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2010 New England Patriots season

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2010 New England Patriots season
OwnerRobert Kraft
Head coachBill Belichick
Home fieldGillette Stadium
Results
Record11–2
Division place1st AFC East
Playoff finishTBD
Uniform
File:AFCE-Uniform-NE.PNG

The 2010 New England Patriots season is the 41st season for the team in the National Football League and 51st season overall. The Patriots have already improved on their 10–6 record from 2009.

Offseason

Staff changes

Four days after the Patriots' playoff loss against the Baltimore Ravens, defensive coordinator Dean Pees announced that he would not seek to renew his contract, which expired at the end of the 2009 season.[1] He was named the Ravens' linebackers coach on January 26.[2] The Patriots did not name a formal replacement for defensive coordinator. The team did, however, add former defensive back and Notre Dame defensive coordinator Corwin Brown as a defensive backs coach,[3] which was later clarified to mean Brown would coach the team's safeties, alongside existing defensive backs coach Josh Boyer.[4] Additionally, tight ends coach Shane Waldron left the team following the season and later joined the coaching staff of the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League.[5][6] No formal replacement was named.

In the personnel department, pro scout Brian Smith was named assistant director of college scouting.[7]

Departures

On the eve of the start of the free agent signing period, the Patriots released tight end Chris Baker, who had signed a five-year deal the year before.[8] The team also lost two unrestricted free agents: defensive end Jarvis Green signed with the Denver Broncos,[9] while tight end Benjamin Watson joined the Cleveland Browns.[10] On April 26, the team released veteran linebacker Adalius Thomas after three seasons with the team.[11] Weeks later, the Patriots released veteran cornerback Shawn Springs after one year with the team.[12]

On September 14, after the Patriots' first game of the season, running back Laurence Maroney was traded to the Denver Broncos along with a sixth-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft in exchange for the Broncos' fourth-round pick in 2011.[13]

In the week leading up to the Patriots' 2010 season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, Moss, who was entering the final year of his contract told CBS Sports that he "did not feel wanted" in New England absent a contract extension offer.[14] After the game, Moss told reporters that it would be his final season with the Patriots.[15] The Boston Herald reported weeks later that Moss requested a trade following the game.[16] Two days after the Patriots' Week 4 game against the Miami Dolphins, Moss was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Vikings' third-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.[17] The Patriots also sent a 2012 seventh-round selection to the Vikings as part of the trade.[18]

Arrivals

Three days before the deadline for doing so, the Patriots assigned the non-exclusive franchise tag to unrestricted free agent nose tackle Vince Wilfork, while expressing their desire to reach a long-term contract with Wilfork.[19][20] On March 5, the first day of free agency, the Patriots re-signed Wilfork to a five-year, $40 million contract with $25 million in guaranteed money.[21]

Before the start of free agency, the Patriots signed wide receiver David Patten, who was with the team from 2001–2004 but had spent the 2009 season out of football.[22] They also signed unrestricted free agents linebacker Marques Murrell[23] and tight end Alge Crumpler,[24] as well as defensive linemen Damione Lewis[25] and Gerard Warren,[26] and wide receiver Torry Holt,[27] who were all released by their former teams. The Patriots also signed former Australian Rules Footballer David King as a punter.[28]

The Patriots also re-signed a number of their own unrestricted free agents. Linebacker Tully Banta-Cain was re-signed to a three-year contract,[29] while guard Stephen Neal signed a two-year contract.[30] Cornerback Leigh Bodden,[23] running back Kevin Faulk,[31] and linebacker Derrick Burgess[32] were also re-signed. Restricted free agents Stephen Gostkowski and Pierre Woods were re-signed;[33][34] Gostkowski was later re-signed to a four-year extension before the season.[35] Restricted free agent running back Chris Taylor was not offered a tender, making him an unrestricted free agent, but he was later re-signed.[36] Exclusive rights free agent linebacker Gary Guyton signed a two-year contract through 2011;[37] while fellow exclusive-rights free agent safety Bret Lockett also re-signed.

Guard Logan Mankins became a restricted free agent under the terms of the NFL-NFLPA collective bargaining agreement, which entered its final, uncapped year; Mankins otherwise would have been an unrestricted free agent in a normal season. The Patriots tendered at the highest possible level for a restricted free agent, $3.26 million, which have required any team signing Mankins in the restricted free agent signing period, which ended on April 15, 2010, to surrender first- and third-round draft selections to the Patriots. On June 15, with Mankins yet to sign his tender, the Patriots were able to lower Mankins' tender amount to 110% of his prior year salary, or $1.54 million. The Patriots did so, and Mankins, who was looking for a long-term contract, reacted by publicly asking for a trade.[38] He did not attend the Patriots' mandatory June minicamp, which he was not required to attend as he was not under contract at the time. Mankins remained unsigned through the team's training camp, preseason, and the start of the regular season. Mankins reported to the Patriots and signed his tender on November 2, in advance of the team's Week 9 game against the Cleveland Browns.[39] He did not have to report until Week 12 in order to be on the roster for the necessary six games to earn his sixth accrued season of free agency credit. The NFL granted the Patriots a two-game roster exemption for Mankins upon his reporting.[40] However, the Patriots activated Mankins on November 6, before using either game of the exemption.

On August 23, the Patriots acquired offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a seventh-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.[41]

On September 4, the day the team was required to cut down to 53 players, they acquired linebacker Tracy White from the Philadelphia Eagles for a conditional selection in the 2012 NFL Draft,[42] as well as safety Jarrad Page from the Kansas City Chiefs.[43]

Nearly a week after a trade sent wide receiver Randy Moss out of New England, the Patriots traded a 2011 fourth-round selection to the Seattle Seahawks for receiver Deion Branch.[44] Branch played for the Patriots from 2002–2005 and was the MVP of the team's Super Bowl XXXIX win.

2010 NFL Draft

Main article: 2010 NFL Draft

The Patriots traded their original fifth-round pick (#153 overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in April 2009 in exchange for tight end Alex Smith.[45][46] In August 2009, the Patriots traded their original third- and fourth-round selections (#85 and #119 overall) to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for defensive end Derrick Burgess. The trade was made on the condition that, because the Patriots had already traded their fifth-round selection, the fourth-round selection sent to Oakland would become a fifth-round selection once the Patriots re-acquired one.[47] Later that month, the Patriots traded defensive lineman Le Kevin Smith to the Denver Broncos along with a seventh-round pick (#231) they acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Denver Broncos in exchange for the Broncos' fifth-round pick (#158 overall), which was sent to Oakland for the Patriots' original fourth-round pick (#119 overall).[48] The Patriots then re-acquired the seventh-round pick that had been sent to Denver in the Le Kevin Smith trade in exchange for offensive lineman Russ Hochstein.[49]

The Patriots traded a conditional seventh-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for linebacker Prescott Burgess in September 2009.[50] He was waived by the Patriots six days later. Since the trade was conditioned on Burgess being active for a certain number of games, and since Burgess was inactive in the only game for which he was with the Patriots, the Patriots kept the pick.[51]

2010 New England Patriots Draft Selections
Round Overall Player Position College
1[52] 27 Devin McCourty Cornerback Rutgers
2[53] 42 Rob Gronkowski Tight end Arizona
2 53 Jermaine Cunningham Linebacker Florida
2[54] 62 Brandon Spikes Linebacker Florida
3[52] 90 Taylor Price Wide receiver Ohio
4[52] 113 Aaron Hernandez Tight end Florida
5[54] 150 Zoltan Mesko Punter Michigan
6 205 Ted Larsen Zentrum NC State
7[55] 208 Thomas Welch Offensive tackle Vanderbilt
7 247 Brandon Deaderick Defensive end Alabama
7 248 Kade Weston Defensive tackle Georgien
7 250 Zac Robinson Quarterback Oklahoma State
compensatory selection
2010 New England Patriots Draft Day Trades
Round Overall Team Received
1 22 to Denver Broncos Received Denver's first-round pick and fourth-round pick (24 and 113 overall)
1 24 to Dallas Cowboys Received Dallas' first-round pick and third-round pick (27 and 90 overall)
4 119
2 44 to Oakland Raiders Received Oakland's second-round pick (42 overall)
6 190
2 47 to Arizona Cardinals Received Arizona's second-round pick and third-round pick (58 and 89 overall)
2 58 to Houston Texans Received Houston's second-round pick and fifth-round pick (62 and 150 overall)
3 89 to Carolina Panthers Received Carolina's 2011 second-round pick
7 229 to Washington Redskins Received Washington's seventh-round pick (208 overall)
7 231

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
Offensive coaches
  
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
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

Opening training camp roster

As of the Patriots' first training camp practice at Gillette Stadium on July 29, they had one fewer than the NFL maximum of 79 players signed to their roster. Restricted free agent Logan Mankins did not count against that limit, as he had yet to sign his tender. Derrick Burgess was placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list and did not count against the limit.

New England Patriots 2010 opening training camp roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

Reserve Lists


Restricted FAs


Notations

Zeitplan

Preseason

Week Kickoff Date Opponent Result Record Game Site TV NFL.com Recap
1 7:30 PM EDT August 12, 2010 New Orleans Saints W 27–24 1–0 Gillette Stadium WBZ Recap
2 8:00 PM EDT August 19, 2010 Atlanta Falcons W 28–10 2–0 Georgia Dome Fox Recap
3 7:30 PM EDT August 26, 2010 St. Louis Rams L 35–36 2–1 Gillette Stadium WBZ Recap
4 7:00 PM EDT September 2, 2010 New York Giants L 17–20 2–2 New Meadowlands Stadium WBZ Recap

Regular season

Week Kickoff Date Opponent Result Record Game Site TV NFL.com Recap
1 1:00 PM EDT September 12, 2010 Cincinnati Bengals W 38–24 1–0 Gillette Stadium CBS Recap
2 4:15 PM EDT September 19, 2010 New York Jets L 14–28 1–1 New Meadowlands Stadium CBS Recap
3 1:00 PM EDT September 26, 2010 Buffalo Bills W 38–30 2–1 Gillette Stadium CBS Recap
4 8:30 PM EDT October 4, 2010 Miami Dolphins W 41–14 3–1 Sun Life Stadium ESPN[a] Recap
5 Bye
6 1:00 PM EDT October 17, 2010 Baltimore Ravens W 23–20 (OT) 4–1 Gillette Stadium CBS Recap
7 4:15 PM EDT October 24, 2010 San Diego Chargers W 23–20 5–1 Qualcomm Stadium CBS Recap
8 4:15 PM EDT October 31, 2010 Minnesota Vikings W 28–18 6–1 Gillette Stadium Fox Recap
9 1:00 PM EST November 7, 2010 Cleveland Browns L 14–34 6–2 Cleveland Browns Stadium CBS Recap
10 8:20 PM EST November 14, 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers W 39–26 7–2 Heinz Field NBC Recap
11 4:15 PM EST November 21, 2010 Indianapolis Colts W 31–28 8–2 Gillette Stadium CBS Recap
12 12:30 PM EST November 25, 2010 Detroit Lions W 45–24 9–2 Ford Field CBS Recap
13 8:30 PM EST December 6, 2010 New York Jets W 45–3 10–2 Gillette Stadium ESPN[a] Recap
14 4:15 PM EST[56] December 12, 2010 Chicago Bears W 36–7 11–2 Soldier Field CBS Recap
15 8:20 PM EST December 19, 2010 Green Bay Packers Gillette Stadium NBC
16 1:00 PM EST December 26, 2010 Buffalo Bills Ralph Wilson Stadium CBS
17 1:00 PM EST January 2, 2011 Miami Dolphins Gillette Stadium CBS
a Simulcast on WCVB-TV and WMUR-TV.
Note: Game times from Weeks 16–17 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.

Week 1 roster

New England Patriots Week 1 roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

Reserve Lists


Restricted FAs


Practice Squad


Notations

Regular season results

Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 3 14724
Patriots 10 14 7738

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

The Patriots began their season at home with an AFC duel against the Cincinnati Bengals. In the first quarter the Patriots had the early lead when quarterback Tom Brady got a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wes Welker, followed by kicker Stephen Gostkowski hitting a 32 yard field goal. In the second quarter the Patriots' lead increased when Brady completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker, followed by linebacker Gary Guyton returning an interception 59 yards for a touchdown. The Bengals then made their first score of the half when kicker Mike Nugent nailed a 54 yard field goal. In the third quarter the Patriots increased their lead again when wide receiver Brandon Tate returned a kickoff and ran 97 yards for a touchdown. The Bengals responded with quarterback Carson Palmer throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jermaine Gresham, followed by Palmer completing a 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. In the fourth quarter the Patriots scored again with Brady throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski. The Bengals replied with running back Cedric Benson rushing for a 1-yard touchdown, but couldn't score any further, giving the Patriots a win.

With the win the Patriots began the season at 1–0.

Week 2: at New York Jets

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 14 0014
Jets 0 10 11728

at New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 78,535
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)

New England went on the road to face division rival New York in the latest meeting between the two teams at the New Meadowlands Stadium. The Jets had lost their opener to the Baltimore Ravens the previous week and started slow, accruing no passing yards during the first quarter, as the Patriots went down the field in two long drives taking up most of the time in the first half. In the second quarter, the Patriots took the early lead as quarterback Tom Brady completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wes Welker, but the Jets replied with quarterback Mark Sanchez completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Braylon Edwards. The Patriots scored again with Brady finding wide receiver Randy Moss on a 34-yard touchdown pass. The Pats lead slowly narrowed when kicker Nick Folk nailed a 49-yard field goal, followed by him making a 36-yard field goad in the third quarter. The Patriots fell behind when Sanchez completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (with a successful 2-point conversion), followed in the fourth quarter by Sanchez making a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dustin Keller. The Patriots committed 3 turnovers in the game, allowing the Jets to score 18 unanswered points in the second half.

With the loss, the Patriots fell to 1–1.

Week 3: vs. Buffalo Bills

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills 3 13 7730
Patriots 7 10 14738

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 68,756
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Solomon Wilcots (color commentator)

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Jets, the Patriots returned to home ground for an AFC East match against the Bills. In the first quarter New England trailed early when Bills kicker Rian Lindell nailed a 39-yard field goal. The Patriots took the lead when quarterback Tom Brady completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Randy Moss. The Bills replied in the second quarter with Lindell making another 39-yard field goal, which was followed by quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back C. J. Spiller. The Patriots responded and took a narrow lead when running back Danny Woodhead made a 22-yard touchdown run. Then they fell behind when Lindell hit a 34-yard field goal. The Patriots got the lead back after kicker Stephen Gostkowski booted a 43-yard field goal. The Patriots rallied in the third quarter when Brady found Moss again on a 35-yard touchdown pass, but Buffalo scored quickly when Spiller returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. The Patriots increased their lead when Brady completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski, followed in the fourth quarter by running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis going in on a 7-yard touchdown run. The Bills tried to come back into the game when Fitzptrick made a 37-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Johnson, but the Patriots defense prevented anything else from happening, giving New England the win.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 2–1.

Week 4: at Miami Dolphins

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 6 211441
Dolphins 7 0 7014

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Coming off their divisional home win over the Bills, the Patriots flew to Sun Life Stadium for a Week 4 AFC East duel with the Miami Dolphins on Monday night. New England trailed in the first quarter after Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Davone Bess. The Patriots would cut away at their deficit in the second quarter with kicker Stephen Gostkowski making 23-yard and 30-yard field goals.

New England took the lead in the third quarter when wide receiver Brandon Tate returned the second half's opening kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown, followed by a 12-yard touchdown run by running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Miami tried to catch up as Henne connected with running back Ricky Williams on a 28-yard touchdown pass, but the Patriots came right back when quarterback Tom Brady threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to running back Danny Woodhead. New England would add onto their lead in the fourth quarter as cornerback Kyle Arrington returned a blocked field goal 35 yards for a touchdown, followed by safety Patrick Chung returning an interception 51 yards for a touchdown.

With the win, not only did the Patriots head into their bye week at 3–1, but Brady picked up his 100th win in the fewest career starts (131) in NFL history.

New England became the first team in NFL history to have a rushing, passing, interception return, kickoff return, and blocked field goal return for a touchdown in the same game.

Week 6: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Ravens 3 7 73020
Patriots 7 0 310323

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 68,756
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)

Coming off their bye week the Patriots played on home ground for an AFC duel with the Ravens. In the first quarter the Patriots trailed early as kicker Billy Cundiff hit a 26-yard field goal, but took the lead when running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis had a 2-yard touchdown run. The Ravens got the lead back when quarterback Joe Flacco threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end Todd Heap, followed in the third quarter by Flacco finding wide receiver Anquan Boldin on a 25-yard touchdown pass. The Patriots replied with kicker Stephen Gostkowski hitting a 38-yard field goal, but the Ravens responded with Cundiff making a 25-yard field goal. The Patriots then rallied with quarterback Tom Brady throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Deion Branch. This was followed by Gostkowski making a 24-yard field goal and then a 35-yard field goal in overtime to give the Patriots a win.

With the win, New England improved to 4–1.

Week 7: at San Diego Chargers

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 7 6 7323
Chargers 3 0 01720

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT/1:15 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 68,836
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)

Hoping to extend their winning streak the Patriots flew to Qualcomm Stadium for an AFC duel with the Chargers. In the first quarter the Patriots trailed early as Chargers kicker Kris Brown made a 32-yard field goal, but they rallied to when quarterback Tom Brady threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski; followed in the second quarter by kicker Stephen Gostkowski making a 40 and a 35-yard field goal. In the third quarter running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis had a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Patriots up 20–3. In the fourth quarter the Chargers replied with Brown hitting a 28-yard field goal, but the Patriots continued to score with a 35-yard field goal from Gostkowski. The Patriots' lead was narrowed with Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Antonio Gates, and with fullback Mike Tolbert running for a 1-yard touchdown, but a missed field Kris Brown 50-yard field goal that bounced off the right post late in the fourth quarter sealed a victory for the Patriots.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 5–1.

Week 8: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 7 3818
Patriots 0 7 14728

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Hoping to extend their winning streak, the Patriots played on home ground for a game with the Vikings. In the second quarter, the Patriots trailed early as Vikings running back Adrian Peterson ran for a 1-yard touchdown run, but the Patriots later responded when running back Danny Woodhead scored on a 3-yard touchdown run. The Vikings attempted to punch in a touchdown from the Patriots' 1-yard line on fourth down late in the first half but were stopped. Minnesota re-took the lead midway through the third quarter, with a 24-yard field goal from kicker Ryan Longwell, but the Patriots grabbed the lead when quarterback Tom Brady threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Tate, followed by a 13-yard touchdown run from BenJarvus Green-Ellis. In the fourth quarter Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was injured after a hit by Myron Pryor, but backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson subsequently threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to fullback Naufahu Tahi (with a two-point conversion). However, the Patriots responded with a 2-yard touchdown run from Green-Ellis, sealing the victory for the Patriots.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 6–1.

Week 9: at Cleveland Browns

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 7 0714
Browns 10 7 71034

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C), sunny/cold
  • Game attendance: 66,292
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee (play-by-play) and Rich Gannon (color commentator)

Hoping to increase their winning streak the Patriots flew to Cleveland Browns Stadium for an AFC duel with the Browns. In the first quarter the Patriots trailed early as kicker Phil Dawson nailed a 38-yard field goal, followed by a 2-yard Peyton Hillis touchdown run. The Patriots responded in the second quarter with quarterback Tom Brady completing a 2-yard pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez, but they fell further behind when Chansi Stuckey took an end-around for an 11-yard touchdown run. This was followed in the third quarter by Browns quarterback Colt McCoy scrambling 16 yards to the end zone for a touchdown. Dawson then made a 37-yard field goal to put the Browns up 27–7. The Patriots replied when Brady found Hernandez on another 1-yard touchdown pass, but their opportunity for a comeback ended when Hillis added a 35-yard touchdown run.

With the loss, the Patriots fell to 6–2.

Week 10: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 10 0 131639
Steelers 0 3 02326

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 64,359
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (color commentator), and Andrea Kremer (sideline reporter)

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Browns, the Patriots flew to Heinz Field to face the Steelers. The Patriots took the early lead when quarterback Tom Brady threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski. This was followed by kicker Shayne Graham hitting a 31-yard field goal. The Steelers responded in the second quarter with kicker Jeff Reed nailing a 22-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 10–3. The Patriots kept scoring in the third quarter when Brady threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Gronkowski. This was followed by Brady scrambling 3 yards to the end zone for a touchdown; however, Graham missed the extra point wide right for a 23–3 lead. The Steelers scored first in the fourth quarter when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, but their comeback came to a halt on the next drive as a Roethlisberger pass was intercepted by safety James Sanders and returned 32 yards for a touchdown, with a failed two-point conversion. The Patriots' lead narrowed to 29–18 with Roethlisberger throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Wallace with a successful two-point conversion, but New England replied with Brady throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Gronkowski. The Patriots' lead was cut to 36–26 when Roethlisberger completed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Wallace with another successful two-point convert, but the Patriots replied to put the game away after Graham hit a 36-yard field goal.

With the win, New England improve to 7–2.

Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 14 01428
Patriots 7 14 7331

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C), sunny and cold
  • Game attendance: 68,756
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)

Coming off their win over the Steelers the Patriots played on home ground against the Colts for the first time in four seasons. In the first quarter the Patriots took the lead when quarterback Tom Brady threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wes Welker. This was followed in the second quarter by Brady throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez. The Colts narrowed the lead when quarterback Peyton Manning completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Gijon Robinson, but the Patriots responded with a 5-yard touchdown run by running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. The lead was narrowed again after Manning found wide receiver Reggie Wayne on an 11-yard touchdown pass. The Patriots increased their lead in the third quarter with running back Danny Woodhead running for a 36-yard touchdown, followed in the fourth quarter by kicker Shayne Graham nailing a 25-yard field goal. The Colts tried to close the gap after Manning completed a 5- and an 18-yard touchdown passes to wide receiver Blair White, but his final pass attempt, in Patriots territory with less than a minute remaining was intercepted by Patriots safety James Sanders at the 6-yard line, giving the Patriots the win.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 8–2.

Week 12: at Detroit Lions

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 3 7 142145
Lions 7 10 7024

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors, domed stadium
  • Game attendance: 60,965
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)

Coming off their win over the Colts, the Patriots flew to Ford Field, donned their throwback uniforms, and played a Week 12 Thanksgiving duel with the Detroit Lions. New England delivered the game's opening punch in the first quarter with a 19-yard field goal by kicker Shayne Graham, but the Lions answered with quarterback Shaun Hill completing a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Detroit added onto their lead in the second quarter as running back Maurice Morris got a 1-yard touchdown run, yet the Patriots responded with a 15-yard touchdown run from running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. The Lions closed out the half with kicker Dave Rayner making a 44-yard field goal.

New England tied the game in the third quarter as quarterback Tom Brady found wide receiver Wes Welker on a 5-yard touchdown pass, but Detroit came right back with a 1-yard touchdown run from Morris. The Patriots soon struck again as Brady connected with wide receiver Deion Branch on a 79-yard touchdown pass. This was the Patriots' longest play from scrimmage of their 2010 season. New England regained the lead in the fourth quarter as Brady found Branch again on a 22-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 16-yard touchdown pass to Welker. Afterwards, the Patriots pulled away with a 1-yard touchdown run from Green-Ellis to win 45–24. During the extra point and afterwards, the Lions were called for three personal fouls, including one on defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. This allowed the Patriots to kick off from the Lions' 40-yard line, and Graham was able to put the ball through the uprights, to a storm of boos from the Ford Field crowd.

With the win, New England improved to 9–2.

Brady (21/27, 341 yards, 4 touchdowns, perfect 158.3 passer rating) was named CBS's All-Iron Award winner by Phil Simms. Runners up for the award included Suh, Johnson, Branch, and Morris.

Week 13: vs. New York Jets

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jets 0 3 003
Patriots 17 7 71445

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 27 °F (−3 °C), cloudy, cold, windy with snow flurries
  • Game attendance: 68,756
  • Referee: Scott Green
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden (color commentators), Michele Tafoya and Suzy Kolber (sideline reporters)

Coming off their win over the Lions on Thanksgiving, the Patriots returned home for a highly-anticipated Monday Night Football game with the New York Jets. In the first quarter, the Patriots took the early lead, with a 41-yard field goal from kicker Shayne Graham, followed by a 1-yard touchdown run from running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis and a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady to wide receiver Deion Branch. In the second quarter, the Jets got on the board, with a 39-yard field goal from kicker Nick Folk, in what would be the Jets' only score of the game. Later in the second quarter, the Patriots replied, with Brady throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Tate. The Patriots continued their offensive onslaught in the third quarter, with Brady throwing an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wes Welker. In the fourth quarter, Brady threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez, followed by a 5-yard touchdown run from Green-Ellis.

With the win, the Patriots improved to 10–2, and took sole possession of first place in the AFC East.

Tom Brady was 21/29, 326 yards, four touchdowns, and a 148.8 passer rating, extending his streak of 228 passes without an interception (7 consecutive games, setting a franchise record of most starts without an interception). Additionally, Brady won his 26th consecutive home game as a starting quarterback, dating back to 2006, breaking Brett Favre's previous record of 25 games (1995–1998).

Week 14: at Chicago Bears

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 7 26 3036
Bears 0 0 707

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST/3:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 26 °F (−3 °C), snow, windy with gusts to 53 m.p.h., temps falling to low 20's
  • Game attendance: 62,347
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentator)

Coming off their 45–3 win over the Jets, the Patriots flew to Soldier Field for a game with the Bears. The Patriots took the early lead in the first quarter, with quarterback Tom Brady throwing a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski. In the second quarter, running back Danny Woodhead ran for a 3-yard touchdown, followed by linebacker Gary Guyton returning a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown. The Patriots extended their lead on field goals of 30 and 25 yards by placekicker Shayne Graham, and a 59-yard touchdown pass from Brady to wide receiver Deion Branch (with a missed extra point). In the third quarter, Graham added a 29-yard field goal, followed by the Bears getting on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Chester Taylor. The points ended up being the last of the game, with both teams held scoreless in the fourth quarter.

With the win, the Patriots not only improved to 11–2, but also became the first team to clinch a playoff berth. The Patriots had their fith straight game with 30+ points with the Bears allowing the most points in a game this season. Also the Patriots have a total of 81-10 in points in the past two games. The team had a season high 477 yards.

Tom Brady was 27/40, 369 yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating, extending his streak of 268 passes without an interception, ten passes away from moving past Rich Gannon's to move into second behind Bernie Kosar. This was also his fourth game with 300+ Passing yards after having 0 in his first eight games. He also improved to four straight games with 2+ TDs without an interception, passing Joe Theismann's record, one game short of tying Don Meredith's record set from 1965-1966. Deion Branch (who had a career best 151 yards) and Wes Welker had 8 receptions each for a combined total of 266 yards and the Patriots rushing attack had a combined 124 rushing yards compared to The Bears 46. The Patriots defense also held the Bears to 33 net yards, 2 first downs and zero points in the first half and forced four fumbles (recovered 2) and 2 INTs in the game, making them +17 in turnovers, passing The Philadelphia Eagles for the league lead in turnover ratio.

Standings

AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) New England Patriots 14 2 0 .875 5–1 10–2 518 313 W8
(6) New York Jets 11 5 0 .688 4–2 9–3 367 304 W1
Miami Dolphins 7 9 0 .438 2–4 5–7 275 332 L3
Buffalo Bills 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 283 425 L2

Current roster

New England Patriots roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

Practice squad


Rookies in italics

Roster updated August 31, 2024

54 active, 8 inactive, 14 practice squad (+1 exempt)

→ AFC rosters → NFC rosters

Awards and honors

Recipient Award(s)
Tom Brady Week 12: AFC Offensive Player of the Week[57]
Week 13: AFC Offensive Player of the Week[58]
James Sanders Week 10: AFC Defensive Player of the Week[59]
Vince Wilfork 2010 New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award[60]

Notes and references

  1. ^ Breer, Albert (2010-01-14). "Pees explains decision". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-01-14.
  2. ^ "Pees heads to Baltimore as LBs coach". ESPN.com. 2010-01-26. Retrieved 2010-01-27.
  3. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-01-29). "More on Corwin Brown hire". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
  4. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-07-19). "Clarifying Corwin Brown's role on staff". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
  5. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-01-29). "Shane Waldron follow-up". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  6. ^ Doyle, Paul (2010-03-19). "UFL's Hartford Colonials Announce Assistant Coaches". The Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
  7. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-07-19). "Focusing on changes in personnel dept". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
  8. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-03-04). "Patriots release TE Baker". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-03-04.
  9. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-03-09). "Broncos sign Jarvis Green". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  10. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-03-12). "TE Watson joins Browns". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  11. ^ "Thomas free to sign with another team". ESPN.com. 2010-04-26. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
  12. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-05-18). "Patriots release CB Shawn Springs". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  13. ^ [Source: Maroney traded to Denver "Source: Maroney traded to Denver"]. ESPNBoston.com. 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2010-09-14. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  14. ^ Bendetson, William (2010-09-06). "Patriots' Moss feels 'not wanted' without contract offer". CBS Sports. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  15. ^ MacMullan, Jackie (2010-09-13). "Randy Moss put himself first". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  16. ^ "Vikings and Patriots in talks: Randy Moss asked for trade". Boston Herald. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2010-10-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
  17. ^ "Source: Vikes have deal for Randy Moss". ESPN.com. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  18. ^ "Randy Moss returning to Minnesota". ESPN.com. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  19. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-02-22). "Non-exclusive franchise tag for Wilfork". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  20. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-02-22). "Patriots statement on Wilfork & tag". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  21. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-03-05). "Wilfork signed to record deal". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  22. ^ Graham, Tim (2010-02-24). "Patriots bring back old pal Patten". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
  23. ^ a b Rapoport, Ian (2010-03-12). "It's official: Patriots re-sign CB Leigh Bodden, sign LB Marques Murrell". Boston Herald. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  24. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-03-18). "Reports: Patriots agree with TE Crumpler". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
  25. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-04-02). "DL Damione Lewis analysis". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
  26. ^ Reiss (2010-04-24). "Gerard Warren could help fill DE void". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-04-24. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |fist= ignored (help)
  27. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-04-20). "Patriots agree with veteran WR Holt". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
  28. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-04-14). "Patriots sign punter King". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-04-14.
  29. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-03-05). "Patriots reach extension with Banta-Cain". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  30. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-03-05). "Patriots, Neal agree on 2-year deal". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  31. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-03-10). "Faulk explains delay for deal". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  32. ^ Schefter, Adam (2010-05-14). "Source: Pats, Burgess agree on 1 year". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  33. ^ Rapoport, Ian (2010-04-17). "Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski signs his RFA tender". The Boston Herald. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  34. ^ Gasper, Christopher L. (2010-04-19). "Woods re-signs with Patriots". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  35. ^ Lee, Robert (2010-08-28). "Extension behind him, Gostkowski ready to work harder". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2010-09-05.
  36. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-05-10). "Patriots add depth with RB Taylor". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  37. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-06-24). "Guyton gets up-front reward from Pats". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-06-24.
  38. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-06-15). "Patriots' Mankins: 'I want to be traded'". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  39. ^ "Pats guard Mankins ends holdout". ESPNBoston.com. 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
  40. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-11-02). "Patriots will get 2-game exemption". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
  41. ^ "Falcons trade Ojinnaka to Pats for draft pick". Associated Press. Yahoo! Sports. 2010-08-23. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  42. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-09-04). "Patriots trade for LB Tracy White". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  43. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-09-04). "Patriots trade for safety Jarrad Page". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  44. ^ "Sources: Patriots trade for Deion Branch". ESPN.com. October 11, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  45. ^ Reiss, Mike (2009-04-30). "Patriots acquire TE Smith from Buccaneers". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  46. ^ Reiss, Mike (2009-05-03). "Pats shipped 2010 fifth-rounder for Smith". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  47. ^ Reiss, Mike (2009-08-06). "Burgess trade terms". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  48. ^ Marvez, Alex (2009-08-17). "Patriots trade DL Smith to hurting Broncos". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  49. ^ Forsberg, Chris (2009-08-25). "Patriots trade Hochstein to Broncos". Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
  50. ^ Gasper, Christopher L. (2009-09-22). "Pats trade for LB Burgess". Boston.com Extra Points. Retrieved 2009-09-22.
  51. ^ Gasper, Christopher L. (2009-09-28). "Patriots sign DT Terdell Sands, release LB Prescott Burgess". Boston.com Extra Points. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
  52. ^ a b c The Patriots traded a first-round selection (#24 overall) and a fourth-round selection (#119 overall) to the Dallas Cowboys for the Cowboys' first-round pick (#27 overall) and third-round pick (#90 overall). The Patriots received the #24 overall pick with a 2010 fourth-round pick (#113 overall) in a trade with the Denver Broncos for the Patriots' 2010 first-round pick (#22 overall). ESPNBoston.com summary
  53. ^ The Patriots traded a second-round selection (#44 overall) and a sixth-round selection (#190 overall) to the Oakland Raiders for the Raiders' second-round pick (#42 overall). The Patriots received the #44 overall pick with a 2009 seventh-round pick (#232 overall) in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the Jaguars' third-round selection (#73 overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Patriots received the #73 overall pick with a 2009 third-round pick (#83 overall) and a second-round pick (#41 overall) in a trade with the Green Bay Packers for the Patriots' 2009 first- and fifth-round picks (#26 and #162 overall). (The Patriots received the first- and fifth-round picks (#26 and #162 overall) in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens for the Patriots' 2009 first-round selection (#23 overall). ESPNBoston.com summary
  54. ^ a b The Patriots traded a second-round selection (#58 overall) to the Houston Texans for the Texans' second-round pick (#62 overall) and fifth-round pick (#150 overall). The Patriots received the #58 overall pick with a third-round pick (#89 overall) in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for the Patriots' second-round pick (#47 overall). (The Patriots received the #47 overall pick in a trade with the Tennessee Titans for the Titans' third-round pick (#89 overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft.) ESPNBoston.com summary
  55. ^ The Patriots traded two seventh-round selections (#229 and #231 overall) to the Washington Redskins for the Redskins' seventh-round selection (#208 overall). (The Patriots received the #231 overall pick with wide receiver Greg Lewis in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for the Eagles' fifth-round pick (#159 overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft.) ESPNBoston.com summary
  56. ^ Game moved from 1:00 PM to 4:15 PM under NFL "flex scheduling" rules – Reiss, Mike (2010-11-29). "Pats-Bears game moved to 4:15". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  57. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-12-01). "Brady earns Player of Week honor". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  58. ^ Rapoport, Ian (2010-12-08). "Ho hum: Patriots QB Tom Brady wins AFC player of the week honors again". Boston Herald. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  59. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-11-17). "Sanders AFC Defensive Player of Week". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
  60. ^ Reiss, Mike (2010-08-31). "Wilfork named Burton award winner". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
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