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2021 New England Patriots season

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The 2021 season was the New England Patriots' 52nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 62nd overall, their 20th playing home games at Gillette Stadium, and their 22nd under head coach Bill Belichick.

2021 New England Patriots season
OwnerRobert Kraft
Head coachBill Belichick
Home fieldGillette Stadium
Results
Record10–7
Division place2nd AFC East
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs
(at Bills) 17–47
Pro BowlersQB Mac Jones
CB J. C. Jackson
LB Matthew Judon
ST Matthew Slater
AP All-ProsCB J. C. Jackson (2nd team)
ST Matthew Slater (2nd team)
Uniform

Following the team's 7–9 finish the previous season, their first losing record since 2000, the Patriots spent a record $163 million in guaranteed money to sign new free agent acquisitions. 11 free agents were added to the roster on March 19, with the largest contracts awarded to linebacker Matthew Judon, tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, cornerback Jalen Mills, and wide receiver Nelson Agholor. In the 2021 NFL draft, New England selected quarterback Mac Jones 15th overall, marking the first time the Patriots drafted a first-round quarterback since Drew Bledsoe in 1993. Jones also became the first rookie quarterback to start for the Patriots since Bledsoe after he was named the starter ahead of the season opener.

The Patriots began the season 2–4, but won eight of their next 11 games and finished with a 10–7 record to secure a wild card berth. In their first playoff appearance without quarterback Tom Brady since 1998 and their first (and only) as a wild card under Belichick, they were defeated 47–17 by the division rival Buffalo Bills, the worst postseason loss of Belichick's tenure. The playoff game was also the Patriots' last with Belichick.

Roster changes

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Free agency

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Unrestricted

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Position Player 2021 team Date signed Contract
C David Andrews New England Patriots March 22, 2021[1] 4 years, $19 million[2]
CB Justin Bethel New England Patriots March 12, 2021[3] 3 years, $6 million[2]
FS Terrence Brooks Houston Texans March 23, 2021[4] 1 year, $1.75 million[5]
RB Rex Burkhead Houston Texans June 1, 2021[4] 1 year, $1.5 million[6]
DT Adam Butler Miami Dolphins March 18, 2021[7] 2 years, $7.5 million[8]
WR Damiere Byrd Chicago Bears May 4, 2021[9] 1 year, $1.128 million[10]
OLB Shilique Calhoun San Francisco 49ers August 10, 2021[11] 1 year, $990,000[12]
OLB Brandon Copeland Atlanta Falcons March 19, 2021[13] 1 year, $1.04 million[14]
DT Carl Davis New England Patriots March 15, 2021[1] 1 year, $1.078 million[2]
FS Cody Davis New England Patriots March 19, 2021[1] 2 years, $4.3 million[2]
OT Jermaine Eluemunor Miami Dolphins June 14, 2021[7] 1 year, $1.128 million[15]
C James Ferentz New England Patriots May 17, 2021[1] 1 year, $1.020 million[16]
K Nick Folk New England Patriots March 23, 2021[1] 1 year, $1.625 million[17]
DT Lawrence Guy New England Patriots March 30, 2021[1] 4 years, $11.5 million[2]
QB Brian Hoyer New England Patriots May 18, 2021[1] 1 year, $1.075 million[18]
CB Jason McCourty Miami Dolphins May 7, 2021[7] 1 year, $1.213 million[19]
WR Donte Moncrief Houston Texans March 22, 2021[4] 1 year, $1.15 million[20]
QB Cam Newton New England Patriots March 12, 2021[21] 1 year, $5.1 million[22]
DE John Simon Tennessee Titans July 25, 2021[23] 1 year, $1.075 million[24]
G Joe Thuney Kansas City Chiefs March 18, 2021[25] 5 years, $80 million[26]
RB James White New England Patriots March 25, 2021[1] 1 year, $2.463 million[2]
DE Deatrich Wise Jr. New England Patriots March 19, 2021[1] 4 years, $22 million[2]

Restricted

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Position Player 2021 team Date signed Contract
CB J. C. Jackson New England Patriots April 16, 2021[1] Tendered (second-round) for 1 year, $3.384 million[2]

Exclusive-rights

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Position Player 2021 team Date signed Contract
WR Quincy Adeboyejo
FB Jakob Johnson New England Patriots March 25, 2021[1] 1 year, $850,000[2]

Signings/waiver claims

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Position Player Previous team Date signed Contract
DE Montravius Adams Green Bay Packers March 19, 2021[1] 1 year, $1.095 million[27]
WR Nelson Agholor Las Vegas Raiders 2 years, $22 million[2]
DE Henry Anderson New York Jets 2 years, $7 million[2]
WR Kendrick Bourne San Francisco 49ers 3 years, $15 million[2]
TE Hunter Henry Los Angeles Chargers 3 years, $37.5 million[2]
LB Matthew Judon Baltimore Ravens 4 years, $54.5 million[2]
C Ted Karras Miami Dolphins 1 year, $3 million[2]
LB Raekwon McMillan Las Vegas Raiders 1 year, $1.149 million[2]
CB Jalen Mills Philadelphia Eagles 4 years, $24 million[2]
TE Jonnu Smith Tennessee Titans 4 years, $50 million[2]
LB Kyle Van Noy Miami Dolphins 2 years, $12 million[2]
DT Davon Godchaux Miami Dolphins March 23, 2021[1] 2 years, $15 million[2]
LB LaRoy Reynolds Atlanta Falcons March 24, 2021[28] 1 year, $1.213 million[29]
LB Harvey Langi New York Jets May 10, 2021[1] 1 year, $1.057 million[2]
G Alex Redmond Cincinnati Bengals May 17, 2021[1] 1 year, $1.080 million[30]
LS Wesley Farnsworth Denver Broncos May 20, 2021[1] 1 year, $660,000[31]
FS Adrian Colbert New York Giants May 21, 2021[1] 1 year, $990,000[32]
RB Tyler Gaffney San Francisco 49ers 1 year, $660,000[33]
TE Troy Fumagalli Denver Broncos May 27, 2021[1] 1 year, $850,000[34]
WR Marvin Hall Cleveland Browns June 4, 2021[1] 1 year, $1.015 million[35]
G R. J. Prince Baltimore Ravens June 17, 2021[1] 1 year, $780,000[36]
WR Devin Ross New England Patriots June 21, 2021[1] 1 year, $660,000[37]
TE David Wells New England Patriots July 23, 2021[1] 1 year, $660,000[38]
QB Jake Dolegala Green Bay Packers July 28, 2021[1] 1 year, $780,000[39]
OT Jerald Hawkins Pittsburgh Steelers July 30, 2021[1] 1 year, $920,000[40]
LB Cassh Maluia New England Patriots August 7, 2021[1] 1 year, $780,000[41]
LS Brian Khoury Baltimore Ravens August 9, 2021[1] 1 year, $660,000[42]
SS Malik Gant New England Patriots August 10, 2021[1] 1 year, $660,000[43]
TE Kahale Warring Houston Texans August 24, 2021[1] 4 years, $3.640 million[44]
WR Malcolm Perry Miami Dolphins September 2, 2021[1] 4 years, 3.370 million[2]
LB Jamie Collins Detroit Lions October 6, 2021[1] 1 year, 1.075 million[45]

Releases/waivers

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Position Player Date released/waived
DT Beau Allen March 18, 2021[1]
WR Marqise Lee
LB Cassh Maluia March 23, 2021[1]
LB Michael Pinkney
K Justin Rohrwasser
G Ross Reynolds April 9, 2021[1]
DT Michael Barnett April 12, 2021[1]
C Dustin Woodard April 16, 2021[1]
QB Jake Dolegala April 30, 2021[1]
G Najee Toran May 18, 2021[1]
LB LaRoy Reynolds May 27, 2021[1]
FB Danny Vitale
K Roberto Aguayo June 17, 2021[1]
LS Wesley Farnsworth
WR Devin Smith July 27, 2021[1]
QB Jake Dolegala August 9, 2021[1]
RB Tyler Gaffney August 10, 2021[1]
DE Rashod Berry August 15, 2021[1]
WR Marvin Hall
TE David Wells
OT Jerald Hawkins August 16, 2021[1]
TE Troy Fumagalli August 17, 2021[1]
SS Malik Gant August 24, 2021[1]
LS Brian Khoury
LB Cassh Maluia
G R. J. Prince
WR Devin Ross
TE Kahale Warring August 27, 2021[1]
DT Montravius Adams August 31, 2021[1]
DE Tashawn Bower
CB Myles Bryant
FS Adrian Colbert
OT Korey Cunningham
C James Ferentz
K Nick Folk
QB Brian Hoyer
CB Mike Jackson Sr.
TE Matt LaCosse
DT Bill Murray
QB Cam Newton
WR Tre Nixon
G Alex Redmond
CB D'Angelo Ross
OT Will Sherman
DT Akeem Spence
DT Nick Thurman
CB Dee Virgin
WR Kristian Wilkerson
WR Isaiah Zuber

Retirements

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Position Player Date retired
S Patrick Chung March 18, 2021[46]
WR Julian Edelman April 12, 2021[47]

Trades

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Draft

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Main article: 2021 NFL draft
2021 New England Patriots Draft
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
1 15 Mac Jones QB Alabama
2 38 Christian Barmore DT from Cincinnati
3 — Selection forfeited
96 Ronnie Perkins DE Oklahoma Compensatory pick
4 120 Rhamondre Stevenson RB
5 177 Cameron McGrone LB Michigan Compensatory pick
6 188 Joshuah Bledsoe FS Missouri from Houston
197 Will Sherman OT Colorado
7 242 Tre Nixon WR UCF

Notes

  • The Cincinnati Bengals' 2021 second-round selection (No. 38 overall) was acquired in a trade that sent the Patriots' 2021 second-round selection (No. 46 overall) and two fourth-round selections (No. 122 and 139 overall) to the Bengals.[49]
  • The Patriots forfeited their third-round selection as the punishment for illegal filming of the field and sidelines by the team's television crew of a 2019 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns.[50]
  • The Houston Texans' 2021 fourth-round selection (No. 122 overall) and 2021 sixth-round selection (No. 188 overall) were acquired in a trade that sent offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, the Patriots' 2021 fifth-round selection (No. 158 overall), and the previously acquired Dallas Cowboys 2021 sixth-round selection (No. 194 overall) to the Texans.[51]
  • A sixth-round selection (No. 185 overall) was acquired in a trade that sent wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to the New York Jets.[52] The Jets re-acquired this selection when the Patriots traded two of their 2020 fourth-round selections and this 2021 sixth-round selection in exchange for a 2020 third-round selection.[53]
  • An additional sixth-round selection (No. 194 overall) was obtained in the trade that sent defensive end Michael Bennett to the Dallas Cowboys.[54]

Undrafted free agents

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Position Player School Date signed
K Quinn Nordin Michigan May 6, 2021[1]

Staff

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2021 New England Patriots staff

Front office

  • Chairman/CEO – Robert Kraft
  • President – Jonathan Kraft
  • Director of player personnel – Dave Ziegler
  • Personnel coordinator – Brian Smith
  • College scouting coordinator – Matt Groh
  • Pro scouting coordinator – Steve Cargile
  • Director of scouting administration – Nancy Meier
  • National scout – Camren Williams
  • Director of football/head coach administration – Berj Najarian
  • Associate director of football administration – Bobby Brown
  • Scouting consultant – Eliot Wolf
  • Director of research – Richard Miller

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Cameron Achord
  • Special teams assistant – Joe Houston

Support staff

Strength and conditioning


Final roster

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2021 New England Patriots roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
51 active, 16 reserve, 16 practice squad (+1 exempt)

Preseason

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 12 Washington Football Team W 22–13 1–0 Gillette Stadium Recap
2 August 19 at Philadelphia Eagles W 35–0 2–0 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
3 August 29 at New York Giants W 22–20 3–0 MetLife Stadium Recap

Regular season

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Schedule

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The Patriots' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.[56]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 12 Miami Dolphins L 16–17 0–1 Gillette Stadium Recap
2 September 19 at New York Jets W 25–6 1–1 MetLife Stadium Recap
3 September 26 New Orleans Saints L 13–28 1–2 Gillette Stadium Recap
4 October 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–19 1–3 Gillette Stadium Recap
5 October 10 at Houston Texans W 25–22 2–3 NRG Stadium Recap
6 October 17 Dallas Cowboys L 29–35 (OT) 2–4 Gillette Stadium Recap
7 October 24 New York Jets W 54–13 3–4 Gillette Stadium Recap
8 October 31 at Los Angeles Chargers W 27–24 4–4 SoFi Stadium Recap
9 November 7 at Carolina Panthers W 24–6 5–4 Bank of America Stadium Recap
10 November 14 Cleveland Browns W 45–7 6–4 Gillette Stadium Recap
11 November 18 at Atlanta Falcons W 25–0 7–4 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
12 November 28 Tennessee Titans W 36–13 8–4 Gillette Stadium Recap
13 December 6 at Buffalo Bills W 14–10 9–4 Highmark Stadium Recap
14 Bye
15 December 18 at Indianapolis Colts L 17–27 9–5 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
16 December 26 Buffalo Bills L 21–33 9–6 Gillette Stadium Recap
17 January 2 Jacksonville Jaguars W 50–10 10–6 Gillette Stadium Recap
18 January 9 at Miami Dolphins L 24–33 10–7 Hard Rock Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

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Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins

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Week 1: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 3 7017
Patriots 0 10 3316

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

In rookie quarterback Mac Jones' first NFL start, a back-and-forth affair against divisional opponent Miami was sealed when Patriots running back Damien Harris fumbled the ball in the fourth quarter, allowing the Dolphins to run out the clock.[57] With the close loss, the Patriots began the season 0–1 for the first time since 2017.

Week 2: at New York Jets

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Week 2: New England Patriots at New York Jets – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 10 3 9325
Jets 0 3 036

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: September 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 73 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 75,626
  • Referee: Shawn Hochuli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

A battle of rookie quarterbacks saw Zach Wilson of the Jets throw four interceptions to the Patriots defense, allowing New England to coast to a 25–6 win, its 11th straight win over divisional rival New York. Mac Jones completed over 70% of his passes for the second game in a row.[58]

Week 3: vs. New Orleans Saints

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Week 3: New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 7 7728
Patriots 0 3 3713

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

Jones threw three interceptions, including a pass bobbled by tight end Jonnu Smith before being returned by P. J. Williams for a touchdown, as the Patriots lost to the Saints 28–13 and dropped to 1–2.[59] This was also the Patriots' first loss to the Saints since 2009.

Week 4: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Main article: 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers–New England Patriots game
Week 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 3 3 7619
Patriots 0 7 01017

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

This game marked former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's first return to Gillette Stadium since leaving the Patriots after the 2019 season, as he was cheered by the Patriots' home crowd during pre-game introductions before being jeered during the game. During the rain-soaked, back-and-forth contest, Brady was held without a touchdown and completed just over half of his passes; he was held to his third lowest passer rating - 70.8 - since joining the Buccaneers but led them to a go-ahead field goal just after the two-minute warning. Jones, who passed for 2 touchdowns and an interception, led the Patriots into position for their own field goal, but Nick Folk's 56-yard attempt hit the left upright, sealing the loss for the Patriots to their former franchise quarterback.[60]

Week 5: at Houston Texans

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Week 5: New England Patriots at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 9 61025
Texans 6 9 7022

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Despite being down 22–9 to Houston at one point, the Patriots came back to win – coincidentally in the same stadium where they overcame a 28–3 deficit to the Atlanta Falcons to win Super Bowl LI. Aside from a missed extra point in the first half, Nick Folk made four field goals during the game, including the game-winner with 15 seconds left in the game.[61] With the win, New England improved to 2–3, taking sole possession of 2nd place in the AFC East.

Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys

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Week 6: Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Cowboys 7 3 712635
Patriots 14 0 015029

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

This was the Patriots' first overtime game since the 2018 AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs. This was the Pats' first loss to the Cowboys in 25 years and their first home loss to them in 34 years.

Week 7: vs. New York Jets

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Week 7: New York Jets at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jets 0 7 6013
Patriots 14 17 32054

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: October 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 54 °F (12 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,878
  • Referee: Brad Rogers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and Amanda Balionis
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With the win, the Patriots improved to 3–4 and swept the Jets for the sixth consecutive season and improved the winning streak against the Jets to 12.

Week 8: at Los Angeles Chargers

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Week 8: New England Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 7 6 31127
Chargers 7 7 3724

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

Game information

With the win, the Patriots improved to 4–4 on the season. It was the Patriots' seventh straight win over the Chargers. Their last loss came on October 12, 2008 in San Diego.

Week 9: at Carolina Panthers

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Week 9: New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 14 10024
Panthers 0 6 006

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Patriots intercepted Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold three times en route to victory, including an 88-yard pick-six by J.C. Jackson. New England improved to 5–4 on the year and 4-0 all-time vs. Darnold. This was also the Patriots first win over the Panthers since 2009.

Week 10: vs. Cleveland Browns

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Week 10: Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 7 0 007
Patriots 7 17 71445

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: November 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 48 °F (9 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,878
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Patriots outplayed the Browns on both sides of the ball. Mac Jones had one of his better games as a rookie, completing over 80 percent of his passes for three touchdowns and no interceptions as the Patriots converted 7 of 9 third downs. The defense only allowed points on the first drive of the game, held the Browns to 1 of 11 on third down, and knocked Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield out of the game in the third quarter.[62] With Damien Harris sidelined with a concussion from the Panthers game,[63] Rhamondre Stevenson served as the primary running back, rushing for 100 yards and two touchdowns.[62] With the score 38–7 in the fourth quarter, Brian Hoyer replaced Jones and threw the pass that ended Jakobi Meyers' record touchdown drought.[64]

Week 11: at Atlanta Falcons

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Week 11: New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 3 10 01225
Falcons 0 0 000

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

The Patriots defense intercepted all three quarterbacks on the Falcons—Matt Ryan, Josh Rosen, and Feleipe Franks—as New England coasted to a 25–0 win over Atlanta on Thursday Night Football, improving to 7–4.[65] They would gain the AFC East division lead later in the week after the Buffalo Bills lost to the Indianapolis Colts.

Week 12: vs. Tennessee Titans

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Week 12: Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Titans 0 13 0013
Patriots 7 9 101036

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: November 28
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 37 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,878
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Patriots defense put up a show against a banged up Titans team. The offense was only forced to punt once but struggled to finish drives and get the run game going, resulting in five Nick Folk field goals. Mac Jones threw for 310 yards, and completed a pair of touchdown passes to Kendrick Bourne, with Damien Harris adding a touchdown late in the fourth quarter on the ground. Cornerback J. C. Jackson secured his seventh interception of the season, while the rest of the defense forced five fumbles, three of which were recovered by the Patriots. The Patriots improved to 8-4 for the AFC East division lead and an overall second place in the AFC.

Week 13: at Buffalo Bills

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Week 13: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 8 3 0314
Bills 7 0 3010

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

The Patriots entered the game in first place in the AFC following the Baltimore Ravens' loss the previous day, and were playing for first place in the AFC East. The game was impacted by 40 mph (64 km/h) winds;[66] Belichick noted after the game that the winds in the Patriots' Week 17 game in Buffalo in 2008 were "way worse".[67]

The Patriots drew up a run-heavy game plan in which Jones attempted just three passes, completing two for 19 yards (in 2008, Cassel completed six of eight passes for 78 yards). The Patriots ran the ball 46 times, for over 220 yards, utilizing a sixth offensive lineman on the majority of their offensive snaps.[66] The three pass attempts were the fewest in a game since 1974 (when the Bills attempted just two in a game), the fewest in franchise history, and the fewest by a winning team in 30 years.[68]

The Patriots defense was also stout: the Bills' only touchdown came after a N'Keal Harry muffed punt, and Myles Bryant broke up a fourth-down pass in the red zone late in the fourth quarter to preserve the Patriots' 14–10 win.

The Patriots had their bye week after this game, making it their latest regular-season bye since their Week 16 bye in 2001.[69]

Week 15: at Indianapolis Colts

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Week 15: New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 0 01717
Colts 14 3 3727

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

The Patriots were flat for much of the game, being shut out in the first half for the first time in 99 games. A late second half comeback brought the Patriots to within three points, but fell short when Jonathan Taylor put the game away with a 67-yard touchdown run. With the loss, the Patriots fell to the #3 seed in the AFC prior to Week 15's Sunday games, while still maintaining first place in the AFC East. It was also the first time the Patriots lost to the Colts since Week 10 of the 2009 season.[70] The Patriots gave up 226 rush yards in the loss.

Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills

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Week 16: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 7 10 31333
Patriots 0 7 7721

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: December 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 37 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,878
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

This was the first time in five years the Pats and the Bills split the season series. Because of this loss (their second straight after a bye week), the Pats fell to the #6 seed in the AFC playoff picture. The Bills did not have a single punt in this game.

Week 17: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

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Week 17: Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 3 0 0710
Patriots 7 21 13950

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: January 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 46 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,878
  • Referee: Adrian Hill
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and Sherree Burress
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

A blowout win combined with a Dolphins loss sent the Patriots back to the postseason, following a 1-year absence.

Week 18: at Miami Dolphins

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Week 18: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 7 31424
Dolphins 14 3 7933

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

This was the first time since 2000 that the Patriots were swept by the Dolphins.

Standings

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Division

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AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Buffalo Bills 11 6 0 .647 5–1 7–5 483 289 W4
(6) New England Patriots 10 7 0 .588 3–3 8–4 462 303 L1
Miami Dolphins 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 341 373 W1
New York Jets 4 13 0 .235 0–6 4–8 310 504 L2

Conference

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AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division winners
1[a] Tennessee Titans South 12 5 0 .706 5–1 8–4 .472 .480 W3
2[a] Kansas City Chiefs West 12 5 0 .706 5–1 7–5 .538 .517 W1
3 Buffalo Bills East 11 6 0 .647 5–1 7–5 .472 .428 W4
4 Cincinnati Bengals North 10 7 0 .588 4–2 8–4 .472 .462 L1
Wild cards
5[b] Las Vegas Raiders West 10 7 0 .588 3–3 8–4 .510 .515 W4
6[b] New England Patriots East 10 7 0 .588 3–3 8–4 .481 .394 L1
7 Pittsburgh Steelers North 9 7 1 .559 4–2 7–5 .521 .490 W2
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[c] Indianapolis Colts South 9 8 0 .529 3–3 7–5 .495 .431 L2
9[c][d] Miami Dolphins East 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 .464 .379 W1
10[c][d] Los Angeles Chargers West 9 8 0 .529 3–3 6–6 .510 .500 L1
11[e] Cleveland Browns North 8 9 0 .471 3–3 5–7 .514 .415 W1
12[e] Baltimore Ravens North 8 9 0 .471 1–5 5–7 .531 .460 L6
13 Denver Broncos West 7 10 0 .412 1–5 3–9 .484 .357 L4
14[f] New York Jets East 4 13 0 .235 0–6 4–8 .512 .426 L2
15[f] Houston Texans South 4 13 0 .235 3–3 4–8 .498 .397 L2
16 Jacksonville Jaguars South 3 14 0 .176 1–5 3–9 .512 .569 W1
Tiebreakers[g]
  1. ^ a b Tennessee finished ahead of Kansas City based on head-to-head victory.
  2. ^ a b Las Vegas finished ahead of New England based on win percentage in common games (5–1 vs. 2–4 against: Miami, Dallas, LA Chargers, Cleveland, and Indianapolis).
  3. ^ a b c Indianapolis finished ahead of Miami and Los Angeles based on conference record (7–5 vs. 6–6).
  4. ^ a b Miami finished ahead of LA Chargers based on win percentage in common games (5–1 vs. 2–4 against: New England, Las Vegas, Houston, Baltimore, and NY Giants).
  5. ^ a b Cleveland finished ahead of Baltimore based on division record (3–3 vs. 1–5).
  6. ^ a b NY Jets finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head victory.
  7. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

Postseason

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See also: 2021–22 NFL playoffs

Schedule

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Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 15 at Buffalo Bills (3) L 17–47 0–1 Highmark Stadium Recap

Game summaries

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AFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (3) Buffalo Bills

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AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (6) New England Patriots at (3) Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 3 7717
Bills 14 13 61447

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

In New England's first playoff game since the departure of quarterback Tom Brady, they were unable to stop the Bills and quarterback Josh Allen defensively, with the Bills being the first team in NFL history to never punt, kick a field goal or turn the ball over on any of their drives (every Buffalo offensive possession ended in a touchdown or was the end of the game).[71] It was the New England Patriots' worst playoff loss in franchise history.

Statistics

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Further information: National Football League records

Team

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Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 32)
Passing offense 3,857 226.9 14th
Rushing offense 2,151 126.5 8th
Total offense 6,008 353.4 15th
Passing defense 3,181 187.1 2nd
Rushing defense 2,103 123.7 22nd
Total defense 5,284 310.8 4th

Individual

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Category Player Total yards
Offense
Passing yards Mac Jones 3,801
Passing touchdowns Mac Jones 22
Rushing Damien Harris 929
Rushing touchdowns Damien Harris 15
Receiving yards Jakobi Meyers 866
Receiving touchdowns Hunter Henry 9
Defense
Tackles (Solo) Kyle Dugger 70
Sacks Matthew Judon 12.5
Interceptions J. C. Jackson 8

Statistics correct as of the end of the 2021 NFL season[72][73]

References

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