Keep track of the Patriots’ progress throughout the 2011 season here with full coverage from the Boston Globe:
GAME 1: PATRIOTS 38, DOLPHINS 24
Tom Brady passed for a career-high 517 yards and threw for four touchdown passes as the Patriots opened the season with a win over an AFC East foe. The highlight was a 99-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Wes Welker in the fourth quarter.
Tom Brady connected with Wes Welker on a 99-yard touchdown pass in the opener.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
Tom Brady connected with Wes Welker on a 99-yard touchdown pass in the opener.
Game story: Tom Brady reaches rare air as Patriots torch Dolphins
Photos: Highlights from Miami
Bob Ryan: Tom Brady proves he has no peer
Notebook: Brandon Spikes was a surprise scratch
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On Football: Patriots defense better than score showed
Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez light up Miami
Patriots offense fell in line after Dan Koppen’s injury
Despite loss, Miami sees measured gains
GAME 2: PATRIOTS 35, CHARGERS 21
The Patriots’ offense topped 30 points for the 10th straight regular-season game as New England moved to 2-0. Brady passed for 423 yards and three touchdowns. The defense surrendered 470 yards of total offense, but took the ball away from the Chargers four times.
Game story: Patriots sharp again, outlast Chargers in home opener
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Bob Ryan: Great win, but can Patriots continue to win shootouts?
On Football: Win comes with plenty of worry
Notebook: Deion Branch still a safety net for Patriots
Tom Brady in total control of game, Patriots
Patriots’ early goal-line stand had huge impact
Interception extra sweet for Vince Wilfork
GAME 3: BILLS 34, PATRIOTS 31
New England blew a 21-0 lead after Tom Brady threw four interceptions. Buffalo snapped a 15-game losing streak to the Patriots that dated back to 2003 and improved to 3-0.
Chad Ochocinco dropped what appeared to be a sure touchdown in the Week 3 loss at Buffalo.
Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Chad Ochocinco dropped what appeared to be a sure touchdown in the Week 3 loss at Buffalo.
Game story: Patriots are shocked by Bills
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Photos: Highlights from Buffalo
Dan Shaughnessy: Even the Bills beat up on the Patriots
On Football: Pressure is on the Patriots -- to improve their defense
Notebook: A big miss for Chad Ochocinco
Wes Welker sets record in losing cause
Tom Brady (4 INTs) vows to improve after uneven game
Winning ways come back for Bills
GAME 4: PATRIOTS 31, RAIDERS 19
New England surrendered 504 yards of total offense, but capitalized with two key interceptions off Jason Campbell. The running game emerged with 183 yards rushing to support Tom Brady’s 226 yards passing. Linebacker Jerod Mayo suffered a knee injury during the game.
Game story: Run game powers Patriots’ win against Raiders
Photos: Highlights from Oakland
Christopher L. Gasper: Same old Patriots yet to prove they’ve improved
On Football: Without Mayo, defense now must hold it together
Notebook: Brady passes Joe Montana with 2 TD throws
Brady-Wes Welker connection is thriving
Patriots offense finds balance in running game
Raiders revert to costly ways in loss
GAME 5: PATRIOTS 30, JETS 21
The Patriots rode BenJarvus Green-Ellis for 136 yards on the ground as they beat up on their archrivals. Green-Ellis also scored two touchdowns, and the Patriots’ defense had its best performance of the year in yielding just 255 yards.
The Patriots donned their throwback uniforms in beating the Jets on Oct. 9.
Jim Davis/Globe Staff
The Patriots donned their throwback uniforms in beating the Jets on Oct. 9.
Game story: Tom Brady, Patriots cool off the Jets
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Dan Shaughnessy: Beating the Jets means a lot to Bill Belichick
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Bob Ryan: On balance, a poor effort by Rex Ryan’s Jets
On Football: Patriots kept their ear to the ground
Notebook: James Ihedigbo rises to occasion against old teammates
Jets couldn’t solve Wes Welker riddle
Aaron Hernandez made health contribution
Big plays were costly for Jets
GAME 6: PATRIOTS 20, COWBOYS 16
Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan ended the Patriots’ 13-game streak of scoring at least 30 points. But Dallas couldn’t hold a 16-13 fourth-quarter lead.
Tom Brady engineered an 80-yard, game-winning drive that ended in a TD pass with 22 seconds left.
Game story: Tom Brady rides to Patriots’ rescue
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Bob Ryan: It’s old hat for Brady, but it’s still thrilling
On Football: Tom Brady scores two in a row vs. Ryan brothers
Notebook: Chad Ochocinco still missing the action
Defense was key for Patriots’ comeback
Aaron Hernandez bounced back from ugly fumble
Conservative play-calling costly for Cowboys
GAME 7: STEELERS 25, PATRIOTS 17
Pittsburgh locked up the Patriots’ offense and ran wild in its passing game as the Steelers ran away from the Patriots. Ben Roethlisberger connected on 36 of 50 passes, while the Patriots managed just 213 yards of total offense.
Game story: Patriots falter in loss to Steelers
Photos: Highlights from Pittsburgh
Dan Shaughnessy: Patriots don’t scare anyone with broken defense
On Football: Humbling by Steelers shows Patriots aren’t NFL elite
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Notebook: Kevin Faulk is right back into the groove
Steelers earn reversal of fortune
Patriots offensive line struggles
Steelers pass Patriots test with ease
GAME 8: GIANTS 24, PATRIOTS 20
In a game hauntingly similar to Super Bowl XLII, Eli Manning led the Giants to a win after a seesaw battle in the fourth quarter.
His touchdown pass to Jake Ballard with 15 seconds left sealed the victory.
Game story: Patriots foiled again by Eli Manning, Giants
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Dan Shaughnessy: Patriots’ loss eerily similar to Super Bowl XLII
On Football: This time, Patriots offense is to blame
Notebook: Patriots’ top receivers in rhythm with Tom Brady
Wes Welker’s big day wasted in loss
Patriots defense wilted down the stretch
Victor Cruz proves too much for Patriots
GAME 9: PATRIOTS 37, JETS 16
New England dodged the Jets’ vaunted defense and snapped its two-game losing streak in dramatic fashion.
With Patrick Chung out and Devin McCourty sidelined in the first half, the Patriots’ unheralded defense came up strong. Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes.
Game story: Patriots dominate the Jets
Photos: Highlights from the Meadowlands
Bob Ryan: Sweet victory silences Rex Ryan, Jets fans
On Football: With win, Patriots prove they control AFC East
Notebook: Devin McCourty shelved with shoulder injury
Patriots’ no-name defense makes a name for itself
At the half, Tom Brady threw it into overdrive
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GAME 10: PATRIOTS 34, CHIEFS 3
New England started slow, but rebounded with a second half in which it outscored Kansas City 24-0. The Patriots intercepted Chiefs QB Tyler Palko -- subbing for the injured Matt Cassel -- three times.
Game story: Patriots roll over the Chiefs
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Bob Ryan: It’s a high point for Rob Gronkowski
On Football: Andre Carter, Patriots defense looking much better
Notebook: Tip of the cap: Kyle Arrington in the right place
Ground delivery suited Patriots
Julian Edelman stepped in -- and up for New England
After struggling early, Tom Brady recovered
GAME 11: PATRIOTS 38, EAGLES 20
Down 10-0 in the first quarter, the Patriots responded with an offensive explosion. They went on a 38-3 run behind three touchdown passes and 361 yards passing by Tom Brady.
Game story: Patriots soar against the Eagles
Photos: Highlights from Philadelphia
Bob Ryan: Tom Brady proves he’s best in class
On Football: Patriots defense better than one could’ve dreamed
Notebook: Comeback route run by Deion Branch
Julian Edelman wraps up another task
Eagles’ lead, playoff hopes gone in a flash
GAME 12: PATRIOTS 31, COLTS 24
The Patriots jumped out to a 31-3 lead over the Peyton Manning-less Colts by early in the fourth quarter.
But they suffered a defensive breakdown in the final few minutes, and the winless Colts narrowed the gap to just a touchdown.
Game story: Patriots beat Colts, but allow late comeback
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Bob Ryan: Bill Belichick right to be dour about Patriots
On Football: Rob Gronkowski on track to be one of NFL’s greatest
Notebook: Grab bag of numbers for Wes Welker
Matthew Slater shines for Patriots’ defense
Patriots’ Nick McDonald at home on center stage
GAME 13: PATRIOTS 34, REDSKINS 27
The Patriots struggled at times against the Redskins, but Jerod Mayo clinched the win with an interception in the red zone in the final minute. Vince Wilfork hopped on a fumble in the end zone to add a score early in the game. The game was marked by a heated sideline argument between Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
Game story: Patriots hold off the Redskins
Photos: Highlights from Landover, Md.
Dan Shaughnessy: By a neck, Rob Gronkowski the best
On Football: Tom Brady’s sideline tiff revealed his frustration
Notebook: Vince Wilfork didn’t let his big chance slip
Patriots’ defense shows up when it counts
Two ex-Patriots catch fire for Redskins
GAME 14: PATRIOTS 41, BRONCOS 23
The Patriots’ defense was exposed early as they fell behind 16-7. But Tom Brady rallied the offense to a season-high 41 points and the defense recovered three Broncos turnovers to help power the win.
Game story: Patriots control red-hot Tim Tebow, Broncos
Photos: Highlights from Denver
Dan Shaughnessy: Tim Tebow runs out of miracles vs. Patriots
On Football: After change, Patriots defense was money
Notebook: Andre Carter’s quad injury will require surgery
Aaron Hernandez enjoys career day
Tim Tebow, Broncos fall from grace
GAME 15: PATRIOTS 27, DOLPHINS 24
The Patriots fell behind 17-0 in the first half before adjusting to the Dolphins’ aggressive pass rush after halftime. Tom Brady withstood injuries to Matt Light and Logan Mankins and rallied his team to a win that clinched a bye in the AFC playoffs.
Game story: Patriots reel in Dolphins and bye
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Bob Ryan: Vince Wilfork, Patriots make quite a recovery
On Football: Patriots eventually handled pressure of Dolphins
Notebook: Offensive line got job done without Light, Mankins
Stephen Gostkowski’s tackle aided comeback
Interception highlights Devin McCourty’s erratic day
Dolphins got it only half right against Patriots
GAME 16: PATRIOTS 49, BILLS 21
The Patriots fell behind 21-0 in the first half, but responded with 49 unanswered points to clinch the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC with a 13-3 record.
Game story: Patriots beat bills to earn top seed in AFC
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Dan Shaughnessy: The way I see it, Patriots are a mirage
On Football: Patriots’ switch to man coverage was a good decision
Notebook: Reports: Penn State courting Patriots’ Bill O’Brien
Tom Brady crosses 5,000-yard threshold
Last catch snags record for Rob Gronkowski
Aaron Hernandez helps get Patriots’ offense clicking
GAME 17: PATRIOTS 45, BRONCOS 10
New England rolled into the AFC Championship game after its first playoff win in almost four years. Tom Brady tied a postseason record with six touchdown passes, and the defense overmatched Tim Tebow and the Broncos’ offense.
Game story: Patriots rout overmatched Broncos
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Dan Shaughnessy: Patriots showing they may be best in NFL
Bob Ryan: Hard to judge Patriots’ defense vs. inept Broncos
On Football: This time, Patriots defense was a hit, too
Notebook: Deion Branch got pushy on his touchdown play
Tim Tebow takes lumps, but his faith not bruised
Patriots’ tight ends were puzzle to Broncos
These Patriots get a kick out of the cold
Patriots’ bitter playoff losses a distant memory
GAME 18: Patriots 23, Ravens 20 (AFC Championship)
The Patriots earned a Super Bowl berth by overcoming two interceptions by Tom Brady when Baltimore kicker Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard field goal attempt with 11 seconds left. Brady scored the game-winning touchdown when he leapt head first over the line of scrimmage on fourth down early in the final period.
Game story: Patriots win Super Bowl berth on missed field goal
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Dan Shaughnessy: Patriots earn Super Bowl rematch with the Giants
Bob Ryan: Patriots won it in old, grind-it-out style
On Football: Vince Wilfork the difference-maker in Patriots’ win
Notebook: Sterling Moore’s late play helps save the game
Despite off day, win still sweet for Tom Brady
Aaron Hernandez shows off versatility once again
Hard running effort from BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Failed kick left the Ravens at a loss
Joe Flacco silences critics with solid effort
GAME 19: Giants 21, Patriots 17 (Super Bowl XLVI)
For the second time in five seasons, the Giants came from behind with a final-minute touchdown to deny the Patriots of a title. Eli Manning led a game-winning drive to win the MVP award. The Patriots, hurt by a key drop by Wes Welker late in the game, tried a last-second Hail Mary pass that fell out of the reach of Rob Gronkowski in the end zone.
Game story: Giants again break hearts of the Patriots
Photos: Highlights from Indianapolis
Dan Shaughnessy: For Patriots, history repeats
Bob Ryan: Ultimately, Patriots couldn’t get Giants off field
On Football: Patriots’ offense, not defense, was the problem
Notebook: Patriots’ deferral paid off in Super Bowl
Wes Welker crushed by critical drop
Rob Gronkowski plays just a small role
Eli Manning proves he’s ‘elite’
Eli Manning saves his best for last again
Tom Coughlin steps onto new level
Ahmad Bradshaw is Giants’ reluctant hero
Belichick noncommittal about Bradshaw TD play