Keep track of the Patriots’ progress throughout the 2012 season here with full coverage from the Boston Globe:
WEEK 1: PATRIOTS 34, TITANS 13
While Tom Brady was again stellar, the Patriots got key contributions from first-round picks Chandler Jones (forced fumble, sack) and Dont’a Hightower (fumble recovery for a touchdown). The success of running back Stevan Ridley (125 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 27 receiving yards) also gave the Patriots a different look.
Game story: Patriots impress in opening romp
Photos: Highlights from Nashville
Dan Shaughnessy: New England sports fans can rejoice again
Christopher L. Gasper: Patriots defense makes a statement
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On Football: Josh McDaniels, Patriots’ offensive line dialed in
Notebook: Tom Brady bloodied, but pleased with win
Patriots’ Stevan Ridley enjoys breakout game
WEEK 2: CARDINALS 20, PATRIOTS 18
The Patriots’ first-ever loss in a home opener at Gillette Stadium came amid a defensive flurry from the Cardinals, who battered Tom Brady. A first-quarter ankle injury that sidelined Aaron Hernandez helped derail the Patriots offense. Stephen Gostkowski, who hit four field goals, missed a would-be 42-yard game winner in the closing seconds.
Game story: Patriots fall short in home opener
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Christopher L. Gasper: Aaron Hernandez may be more crucial loss
On Football: Wes Welker’s role even more in doubt
Notebook: Rob Gronkowski’s late penalties prove costly
Stephen Gostkowski’s miss spoils career day
Fumble by Ryan Williams nearly doomed Cardinals
WEEK 3: RAVENS 31, PATRIOTS 30
The Patriots surrendered leads of 13-0 and 30-21 and lost when Justin Tucker nailed a 27-yard field goal as time expired. The New England defense was often porous, and gave up nine plays of 20 or more yards. Tom Brady (335 yards passing) and the offense were effective, but the defense kept allowing Baltimore, keyed by Torrey Smith (six catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns on the day his younger brother, Tevin, died) back into the game.
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Game story: Patriots lost heartbreaker to Ravens
Photos: Highlights from Baltimore
Dan Shaughnessy: Replacement refs a nightmare in Patriots loss
Christopher L. Gasper: Patriots’ defensive breakdowns loom large
On Football: Josh McDaniels needs to let his players play
Notebook: Brandon Lloyd starting to connect with Tom Brady
Ravens’ Torrey Smith shines amid personal loss
Bill Belichick mum on apparent contact with official
WEEK 4: PATRIOTS 52, BILLS 28
Down 21-7 at halftime, the Patriots looked in danger of succumbing to their first three-game losing streak in more than 10 years. But Tom Brady came out in the second half and led touchdown drives on six consecutive drives. Both Stevan Ridley (106) and Brandon Bolden (137) went over the 100-yard rushing mark as the Patriots became just the second team in NFL history to register two players with more than 100 yards rushing and receiving (Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski).
Game story: Patriots explode, roll over the Bills
Photos: Highlights from Buffalo
Christopher L. Gasper: Patriots have made a habit out of winning
On Football: Patriots offense clicks after getting back to basics
Notebook: Rough day for Stephen Gostkowski
Ground game made the difference for Patriots
C.J. Spiller takes blame for Bills’ loss to Patriots
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WEEK 5: PATRIOTS 31, BRONCOS 21
Using a heavy dose of the no-huddle offense, the Patriots jumped out to a 31-7 lead on Peyton Manning and the Broncos. The defense , which bent slightly in the second half, came up with several big plays to seal the win. The Patriots rushed for a combined 251 yards.
Game story: Patriots defense holds the Broncos
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Christopher L. Gasper: Patriots took control with no-huddle attack
On Football: Defense stepped up with big plays
Notebook: Wes Welker comes up big again
Stevan Ridley’s career night stained by fumble
Broncos, Peyton Manning know improvement is needed
WEEK 6: SEAHAWKS 24, PATRIOTS 23
The Patriots suffered one of their most bitter losses in years by allowing two fourth-quarter touchdowns by the Seahawks, who overcame a 13-point deficit in the final minutes. Tom Brady threw two interceptions, but the Patriots’ defense, particularly the secondary, was the primary reason the team capitulated down the stretch in Seattle.
Game story: Seahawks stun Patriots on late TD
Photos: Highlights from Seattle
Dan Shaughnessy: Patriots embarrassed by Pete Carroll
On Football: Patriots secondary still a first-rate problem
Notebook: Wes Welker puts up big numbers in loss
Tom Brady’s mistakes caught up to Patriots
Seahawks’ Russell Wilson shows veteran poise
WEEK 7: PATRIOTS 29, JETS 26 (OT)
The Patriots surrendered a fourth-quarter lead for the second straight week as the Jets charged from a 23-13 deficit to a 26-23 lead in the final 2 minutes. Stephen Gostkowski then hit a game-tying field goal as time expired to force overtime. In the extra frame, Gostkowski hit a field goal on the opening drive, and the Patriots sealed a win when Jets QB Mark Sanchez lost a fumble after a sack on the game’s final play.
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Game story: After another blown lead, Patriots outlast Jets
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Christopher L. Gasper: Big questions remain after Patriots’ win
On Football: Patriots offense just can’t finish
Notebook: Game of highs, lows for Devin McCourty
Stephen Gostkowski comes through twice for Patriots
Errors too much for the Jets to overcome
WEEK 8: PATRIOTS 45, RAMS 7 (in London)
After the Rams took a 7-0 lead on the opening drive, the Patriots scored on their first six drives, with five touchdowns and a field goal to take a commanding lead. The game occurred in London as a Rams home game, and Tom Brady was 23-for-35 for 304 yards and four TD passes.
Game story: Patriots destroy Rams in London
Photos: Highlights from Wembley Stadium
Christopher L. Gasper: Despite win, Patriots still searching for identity
On Football: Patriots in control when using spread offense
Notebook: Rob Gronkowski (2 TDs) had a jolly good time
Patriots defense rebounds after another shaky start
WEEK 9: Patriots’ bye
WEEK 10: PATRIOTS 37, BILLS 31
The offense staked the Patriots to a 17-3 lead, but New England couldn’t put away the Bills until the final minute because of a porous defense. The Bills were driving for a potential game-winning touchdown when Devin McCourty picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick to seal the win. The Bills recorded 481 yards of total offense, but were hurt by a costly interception on the Patriots’ 1-yard line in the final quarter.
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Game story: Patriots barely manage to get past Bills
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Christopher L. Gasper: Patriots are just too unreliable
On Football: For Patriots defense, nowhere to go but up
Notebook: Bills’ Ryan Fitzpatrick calls Brandon Spikes a ‘punk’
Mistakes proved very costly for the Bills
Patriots take valuable minutes off clock at the end
WEEK 11: PATRIOTS 59, COLTS 24
The Patriots tied the franchise record in points, but it came at a costly price when tight end Rob Gronkowski suffered a broken left forearm late in the fourth quarter while he was blocking on the extra point attempt for the Patriots’ 59th point. Julian Edelman had a career day with 222 total yards and two touchdowns, and both Alfonzo Dennard and newcomer Aqib Talib returned interceptions off Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck for touchdowns.
Game story: Patriots rip Colts, Andrew Luck
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Box score: Patriots 59, Colts 24
Christopher L. Gasper: Andrew Luck won’t always be this easy to beat
On Football: Aqib Talib uneven but promising in Patriots debut
Notebook: Gronkowski’s game ends with broken left forearm
Julian Edelman’s monster game fuels win
Backup offensive linemen step up for Patriots
WEEK 12: PATRIOTS 49, JETS 19
The Patriots embarrassed their division rivals in a nationally-televised Thanksgiving night game. After a scoreless first quarter, the Patriots exploded for 35 points in the second quarter when they capitalized on several Jets mistakes. The Jets had three straight possessions end in fumbles that the Patriots turned into three touchdowns in the span of 52 seconds. Safety Steve Gregory scored a touchdown on a 32-yard fumble recovery, but also forced a fumble, recovered another and picked off Jets QB Mark Sanchez. Tom Brady finished with 323 yards passing, three passing touchdowns and a rushing score.
Game story: Patriots feast on miscues by Jets
Photos: Highlights from East Rutherford, N.J.
Box Score: Patriots 49, Jets 19
Chrisopher L. Gasper: Jets not in the same league as Patriots
On Football: Vince Wilfork was key man in Patriots’ win
Notebook: Huge game for Steve Gregory on home turf
Patriots’ 3-TD stretch ended game quickly
WEEK 13: PATRIOTS 23, DOLPHINS 16
The high-octane offense was tempered in Miami, but Tom Brady’s unit did something it had failed to do before in the season: Produce a time-consuming, grind-it-out drive late in the game to ice a victory. Brady led a drive of 7 minutes, 18 seconds that ended in a field goal that sealed the victory. Brady threw one touchdown pass and the Patriots capitalized on several Dolphins mistakes (including a mishandled snap on a punt) to earn the win. New England clinched the AFC East for the fourth straight year and 10th time in 12 seasons.
Game story: Patriots beat Dolphins, clinch AFC East title
Photos: Highlights from Miami
Box score: Patriots 23, Dolphins 16
Dan Shaughnessy: Patriots win ugly for spoiled fans
On Football: Patriots finally find game-sealing recipe
Notebook: Jerod Mayo gets crucial sack with blitz
Once again, Patriots’ Wes Welker torments Dolphins
Dolphins can’t overcome mistakes against Patriots
WEEK 14: PATRIOTS 42, TEXANS 14
Houston entered the game with an NFL-best 11-1 record, but was quickly embarrassed by a Patriots team that overwhelmed it on offense and defense. Tom Brady improved to 13-4 all time on Monday night with four touchdown passes, and sparked New England to a 28-0 lead by the third quarter. The Patriots prevented Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson from becoming a factor and held Defensive Player of the Year candidate J.J. Watt without a sack or a tackle for a loss. The win kept the Patriots in control of the second playoff seed, and moved them one game back of Houston for the top seed in the AFC.
Game story: Patriots rip upstart Texans
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Box score: Patriots 42, Texans 14
Dan Shaughnessy: Patriots look like they’re heading to Super Bowl
Christopher L. Gasper: Dominant Patriots defense earned the spotlight
On Football: Patriots shut down Texans star J.J. Watt
Notebook: Brandon Lloyd takes big night in stride
Texans shocked by Patriots’ dominance
Once again, Tom Brady looks like an MVP
Matt Light making ‘real world’ adjustment
WEEK 15: 49ERS 41, PATRIOTS 34
The Patriots committed an uncharacteristic four turnovers on a rainy night in Foxborough, which helped the 49ers build a 31-3 lead early in the second half. Then Tom Brady led an epic rally that tied the game at 31-31 in the fourth quarter. But the Patriots faltered again when a 62-yard kick return by LaMichael James and a quick-strike touchdown by San Francisco allowed the 49ers to pull away. The Patriots were unable to recover an onside kick in the final minute in a last-gasp effort to tie the game again. The loss was the first at home December for New England since 2002. It also left the Patriots in the third seed for AFC playoff positioning, and the Patriots lost control of their own destiny to earn a playoff bye.
Game story: Patriots’ comeback falls short after late 49ers TD
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Box score: 49ers 41, Patriots 34
Christopher L. Gasper: Despite loss, Tom Brady was at his best
On Football: This loss could pay off for Patriots
Notebook: Patriots pay tribute to Newtown shooting victims
How the 49ers ended an epic meltdown
49ers proud of rare win in Foxborough
Bill Belichick angry after Patriots’ loss
Wes Welker sets new NFL mark with 100th catch
WEEK 16: PATRIOTS 23, JAGUARS 16
Tom Brady threw two first-half interceptions, which allowed the 2-12 Jaguars to take a 13-3 lead in the second quarter. But the Patriots fought back to tie the game before halftime and eventually make, literally, one more play than the Jaguars to seal a win in Florida. Patrick Chung intercepted Chad Henne in the end zone on the game’s final play to finalize the Patriots’ win. But Brady and the Patriots were unsatisfied with the victory.
Game story: Patriots barely able to beat lowly Jaguars
Box score: Patriots 23, Jaguars 16
Christopher L. Gasper: Tom Brady knows time is running out for Patriots
On Football: Despite problems, Patriots offense has time to rebound
Notebook: Stephen Gostkowski closes in on Patriots’ points record
Patriots defense stepped up when it mattered
Promising start by Jaguars spoiled by miscues
WEEK 17: PATRIOTS 28, DOLPHINS 0
The Patriots’ win, coupled with a loss by the Texans, left the teams tied with 12-4 records in the AFC playoff standings, and gave New England a playoff bye based on its win over Houston earlier in December. The Dolphins offered little resistance to the Patriots in this regular-season finale, with Tom Brady throwing two touchdown passes and Stevan Ridley rushing for two scores. Rob Gronkowski returned from a broken left forearm for the first time in six weeks.
Game story: Patriots claim 2d seed, earn a bye
Box score: Patriots 28, Dolphins 0
Christopher L. Gasper: Worth the risk to play Rob Gronkowski
On Football: Patriots defense looks ready for playoffs
Notebook: Stevan Ridley hits 1,200 yard mark
Patriots’ offensive line holds their ground
Wes Welker more upbeat after Dolphins beatdown
WILD-CARD WEEKEND: Patriots earned a first-round playoff bye
DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS: PATRIOTS 41, TEXANS 28
The Patriots ran away from the Texans for the second time in two months to clinch a berth in the AFC Championship game. Shane Vereen shined with three touchdowns for the Patriots, but only after two big injuries befell the offense. Danny Woodhead left after one drive with a hand injury, and Ron Gronkowski reinjured his left forearm and left the game in the first quarter. The Patriots opened up a 25-point lead in the fourth quarter as Tom Brady won his NFL-record 17th career playoff game.
Game story: Patriots beat Texans, face Ravens in AFC title game
Box score: Patriots 41, Texans 28
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Dan Shaughnessy: Patriots-Texans was a laugher from start to finish
Christopher L. Gasper: Real playoffs start next week for Patriots
On Football: Rob Ninkovich is clutch yet again for Patriots
Notebook: Rob Gronkowski done after reinjuring forearm
Shane Vereen steps up for the Patriots
Texans lament missed chances in loss to Patriots
As usual, Wes Welker has big game for Patriots
Texans’ Matt Schaub departs with great disappointment
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP: RAVENS 28, PATRIOTS 13
The Ravens overcame a 13-7 halftime deficit with a dominating performance in Foxborough to avenge their AFC title game loss of a year earlier. The Patriots committed three turnovers, all in the fourth quarter, and forced none by the Ravens, which helped accelerate their slide. Joe Flacco threw three touchdowns passes, while Tom Brady (who lost for the first time ever in Foxborough after holding a halftime lead -- he had been 67-0) threw one and two interceptions. Aqib Talib left the game early with a leg injury, which hurt the Patriots secondary, a unit that allowed two clutch touchdown catches by Anquan Boldin. The Ravens moved on to play the 49ers in the Super Bowl.
Game story: Ravens KO Patriots in title game rematch
Photos: Highlights from Foxborough
Dan Shaughnessy: Ravens bring an abrupt end to Patriots’ season
Christopher L. Gasper: Patriots paid price for not running ball
On Football: Patriots failed to make big plays on defense
Notebook: Injuries to Kyle Love, Aqib Talib hurt Patriots
Ravens’ Bernard Pollard delivers another dose of pain
Ray Lewis and the Ravens on a mission
This time, Ravens Joe Flacco is conquering hero