2011 New England Patriots season

2011 New England Patriots season
Owner	Robert Kraft
Head coach	Bill Belichick
Home field	Gillette Stadium
Results
Record	13–3
Division place	1st AFC East
Playoff finish	Won Divisional Playoffs (Broncos) 45–10 Won Conference Championship Playoffs (Ravens) 23–20 Lost Super Bowl XLVI (Giants) 21–17
Pro Bowlers	Tom Brady, QB Wes Welker, WR Matthew Slater, WR Rob Gronkowski, TE Logan Mankins, G Brian Waters, G Andre Carter, DE Vince Wilfork, DT
Uniform
File:AFCE-Uniform-NE.PNG

The 2011 New England Patriots season was the 42nd season for the team in the National Football League and 52nd season overall. The Patriots finished the regular season at 13–3, and represented the AFC in Super Bowl XLVI. It was the seventh Super Bowl trip in franchise history, and the fifth for head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.

The Patriots dedicated their 2011 season to the memory of Myra Kraft, the wife of owner Robert Kraft, who died on July 20, 2011 after a long fight against cancer. At both home and away games, the Patriots wore patches bearing Kraft's initials, MHK, on their uniforms. The Patriots elected to wear their Super Bowl patches on the right side of their uniforms, so that they could keep the MHK patch on the left as it had been all season. They were defeated by the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, becoming the fourth team to lose 4 Super Bowls (after the Minnesota Vikings, the Denver Broncos, and the Buffalo Bills)

Offseason

2011 NFL Draft

Main article: 2011 NFL Draft

The Patriots traded their original seventh-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka in August 2010. The Patriots also acquired the Denver Broncos' fourth-round selection in exchange for a sixth-round selection and running back Laurence Maroney. The Patriots acquired the sixth-round selection from the New Orleans Saints in a September 2009 trade for tight end David Thomas. The team later agreed to trade the higher of its two fourth-round selections – the pick acquired from the Broncos – to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for wide receiver Deion Branch.

2011 New England Patriots Draft Selections

Round	Overall	Player	Position	College
1	17	Nate Solder	T	Colorado
2	33	Ras-I Dowling	CB	Virginia
2	56	Shane Vereen	RB	California
3	73	Stevan Ridley	RB	LSU
3	74	Ryan Mallett	QB	Arkansas
5	138	Marcus Cannon	G	TCU
5	159	Lee Smith	TE	Marshall
6	194	Markell Carter	OLB	Central Arkansas
7	219	Malcolm Williams	CB	TCU

2011 New England Patriots Draft Day Trades

Round	Overall	Team	Received
1	28	to New Orleans Saints	Received New Orleans' second-round pick (56 overall) in 2011 and first-round pick in 2012
2	60	to Houston Texans	Received Houston's third-round and fifth-round picks (73 and 138 overall)
3	92	to Oakland Raiders	Received Oakland's seventh-round pick in 2011 (219 overall) and second-round pick in 2012
4	125
6	193	to Philadelphia Eagles	Received Philadelphia's sixth-round pick (194 overall)

Staff

New England Patriots staff

	Front office Chairman/CEO – Robert Kraft President – Jonathan Kraft Executive vice president of player personnel – Eliot Wolf Executive vice president of football business – Robyn Glaser Director of player personnel – Matt Groh Director of pro personnel – Patrick Stewart Assistant director of pro personnel – Sam Fioroni Director of college scouting – Camren Williams Director of scouting administration – Nancy Meier Director of football strategy – Marshall Oium Personnel coordinator – Brian Smith Senior personnel executive – Alonzo Highsmith Head coach Head coach – Jerod Mayo Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Alex Van Pelt Senior offensive assistant – Ben McAdoo Quarterbacks – T. C. McCartney Assistant quarterbacks / Director of game management – Evan Rothstein Running backs – Taylor Embree Wide receivers – Tyler Hughes Assistant wide receivers – Tiquan Underwood Tight ends – Bob Bicknell Offensive line – Scott Peters Assistant offensive line – Robert Kugler Offensive coaching assistant – Michael McCarthy Offensive coaching assistant – Omar Young			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – DeMarcus Covington Defensive line – Jerry Montgomery Outside linebackers – Drew Wilkins Inside linebackers – Dont'a Hightower Cornerbacks – Mike Pellegrino Safeties – Brian Belichick Defensive coaching assistant – Vinny DePalma Defensive coaching assistant – Jamael Lett Defensive coaching assistant – Keith Jones Jr. Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Jeremy Springer Special teams assistant – Tom Quinn Special teams assistant – Coby Tippett Skill development Director of skill development – Joe Kim Skill development / Kick & punt returners – Troy Brown Special assistant to the head coach – Matthew Slater Strength and conditioning Head strength and conditioning – Deron Mayo Strength and conditioning assistant – Brian McDonough Strength and conditioning assistant – Brandon Martuccio Strength and conditioning assistant – Dexter Taylor → Coaching staff → Front office → More NFL staffs

Current roster

New England Patriots roster

Quarterbacks (QB)  7 Jacoby Brissett 10 Drake Maye 19 Joe Milton Running backs (RB)  4 Antonio Gibson 39 JaMycal Hasty 38 Rhamondre Stevenson Wide receivers (WR)  6 Javon Baker 84 Kendrick Bourne  9 Kayshon Boutte  3 Demario Douglas  2 K. J. Osborn  1 Ja'Lynn Polk 11 Tyquan Thornton Tight ends (TE) 88 Jaheim Bell 85 Hunter Henry 81 Austin Hooper

Offensive linemen (OL) 77 Ben Brown C 75 Demontrey Jacobs LT 74 Michael Jordan LG 59 Vederian Lowe LT 71 Mike Onwenu RT 64 Layden Robinson RG 68 Lecitus Smith C 62 Sidy Sow RG 72 Zachary Thomas RT Defensive linemen (DL) 95 Daniel Ekuale DT 92 Davon Godchaux DT 96 Eric Johnson DT 98 Jeremiah Pharms Jr. DT 94 Jaquelin Roy DT 99 Keion White DE 91 Deatrich Wise Jr. DE

Linebackers (LB) 53 Christian Elliss OLB 52 Curtis Jacobs MLB 33 Anfernee Jennings OLB 32 Ochaun Mathis OLB 50 Raekwon McMillan MLB 16 Sione Takitaki MLB 48 Jahlani Tavai OLB Defensive backs (DB) 29 Isaiah Bolden CB 27 Marcellas Dial CB 23 Kyle Dugger FS  0 Christian Gonzalez CB 21 Jaylinn Hawkins FS 31 Jonathan Jones CB 25 Marcus Jones CB 15 Marte Mapu SS 24 Dell Pettus SS 41 Brenden Schooler FS 22 Marco Wilson CB Special teams 17 Bryce Baringer P 49 Joe Cardona LS 13 Joey Slye K

Practice squad 51 Keshawn Banks OLB 35 Miles Battle CB 63 Liam Fornadel G 44 Joe Giles-Harris MLB 36 Kevin Harris RB 58 Marcus Harris DT 61 Bryan Hudson C 30 D. J. James CB 26 Terrell Jennings RB 83 John Jiles WR 76 Caleb Jones T 54 Jalen McKenzie T 34 Mark Perry SS 66 Jotham Russell DE (IPP) 80 Braylon Sanders WR 87 Jack Westover TE 86 Mitchell Wilcox TE Reserve 60 David Andrews C (IR) 67 Jake Andrews C (IR) 28 Alex Austin CB (IR) 90 Christian Barmore DT (NF-Inj.)  8 Ja'Whaun Bentley MLB (IR) 82 JaQuae Jackson WR (IR) 77 Chukwuma Okorafor LT (Left squad)  5 Jabrill Peppers FS (Exempt) 69 Cole Strange G (PUP) 70 Caedan Wallace T (IR) 93 Oshane Ximines OLB (IR) As of October 29, 2024. Rookies in italics. 53 active, 11 reserve, 16 practice squad (+1 exempt) Roster Depth chart Transactions

Schedule

Preseason

Week	Kickoff	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game Site	TV	NFL.com Recap
1	7:30 PM EDT	August 11, 2011	Jacksonville Jaguars	W 47–12	1–0	Gillette Stadium	WBZ	Recap
2	7:30 PM EDT	August 18, 2011	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 31–14	2–0	Raymond James Stadium	WBZ	Recap
3	8:00 PM EDT	August 27, 2011	Detroit Lions	L 10–34	2–1	Ford Field	CBS	Recap
4	7:30 PM EDT	September 1, 2011	New York Giants	L 17–18	2–2	Gillette Stadium	WBZ	Recap

Regular season

Week	Kickoff	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game Site	TV	NFL.com Recap
1	7:00 PM EDT	September 12, 2011	Miami Dolphins	W 38–24	1–0	Sun Life Stadium	ESPN[a]	Recap
2	4:15 PM EDT	September 18, 2011	San Diego Chargers	W 35–21	2–0	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
3	1:00 PM EDT	September 25, 2011	Buffalo Bills	L 31–34	2–1	Ralph Wilson Stadium	CBS	Recap
4	4:15 PM EDT	October 2, 2011	Oakland Raiders	W 31–19	3–1	O.co Coliseum	CBS	Recap
5	4:15 PM EDT	October 9, 2011	New York Jets	W 30–21	4–1	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
6	4:15 PM EDT	October 16, 2011	Dallas Cowboys	W 20–16	5–1	Gillette Stadium	Fox	Recap
7	Bye
8	4:15 PM EDT	October 30, 2011	Pittsburgh Steelers	L 17–25	5–2	Heinz Field	CBS	Recap
9	4:15 PM EST	November 6, 2011	New York Giants	L 20–24	5–3	Gillette Stadium	Fox	Recap
10	8:20 PM EST	November 13, 2011	New York Jets	W 37–16	6–3	MetLife Stadium	NBC	Recap
11	8:30 PM EST	November 21, 2011	Kansas City Chiefs	W 34–3	7–3	Gillette Stadium	ESPN[a]	Recap
12	4:15 PM EST	November 27, 2011	Philadelphia Eagles	W 38–20	8–3	Lincoln Financial Field	CBS	Recap
13	1:00 PM EST	December 4, 2011	Indianapolis Colts	W 31–24	9–3	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
14	1:00 PM EST	December 11, 2011	Washington Redskins	W 34–27	10–3	FedEx Field	CBS	Recap
15	4:15 PM EST	December 18, 2011	Denver Broncos	W 41–23	11–3	Sports Authority Field at Mile High	CBS	Recap
16	1:00 PM EST	December 24, 2011	Miami Dolphins	W 27–24	12–3	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
17	1:00 PM EST	January 1, 2012	Buffalo Bills	W 49–21	13–3	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap

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

Standings

AFC East
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
(1) New England Patriots	13	3	0	.813	5–1	10–2	513	342	W8
New York Jets	8	8	0	.500	3–3	6–6	394	382	L3
Miami Dolphins	6	10	0	.375	3–3	5–7	348	330	W1
Buffalo Bills	6	10	0	.375	1–5	4–8	372	434	L1

Regular season results

Week 1: at Miami Dolphins

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	7	7	14	10	38
Dolphins	7	0	10	7	24

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

• Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), Partly Cloudy
• Game attendance: 66,860
• Referee: Pete Morelli
• TV announcers (ESPN^[a]): Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Jon Gruden & Ron Jaworski (color commentators), and Suzy Kolber & Wendi Nix (sideline reporters)

The Patriots began their 2011 campaign at Sun Life Stadium, for a Week 1 AFC East duel with the Miami Dolphins in the first game of Monday Night Football's doubleheader. New England trailed early in the first quarter as Dolphins' quarterback Chad Henne scrambled for 9-yard touchdown. The Patriots answered, with a 4-yard touchdown run from running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. New England took the lead in the second quarter, with quarterback Tom Brady finding tight end Rob Gronkowski on a 10-yard touchdown pass. Miami tied the game in third quarter, as Henne completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brian Hartline, yet the Patriots regained the lead, with Brady hooking up with wide receiver Wes Welker on a 2-yard touchdown pass. The Dolphins would reply, with a 20-yard field goal by placekicker Dan Carpenter. Afterwards, New England closed out the third quarter, with Brady connecting with tight end Aaron Hernandez on a 1-yard touchdown pass. The Patriots added onto their lead in the fourth quarter, with a 20-yard field goal from placekicker Stephen Gostkowski, followed by Brady finding Welker on a 99-yard touchdown pass. Miami would close out the game with Henne completing a 2-yard touchdown pass to running back Reggie Bush.

With the win, New England began their season at 1–0. Tom Brady also became the 11th quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 500 yards in a game with 517 yards.

Week 2: vs. San Diego Chargers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	7	0	0	14	21
Patriots	7	13	0	15	35

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), Wind
• Game attendance: 68,756
• Referee: Walt Anderson
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)

Following their Monday Night at Miami, the Patriots returned to Foxborough for their home opener against the San Diego Chargers. In the first quarter, Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez, but the Chargers responded, with a 10-yard touchdown run by running back Ryan Mathews. The Patriots scored 13 unanswered points in the second quarter, with a 22-yard field goal by placekicker Stephen Gostkowski, a 10-yard touchdown pass from Brady to tight end Rob Gronkowski, followed by a 47-yard field goal by Gostkowski just before halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, the Chargers cut into the Patriots lead, with a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Philip Rivers to wide receiver Vincent Jackson. The Patriots responded, with Brady throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski (and a two-point conversion run by running back Danny Woodhead). The Chargers tried to rally, with Rivers throwing a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jackson, but a 16-yard touchdown run by Patriots' running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis just after the two-minute warning sealed the win for New England.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 2–0.

Week 3: at Buffalo Bills

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	14	7	3	7	31
Bills	0	10	7	17	34

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C), Mix of sun and clouds
• Game attendance: 68,174
• Referee: Carl Cheffers
• TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Rich Gannon (color commentator)

Following their win over the Chargers, the Patriots flew to Orchard Park, New York for an AFC East duel with the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots grabbed the lead in the first quarter, with quarterback Tom Brady throwing two touchdown passes – a 14-yarder to wide receiver Wes Welker and a 1-yarder to tight end Rob Gronkowski. The Patriots added to their lead in the second quarter, with Brady connecting with Rob Gronkowski on a 26-yard touchdown pass. The Bills responded, with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Johnson, followed by a 42-yard field goal by placekicker Ryan Lindell. The Bills narrowed the Patriots' lead in the third quarter, with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Fitzpatrick to tight end Scott Chandler. The Patriots increased their lead, with a 23-yard field goal by placekicker Stephen Gostkowski. The Bills tied the game in the fourth quarter, with a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Fred Jackson, then grabbed a 31–24 lead when cornerback Drayton Florence returned a Brady interception 27 yards for a touchdown. The Patriots tied the game, with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Welker. However, the Bills got the last possession, as Lindell nailed a 28-yard field goal as time expired, snapping the Patriots' 15-game winning streak against the Bills.

With the loss, the Patriots dropped to 2–1.

Week 4: at Oakland Raiders

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	7	10	7	7	31
Raiders	3	7	3	6	19

at O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

• Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT/1:15 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), Sunny
• Game attendance: 62,572
• Referee: Tony Corrente
• TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Solomon Wilcots (color commentator)

Hoping to avenge their Week 3 loss at Buffalo, the Patriots flew across the country to face the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders grabbed the lead in the first quarter, with a 28-yard field goal by placekicker Sebastian Janikowski. The Patriots responded, with quarterback Tom Brady throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wes Welker. The Raiders re-claimed the lead in the second quarter, with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Michael Bush. The Patriots answered, with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, followed by a 44-yard field goal by placekicker Stephen Gostkowski just before halftime. The Patriots added to their lead in the third quarter, with a 33-yard field goal by running back Stevan Ridley. The Raiders narrowed the lead, with a 26-yard field goal by Janikowski, but the Patriots increased it in the fourth quarter, with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Brady to wide receiver Deion Branch. The Raiders scored a late touchdown, with quarterback Jason Campbell throwing a 6-yard pass to wide receiver Denarius Moore (with a failed two-point conversion attempt), but the Patriots ran out the clock, sealing the win.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 3–1; it was also the franchise's 200th win (regular season and playoff) under Robert Kraft's ownership.

Week 5: vs. New York Jets

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	0	7	7	7	21
Patriots	7	3	14	6	30

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), sunny and warm
• Game attendance: 68,756
• Referee: Jerome Boger
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)

Coming off their win at Oakland, the Patriots returned home for an AFC East duel with the New York Jets. The Patriots grabbed the early lead in the first quarter, with a 3-yard touchdown run by running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, followed in the second quarter by a 44-yard field goal by placekicker Stephen Gostkowski. The Jets got on the board, with a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Shonn Greene. The Patriots extended their lead in the third quarter, with quarterback Tom Brady throwing a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Deion Branch. The Jets responded, with quarterback Mark Sanchez throwing a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jeremy Kerley. The Patriots added to their lead, with a 3-yard touchdown run by Green-Ellis, followed in the fourth quarter with a 24-yard field goal by Gostkowski. The Jets tried to rally, with wide receiver Santonio Holmes receiving a 21-yard touchdown pass from Sanchez, but a late 28-yard field goal by Gostkowski sealed the win for the Patriots.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 4–1.

Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	3	7	3	3	16
Patriots	3	10	0	7	20

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), partly cloudy
• Game attendance: 68,756
• Referee: Walt Coleman
• TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color commentator), and Pam Oliver (sideline reporter)

Coming off their win over the Jets, the Patriots remained on home turf for an interconference duel with the Dallas Cowboys. The Patriots, wearing their white jerseys as to force the Cowboys to don their "unlucky" blue jerseys, took the early lead in the first quarter, with a 31-yard field goal by placekicker Stephen Gostkowski. The Cowboys countered, with a 48-yard field goal by placekicker Dan Bailey. The Patriots responded in the second quarter, with a 26-yard field goal by Gostkowski, followed by a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady to wide receiver Wes Welker. The Cowboys narrowed the Patriots' lead just before halftime, with a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tony Romo to tight end Jason Witten. The Cowboys tied the game at 13–13 in the third quarter, with a 22-yard field goal by Bailey, then grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter with another field goal by Bailey, this time from 26 yards. With 2:31 remaining in the fourth quarter, Brady engineered a comeback, culminating with an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez with 27 seconds remaining. The Cowboys tried to rally, but Romo's last-second desperation hail-mary pass toward the end zone was unsuccessful, sealing the win for the Patriots.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 5–1, entering their bye week.

Week 8: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	0	10	0	7	17
Steelers	7	10	3	5	25

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C), cloudy
• Game attendance: 64,424
• Referee: Mike Carey
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)

Coming off their bye week, the Patriots flew to Heinz Field for a Week 8 duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers. New England trailed early in the first quarter, as Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Mewelde Moore. Pittsburgh would add to their lead in the second quarter, as placekicker Shaun Suisham nailed a 33-yard field goal. The Patriots answered, with quarterback Tom Brady finding wide receiver Deion Branch on a 2-yard touchdown pass, but the Steelers came right back, with Roethlisberger completing a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Brown. New England would close out the half with a 46-yard field goal from placekicker Stephen Gostkowski.

Pittsburgh began the third quarter with Suisham making a 21-yard field goal, followed by a 23-yard field goal in the fourth. The Patriots tried to rally, as Brady connected with tight end Aaron Hernandez on a 1-yard touchdown pass, but the Steelers' defense would prevail, with safety Troy Polamalu forcing a New England fumble out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

With the loss, the Patriots fell to 5–2, it being the first loss to the Steelers with Tom Brady starting in the last 7 years.

Week 9: vs. New York Giants

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Giants	0	0	10	14	24
Patriots	0	0	3	17	20

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C), sunny and cool
• Referee: Pete Morelli
• TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color commentator), and Pam Oliver (sideline reporter)

Hoping to rebound from their loss at Pittsburgh, the Patriots returned home for an interconference duel with the New York Giants, the first meeting since Super Bowl XLII where the Giants stopped their chances at going 19–0. After a scoreless first half, The Giants grabbed the lead in the third quarter, with a 22-yard field goal by placekicker Lawrence Tynes, followed by a 10-yard touchdown run by running back Brandon Jacobs. The Patriots got on the board, with a 32-yard field goal by placekicker Stephen Gostkowski. In the fourth quarter, the Patriots tied the game, with a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady to tight end Aaron Hernandez, then took the lead with a 45-yard field goal by Gostkowski. The Giants re-claimed the lead, with a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Eli Manning to wide receiver Mario Manningham with three minutes remaining. The Patriots responded, with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Brady to tight end Rob Gronkowski. However, with a minute and a half remaining in a similar repeat of Super Bowl XLII, Manning led the Giants on a game-winning drive, culminating with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ballard.

With the loss, the Patriots dropped to 5–3, and QB Tom Brady's streak of 32 consecutive home wins was snapped. Following the game the Patriots released Albert Haynesworth, who'd reportedly gotten into a sideline confrontation with assistance coach Pepper Johnson. The loss was the third time in nine seasons the Patriots had suffered consecutive losses.

The Giants and the Patriots would meet again in Super Bowl XLVI with the Giants winning 21-17.

Week 10: at New York Jets

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	6	7	10	14	37
Jets	0	9	0	7	16

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C), clear
• Game attendance: 79,088
• Referee: Gene Steratore
• TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (color commentator), and Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter)

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Giants, the Patriots flew to MetLife Stadium for an AFC East rematch with the New York Jets. The Patriots grabbed the lead in the first quarter, with field goals of 50 and 36 yards by placekicker Stephen Gostkowski. The Jets got on the board in the second quarter, when Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady was penalized for intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety, followed by Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez scrambling for a 2-yard touchdown. The Patriots re-claimed the lead just before halftime, with Brady connecting with tight end Rob Gronkowski on an 18-yard touchdown pass. The Patriots added to their lead in the third quarter, with a 27-yard field goal by Gostkowski, followed by a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Gronkowski. In the fourth quarter, the Jets cut into the Patriots' lead, with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Sanchez to wide receiver Plaxico Burress. The Patriots responded, with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Brady to wide receiver Deion Branch, then pulled away when linebacker Rob Ninkovich returned a Sanchez interception 12 yards for a touchdown.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 6–3.

Week 11: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	3	0	0	0	3
Patriots	0	10	17	7	34

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C), clear and cold
• Game attendance: 68,756
• Referee: Clete Blakeman
• TV announcers (ESPN^[a]): Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden (color commentators), and Suzy Kolber (sideline reporter)

Coming off their win over the Jets, the Patriots returned home for an AFC duel against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Kansas City took the lead in the first quarter, with a 26-yard field goal by placekicker Ryan Succop, in what would be the Chiefs' only score of the game. The Patriots grabbed the lead in the second quarter, with a 52-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady to tight end Rob Gronkowski, followed by a 21-yard field goal by placekicker Stephen Gostkowski just before halftime. The Patriots added to their lead in the third quarter, with Brady throwing another touchdown pass to Gronkowski – this time from 19 yards, followed by Julian Edelman returning a punt 72 yards for a touchdown, and a 19-yard field goal by Gostkowski at the end of the third quarter. The Patriots added another score near the end of the game, with a 4-yard touchdown run by running back Shane Vereen.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 7–3.

Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	7	17	7	7	38
Eagles	10	3	0	7	20

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), cloudy
• Game attendance: 69,144
• Referee: Jerome Boger
• TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel (play-by-play) and Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)

Coming off their win over the Chiefs, the Patriots flew to Lincoln Financial Field for an interconference duel with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles grabbed the early lead in the first quarter, with a 2-yard touchdown run by running back LeSean McCoy, followed by a 43-yard field goal by placekicker Alex Henery. The Patriots then reeled off 21 unanswered points, with two touchdown runs by running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis – a 4-yarder followed in the second quarter by a 1-yarder, and a 41-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady to wide receiver Wes Welker. Each team exchanged field goals – a 22-yarder by Henery, and a 45-yarder by Patriots' placekicker Stephen Gostkowski, giving the Patriots a 24–13 halftime lead. The Patriots added to their lead, with Brady throwing a pair of touchdown passes – a 9-yarder to Welker in the third quarter, followed in the fourth quarter by a 24-yarder to tight end Rob Gronkowski. The Eagles scored late, with quarterback Vince Young throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jason Avant, but the Patriots' lead was too much for the Eagles to overcome.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 8–3.

Week 13: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	3	0	21	24
Patriots	3	14	14	0	31

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C), cloudy
• Game attendance: 68,756
• Referee: Ron Winter
• TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Rich Gannon (color commentator)

Coming off their win over the Eagles, the Patriots returned home for an AFC duel with the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts took the early lead, with a 39-yard field goal by placekicker and former Patriots Super Bowl hero Adam Vinateri. The Patriots then reeled off 28 unanswered points, starting with quarterback Tom Brady tossing an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski, a 1-yard touchdown run by running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis just before halftime, then Brady threw two more touchdown passes to Gronkowski in the third quarter – a 21-yarder followed by a 2-yarder. In the fourth quarter, the Patriots were held scoreless and the Colts reeled off 21 unanswered points – a 5-yard touchdown run by running back Donald Brown, followed by two touchdown passes from Dan Orlovsky to wide receiver Pierre Garçon – a 33-yarder and a 12-yarder – the latter with 36 seconds remaining in regulation. Despite the touchdowns, one of Garçon's catches in the end zone was accompanied with an angry throw at a sign with a target meant for Gronkowski's trademark spike.

A Colts' onside kick attempt near the end of the contest was unsuccessful, sealing the win for the Patriots.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 9–3.

Week 14: at Washington Redskins

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	14	6	14	0	34
Redskins	10	10	7	0	27

at FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C), sunny
• Game attendance: 77,825
• Referee: Jeff Triplette
• TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel (play-by-play) and Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)

Coming off their close win over the Colts, the Patriots flew to FedEx Field for an interconference duel with the Washington Redskins. The Patriots grabbed the early lead, when defensive tackle Vince Wilfork recovered a fumble off Redskins' quarterback Rex Grossman in the end zone for a touchdown.

The Redskins responded with a 24-yard field goal by placekicker Graham Gano. The Patriots added to their lead, with quarterback Tom Brady throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski. The Redskins countered, with Grossman throwing a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, then grabbed the lead early in the second quarter, with wide receiver Brandon Banks throwing a 49-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Santana Moss.

The Patriots tied the game with a 23-yard field goal by placekicker Stephen Gostkowski. The Redskins countered with a 25-yard field goal by Gano, and a 24-yard field goal by Gostskowski just before halftime tied the game at 20. The Patriots grabbed the lead early in the third quarter, with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Gronkowski, but the Redskins countered again, with Grossman throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver David Anderson.

The final scoring play of the game came from the Patriots, with Brady connecting with wide receiver Wes Welker on a 24-yard touchdown. Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth quarter, which included linebacker Jerod Mayo intercepting Grossman at the Patriots' 5-yard line with 29 seconds remaining.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 10–3.

Week 15: at Denver Broncos

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	7	20	7	7	41
Broncos	13	3	0	7	23

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

• Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST/2:15 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), mostly sunny
• Game attendance: 76,556
• Referee: Mike Carey
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)

The Broncos-Patriots match was one of the most highly anticipated games of the 2011 season; CBS aired the game in more markets than any other NFL game they aired in 2011. The game had the highest ratings of any regular-season game on CBS since the Patriots' 2007 victory over the Colts.

Denver got out to an early lead, belying their recent trend of slow starts and late comebacks. However, several fumbles in the second quarter were converted into scores by Tom Brady and a solid 11 point lead at halftime. The Broncos battled back, as Tim Tebow avoided a safety early in the fourth quarter, but a touchdown by BenJarvus Green-Ellis with four minutes left proved to be the game clincher, though the Broncos would get a touchdown back later in the fourth.

The Patriots' win improved them to 11-3 and helped them clinch the AFC East division title for the ninth time in 11 seasons; even if they had lost, they still would have clinched the division with the New York Jets' loss to the Eagles in a game concurrent with New England's matchup in Denver.

Week 16: vs. Miami Dolphins

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Dolphins	3	14	0	7	24
Patriots	0	0	17	10	27

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 30 °F (−1 °C), sunny and cold
• Game attendance: 68,756
• Referee: Alberto Riveron
• TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and Dan Fouts (color commentator)

Following the national attention from the previous week, the Patriots found themselves playing mainly for home-field advantage in the playoffs against a Dolphins team that had already been eliminated from playoff contention and could gain pride as their only consolation.

Early on, the Dolphins struck first, putting a field goal through the uprights to open scoring. In the second quarter Matt Moore raced the Dolphins downfield and connected on touchdowns to Brandon Marshall and Charles Clay for a 17-0 halftime lead. The Patriots crossed the 50-yard line in the first half only once, but after a Stephen Gostkowski field goal the Patriots forced a Moore fumble, leading to a Deion Branch touchdown catch. Moore was sacked on Miami's next possession and the Dolphins had to punt; the Patriots drove down and Tom Brady ran in a quarterback sneak touchdown that tied the game. Devin McCourty intercepted a deep Moore pass and the Patriots booted a 42-yard field goal for their first lead of the game. A second Brady quarterback sneak score and a late Davone Bess touchdown catch put the score at 27-24, and the Patriots were able to keep the ball the final 1:48 for the win as the team improved to 12-3 and secured them a playoff bye.

Week 17: vs. Buffalo Bills

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	21	0	0	0	21
Patriots	0	14	14	21	49

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C), sunny and warm
• Game attendance: 68,756
• Referee: Bill Leavy
• TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Randy Cross (color commentator)

The Bills raced to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter on two Ryan Fitzpatrick touchdown throws and a Tashard Choice four-yard run. But from the end of the first quarter the Patriots took over the game, led by three Tom Brady touchdown throws, two rushing scores by BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and a Sterling Moore interception return score; the Moore touchdown was the fourth interception of the game thrown by Fitzpatrick.

With the win, the Patriots ended their season 13-3.

According to the Pro Football Reference site, in this game the Patriots tied the record for the biggest deficit after one quarter while winning the game, becoming the eighth team to come back from a 21-point deficit after one quarter (no team has ever come back from a greater margin). They also became the first team to overcome such a deficit and win the game by more than 8 points. It was the biggest comeback win by the Patriots since their 1996 comeback win from down 22-0 to the New York Giants.

Postseason schedule

Week	Kickoff	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game Site	TV	NFL.com Recap
Wild Card	Bye
Divisional	8:00 PM EST	January 14, 2012	Denver Broncos	W 45–10	1–0	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
AFC Championship	3:00 PM EST	January 22, 2012	Baltimore Ravens	W 23–20	2–0	Gillette Stadium	CBS	Recap
Super Bowl XLVI	6:25 PM EST	February 5, 2012	New York Giants	L 17–21	2–1	Lucas Oil Stadium	NBC	Recap

Postseason results

Main article: 2011–12 NFL playoffs

Divisional Round vs. Denver Broncos

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	7	3	0	10
Patriots	14	21	7	3	45

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST
• Referee: Gene Steratore
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)

Tom Brady tied an NFL playoff record by throwing six touchdown passes in a playoff game. He tied Daryle Lamonica's six scores in the Oakland Raiders' 1969 Divisional round victory over the Houston Oilers and Steve Young's six scores in Super Bowl XXIX over San Diego; his five touchdowns in the first half set an NFL playoff record. Brady also punted the ball on third down late in the fourth quarter; following the punt a brief brawl erupted between the two teams.

A week after his dramatic overtime victory over the Steelers, Tim Tebow was sacked five times and limited to 136 passing yards and 13 rushing yards; at halftime, Tebow had fewer completions (three) than Brady had touchdowns (five).

With the win, the Patriots improved to 14–3. In addition to Brady's record-tying six touchdowns, Rob Gronkowski set a club record with three touchdown catches in a playoff game, breaking the 1986 record of two by Stanley Morgan; Gronkowski is also only the second tight end with three touchdowns in an NFL postseason game. The win was also the first Patriots playoff win (in three tries) over the Broncos and the first two-game sweep of Denver by the Patriots since their 1964 AFL season.

AFC Championship vs. Baltimore Ravens

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ravens	0	10	10	0	20
Patriots	3	10	3	7	23

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Game time: 3:00 p.m. EST
• Referee: Alberto Riveron
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)

Following two Ravens punts and a Patriots punt the Patriots ground out a 13-play 50-yard drive ending in a Stephen Gostkowski field goal. The Ravens tied the game after a Ladarius Webb interception on Billy Cundiff's 20-yard field goal. A BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushing score, a six-yard Joe Flacco touchdown to Dennis Pitta, and another Gostkowski field goal left the Patriots ahead 13-10 at the half. Following a third Gostkowski field goal the Ravens took a 17-16 lead on a 29-yard Torrey Smith touchdown catch and run straddling the right sideline. Danny Woodhead's fumble of the ensuing kickoff led to another Cundiff field goal, then the Patriots clawed back ahead on a 10-play 67-yard drive ending in a one-yard Tom Brady touchdown leap. Brandon Spikes intercepted Flacco at midfield but Brady was then intercepted in the Ravens endzone one play later. Despite failing on 4th and 6 at the Patriots 33-yard line, the Ravens got the ball back with 1:44 to go in the game. Lee Evans nearly caught a touchdown but the ball was swatted out of his hands in the endzone by Sterling Moore, and with 11 seconds to go Cundiff's 32-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

The outcome was felt in some Patriots fan circles to be divine intervention in the belief that the FGA was "blown" wide left by the spirit of the late Myra Kraft.

During the second half Rob Gronkowski suffered an ankle injury on a tackle by Bernard Pollard of the Ravens. Pollard had infamously injured Brady in his 2008 season in Kansas City and in an interview with KILT radio in Houston said he was "fine and dandy" with being called a "Patriots killer."

The win was Brady's fifth in six AFC Championship Games and the first Patriots playoff win decided on a missed FGA since a 2006 playoff win against San Diego.

Serving as Patriots co-captains for the opening coin toss were Drew Bledsoe, Tedy Bruschi, Troy Brown, and Ty Law, veterans of the franchise's 1996 Super Bowl season.

Super Bowl XLVI vs. New York Giants

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Giants	9	0	6	6	21
Patriots	0	10	7	0	17

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

• Game time: 6:25 p.m. EST
• Referee: John Parry
• TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (color commentator), and Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter

Game information

1st Quarter NYG – Intentional Grounding penalty on Tom Brady in end zone for a safety, 8:52. NYG 2-0. NYG – Victor Cruz 2-yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 3:24. NYG 9-0. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 5:23 2nd Quarter NE – Stephen Gostkowski 29-yard field goal, 13:48. NYG 9-3. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 4:32 NE – Danny Woodhead 4-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 0:08. NE 10-9. Drive: 14 plays, 96 yards, 3:55 3rd Quarter NE – Aaron Hernandez 12-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 11:20. NE 17-9. Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 3:40 NYG – Lawrence Tynes 38-yard field goal, 6:43. NE 17-12. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 4:37 NYG – Lawrence Tynes 33-yard field goal, 0:35. NE 17-15. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 5:01 4th Quarter NYG – Ahmad Bradshaw 6-yard run (run failed), 0:57. NYG 21-17. Drive: 9 plays, 88 yards, 2:49

Awards and honors

Recipient	Award(s)
Tom Brady	Week 1: AFC Offensive Player of the Week Week 1: FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week Week 2: AFC Offensive Player of the Week November: AFC Offensive Player of the Month Week 16: AFC Offensive Player of the Week December/January: AFC Offensive Player of the Month
Marcus Cannon	Ed Block Courage Award
Andre Carter	Week 10: AFC Defensive Player of the Week
Julian Edelman	Week 11: AFC Special Teams Player of the Week
Rob Gronkowski	Week 13: NFL.com Hardest Working Man Week 14: NFL.com Hardest Working Man Week 14: AFC Offensive Player of the Week
Sterling Moore	Week 17: Pepsi Rookie of the Week
Team	Week 6: GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week (game-winning drive)

Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections

Eight Patriots were named to the initial 2012 Pro Bowl team, all but one as starters (the NFL does not officially count special teams players as starters). Brady, Welker, and Gronkowski were all in the top ten overall in fan voting, and were the top three vote-getters in the AFC.

Position	Player	Selection	Fan votes (AFC positional rank)
Quarterback	Tom Brady	7th	1,454,311 (1st)
Wide receiver	Wes Welker	4th	1,133,787 (1st)
Tight end	Rob Gronkowski	1st	936,886 (1st)
Offensive guard	Logan Mankins	4th	272,702 (1st)
Offensive guard	Brian Waters	6th	200,270 (4th)
Defensive end	Andre Carter	1st	511,693 (1st)
Defensive tackle	Vince Wilfork	4th	290,463 (3rd)
Special teams	Matthew Slater	1st	75,922 (3rd)

Four of the Patriots' eight Pro Bowlers were named to the AP's 2011 All-Pro team: Gronkowski and Welker were named to the first team, while Mankins and Wilfork were named to the second team.