finally, the Patriots finished the season with a +315 point differential, breaking the 1942 Bears' record of +292.^[2]

Network television coverage

The NFL Network had exclusive rights to broadcast the Patriots-Giants game, and in the weeks before the game, the network increasingly promoted the game via television commercials^[91] on other stations. It was clear the game was one of the most anticipated of the season, and could therefore serve as an important promotion for the NFL Network, which had tried unsuccessfully over the previous year to expand its viewership by becoming included as an "extended basic service" on the major American cable TV providers such as Comcast and Time Warner.^[92]

Political pressure from the Northeast to make the game more widely viewable preceded the decision to simulcast the game on CBS and NBC. Arlen Specter, the Pennsylvania senator who is the Republican ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the Committee's head, wrote the league a letter threatening to reconsider the antitrust exemption currently enjoyed by the NFL under United States law.^[93] Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts had pressured the league and cable companies to settle their dispute so "no die-hard Pats fans will be shut out from watching their team take aim at football history.^[94]"

In the end, 15.7 million viewers watched the game on CBS, 13.2 million on NBC, 4.5 million on the NFL Network, and 1.2 million on New York, Boston and Manchester, New Hampshire television stations.^[95] The game was the most watched program on television since the 2007 Academy Awards^[96] and the most watched regular season NFL game in more than 12 years.^[97]

Postseason schedule

Week	Kickoff	Date	Opponent (seed)	Result	Record	Game site	TV	NFL.com Recap
Wild Card	Bye
Divisional	8:00 PM EST	January 12, 2008	Jacksonville Jaguars (5)	W 31-20	1-0	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
AFC Championship	3:00 PM EST	January 20, 2008	San Diego Chargers (3)	W 21-12	2-0	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
Super Bowl XLII	6:25 PM EST	February 3, 2008	New York Giants (5)	L 14-17	2-1	University of Phoenix Stadium	FOX	Recap

Postseason results

Divisional Round vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	7	7	3	3	20
Patriots	7	7	14	3	31

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C), cloudy and cool
TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)
Referee: Jerome Boger
Game attendance: 68,756

Playing in his first playoff game as a Patriot, Randy Moss, who led the NFL in receiving yards, had one reception. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady set the NFL record for completion percentage in a single game (92.9%) with 26 of 28 completions for 263 yards and 3 touchdowns, while running back Laurence Maroney added 162 total yards (122 on the ground). Overall, New England gained 401 yards and didn't punt the ball until 31 seconds remained in the fourth quarter.

Jacksonville took the opening kickoff and went 80 yards in 9 plays, featuring two receptions by Marcedes Lewis for 57 yards, on the way to David Garrard's 9-yard touchdown pass to Matt Jones. The Patriots then went on a 74-yard drive and scored with Tom Brady's 3-yard touchdown pass to Benjamin Watson. On Jacksonville's next possession, New England lineman Ty Warren forced a fumble while sacking Garrard, and linebacker Mike Vrabel recovered it at the Jaguars 29-yard line. Several plays later, Maroney scored a 1-yard touchdown run to give New England a 14-7 lead.

Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew muffed the ensuing kickoff and was downed at his own 5-yard line. The Jaguars then moved the ball 95 yards in 11 plays without even facing a third down and scoring with Garrard's 6-yard touchdown pass to Ernest Wilford. For the third time in a row, New England drove deep into Jacksonville territory. But this time the drive stalled at the 17-yard line and ended with no points when Stephen Gostkowski missed a 35-yard field goal with 53 seconds left in the first half.

The Patriots on the field after their victory

On the opening drive of the second half, Brady completed 7 of 8 passes for 54 yards on an 82-yard drive. On the last play, he took a snap in shotgun formation with Kevin Faulk to his right, Brady jumped in the air with his arms raised to make it look like a play used by the Patriots before where Faulk took the direct snap. The Jaguars defense followed Faulk, leaving Wes Welker open in the end zone, and Brady threw him the ball for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 21-14 lead. Jacksonville responded with a drive to the New England 21-yard line, but receiver Dennis Northcutt dropped a pass on third down, forcing them to settle for a Josh Scobee 39-yard field goal, cutting the score to 21-17. On New England's next drive, Jacksonville's Derek Landri was assessed a roughing-the-passer penalty, turning Welker's 6-yard catch into a 21-yard gain. Maroney gained 40 yards with his next two carries, and following two more Welker receptions, Brady threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Watson giving New England a 28-17 lead.

An unnecessary roughness penalty and a 25-yard reception by Reggie Williams on the Jacksonville's next drive set up a 25-yard field goal by Scobee, which cut the Jaguars deficit to one touchdown, 28-20. On the second play after the kickoff, Brady completed a 52-yard strike to Donté Stallworth, setting up Gostkowski's second field goal attempt to put New England back up by two scores, 31-20.

Then, with 3:46 left in the game, Pats safety, Rodney Harrison, intercepted a pass from Garrard at the Patriots' 31-yard line, ending any hope of a Jacksonville comeback. Harrison's interception was his 7th career postseason pick, a Patriots record. This was also his fourth consecutive postseason game with an interception, tying an NFL record held by Aeneas Williams.

With this win, the Patriots advanced to the AFC title game for the second year in a row and extended their perfect record to 17-0, matching the final record of the 1972 Miami Dolphins.

Scoring
- 1st Quarter
  - JAX - Matt Jones 8 yard pass from David Garrard (Josh Scobee kick), 10:50. Jaguars 7-0. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:10.
  - NE - Benjamin Watson 3 yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 5:01. Tied 7-7. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 5:49.
- 2nd Quarter
  - NE - Laurence Maroney 1 yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 14:57. Patriots 14-7. Drive: 7 plays, 29 yards, 3:33.
  - JAX - Ernest Wilford 6 yard pass from David Garrard (Josh Scobee kick), 7:46. Tied 14-14. Drive: 11 plays, 95 yards, 7:11.
- 3rd Quarter
  - NE - Wes Welker 6 yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 8:49. Patriots 21-14. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 6:11.
  - JAX - Josh Scobee 39 yard field goal, 4:04. Patriots 21-17. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:45.
  - NE - Ben Watson 9 yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 0:49. Patriots 28-17. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 3:15.
- 4th Quarter
  - JAX - Josh Scobee 25 yard field goal, 9:44. Patriots 28-20. Drive: 13 plays, 86 yards, 6:05.
  - NE - Stephen Gostkowski 35 yard field goal, 6:39. Patriots 31-20. Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 3:05.

AFC Championship Game vs. San Diego Chargers

	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	6	3	0	12
Patriots	0	14	0	7	21

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game time: 3:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 23 °F (−5 °C), partly cloudy, windy and cold
TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Phil Simms (color commentator) and Steve Tasker (sideline reporter)
Referee: Jeff Triplette
Game attendance: 68,756

Despite 3 interceptions from Tom Brady, the Patriots still managed to defeat San Diego, holding them to four field goals while Laurence Maroney rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown for the second game in a row. With this win, the Patriots became the first NFL team to start with a 18-0 record and advanced to their fourth Super Bowl appearance in seven years.

With just over 5 minutes left in the first quarter, Chargers defensive back Quentin Jammer intercepted a pass from Brady on the Patriots 40-yard line, setting up a 26-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding. New England responded by driving 65 yards and scoring with a 1-yard Maroney touchdown run to take a 7-3 lead.

File:2007AFCC2.jpg

Andre Tippett presents Robert Kraft with the Lamar Hunt trophy

Kaeding kicked a 23-yard field goal in the second quarter to cut the score to 7-6, but after a punt, Patriots defensive back Asante Samuel intercepted a pass from Philip Rivers and returned it 10 yards to the Chargers 24-yard line. One play later, Brady's 12-yard touchdown pass to Jabar Gaffney increased their lead to 14-6. Later on, a 26-yard run by Darren Sproles moved the ball to the New England 34-yard line. But once again, the Patriots defense kept San Diego out of the end zone, stopping them on 3rd and 1 and forcing them to settle for another Kaeding field goal, making the score 14-9 at halftime.

On the opening drive of the second half, Brady threw his second interception of the game, this one to Drayton Florence at the New England 49-yard line. San Diego then moved the ball to the 4-yard line, but on 3rd and 1, linebacker Junior Seau tackled Michael Turner for a 2-yard loss and the Chargers had to settle for Kaeding's fourth field goal. New England responded with a drive to the San Diego 2-yard line, with Maroney gaining 39 yards on four running plays, but Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie ended the drive by intercepting Brady in the end zone.

On their first drive of the fourth quarter, New England moved the ball 67 yards and scored with Brady's 6-yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker, making the score 21-12. Following a Chargers punt, the Patriots ended the game with a 15-play drive that took the final 9:13 off the game clock.

Scoring
- 1st Quarter
  - SD - Nate Kaeding 26 yard field goal, 2:55. Chargers 3-0. Drive: 7 plays, 32 yards, 2:12.
- 2nd Quarter
  - NE - Laurence Maroney 1 yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 13:48. Patriots 7-3. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 4:07.
  - SD - Nate Kaeding 23 yard field goal, 9:14. Patriots 7-6. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:34.
  - NE - Jabar Gaffney 12 yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 3:51. Patriots 14-6. Drive: 2 plays, 24 yards, 0:45.
  - SD - Nate Kaeding 40 yard field goal, 0:08. Patriots 14-9. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 1:38.
- 3rd Quarter
  - SD - Nate Kaeding 24 yard field goal, 8:36. Patriots 14-12. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:56.
- 4th Quarter
  - NE - Wes Welker 6 yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 12:15. Patriots 21-12. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:17.

Super Bowl XLII vs. New York Giants

	1	2	3	4	Total
Giants	3	0	0	14	17
Patriots	0	7	0	7	14

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Game time: 6:30 p.m. EST/4:30 p.m. MST
Game weather: Played indoors, domed stadium
TV announcers (FOX): Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color commentator), Pam Oliver and Chris Myers (sideline reporters)
Referee: Mike Carey
Game attendance: 71,101

Super Bowl XLII was described by an Associated Press reporter as "arguably one of the greatest upsets ever."^[98] The nature of the game was largely opposite to the teams' regular-season meeting as defense dominated throughout the first three quarters. The New England Patriots' record-setting offense was largely held in check with quarterback Tom Brady being constantly pressured by the New York Giants' defensive line, resulting in five sacks and one lost fumble.^[99] In turn, the Giants' offense struggled during much of the game, managing only five first downs in the middle two quarters, yet was sparked by Eli Manning in the fourth as the quarterback led two touchdown drives, including the winning drive that culminated with a 17-yard touchdown to Plaxico Burress with 39 seconds remaining. Manning's heroics thwarted a would-be winning touchdown drive by Brady, who had found Randy Moss on a 6-yard scoring strike with 2:45 to play.

The game marked the first time that a previously undefeated team had lost in a National Football League championship game since the 1942 Chicago Bears as the Patriots fell shy of their bid for a 19-0 campaign.

After calling tails to win the coin toss, the Giants started the game with the longest opening drive in Super Bowl history,^[100] a 16-play, 77-yard march that consumed 9 minutes, 59 seconds and featured four third-down conversions, the most ever on a Super Bowl opening drive. But New England halted the drive at their own 14-yard line, forcing the Giants to settle for a 32-yard field goal from Lawrence Tynes that gave New York a 3-0 lead.

New England then responded with its own scoring drive as Laurence Maroney returned the kickoff 43 yards to the Patriots' 44, after which he rushed twice for 15 yards. Brady then completed three passes for 23 yards, but after two incomplete passes, New England was faced with 3rd-down-and-10 on the Giants' 17. However, on that play New York linebacker Antonio Pierce committed pass interference by striking the helmet of tight end Benjamin Watson in the end zone, giving New England 1st-and-goal at the 1. This set up Maroney's 1-yard touchdown run two plays later on the first play of the second quarter for a 7-3 lead. The two teams each only had one drive in the entire opening quarter, a Super Bowl record.^[101]

On the Giants first drive of the second quarter, on 3rd-and-7, receiver Amani Toomer hauled in a deep pass from Manning along the left sideline while dragging his feet just barely in bounds for a 38-yard gain, moving the ball to the Patriots' 19. But three plays later, Manning threw a pass that bounced out of the arms of rookie receiver Steve Smith and into the hands of cornerback Ellis Hobbs for an interception.

However, the Patriots' ensuing drive resulted in a three-and-out as on 3rd-and-1 James Butler and Michael Strahan tackled Maroney for a two-yard loss and New England was forced to punt.

Then on the Giants' next drive, rookie running back Ahmad Bradshaw fumbled a Manning hand-off and it looked as though Patriots' linebacker Pierre Woods had recovered the ball at the Giants' 30. But after the officials picked through the pile, it was determined that Bradshaw had made the recovery. The Giants maintained possession and wound up punting.

New England's next drive ended with consecutive Giants' sacks, the first by linebacker Kawika Mitchell, the second by tackle Justin Tuck.

On the Giants' following drive, New York moved the ball to the New England 25, but linebacker Adalius Thomas sacked Manning and forced a fumble. Smith recovered the ball, however Bradshaw was penalized for illegally batting the ball before the recovery. The penalty pushed the Giants out of field goal range, and following an incompletion, they were forced to punt.

After the punt, two 18-yard receptions by Moss and Donte' Stallworth moved the ball to the Giants' 44. But with 22 seconds left before halftime, Brady fumbled while being sacked by Tuck and defensive end Osi Umenyiora recovered the ball. The game then went to halftime with the Patriots leading 7-3.

On the first drive of the second half, New England had a 4th-and-2 and chose to punt. However, after the play had been run, Patriots' Coach Bill Belichick challenged that New York had too many players on the field and replay confirmed that was the case as Giants' linebacker Chase Blackburn was unable to get to the sidelines as the ball was being snapped. Therefore, referee Mike Carey reversed the play, the Giants were penalized for having too many players on the field, and the Patriots got a first down. Brady then led New England to the Giants' 25, but Strahan sacked him for a 6-yard loss on third down. Then on 4th-and-13, with the ball on the Giants' 31, Belichick eschewed a 48-yard field goal attempt by Stephen Gostkowski and tried to pick up a first down. But Brady's pass to Jabar Gaffney was incomplete as it went out of the back of the end zone and the Giants took over on downs.

The game finally broke open on the Giants' first drive of the fourth quarter when Manning completed a 45-yard pass to rookie tight end Kevin Boss. Following three runs by Bradshaw and a 17-yard reception by Smith on third down, Manning finished the 7-play, 80-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to David Tyree, giving New York a 10-7 lead with 11:10 left in the game.

After consecutive three-and-outs, including a Giants' drive on which a hurried Manning just missed a wide-open Burress on second down, New England got the ball at its own 20 with 7:54 to play. Brady then completed a 5-yard pass to Wes Welker and a 10-yard pass to Moss, followed by a 9-yard run by Maroney to give the Patriots a first down at their own 44. Brady followed with a 13-yard pass to Welker, a four-yard completion to Kevin Faulk, and then a 10-yard pass to Welker for a first down at the Giants' 29. After that, Brady found Moss for an 11-yard completion and Faulk for a 12-yard completion and New England now had 1st-and-goal from the Giants' 6. Following two incomplete passes, New York cornerback Corey Webster slipped while backing into coverage, leaving Moss wide open in the end zone where Brady found him for a touchdown to give New England a 14-10 lead with 2:45 left in the game.

On the ensuing kickoff, Raymond Ventrone tackled Domenik Hixon after a 14-yard return, giving the New York the ball on their own 17 with 2:39 left and three timeouts remaining. Following two receptions by Toomer for 20 yards, Brandon Jacobs kept the drive going with a 2-yard run on 4th-and-1. On the next series of downs, Patriots' cornerback Asante Samuel nearly reeled in a game-ending interception on a ball intended for Tyree, but the ball slipped through his fingertips. On the next play, the Giants faced 3rd-and-5 from their own 44 with 1:15 remaining. Manning spun out of the grasp of lineman Jarvis Green, righted himself, and heaved a 32-yard completion to Tyree, who made a leaping catch while tightly covered by Rodney Harrison and maintained possession by pinning the ball against his helmet with one hand as he fell to the ground. Two plays later, on 3rd-and-11, Manning found a wide-open Smith for a 12-yard gain to the New England 13. On the next play, Manning lofted a pass to the end zone where Patriots' cornerback Ellis Hobbs bit on a fake move, and was beaten by Giants' wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who caught the ball for a touchdown to complete the 12-play, 83-yard drive and give Giants a 17-14 lead with 35 seconds left.

New England began its next possession on its own 26 with 29 seconds remaining and three timeouts, but the Giants' defense didn't allow a single yard, forcing an incompletion on first down, a 10-yard sack by lineman Jay Alford on second down, and then two deep incomplete attempts to Moss, the first that was broken up by Webster, and the second of which, on 4th-and-20, was broken up by Giants' safety Gibril Wilson and caused a turnover on downs with one second remaining.^[101] After the incompletion, coaches, players, reporters, and fans crowded the field as if the game had ended. Belichick hugged Giants' Coach Tom Coughlin at midfield, then left for the locker room before the game clock expired — an act that was criticized by some as poor sportsmanship.^[102]^[103]^[104]^[105] The NFL then declared that the final second had to be run, which occurred once the officials restored order. Manning took the snap, stepped back from the line of scrimmage and took a knee, allowing time to expire, and consequently sealing the Super Bowl XLII championship for the Giants, while also ending the Patriots' prospects of a 19-0 season.

Scoring
- 1st Quarter
  - NYG - Lawrence Tynes 32 yard field goal, 5:01. Giants 3-0. Drive: 16 plays, 63 yards, 9:59.
- 2nd Quarter
  - NE - Laurence Maroney 1 yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 14:57. Patriots 7-3. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 5:04.
- 3rd Quarter
  - None
- 4th Quarter
  - NYG - David Tyree 5 yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 11:05. Giants 10-7. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:47.
  - NE - Randy Moss 6 yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 2:42. Patriots 14-10. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:15.
  - NYG - Plaxico Burress 13 yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 0:35. Giants 17-14. Drive: 12 plays, 83 yards, 2:10.

Awards

Bill Belichick, and numerous players, were the recipients of awards for their performances in the 2007 regular season:^[106]

Recipient	Award(s)
Bill Belichick	Week 6: Motorola NFL Coach of the Week Week 17: Motorola NFL Coach of the Week 2007 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year^[107]
Tom Brady	Week 3: AFC Offensive Player of the Week September: AFC Offensive Player of the Month Week 6: AFC Offensive Player of the Week Week 6: FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week Week 7: AFC Offensive Player of the Week Week 7: FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week October: AFC Offensive Player of the Month Week 11: FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week Week 14: AFC Offensive Player of the Week Week 17: AFC Offensive Player of the Week 2007 Sporting News Sportsman of the Year^[108] 2007 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year^[109] 2007 Associated Press NFL MVP^[110]^[a] 2007 Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year^[111]^[b]
Ellis Hobbs	Week 1: NFL Special Teams Player of the Week
Randy Moss	Week 9: AFC Offensive Player of the Week Week 11: AFC Offensive Player of the Week November: AFC Offensive Player of the Month
Stephen Neal	2007 New England Patriots Ed Block Courage Award^[112]
Asante Samuel	Week 12: AFC Defensive Player of the Week
Mike Vrabel	Week 8: AFC Defensive Player of the Week Week 8: GMC NFL Defensive Player of the Week
Ty Warren	2007 New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award^[113]
Wes Welker	2007 New England Patriots 12th Player Award^[114]

^a Brady received 49 of 50 votes; Brett Favre received the other vote.

^b Patriots players received 49 of 50 votes: Brady earned 35.5, Randy Moss 12.5, and Wes Welker earned one vote (as did Favre).

Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections

Eight Patriots were elected to the 2008 Pro Bowl, the most since 1985.^[115] Quarterback Tom Brady, offensive tackle Matt Light, guard Logan Mankins, wide receiver Randy Moss, cornerback Asante Samuel, linebacker Mike Vrabel, and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork were all named as starters, while center Dan Koppen was named as a reserve.^[115]

Of those eight, five—Brady, Light, Moss, Samuel, and Vrabel—were selected to the NFL's All-Pro first team^[116] with Moss being a unanimous selection, and Brady receiving all but one-half vote (the other half was given to Brett Favre). Wilfork, Mankins, Koppen, and wide receiver Wes Welker were named to the second team.

Notes and references

^ "Pats tie earliest clinching of the AFC East". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Patriots at Giants: Game Notes". Patriots.com. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
^ "Pats back in Super Bowl after win over Chargers". MSNBC.com. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
^ "Hero told friend: 'Be calm, Don't panic'". The Boston Herald.
^ "Patriot Hill is found dead". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 29, 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
^ "In Patriots' Season to Remember, a Teammate Is Not Forgotten". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
^ "Patriots' Hill is eulogized, laid to rest". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ ^a ^b "In Patriots' Season to Remember, a Teammate Is Not Forgotten". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
^ "Green: needed fill-in". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
^ "New WR coach". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "O'Brien hired". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Davis joins strong staff". The Boston Herald. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Graham to Denver". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "TBC to S.F." Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Dillon & salary cap". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Tebucky released". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Sauerbrun update". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Sauerbrun to Denver". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Miller cut". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
^ "Morris agrees". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Kyle Brady update". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "WR deals". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Thomas in fold". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "James signing". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Jackson's deal". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Contract recaps". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Pats moves". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-07-19.
^ "Rivers in mix". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
^ "Punter move". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
^ "Pats moves". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Izzo's deal". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Contract follow-up". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Seau follow-up". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Gay update". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Troy's back with Pats". The Boston Herald. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
^ "Hawkins released". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
^ "Samuel tagged". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Samuel in house". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
^ "Pats acquire Welker". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Trade confirmed". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Moss contract". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Trade confirmed". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
^ "Gabriel to Pats". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ "Pick update". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
^ Draft pick received in a trade from the Seattle Seahawks for Deion Branch in 2006.
^ Draft pick received conditionally in a trade from the Arizona Cardinals for Brandon Gorin in 2006.
^ Draft pick received with a 2008 third-round pick in a trade from the Oakland Raiders for the Patriots' 2007 third-round pick.
^ "Draft Trade Tracker". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
^ "Roster breakdown". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
^ "J. Warren released". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
^ "Poland waived". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
^ "Pats moves". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
^ "Pats moves". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
^ "Patriots cuts". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
^ Game moved from 1:00 PM on CBS to 8:15 on NBC under NFL "flex scheduling" rules "Pats-Bills to 8:15". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
^ Game moved from 1:00 PM to 4:15 on CBS under NFL "flex scheduling" rules "Boston.com Reiss' Pieces". Retrieved 2007-11-07.
^ Game moved from 1:00 PM to 4:15 on CBS under NFL "flex scheduling" rules "Patriots-Dolphins game moved to 4:15 PM start". Patriots.com. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
^ "Belichick issues apology, says he's spoken with Goodell". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
^ "Belichick draws $500,000 fine, but avoids suspension". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
^ "Final ruling". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
^ "Big fines for Belichick, team". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
^ "Statement from Bill Belichick". Patriots.com. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
^ "QB Nall Returns, Poz Placed On Injured Reserve". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
^ "Final notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
^ "Taylor sounds off". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
^ "NFL Game Center recap". Retrieved 2007-11-22.
^ "In-game notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
^ "Brady 6TDs". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
^ "Opening success". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
^ "1st down record". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
^ "Crowd noise". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
^ "Super Bowl XLI 1/2". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
^ "First stop". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
^ "Red-zone D". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
^ ^a ^b "Game notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "In-game notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Game notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
^ "Patriots clearly a cut above". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
^ "New England Patriots: 2007 AFC East Champions". Patriots.com. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
^ "Record audience". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
^ "Record-setting viewing audience Monday night". BostonHerald.com The Point After. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
^ "In-game notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
^ "21st player scores TD". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
^ "Perfect Patriots call '72 Dolphins special". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
^ ^a ^b "Post-game notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Patriots vs. Dolphins: Game Notes". New England Patriots. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
^ "Pats-Giants to be first three-network simulcast game in NFL history". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
^ "Patriots' historic game to be available to all of America, after all". NFL.com. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
^ "All Roads Lead to Patriots-Giants on NFL Network and NFL.com". NFL.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
^ "Extra points". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
^ "Joe's Diner Ep. 16". NFL Network. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
^ "Football Free For All?". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
^ "COMMENTARY : Antitrust threat prompted NFL's reversal". Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
^ "Patriots-Giants Game To Be Simulcast On NBC & CBS". Associated Press, via KXAN.com. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
^ "Patriots draw big TV numbers in finishing perfect regular season". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
^ "Patriots-Giants most-watched show of current TV season". Patriots.com. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
^ "Giants-Pats most watched program of 2007". Newsday. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
^ "Fox Wins With Super Bowl Upset". Associated Press. 2008-02-03. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
^ Gamecenter from nfl.com
^ http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=346770
^ ^a ^b nfl.com gamebook
^ [1]
^ "He Went Down Hard" Jaguars.com
^ TravelGolf.com
^ "LT called it right" Roanoake.com
^ "New England Patriots pre-Super Bowl press release" (PDF). Patriots.com. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
^ Unbeaten regular season lifts Belichick to 2nd AP Coach of the Year honor USA Today, Accessed 2008-01-03.
^ "Brady Named 'Sportsman Of Year' By Sporting News". WBZ-TV.com. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
^ "Brady is AP male athlete of the year". SI.com. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
^ "Patriots QB Tom Brady rides records to MVP award". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
^ "Tom Brady adds AP Offensive Player of Year to MVP". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
^ "Neal earns Courage award". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
^ "Festive gala". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
^ "Welker: 12th player award". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
^ ^a ^b "Pro Bowl announcement". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
^ "2007 NFL All-Pro roster". NFL.com. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

[1] "Pats tie earliest clinching of the AFC East". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2007-11-26.

[GiantsNotes-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Patriots at Giants: Game Notes". Patriots.com. Retrieved 2007-12-30.

[ChargersNotes-3] "Pats back in Super Bowl after win over Chargers". MSNBC.com. Retrieved 2008-01-02.

[4] "Hero told friend: 'Be calm, Don't panic'". The Boston Herald.

[5] "Patriot Hill is found dead". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 29, 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

[6] "In Patriots' Season to Remember, a Teammate Is Not Forgotten". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

[7] "Patriots' Hill is eulogized, laid to rest". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[NYT-8] "In Patriots' Season to Remember, a Teammate Is Not Forgotten". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

[9] "Green: needed fill-in". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

[10] "New WR coach". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[11] "O'Brien hired". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[12] "Davis joins strong staff". The Boston Herald. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[13] "Graham to Denver". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[14] "TBC to S.F." Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[15] "Dillon & salary cap". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[16] "Tebucky released". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[17] "Sauerbrun update". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[18] "Sauerbrun to Denver". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[19] "Miller cut". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-16.

[20] "Morris agrees". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[21] "Kyle Brady update". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[22] "WR deals". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[23] "Thomas in fold". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[24] "James signing". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[25] "Jackson's deal". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[26] "Contract recaps". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[27] "Pats moves". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-07-19.

[28] "Rivers in mix". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-02.

[29] "Punter move". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-02.

[30] "Pats moves". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[31] "Izzo's deal". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[32] "Contract follow-up". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[33] "Seau follow-up". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[34] "Gay update". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[35] "Troy's back with Pats". The Boston Herald. Retrieved 2007-07-10.

[36] "Hawkins released". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-27.

[37] "Samuel tagged". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[38] "Samuel in house". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-27.

[39] "Pats acquire Welker". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[40] "Trade confirmed". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[41] "Moss contract". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[42] "Trade confirmed". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-26.

[43] "Gabriel to Pats". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[44] "Pick update". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-06-15.

[Patriotsfftoday1-45] Draft pick received in a trade from the Seattle Seahawks for Deion Branch in 2006.

[Patriotsfftoday2-46] Draft pick received conditionally in a trade from the Arizona Cardinals for Brandon Gorin in 2006.

[47] Draft pick received with a 2008 third-round pick in a trade from the Oakland Raiders for the Patriots' 2007 third-round pick.

[48] "Draft Trade Tracker". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2007-11-30.

[49] "Roster breakdown". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-02.

[50] "J. Warren released". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-07.

[51] "Poland waived". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-07.

[52] "Pats moves". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-02.

[53] "Pats moves". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-08-26.

[54] "Patriots cuts". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-02.

[55] Game moved from 1:00 PM on CBS to 8:15 on NBC under NFL "flex scheduling" rules "Pats-Bills to 8:15". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-05.

[56] Game moved from 1:00 PM to 4:15 on CBS under NFL "flex scheduling" rules "Boston.com Reiss' Pieces". Retrieved 2007-11-07.

[57] Game moved from 1:00 PM to 4:15 on CBS under NFL "flex scheduling" rules "Patriots-Dolphins game moved to 4:15 PM start". Patriots.com. Retrieved 2007-12-10.

[Tape-58] "Belichick issues apology, says he's spoken with Goodell". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2007-09-12.

[59] "Belichick draws $500,000 fine, but avoids suspension". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

[60] "Final ruling". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-09-13.

[61] "Big fines for Belichick, team". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

[62] "Statement from Bill Belichick". Patriots.com. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

[63] "QB Nall Returns, Poz Placed On Injured Reserve". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved 2007-09-25.

[64] "Final notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-25.

[65] "Taylor sounds off". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-10-17.

[66] "NFL Game Center recap". Retrieved 2007-11-22.

[67] "In-game notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-10-21.

[68] "Brady 6TDs". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-10-21.

[69] "Opening success". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-10-30.

[70] "1st down record". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-10-30.

[71] "Crowd noise". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-05.

[72] "Super Bowl XLI 1/2". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2007-11-12.

[73] "First stop". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-05.

[74] "Red-zone D". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-05.

[ColtsNotes-75] "Game notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-20.

[BillsHalfNotes-76] "In-game notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-20.

[BillsPostNotes-77] "Game notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-20.

[78] "Patriots clearly a cut above". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2007-11-20.

[79] "New England Patriots: 2007 AFC East Champions". Patriots.com. Retrieved 2007-11-28.

[80] "Record audience". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-05.

[81] "Record-setting viewing audience Monday night". BostonHerald.com The Point After. Retrieved 2007-12-23.

[82] "In-game notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-14.

[83] "21st player scores TD". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-20.

[84] "Perfect Patriots call '72 Dolphins special". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2007-12-22.

[JetsNotes-85] "Post-game notes". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-20.

[DolphinsNotes-86] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Patriots vs. Dolphins: Game Notes". New England Patriots. Retrieved 2007-12-25.

[87] "Pats-Giants to be first three-network simulcast game in NFL history". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2007-12-26.

[88] "Patriots' historic game to be available to all of America, after all". NFL.com. Retrieved 2007-12-26.

[89] "All Roads Lead to Patriots-Giants on NFL Network and NFL.com". NFL.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.

[90] "Extra points". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-01-01.

[91] "Joe's Diner Ep. 16". NFL Network. Retrieved 2008-01-04.

[92] "Football Free For All?". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2008-01-04.

[93] "COMMENTARY : Antitrust threat prompted NFL's reversal". Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved 2008-01-04.

[94] "Patriots-Giants Game To Be Simulcast On NBC & CBS". Associated Press, via KXAN.com. Retrieved 2008-01-04.

[95] "Patriots draw big TV numbers in finishing perfect regular season". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2008-01-04.

[96] "Patriots-Giants most-watched show of current TV season". Patriots.com. Retrieved 2007-12-30.

[97] "Giants-Pats most watched program of 2007". Newsday. Retrieved 2007-12-31.

[98] "Fox Wins With Super Bowl Upset". Associated Press. 2008-02-03. Retrieved 2008-02-04.

[gamecenter-99] Gamecenter from nfl.com

[100] ttp://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=346770

[gamebook-101] .com gamebook

[102] [1]

[103] "He Went Down Hard" Jaguars.com

[104] TravelGolf.com

[105] "LT called it right" Roanoake.com

[Awards-106] "New England Patriots pre-Super Bowl press release" (PDF). Patriots.com. Retrieved 2008-01-25.

[107] Unbeaten regular season lifts Belichick to 2nd AP Coach of the Year honor USA Today, Accessed 2008-01-03.

[108] "Brady Named 'Sportsman Of Year' By Sporting News". WBZ-TV.com. Retrieved 2007-12-21.

[109] "Brady is AP male athlete of the year". SI.com. Retrieved 2007-12-21.

[110] "Patriots QB Tom Brady rides records to MVP award". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-01-05.

[111] "Tom Brady adds AP Offensive Player of Year to MVP". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-01-08.

[112] "Neal earns Courage award". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2008-01-11.

[113] "Festive gala". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-11-09.

[114] "Welker: 12th player award". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-19.

[ProBowl-115] "Pro Bowl announcement". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2007-12-18.

[All-Pro-116] "2007 NFL All-Pro roster". NFL.com. Retrieved 2008-01-10.

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@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 The offseason brought the arrival of seven unrestricted free agents to the Patriots. On offense, the Patriots added running back [[Sammy Morris]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/03/morris_agrees.html |title=Morris agrees |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> [[tight end]] [[Kyle Brady]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/03/kyle_brady_upda.html |title=Kyle Brady update |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> and wide receivers [[Donté Stallworth]] and [[Kelley Washington]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/03/wr_deals.html |title=WR deals |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> On defense, they added linebacker [[Adalius Thomas]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/03/thomas_in_fold.html |title=Thomas in fold |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> and [[cornerback]]s [[Tory James]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/04/james_signing.html |title=James signing |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> and [[Eddie Jackson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/03/jacksons_deal.html |title=Jackson's deal |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> Other arrivals were defensive linemen [[Rashad Moore]] ([[New York Jets]]), [[Kenny Smith (American football)|Kenny Smith]] ([[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/06/contract_recaps.html |title=Contract recaps |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> linebacker [[Chad Brown]] ([[Pittsburgh Steelers]]),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/07/pats_moves_11.html |title=Pats moves |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref> tight end [[Marcellus Rivers]] ([[New Orleans Saints]]),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/08/rivers_in_mix.html |title=Rivers in mix |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-09-02}}</ref> and punter [[Chris Hanson]] ([[New Orleans Saints]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/08/punter_in_focus.html |title=Punter move |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-09-02}}</ref>
-[[Image:2007NEPTC.jpg|thumb|[[Randy Moss]] lined up during the first training camp practice]]
+[[Image:2007NEPTC.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Randy Moss]] lined up during the first training camp practice]]
 Free agents or potential free agents [[Heath Evans]], [[Billy Yates (American football)|Billy Yates]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/03/pats_moves_8.html |title=Pats moves |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> [[Larry Izzo]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/03/izzos_deal.html |title=Izzo's deal |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> [[Rashad Baker]], [[Gene Mruczkowski]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/03/contract_follow.html |title=Contract follow-up |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> [[Junior Seau]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/05/seau_followup.html |title=Seau follow-up |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> [[Randall Gay]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/05/gay_update_1.html |title=Gay update |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> [[Troy Brown]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1010548 |title=Troy's back with Pats |work=[[The Boston Herald]] |accessdate=2007-07-10}}</ref> and [[Vinny Testaverde]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/08/hawkins_release.html |title=Hawkins released |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref> were all re-signed. The Patriots used their non-exclusive [[franchise tag]] on cornerback [[Asante Samuel]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/02/samuel_tagged.html |title=Samuel tagged |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-06-15}}</ref> Samuel signed it on [[August 28]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/08/samuel_in_house.html |title=Samuel in house |work=Boston.com Reiss' Pieces |accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref>

v t e New England Patriots
Founded in 1960 Formerly the Boston Patriots (1960–1970) Based and headquartered in Foxborough, Massachusetts
Franchise	Franchise History Brady–Belichick era Hall of Fame Patriot Place Seasons Players Coaches First-round draft picks Starting quarterbacks Retired numbers Strategy Broadcasters
Stadiums	Nickerson Field Fenway Park Alumni Stadium Harvard Stadium Foxboro Stadium Gillette Stadium
Culture	Billy Sullivan Robert Kraft Jonathan Kraft Pat Patriot Cheerleaders "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" "Crazy Train" "Your Love" Patriot Reign Family Guy "Patriot Games" "3 Acts of God" "Gronkowsbees" "This Is Our House" "Stunning and Brave" "Turd Burglars" Tom vs Time Man in the Arena: Tom Brady 80 for Brady
Lore	Snowplow Game Lisa Olson St. Louis Stallions Tuck Rule Game 2006 playoff game vs. San Diego Chargers 16–0 Spygate 2007 game vs. New York Giants Helmet Catch Butt Fumble Deflategate Malcolm Butler's interception Colts Catastrophe 28–3 Philly Special Miami Miracle Brady's return Lunatic Lateral
Rivalries	Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Denver Broncos Indianapolis Colts Miami Dolphins New York Giants New York Jets Pittsburgh Steelers Brady–Manning rivalry
Division championships (22)	1963 1978 1986 1996 1997 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Conference championships (11)	1985 1996 2001 2003 2004 2007 2011 2014 2016 2017 2018
League championships (6)	2001 (XXXVI) 2003 (XXXVIII) 2004 (XXXIX) 2014 (XLIX) 2016 (LI) 2018 (LIII)
Retired numbers	20 40 56 57 73 78 79 89
Media	Broadcasters WBZ-FM WBZ-TV Radio network Gil Santos Gino Cappelletti Bob Socci Scott Zolak
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1970–present) Conference: American Football Conference Division: East Division
Former league affiliation	League: American Football League (1960–1969)

v t e New England Patriots seasons
Formerly the Boston Patriots (1960–1970)
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Bold indicates AFL Championship or Super Bowl victory Italics indicates AFL Championship or Super Bowl appearance