# 2002 New England Patriots season

The 2002 season was the New England Patriots' 33rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 43rd overall and their third under head coach Bill Belichick. They finished with a 9–7 record, good enough for second in the division but not a playoff berth. It was their first season at their new home field, Gillette Stadium, which replaced the adjacent Foxboro Stadium.
This was the first season since 1992 that Drew Bledsoe was not on the opening day roster, as he was traded to the Buffalo Bills during the offseason.
Following their victory in Super Bowl XXXVI seven months earlier, the Patriots played their first game in the new Gillette Stadium in the NFL's primetime Monday Night Football opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a win for the Patriots. After an additional two wins to begin the season, including a 44–7 road win against the division rival New York Jets, the team lost five of its next seven games, allowing an average of 137 rushing yards a game during that span. In the final week of the season, the Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins on an overtime Adam Vinatieri field goal to give both teams a 9–7 record. A few hours later, the Jets, who defeated the Patriots the week prior, also finished with a 9–7 record with a win over the Green Bay Packers. Due to their record against common opponents, after the Jets won the tiebreaker for the division title, both the Patriots and Dolphins were eliminated from the playoff contention. The 2002 season was the only time the Patriots failed to win at least 10 games during the regular season in the Brady–Belichick era. It also marked the only season with Tom Brady as the primary starter that the team failed to make the playoffs, and until 2022 the only time that Brady lost three consecutive games.

## Offseason

| Additions | Subtractions |
| TE Cam Cleeland (Saints) | QB Drew Bledsoe (Bills) |
| TE Christian Fauria (Seahawks) | WR Terry Glenn (Packers) |
| WR Donald Hayes (Panthers) | LB Bryan Cox (Saints) |
| DE Rick Lyle (Jets) | WR Charles Johnson (Bills) |
| | DT Brandon Mitchell (Seahawks) |
| | TE Rod Rutledge (Texans) |
| | CB Terrance Shaw (Raiders) |

### 2002 NFL draft

2002 New England Patriots draft :
| Draft order | Draft order | Player name | Position | College | Notes |
| Round | Selection | Player name | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 21 | Daniel Graham | Tight end | Colorado | |
| 2 | 65 | Deion Branch | Wide receiver | Louisville | |
| 4 | 117 | Rohan Davey | Quarterback | LSU | |
| 4 | 126 | Jarvis Green | Defensive end | LSU | |
| 7 | 237 | Antwoine Womack | Running back | Virginia | |
| 7 | 253 | David Givens | Wide receiver | Notre Dame | Compensatory pick |

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | September 9 | Pittsburgh Steelers | W 30–14 | 1–0 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | September 15 | at New York Jets | W 44–7 | 2–0 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | September 22 | Kansas City Chiefs | W 41–38 (OT) | 3–0 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | September 29 | at San Diego Chargers | L 14–21 | 3–1 | Qualcomm Stadium | Recap |
| 5 | October 6 | at Miami Dolphins | L 13–26 | 3–2 | Pro Player Stadium | Recap |
| 6 | October 13 | Green Bay Packers | L 10–28 | 3–3 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 7 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 8 | October 27 | Denver Broncos | L 16–24 | 3–4 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 9 | November 3 | at Buffalo Bills | W 38–7 | 4–4 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Recap |
| 10 | November 10 | at Chicago Bears | W 33–30 | 5–4 | Memorial Stadium | Recap |
| 11 | November 17 | at Oakland Raiders | L 20–27 | 5–5 | Network Associates Coliseum | Recap |
| 12 | November 24 | Minnesota Vikings | W 24–17 | 6–5 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 13 | November 28 | at Detroit Lions | W 20–12 | 7–5 | Ford Field | Recap |
| 14 | December 8 | Buffalo Bills | W 27–17 | 8–5 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 15 | December 16 | at Tennessee Titans | L 7–24 | 8–6 | The Coliseum | Recap |
| 16 | December 22 | New York Jets | L 17–30 | 8–7 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 17 | December 29 | Miami Dolphins | W 27–24 (OT) | 9–7 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Patriots | 7 | 3 | 17 | 3 | 30 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: September 9, 2002
* Game time: 9:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Overcast, 86 °F (30 °C)
* Game attendance: 68,436
* Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden and Melissa Stark
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Christian Fauria 4-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 10:57. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 26 yards, 1:54.
PIT – Hines Ward 13-yard pass from Kordell Stewart (Todd Peterson kick), 4:50. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 6:07.
Second quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 45-yard field goal, 2:23. Patriots 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 3:11.
Third quarter
NE – Donald Hayes 40-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 13:27. Patriots 17–7. Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 1:33.
NE – Deion Branch 22-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 7:03. Patriots 24–7. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 6:04.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 28-yard field goal, 2:08. Patriots 27–7. Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 2:50.
Fourth quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 27-yard field goal, 9:32. Patriots 30–7. Drive: 6 plays, 22 yards, 2:59.
PIT – Kordell Stewart 1-yard run (Todd Peterson kick), 0:00. Patriots 30–14. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 2:55.
Top passers
PIT – Kordell Stewart – 24/37, 242 yards, TD, 3 INT
NE – Tom Brady – 29/43, 294 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
PIT – Jerome Bettis – 8 rushes, 35 yards
NE – Antowain Smith – 17 rushes, 60 yards
Top receivers
PIT – Hines Ward – 8 receptions, 90 yards, TD
NE – Deion Branch – 6 receptions, 83 yards, TD :

#### Week 2: at New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 0 | 10 | 17 | 17 | 44 |
| Jets | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: September 15, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Hazy, 78 °F (26 °C)
* Game attendance: 78,726
* Referee: Larry Nemmers (20)
* TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, and Bonnie Bernstein
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
NE – Cam Cleeland 1-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 9:00. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:06.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 28-yard field goal, 0:05. Patriots 10–0. Drive: 19 plays, 70 yards, 6:40.
Third quarter
NE – Tebucky Jones 24-yard fumble return (Adam Vinatieri kick), 13:15. Patriots 17–0.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 31-yard field goal, 5:56. Patriots 20–0. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 6:02.
NE – Victor Green 90-yard interception return (Adam Vinatieri kick), 4:47. Patriots 27–0.
NYJ – Anthony Becht 11-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (John Hall kick), 0:57. Patriots 27–7. Drive: 4 plays, 69 yards, 1:53.
Fourth quarter
NE – Deion Branch 49-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 11:13. Patriots 34–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:57.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 40-yard field goal, 8:47. Patriots 37–7. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:26.
NE – Kevin Faulk 2-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 3:22. Patriots 44–7. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 4:35.
Top passers
NE – Tom Brady – 25/35, 269 yards, 2 TD, INT
NYJ – Vinny Testaverde – 15/23, 150 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
NE – Antowain Smith – 15 rushes, 66 yards
NYJ – Matt Turk – 1 rush, 14 yards
Top receivers
NE – Troy Brown – 9 receptions, 94 yards
NYJ – Santana Moss – 1 reception, 35 yards :

#### Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Chiefs | 3 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 0 | 38 |
| Patriots | 0 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 3 | 41 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: September 22, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Warm and humid, 80 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 68,436
* Referee: Bill Carollo (63)
* TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, and Bonnie Bernstein
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
KC – Morten Andersen 39-yard field goal, 2:15. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 4:36.
Second quarter
KC – Eddie Kennison 14-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 14:56. Chiefs 10–0. Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards, 0:47.
NE – Kevin Faulk 23-yard pass from Tom Brady (run failed), 6:57. Chiefs 10–6. Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 4:40.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 37-yard field goal, 0:05. Chiefs 10–9. Drive: 6 plays, 22 yards, 0:51.
Third quarter
KC – Priest Holmes 3-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 13:00. Chiefs 17–9. Drive: 4 plays, 37 yards, 2:00.
NE – Troy Brown 9-yard pass from Tom Brady (Antowain Smith run), 7:45. Tied 17–17. Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 5:15.
Fourth quarter
NE – Daniel Graham 18-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 14:55. Patriots 24–17. Drive: 4 plays, 56 yards, 1:08.
NE – David Patten 38-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 13:23. Patriots 31–17. Drive: 3 plays, 39 yards, 1:24.
KC – Eddie Kennison 15-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 9:23. Patriots 31–24. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 4:00.
NE – Antowain Smith 42-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 6:10. Patriots 38–24. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:13.
KC – Priest Holmes 6-yard run (Morten Andersen kick), 4:37. Patriots 38–31. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 1:33.
KC – Priest Holmes 1-yard run (Morten Anderson kick), 0:00. Tied 38–38. Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 2:30.
Overtime
NE – Adam Vinatieri 35-yard field goal, 10:20. Patriots 41–38. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 4:40.
Top passers
KC – Trent Green – 16/25, 149 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
NE – Tom Brady – 39/54, 410 yards, 4 TD, INT
Top rushers
KC – Priest Holmes – 30 rushes, 180 yards, 2 TD
NE – Antowain Smith – 16 rushes, 92 yards, TD
Top receivers
KC – Johnnie Morton – 2 receptions, 44 yards
NE – Troy Brown – 16 receptions, 176 yards, TD :

#### Week 4: at San Diego Chargers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Chargers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: September 29, 2002
* Game time: 4:15 p.m.
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 67 °F (19 °C)
* Game attendance: 66,463
* Referee: Ron Blum (7)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Christian Fauria 5-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 9:26. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 5:34.
SD – Curtis Conway 52-yard pass from Drew Brees (Steve Christie kick), 4:17. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 87 yards, 2:33.
Second quarter
NE – Mike Vrabel 1-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 14:13. Patriots 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 5:04.
SD – LaDainian Tomlinson 37-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 2:19. Tied 14–14. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 4:33.
Third quarter
SD – LaDainian Tomlinson 58-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 14:14. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 2 plays, 67 yards, 0:46.
Top passers
NE – Tom Brady – 36/53, 353 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
SD – Drew Brees – 10/18, 104 yards, TD
Top rushers
NE – Antowain Smith – 16 rushes, 78 yards
SD – LaDainian Tomlinson – 27 rushes, 217 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
NE – Deion Branch – 13 receptions, 128 yards
SD – Curtis Conway – 3 receptions, 69 yards, TD :
This was the first time the Chargers had defeated the Patriots since 1970.

#### Week 5: at Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 13 |
| Dolphins | 6 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 26 |
at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: October 6, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 87 °F (31 °C)
* Game attendance: 73,369
* Referee: Terry McAulay (77)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Jay Fiedler 8-yard run (kick blocked), 0:08. Dolphins 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 39 yards, 5:13.
Second quarter
MIA – Chris Chambers 7-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 11:38. Dolphins 13–0. Drive: 8 plays, 29 yards, 3:09.
MIA – Olindo Mare 40-yard field goal, 1:11. Dolphins 16–0. Drive: 9 plays, 39 yards, 4:31.
Third quarter
NE – David Patten 34-yard pass from Tom Brady (pass failed), 9:35. Dolphins 16–6. Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 1:35.
MIA – Randy McMichael 1-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 1:05. Dolphins 23–6. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 5:29.
Fourth quarter
NE – David Patten 25-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 4:41. Dolphins 23–13. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 2:58.
MIA – Olindo Mare 33-yard field goal, 1:25. Dolphins 26–13. Drive: 8 plays, 27 yards, 3:16.
Top passers
NE – Tom Brady – 17/31, 240 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 17/27, 190 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
NE – Kevin Faulk – 2 rushes, 17 yards
MIA – Ricky Williams – 36 rushes, 105 yards
Top receivers
NE – David Patten – 5 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD
MIA – Chris Chambers – 6 receptions, 62 yards, TD :

#### Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Patriots | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: October 13, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Overcast, 61 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 68,436
* Referee: Bernie Kukar (86)
* TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth, and Pam Oliver
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
Second quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 32-yard field goal, 9:36. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 50 yards, 3:58.
GB – William Henderson 3-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 3:46. Packers 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 5:50.
GB – Ahman Green 8-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 3:03. Packers 14–3. Drive: 1 play, 8 yards, 0:05.
Third quarter
GB – Bubba Franks 2-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 3:50. Packers 21–3. Drive: 7 plays, 94 yards, 4:05.
Fourth quarter
GB – Ahman Green 1-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 12:09. Packers 28–3. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 4:16.
NE – David Givens 4-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 5:57. Packers 28–10. Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 2:03.
Top passers
GB – Brett Favre – 17/27, 147 yards, 3 TD
NE – Tom Brady – 24/44, 183 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
GB – Ahman Green – 31 rushes, 136 yards, TD
NE – Antowain Smith – 13 rushes, 75 yards
Top receivers
GB – Bubba Franks – 5 receptions, 46 yards, TD
NE – Deion Branch – 5 receptions, 38 yards :

#### Week 8: vs. Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Broncos | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
| Patriots | 0 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 16 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: October 27, 2002
* Game time: 4:15 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 60 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 68,436
* Referee: Tom White (123)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DEN – Clinton Portis 1-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 10:08. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 3:10.
Second quarter
DEN – Shannon Sharpe 8-yard pass from Brian Griese (Jason Elam kick), 14:55. Broncos 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:56.
NE – Antowain Smith 3-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 7:16. Broncos 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 42 yards, 2:54.
DEN – Clinton Portis 4-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 2:45. Broncos 21–7. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 4:31.
Third quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 26-yard field goal, 7:26. Broncos 21–10. Drive: 7 plays, 54 yards, 2:51.
Fourth quarter
NE – Christian Fauria 8-yard pass from Tom Brady (pass failed), 14:55. Broncos 21–16. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 1:07.
DEN – Jason Elam 19-yard field goal, 9:45. Broncos 24–16. Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 5:10.
Top passers
DEN – Brian Griese – 18/23, 229 yards, TD, INT
NE – Tom Brady – 15/29, 130 yards, TD
Top rushers
DEN – Clinton Portis – 26 rushes, 111 yards, 2 TD
NE – Antowain Smith – 13 rushes, 58 yards, TD
Top receivers
DEN – Ed McCaffrey – 8 receptions, 116 yards
NE – Troy Brown – 7 receptions, 59 yards :

#### Week 9: at Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 7 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 38 |
| Bills | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: November 3, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Cloudy, 40 °F (4 °C)
* Game attendance: 73,448
* Referee: Dick Hantak (105)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms and Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Christian Fauria 5-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 10:27. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 4:33.
Second quarter
NE – Antowain Smith 13-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 12:54. Patriots 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 4:49.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 46-yard field goal, 3:49. Patriots 17–0. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 3:48.
BUF – Peerless Price 1-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 0:10. Patriots 17–7. Drive: 16 plays, 80 yards, 3:39.
Third quarter
NE – Kevin Faulk 45-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 7:33. Patriots 24–7. Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards, 4:08.
NE – Antowain Smith 2-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 0:54. Patriots 31–7. Drive: 11 plays, 76 yards, 5:28.
Fourth quarter
NE – Antowain Smith 14-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 6:52. Patriots 38–7. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 5:09.
Top passers
NE – Tom Brady – 22/26, 265 yards, 3 TD
BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 28/45, 302 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
NE – Antowain Smith – 29 rushes, 111 yards, TD
BUF – Travis Henry – 11 rushes, 53 yards
Top receivers
NE – David Patten – 6 receptions, 88 yards
BUF – Peerless Price – 9 receptions, 98 yards, TD :

#### Week 10: at Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 0 | 6 | 10 | 17 | 33 |
| Bears | 0 | 6 | 21 | 3 | 30 |
at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois
* Date: November 10, 2002
* Game time: 4:15 p.m.
* Game weather: Overcast, 60 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 63,105
* Referee: Bob McElwee (95)
* TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Randy Cross, and Beasley Reece
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
CHI – Paul Edinger 39-yard field goal, 14:51. Bears 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 46 yards, 7:14.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 57-yard field goal, 10:15. Tied 3–3. Drive: 10 plays, 31 yards, 4:36.
CHI – Paul Edinger 40-yard field goal, 5:31. Bears 6–3. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 4:44.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 31-yard field goal, 0:04. Tied 6–6. Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 1:24.
Third quarter
CHI – Stanley Pritchett 11-yard pass from Jim Miller (Paul Edinger kick), 12:21. Bears 13–6. Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards, 0:40.
CHI – Marcus Robinson 44-yard pass from Marty Booker (Paul Edinger kick), 10:09. Bears 20–6. Drive: 1 play, 44 yards, 0:09.
CHI – Anthony Thomas 2-yard run (Paul Edinger kick), 6:42. Bears 27–6. Drive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 0:37.
NE – Kevin Faulk 15-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 3:04. Bears 27–13. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:38.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 42–yard field goal, 1:50. Bears 27–16. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:58.
Fourth quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 25-yard field goal, 11:02. Bears 27–19. Drive: 16 plays, 54 yards, 4:44.
CHI – Paul Edinger 32-yard field goal, 5:22. Bears 30–19. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 5:40.
NE – Kevin Faulk 36-yard pass from Tom Brady (run failed), 2:46. Bears 30–25. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 2:16.
NE – David Patten 20-yard pass from Tom Brady (Tom Brady–Troy Brown pass), 0:21. Patriots 33–30. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 1:29.
Top passers
NE – Tom Brady – 36/55, 328 yards, 3 TD, INT
CHI – Jim Miller – 8/18, 72 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
NE – Antowain Smith – 10 rushes, 41 yards
CHI – Anthony Thomas – 21 rushes, 99 yards, TD
Top receivers
NE – Kevin Faulk – 7 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TD
CHI – Marty Booker – 4 receptions, 65 yards :

#### Week 11: at Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
| Raiders | 3 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
at Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland, California
* Date: November 17, 2002
* Game time: 8:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Clear, 61 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 62,552
* Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire, Joe Theismann, and Suzy Kolber
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 36-yard field goal, 9:09. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 41 yards, 5:51.
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 39-yard field goal, 0:51. Tied 3–3. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 4:13.
Second quarter
OAK – Zack Crockett 2-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 9:58. Raiders 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 5:02.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 31-yard field goal, 4:16. Raiders 10–6. Drive: 13 plays, 59 yards, 5:42.
OAK – Rich Gannon 2-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 0:52. Raiders 17–6. Drive: 2 plays, 8 yards, 0:44.
Third quarter
OAK – Zack Crockett 2-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 5:18. Raiders 24–6. Drive: 15 plays, 85 yards, 9:42.
NE – Tedy Bruschi 48-yard interception return (Adam Vinatieri kick), 1:27. Raiders 24–13.
Fourth quarter
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 28-yard field goal, 1:13. Raiders 27–13. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 2:28.
NE – Kevin Faulk 86-yard kickoff return (Adam Vinatieri kick), 0:59. Raiders 27–20. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:14.
Top passers
NE – Tom Brady – 18/30, 172 yards
OAK – Rich Gannon – 26/38, 297 yards, INT
Top rushers
NE – Antowain Smith – 15 rushes, 49 yards
OAK – Charlie Garner – 15 rushes, 57 yards
Top receivers
NE – Troy Brown – 5 receptions, 55 yards
OAK – Tim Brown – 5 receptions, 71 yards :

#### Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Patriots | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: November 24, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 pm
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 49 °F (9 °C)
* Game attendance: 68,436
* Referee: Gerald Austin (34)
* TV announcers (FOX): Kenny Albert, Tim Green, and Rob Nikoleski
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Christian Fauria 9-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 3:24. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 5:40.
Second quarter
NE – Christian Fauria 1-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 12:30. Patriots 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 3:20.
NE – Troy Brown 5-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 8:02. Patriots 21–0. Drive: 7 plays, 29 yards, 4:01.
MIN – D'Wayne Bates 6-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 0:19. Patriots 21–7. Drive: 5 plays, 61 yards, 0:50.
Third quarter
MIN – Kelly Campbell 7-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 4:45. Patriots 21–14. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 3:19.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 38-yard field goal, 14:42. Patriots 21–17. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 3:16.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 34-yard field goal, 11:09. Patriots 24–17. Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 3:33.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 24/49, 272 yards, 2 TD
NE – Tom Brady – 21/34, 239 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 5 rushes, 59 yards
NE – Antowain Smith – 18 rushes, 58 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Randy Moss – 8 receptions, 92 yards
NE – David Patten – 5 receptions, 62 yards :

#### Week 13: at Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots' | 10 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
| Lions | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Date: November 28, 2002
* Game time: 12:30 pm
* Game weather: none (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 62,109
* Referee: Larry Nemmers (20)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 31-yard field goal, 10:06. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:54.
NE – Tedy Bruschi 27-yard interception return (Adam Vinatieri kick), 9:44. Patriots 10–0.
DET – Jason Hanson 23-yard field goal, 0:08. Patriots 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 6:04.
Second quarter
NE – Antowain Smith 1-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 2:24. Patriots 17–3. Drive: 4 plays, 19 yards, 1:42.
DET – Jason Hanson 45-yard field goal, 0:30. Patriots 17–6. Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 1:54.
Third quarter
DET – Jason Hanson 39-yard field goal, 4:12. Patriots 17–9. Drive: 13 plays, 64 yards, 5:51.
Fourth quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 29-yard field goal, 13:17. Patriots 20–9. Drive: 12 plays, 64 yards, 5:55.
DET – Jason Hanson 46-yard field goal, 9:46. Patriots 20–12. Drive: 9 plays, 33 yards, 3:31.
Top passers
NE – Tom Brady – 18/30, 210 yards, INT
DET – Joey Harrington – 22/44, 210 yards, 3 INT
Top rushers
NE – Antowain Smith – 25 rushes, 80 yards, TD
DET – James Stewart – 13 rushes, 57 yards
Top receivers
NE – Troy Brown – 10 receptions, 111 yards
DET – Germane Crowell – 5 receptions, 46 yards :

#### Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 0 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 17 |
| Patriots | 17 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 27 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: December 8, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 pm
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 44 °F (7 °C)
* Game attendance: 68,436
* Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms and Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 39-yard field goal, 11:16. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 3:44.
NE – David Patten 10-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 3:35. Patriots 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 4:31.
NE – Donald Hayes 9-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 3:14. Patriots 17–0. Drive: 2 plays, 9 yards, 0:08.
Second quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 46-yard field goal, 2:31. Patriots 20–0. Drive: 12 plays, 52 yards, 7:49.
Third quarter
BUF – Mike Hollis 26-yard field goal, 7:46. Patriots 20–3. 13 plays, 72 yards, 7:14.
BUF – Eric Moulds 12-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 4:15. Patriots 20–10. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 1:53.
Fourth quarter
NE – Antowain Smith 4-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 10:06. Patriots 27–10. Drive: 7 plays, 28 yards, 3:17.
BUF – Eric Moulds 4-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 1:05. Patriots 27–17. Drive: 18 plays, 88 yards, 4:43.
Top passers
BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 32/51, 328 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT
NE – Tom Brady – 15/27, 183 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
BUF – Travis Henry – 15 rushes, 60 yards
NE – Antowain Smith – 17 rushes, 68 yards, TD
Top receivers
BUF – Peerless Price – 9 receptions, 105 yards
NE – Deion Branch – 1 reception, 41 yards :

#### Week 15: at Tennessee Titans

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Titans | 0 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
at The Coliseum, Nashville, Tennessee
* Date: December 16, 2002
* Game time: 9:00 pm
* Game weather: Cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 68,809
* Referee: Ron Winter (14)
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden, and Melissa Stark
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
Second quarter
TEN – Steve McNair 11-yard run (Joe Nedney kick), 12:16. Titans 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 6:18.
TEN – Steve McNair 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick), 0:32. Titans 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 6:48.
Third quarter
NE – Tom Brady 10-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 13:08. Titans 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 1:52.
TEN – Rich Coady 24-yard interception return (Joe Nedney kick), 9:58. Titans 21–7.
Fourth quarter
TEN – Joe Nedney 28-yard field goal, 9:22. Titans 24–7. Drive: 15 plays, 69 yards, 9:24.
Top passers
NE – Tom Brady – 14/29, 134 yards, INT
TEN – Steve McNair – 11/24, 136 yards, INT
Top rushers
NE – Antowain Smith – 6 rushes, 31 yards
TEN – Eddie George – 31 rushes, 101 yards
Top receivers
NE – Troy Brown – 8 receptions, 73 yards
TEN – Derrick Mason – 6 receptions, 86 yards :

#### Week 16: vs. New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jets | 14 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 30 |
| Patriots | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts
* Date: December 22, 2002
* Game time: 8:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 40 °F (4 °C)
* Game attendance: 68,436
* Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire, Joe Theismann, and Suzy Kolber
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NYJ – Laveranues Coles 32-yard pass from Chad Pennington (John Hall kick), 10:22. Jets 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 43 yards, 1:05.
NE – Kevin Faulk 87-yard kickoff return (Adam Vinatieri kick), 9:47. Tied 7–7. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:14.
NYJ – Santana Moss 11-yard pass from Chad Pennington (John Hall kick), 3:34. Jets 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 2:25.
Second quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 49-yard field goal, 10:20. Jets 14–10. Drive: 5 plays, 14 yards, 1:41.
NYJ – John Hall 39-yard field goal, 4:35. Jets 17–10. Drive: 12 plays, 50 yards, 5:25.
Third quarter
NE – Christian Fauria 6-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 6:25. Tied 17–17. Drive: 16 plays, 66 yards, 8:41.
NYJ – John Hall 23-yard field goal, 1:54. Jets 20–17. Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards, 2:10.
Fourth quarter
NYJ – Wayne Chrebet 15-yard pass from Chad Pennington (John Hall kick), 9:30. Jets 27–17. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 6:07.
NYJ – John Hall 43-yard field goal, 2:36. Jets 30–17. Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 4:55.
Top passers
NYJ – Chad Pennington – 23/33, 285 yards, 3 TD
NE – Tom Brady – 19/37, 133 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
NYJ – Curtis Martin – 26 rushes, 106 yards
NE – Antowain Smith – 14 rushes, 46 yards
Top receivers
NYJ – Laveranues Coles – 5 receptions, 78 yards, TD
NE – David Patten – 5 receptions, 38 yards :

#### Week 17: vs. Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Dolphins | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| Patriots | 0 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 27 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: December 29, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 40 °F (4 °C)
* Game attendance: 68,436
* Referee: Bob McElwee (95)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 8-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 3:17. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 64 yards, 1:08.
Second quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 14-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 8:52. Dolphins 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 87 yards, 5:13.
NE – Antowain Smith 11-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 2:25. Dolphins 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:00.
MIA – James McKnight 32-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 1:06. Dolphins 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 1:19.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 41-yard field goal, 0:00. Dolphins 21–10. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 1:06.
Third quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 36-yard field goal, 3:37. Dolphins 21–13. Drive: 11 plays, 45 yards, 5:03.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 28-yard field goal, 4:59. Dolphins 24–13. Drive: 6 plays, 21 yards, 2:58.
NE – Troy Brown 3-yard pass from Tom Brady (Tom Brady–Christian Fauria pass), 2:46. Dolphins 24–21. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 2:13.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 43-yard field goal, 1:09. Tied 24–24. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 1:02.
Overtime
NE – Adam Vinatieri 35-yard field goal, 12:57. Patriots 27–24. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 2:03.
Top passers
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 11/25, 110 yards, TD
NE – Tom Brady – 25/44, 221 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
MIA – Ricky Williams – 31 rushes, 185 yards, 2 TD
NE – Antowain Smith – 19 rushes, 55 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIA – Dedric Ward – 4 receptions, 34 yards
NE – Kevin Faulk – 9 receptions, 70 yards :

## Standings

AFC East :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(4)}$ New York Jets | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 6–6 | 359 | 336 | W2 |
| New England Patriots | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 6–6 | 381 | 346 | W1 |
| Miami Dolphins | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 2–4 | 7–5 | 378 | 301 | L2 |
| Buffalo Bills | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 5–7 | 379 | 397 | W1 |