# 2020 New England Patriots season

The 2020 season was the New England Patriots' 51st in the National Football League (NFL), their 61st overall, and their 21st under head coach Bill Belichick.
It was the first season since 1999 without quarterback Tom Brady on the roster, as he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady led the Patriots to nine Super Bowl appearances, winning six, and had been their primary starting quarterback from 2001 to 2019, and would go on to win Super Bowl LV with his new team, his seventh overall. The Patriots signed long-time Carolina Panthers quarterback and 2015 MVP Cam Newton on June 29, and named him the starting quarterback on September 3.
The Patriots attempted to win their 12th consecutive AFC East title and their first since 1997 without Tom Brady. However, they saw many key players opt out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns and battled numerous injuries throughout the season. They began the season 2–5, their worst record through 7 games since 2000. They failed to improve on their 12–4 record from the previous season following a Week 7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and failed to match that record following a Week 8 loss to the division rival Buffalo Bills. Following a Sunday Night win by the Bills over the Steelers in week 14, the Patriots failed to win their division for the first time since 2008, and they were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2008 with a Week 15 loss to the Dolphins, ending their winning season streak at 19. This leaves the record to the Dallas Cowboys at 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1966 to 1985. After their blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills in week 16, the New England Patriots finished the 2020 season with a losing record for the first time since 2000.
This was only the third time after 2000 the Patriots missed the playoffs and failed to win the division. With their 11-year streak of playoff appearances snapped, the Kansas City Chiefs now hold the league's longest playoff streak, making the playoffs every year since 2015. In addition, New England's streak of 10+ win seasons that dated back to their 2003 Super Bowl-winning season, which was an NFL record, also came to an end following a Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
For the season, the Patriots adopted a modified version of their Color Rush jerseys as their primary home uniform while introducing a new road uniform for the first time since 2000.
This was also the final season of Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman’s career. He played his final game in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers. He underwent precautionary surgery for a chronic knee injury and did not return for the remainder of the season. On April 12, 2021, he announced his retirement from the NFL.

## Roster changes
### Free agency
#### Unrestricted

| Position | Player | 2020 team | Date signed | Contract |
| QB | Tom Brady | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | March 20, 2020 | 2 years, $50 million |
| DE | Shilique Calhoun | New England Patriots | March 24, 2020 | 1 year, $1.5 million |
| OLB | Jamie Collins | Detroit Lions | March 25, 2020 | 3 years, $30 million |
| WR | Phillip Dorsett | Seattle Seahawks | March 30, 2020 | 1 year, $1 million |
| FS | Nate Ebner | New York Giants | March 26, 2020 | 1 year, $2 million |
| C | James Ferentz | New England Patriots | September 16, 2020 | 1 year, $825,000 |
| K | Nick Folk | New England Patriots | August 24, 2020 | 1 year, $1,05 million |
| C | Ted Karras | Miami Dolphins | March 20, 2020 | 1 year, $4 million |
| FS | Devin McCourty | New England Patriots | March 17, 2020 | 2 years, $23 million |
| OT | Marshall Newhouse | Tennessee Titans | November 27, 2020 | 1 year, $72,000 |
| MLB | Elandon Roberts | Miami Dolphins | March 24, 2020 | 1 year, $2 million |
| DT | Danny Shelton | Detroit Lions | March 24, 2020 | 2 years, $8 million |
| WR | Matthew Slater | New England Patriots | March 13, 2020 | 2 years, $5.3 million |
| G | Joe Thuney | New England Patriots | March 20, 2020 | Signed franchise tender worth 1 year, $14.8 million |
| OLB | Kyle Van Noy | Miami Dolphins | March 21, 2020 | 4 years, $51 million |

#### Restricted

| Position | Player | 2020 team | Date signed | Contract |
| DT | Adam Butler | New England Patriots | April 17, 2020 | Signed tender worth $3.3 million |
| G | Jermaine Eluemunor | New England Patriots | April 16, 2020 | Signed tender worth $2.1 million |

#### Exclusive-Rights

| Position | Player | 2020 team | Date signed | Contract |
| DE | Keionta Davis | New England Patriots | March 17, 2020 | 1 year, $675,000 |

#### Signings

| Position | Player | Previous team | Date signed | Contract |
| DT | Beau Allen | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | March 20, 2020 | 2 years, $7 million |
| S | Adrian Phillips | Los Angeles Chargers | March 21, 2020 | 2 years, $6 million |
| FB | Danny Vitale | Green Bay Packers | March 21, 2020 | 1 year, $1.3 million |
| WR | Damiere Byrd | Arizona Cardinals | March 23, 2020 | 1 year, $1.4 million |
| FS | Cody Davis | Jacksonville Jaguars | March 23, 2020 | 1 year, $1.5 million |
| OLB | Brandon Copeland | New York Jets | March 25, 2020 | 1 year, $1.1 million |
| QB | Brian Hoyer | Indianapolis Colts | March 25, 2020 | 1 year, $1.1 million |
| WR | Marqise Lee | Jacksonville Jaguars | April 28, 2020 | 1 year, $1.1 million |
| QB | Cam Newton | Carolina Panthers | July 8, 2020 | 1 year, $7.5 million |
| WR | Will Hastings | New England Patriots | July 27, 2020 | 1 year, $610,000 |
| QB | Brian Lewerke | New England Patriots | July 30, 2020 | 1 year, $610,000 |
| WR | Isaiah Zuber | New England Patriots | August 5, 2020 | 1 year, $610,000 |
| DT | Darius Kilgo | Detroit Lions | August 11, 2020 | 1 year, $825,000 |
| C | Tyler Gauthier | Jacksonville Jaguars | August 12, 2020 | 1 year, $675,000 |
| RB | Lamar Miller | Houston Texans | August 13, 2020 | 1 year, $2.55 million |
| G | Ben Braden | New York Jets | August 17, 2020 | 1 year, $675,000 |
| TE | Paul Butler | Oakland Raiders | August 17, 2020 | 1 year, $610,000 |
| TE | Alex Ellis | Philadelphia Eagles | August 17, 2020 | 1 year, $825,000 |
| TE | Paul Quessenberry | N/A | August 22, 2020 | 3 years, $2.3 million |
| DT | Xavier Williams | Kansas City Chiefs | August 22, 2020 | 1 year, $910,000 |
| WR | Andre Baccellia | Kansas City Chiefs | August 29, 2020 | 1 year, $610,000 |
* Indicates that the player was a free agent at the end of his respective team's 2019 season.

### Releases/waivers

| Position | Player | 2020 team | Date released/waived |
| K | Stephen Gostkowski | Tennessee Titans | March 23, 2020 |
| QB | Cody Kessler | | April 1, 2020 |
| DE | Keionta Davis | | April 27, 2020 |
| S | Obi Melifonwu | | April 27, 2020 |
| CB | Lenzy Pipkins | | July 25, 2020 |
| S | Malik Gant | | July 26, 2020 |
| WR | Will Hastings | | July 26, 2020 |
| QB | Brian Lewerke | | July 26, 2020 |
| S | Adarius Pickett | | July 26, 2020 |
| WR | Sean Riley | | July 26, 2020 |
| QB | J'Mar Smith | | July 26, 2020 |
| LB | Kyahva Tezino | | July 26, 2020 |
| DT | Courtney Wallace | | July 26, 2020 |
| WR | Isaiah Zuber | New England Patriots | July 26, 2020 |
| DE | Nick Coe | Miami Dolphins | August 13, 2020 |
| WR | Quincy Adeboyejo | New England Patriots | August 15, 2020 |
| TE | Alex Ellis | | August 22, 2020 |
| DT | Darius Kilgo | Denver Broncos | August 22, 2020 |
| WR | Will Hastings | | August 28, 2020 |
| DT | Michael Barnett | | September 3, 2020 |
| CB | Mike Jackson Sr. | New England Patriots | September 3, 2020 |
| WR | Mohamed Sanu | San Francisco 49ers | September 3, 2020 |
| WR | Andre Baccellia | | September 5, 2020 |
| TE | Rashod Berry | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| DE | Tashawn Bower | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| G | Ben Braden | Green Bay Packers | September 5, 2020 |
| CB | Myles Bryant | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| TE | Jake Burt | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| TE | Paul Butler | | September 5, 2020 |
| K | Nick Folk | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| C | Tyler Gauthier | Miami Dolphins | September 5, 2020 |
| LB | Terez Hall | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| LB | De'Jon Harris | Green Bay Packers | September 5, 2020 |
| QB | Brian Lewerke | | September 5, 2020 |
| LB | Cassh Maluia | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| RB | Lamar Miller | Chicago Bears | September 5, 2020 |
| DT | Bill Murray | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| TE | Paul Quessenberry | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| K | Justin Rohrwasser | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| CB | D'Angelo Ross | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| WR | Devin Ross | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| RB | J. J. Taylor | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| WR | Jeff Thomas | | September 5, 2020 |
| DE | Nick Thurman | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| DT | Xavier Williams | Cincinnati Bengals | September 5, 2020 |
| WR | Isaiah Zuber | New England Patriots | September 5, 2020 |
| LB | Cassh Maluia | New England Patriots | November 10, 2020 |
| G | Hjalte Froholdt | Houston Texans | November 21, 2020 |
| LB | Derek Rivers | Los Angeles Rams | November 21, 2020 |
| WR | Isaiah Ford | Miami Dolphins | December 5, 2020 |

### Retirements

| Position | Player | Date retired |
| TE | Benjamin Watson | March 18, 2020 |
| FB | James Develin | April 27, 2020 |
| C | Dustin Woodard | August 13, 2020 |

### Trades

* March 18: the Patriots traded safety Duron Harmon and a 2020 seventh-round selection (No. 235 overall) to the Detroit Lions in exchange for the Lions' 2020 fifth-round selection (No. 172 overall).
* April 21: the Patriots traded tight end Rob Gronkowski and a 2020 seventh-round selection (No. 241 overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for the Buccaneers' fourth-round selection (No. 139 overall).
* August 9: the Patriots traded a conditional 2022 seventh-round selection to the Detroit Lions in exchange for cornerback Mike Jackson Sr.
* November 3: the Patriots traded a 2022 seventh-round selection to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for wide receiver Isaiah Ford.

## Draft

2020 New England Patriots Draft :
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
| 2 | 37 | Kyle Dugger | S | Lenoir-Rhyne | from Los Angeles Chargers |
| 2 | 60 | Josh Uche | OLB | Michigan | from Baltimore |
| 3 | 87 | Anfernee Jennings | OLB | Alabama | |
| 3 | 91 | Devin Asiasi | TE | UCLA | from Las Vegas |
| 3 | 101 | Dalton Keene | TE | Virginia Tech | from Seattle via New York Jets |
| 5 | 159 | Justin Rohrwasser | K | Marshall | from Las Vegas |
| 6 | 182 | Michael Onwenu | G | Michigan | from Detroit via Indianapolis |
| 6 | 195 | Justin Herron | OT | Wake Forest | from Denver |
| 6 | 204 | Cassh Maluia | MLB | Wyoming | from Houston |
| 7 | 230 | Dustin Woodard | C | Memphis | from Atlanta |
Notes
* New England traded a 2020 first-round selection (No. 23 overall) to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 2020 second-round selection (No. 37 overall) and a 2020 third-round selection (No. 71 overall).
* New England traded a 2020 second-round selection (No. 55 overall) to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for wide receiver Mohamed Sanu.
* New England acquired a 2020 second-round selection (No. 60 overall) and a 2020 fourth-round selection (No. 129 overall) in exchange for two 2020 third-round selections (No. 71 overall and No. 98 overall).
* New England acquired a 2020 third-round selection (No. 91 overall) and a 2020 fifth-round selection (No. 159 overall) in exchange for a 2020 third-round selection (No. 100 overall), a 2020 fourth-round selection (No. 139 overall), and a 2020 fifth-round selection (No. 172 overall).
* New England acquired a 2020 third-round selection (No. 101 overall) in exchange for two 2020 fourth-round selections (No. 125 overall and No. 129 overall) and a 2021 sixth-round selection.
* New England acquired a 2020 fourth-round selection (No. 125 overall) as part of a trade that sent their 2019 third- and sixth-round selections to the Chicago Bears.
* New England acquired a 2020 fourth-round selection (No. 139 overall) as part of a trade that sent tight end Rob Gronkowski and a 2020 seventh-round selection (No. 241 overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
* New England traded a 2020 fourth-round selection (No. 129 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor and a 2020 sixth-round selection (No. 207 overall).
* New England traded a 2020 fifth-round selection (No. 168 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2020 seventh-round selection (No. 235 overall) and defensive lineman Michael Bennett.
* New England acquired a 2020 fifth-round selection (No. 172 overall) as a part of a trade that sent safety Duron Harmon and a 2020 seventh-round selection (No. 235 overall) to the Detroit Lions.
* New England acquired a 2020 sixth-round selection (No. 182 overall) as part of a trade that sent two 2020 sixth-round selections (No. 212 overall and No. 213 overall) to the Indianapolis Colts.
* New England acquired a 2020 sixth-round selection (No. 195 overall) as part of a trade that sent cornerback Duke Dawson and a 2020 seventh-round selection (No. 237 overall) to the Denver Broncos.
* New England traded a 2020 sixth-round selection (No. 202 overall) to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for offensive tackle Korey Cunningham.
* New England acquired a 2020 sixth-round selection (No. 204 overall) as part of a trade that sent cornerback Keion Crossen to the Houston Texans.
* New England traded a 2020 sixth-round selection (No. 207 overall) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for center Russell Bodine.
* New England acquired a 2020 seventh-round selection (No. 230 overall) as part of a trade that sent safety Jordan Richards to the Atlanta Falcons.
* New England acquired a 2020 seventh-round selection (No. 241 overall) as part of a trade that sent tight end Jacob Hollister to the Seattle Seahawks. As the result of the negative differential of free agent signings and departures that the Patriots experienced during the first wave of the 2019 free agency period, the team received the league-maximum four compensatory selections for the 2020 draft. Free agent transactions that occurred after May 7, 2019 did not factor into the team's formula for determining compensatory selections.

### Undrafted free agents

| Position | Player | Date signed |
| TE | Rashod Berry | May 5, 2020 |
| CB | Myles Bryant | May 5, 2020 |
| TE | Jake Burt | May 5, 2020 |
| DE | Nick Coe | May 5, 2020 |
| LB | De'Jon Harris | May 5, 2020 |
| WR | Will Hastings | May 5, 2020 |
| QB | Brian Lewerke | May 5, 2020 |
| DT | Bill Murray | May 5, 2020 |
| WR | Sean Riley | May 5, 2020 |
| QB | J'Mar Smith | May 5, 2020 |
| RB | J. J. Taylor | May 5, 2020 |
| LB | Kyahva Tezino | May 5, 2020 |
| WR | Jeff Thomas | May 5, 2020 |
| DT | Courtney Wallace | May 5, 2020 |
| WR | Isaiah Zuber | May 5, 2020 |
| DT | Michael Barnett | August 24, 2020 |

## Preseason

The Patriots' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
| 1 | August 13 | Detroit Lions | Gillette Stadium | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2 | August 20 | Carolina Panthers | Gillette Stadium | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 3 | August 27 | at Philadelphia Eagles | Lincoln Financial Field | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 4 | September 3 | at New York Giants | MetLife Stadium | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |

## Regular season
### Schedule

The Patriots' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | September 13 | Miami Dolphins | W 21–11 | 1–0 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | September 20 | at Seattle Seahawks | L 30–35 | 1–1 | CenturyLink Field | Recap |
| 3 | September 27 | Las Vegas Raiders | W 36–20 | 2–1 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | October 5 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 10–26 | 2–2 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap |
| 5 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 6 | October 18 | Denver Broncos | L 12–18 | 2–3 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 7 | October 25 | San Francisco 49ers | L 6–33 | 2–4 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 8 | November 1 | at Buffalo Bills | L 21–24 | 2–5 | Bills Stadium | Recap |
| 9 | November 9 | at New York Jets | W 30–27 | 3–5 | MetLife Stadium | Recap |
| 10 | November 15 | Baltimore Ravens | W 23–17 | 4–5 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 11 | November 22 | at Houston Texans | L 20–27 | 4–6 | NRG Stadium | Recap |
| 12 | November 29 | Arizona Cardinals | W 20–17 | 5–6 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 13 | December 6 | at Los Angeles Chargers | W 45–0 | 6–6 | SoFi Stadium | Recap |
| 14 | December 10 | at Los Angeles Rams | L 3–24 | 6–7 | SoFi Stadium | Recap |
| 15 | December 20 | at Miami Dolphins | L 12–22 | 6–8 | Hard Rock Stadium | Recap |
| 16 | December 28 | Buffalo Bills | L 9–38 | 6–9 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 17 | January 3 | New York Jets | W 28–14 | 7–9 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 11 |
| Patriots | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: September 13
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Adrian Hill
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson and Gene Steratore
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
NE – Cam Newton 4-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 13:12 Patriots 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:11.
MIA – Jason Sanders 46-yard field goal, 3:53 Patriots 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 5:16.
Third quarter
NE – Cam Newton 11-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 10:14 Patriots 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:46.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Jordan Howard 1-yard run (Ryan Fitzpatrick run), 10:31 Patriots 14–11. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:23.
NE – Sony Michel 1-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 5:23 Patriots 21–11. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:08.
Top passers
MIA – Ryan Fitzpatrick – 20/30, 191 yards, 3 INT
NE – Cam Newton – 15/19, 155 yards
Top rushers
MIA – Myles Gaskin – 9 rushes, 40 yards
NE – Cam Newton – 15 rushes, 75 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
MIA – DeVante Parker – 4 receptions, 47 yards
NE – Julian Edelman – 5 receptions, 57 yards :
This was the Patriots' first game without longtime quarterback Tom Brady since October 2, 2016, and their first without Brady on the roster since January 2, 2000. Nonetheless, new starting quarterback Cam Newton performed admirably, finishing with a 79% completion percentage and leading a rush-heavy offensive attack with 75 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground, as the Patriots finished with 217 rushing yards overall. With the win, New England opened the season at 1–0.

#### Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 7 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 30 |
| Seahawks | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 35 |
at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
* Date: September 20
* Game time: 8:20 p.m. EDT/5:20 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Craig Wrolstad
* TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya and Terry McAulay
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Devin McCourty 43-yard interception return (Nick Folk kick), 13:39. Patriots 7–0.
SEA – Tyler Lockett 4-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Jason Myers kick), 5:27. Tied 7–7. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 8:12.
Second quarter
NE – Cam Newton 1-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 13:59. Patriots 14–7. Drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 6:28.
SEA – DK Metcalf 54-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Jason Myers kick), 6:57. Tied 14–14. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:51.
Third quarter
NE – Nick Folk 25-yard field goal, 10:12. Patriots 17–14. Drive: 13 plays, 68 yards, 4:48.
SEA – David Moore 38-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Jason Myers kick), 7:04. Seahawks 21–17. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:08.
SEA – Freddie Swain 21-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Jason Myers kick), 2:00. Seahawks 28–17. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:30.
Fourth quarter
NE – Jakob Johnson 1-yard pass from Cam Newton (run failed), 14:14. Seahawks 28–23. Drive: 6 plays, 77 yards, 2:46.
SEA – Chris Carson 18-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Jason Myers kick), 4:32. Seahawks 35–23. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:24.
NE – Cam Newton 1-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 2:16. Seahawks 35–30. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:16.
Top passers
NE – Cam Newton – 30/44, 397 yards, TD, INT
SEA – Russell Wilson – 21/28, 288 yards, 5 TD, INT
Top rushers
NE – Cam Newton – 11 rushes, 47 yards, 2 TD
SEA – Chris Carson – 17 rushes, 72 yards
Top receivers
NE – Julian Edelman – 8 receptions, 179 yards
SEA – DK Metcalf – 4 receptions, 92 yards, TD :
A competitive matchup versus the Seahawks on Sunday Night Football saw Seattle pull away during the third quarter, though the Patriots offense kept pace in the fourth quarter. A potential game-winning drive by the Patriots was snuffed out when Cam Newton, who passed for nearly 400 yards, was stuffed short of the goal line on a quarterback keeper in the final seconds of the game. This was New England's third loss in four career meetings with former Patriots head coach Pete Carroll. It was also Newton's sixth loss in eight career games against the Seahawks.

#### Week 3: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Raiders | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Patriots | 0 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 36 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: September 27
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), partly cloudy
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Ronald Torbert
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson and Gene Steratore
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
LV – Daniel Carlson 29-yard field goal, 0:20. Raiders 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:35.
Second quarter
NE – Nick Folk 33-yard field goal, 12:32. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 2:46.
NE – Nick Folk 23-yard field goal, 7:56. Patriots 6–3. Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 4:06.
NE – Rex Burkhead 11-yard pass from Cam Newton (Nick Folk kick), 0:34. Patriots 13–3. Drive: 12 plays, 86 yards, 5:04.
LV – Foster Moreau 1-yard pass from Derek Carr (Daniel Carlson kick), 0:06. Patriots 13–10. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 0:28.
Third quarter
NE – Rex Burkhead 5-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 6:41. Patriots 20–10. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 4:02.
NE – Nick Folk 32-yard field goal, 1:28. Patriots 23–10. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:36.
Fourth quarter
LV – Daniel Carlson 25-yard field goal, 11:22. Patriots 23–13. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 5:06.
NE – Rex Burkhead 2-yard run (kick failed), 5:17. Patriots 29–13. Drive: 10 plays, 86 yards, 6:05.
NE – Deatrich Wise 0-yard fumble recovery in end zone (Nick Folk kick), 5:09. Patriots 36–13.
LV – Hunter Renfrow 13-yard pass from Derek Carr (Daniel Carlson kick), 1:54. Patriots 36–20. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:15.
Top passers
LV – Derek Carr – 24/32, 261 yards, 2 TD
NE – Cam Newton – 17/28, 162 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
LV – Josh Jacobs – 16 rushes, 71 yards
NE – Sony Michel – 9 rushes, 117 yards
Top receivers
LV – Hunter Renfrow – 6 receptions, 84 yards, TD
NE – Rex Burkhead – 7 receptions, 49 yards, TD :
Running back Rex Burkhead scored three touchdowns in a blowout win over the previously undefeated Raiders with the Patriots rushing for 250 yards; the game was Belichick's 275th career win with the Patriots.

#### Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Chiefs | 6 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 26 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: October 5
* Game time: 7:05 p.m. EDT/6:05 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Clear, 73 °F (23 °C)
* Game attendance: 12,729
* Referee: Tony Corrente
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson and Gene Steratore
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
KC – Harrison Butker 23-yard field goal, 10:08. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:52.
KC – Harrison Butker 39-yard field goal, 0:13. Chiefs 6–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:25.
Second quarter
NE – Nick Folk 43-yard field goal, 9:31. Chiefs 6–3. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 5:20.
Third quarter
KC – Tyreek Hill 6-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker kick), 0:42. Chiefs 13–3. Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 3:10.
Fourth quarter
NE – N'Keal Harry 4-yard pass from Jarrett Stidham (Nick Folk kick), 13:45. Chiefs 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:57.
KC – Mecole Hardman 6-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes (kick failed), 8:57. Chiefs 19–10. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:48.
KC – Tyrann Mathieu 25-yard interception return (Harrison Butker kick), 8:48. Chiefs 26–10.
Top passers
NE – Brian Hoyer – 15/24, 130 yards, INT
KC – Patrick Mahomes – 29/39, 236 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
NE – Damien Harris – 17 rushes, 100 yards
KC – Clyde Edwards-Helaire – 16 rushes, 64 yards
Top receivers
NE – Damiere Byrd – 5 receptions, 80 yards
KC – Travis Kelce – 3 receptions, 70 yards :
The game was postponed to Monday night after Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19. With Newton out, backup quarterback Brian Hoyer made the start for the Patriots. A low-scoring defensive affair in the first half saw the New England defense shut down Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes for much of the half, though the Patriots offense was likewise ineffective, with Hoyer taking a sack on the last play of the first half that prevented a potential game-tying field goal. Mahomes and the Chiefs offense came to life late in the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns on back-to-back drives as Hoyer was benched for Jarrett Stidham, who threw his first career touchdown but also two interceptions, including a pick-six to Tyrann Mathieu that all but sealed the game and dropped New England to 2–2.

#### Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Broncos | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 18 |
| Patriots | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 12 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: October 18
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Sunny, 58 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Scott Novak
* TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DEN – Brandon McManus 45-yard field goal, 13:02. Broncos 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 1:58.
DEN – Brandon McManus 44-yard field goal, 8:05. Broncos 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:27.
Second quarter
DEN – Brandon McManus 27-yard field goal, 12:13. Broncos 9–0. Drive: 13 plays, 83 yards, 5:54.
NE – Nick Folk 41-yard field goal, 5:20. Broncos 9–3. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 6:53.
DEN – Brandon McManus 52-yard field goal, 0:19. Broncos 12–3. Drive: 12 plays, 48 yards, 5:01.
Third quarter
DEN – Brandon McManus 20-yard field goal, 3:32. Broncos 15–3. Drive: 15 plays, 83 yards, 9:07.
DEN – Brandon McManus 54-yard field goal, 0:37. Broncos 18–3. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:31.
Fourth quarter
NE – Cam Newton 1-yard run (run failed), 8:31. Broncos 18–9. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 1:43.
NE – Nick Folk 38-yard field goal, 3:23. Broncos 18–12. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:52.
Top passers
DEN – Drew Lock – 10/24, 189 yards, 2 INT
NE – Cam Newton – 17/25, 157 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
DEN – Phillip Lindsay – 23 rushes, 101 yards
NE – Cam Newton – 10 rushes, 76 yards, TD
Top receivers
DEN – Tim Patrick – 4 receptions, 101 yards
NE – James White – 8 receptions, 65 yards :
Despite scoring the game's only touchdown, this was the Patriots' first home loss to Denver in 14 years as they fell below .500, the first time they failed to be above .500 following Week 6 since 2002. In addition, it was the first time the Patriots lost without giving up a touchdown in the Bill Belichick era.

#### Week 7: vs. San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| 49ers | 7 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 33 |
| Patriots | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: October 25
* Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Cloudy, 49 °F (9 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Shawn Smith
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
SF – Jeff Wilson 3-yard run (Robbie Gould kick), 9:56. 49ers 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:04.
Second quarter
NE – Nick Folk 40-yard field goal, 14:56. 49ers 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 2:06.
SF – Robbie Gould 41-yard field goal, 9:00. 49ers 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 5:56.
SF – Kyle Juszczyk 4-yard run (kick failed), 6:23. 49ers 16–3. Drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 2:23.
SF – Jeff Wilson 16-yard run (Robbie Gould kick), 0:59. 49ers 23–3. Drive: 7 plays, 84 yards, 3:43.
Third quarter
NE – Nick Folk 41-yard field goal, 10:48. 49ers 23–6. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 4:12.
SF – Jeff Wilson 7-yard run (Robbie Gould kick), 7:32. 49ers 30–6. Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 3:16.
Fourth quarter
SF – Robbie Gould 32-yard field goal, 13:27. 49ers 33–6. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 6:20.
Top passers
SF – Jimmy Garoppolo – 20/25, 277 yards, 2 INT
NE – Cam Newton – 9/15, 98 yards, 3 INT
Top rushers
SF – Jeff Wilson – 17 rushes, 112 yards, 3 TD
NE – Damien Harris – 10 rushes, 58 yards
Top receivers
SF – Brandon Aiyuk – 6 receptions, 115 yards
NE – Jakobi Meyers – 4 receptions, 60 yards :
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo made his first return to New England since the Patriots traded him to the 49ers in October 2017. Garoppolo played for the Patriots from 2014 to 2017 and was part of their 2014 and 2016 Super Bowl-winning teams. This was the Patriots' worst home loss in the Belichick era and their worst loss since their 2003 season opener versus the Buffalo Bills, where they were shut out 31–0. It was also the Patriots' first time losing three games in a row since 2002. This was also the final game of Julian Edelman’s career, as he would undergo a precautionary procedure to address his chronic injury, land on the IR, and miss the final 10 games of the season. He announced his retirement on April 12, 2021.

#### Week 8: at Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 0 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 21 |
| Bills | 7 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 24 |
at Bills Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: November 1
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Rain, 41 °F (5 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Clete Blakeman
* TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
BUF – Zack Moss 8-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 5:29. Bills 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 5:10.
Second quarter
NE – Nick Folk 43-yard field goal, 10:50. Bills 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 4:10.
NE – Nick Folk 33-yard field goal, 0:08. Bills 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 1:30.
Third quarter
BUF – Zack Moss 4-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 12:09. Bills 14–6. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:51.
NE – Damien Harris 22-yard run (Cam Newton-Jakobi Meyers pass), 3:03. Tied 14–14. Drive: 5 plays, 37 yards, 2:49.
Fourth quarter
BUF – Josh Allen 2-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 13:12. Bills 21–14. Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 4:51.
NE – Cam Newton 2-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 9:36. Tied 21–21. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 3:36.
BUF – Tyler Bass 28-yard field goal, 4:06. Bills 24–21. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 5:30.
Top passers
NE – Cam Newton – 15/25, 174 yards
BUF – Josh Allen – 11/18, 154 yards, INT
Top rushers
NE – Damien Harris – 16 rushes, 102 yards, TD
BUF – Devin Singletary – 14 rushes, 86 yards
Top receivers
NE – Jakobi Meyers – 6 receptions, 58 yards
BUF – Stefon Diggs – 6 receptions, 92 yards :
A game that featured strong rushing performances by both teams was played down to the wire. As the Patriots were driving down the field for a score to win or tie the game down 24–21 in the last two minutes, Bills defensive tackle Justin Zimmer forced Cam Newton to fumble at the Buffalo 14-yard line, sealing the loss for New England. This was the Patriots' first loss to the Bills in four years; also their first road loss to them since the Pats' 2011 AFC Championship season. The Patriots also began the season 2–5 for the first time since 2000.

#### Week 9: at New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 7 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 30 |
| Jets | 3 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 27 |
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: November 9
* Game time: 8:15 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Clear, 61 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Alex Kemp
* TV announcers (ESPN): Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John Parry
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NYJ – Sergio Castillo 35-yard field goal, 8:33. Jets 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 6:27.
NE – Cam Newton 5-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 3:34. Patriots 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:59.
Second quarter
NYJ – Breshad Perriman 50-yard pass from Joe Flacco (Sergio Castillo kick), 9:59. Jets 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 93 yards, 2:44.
NYJ – Sergio Castillo 50-yard field goal, 4:33. Jets 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 1:40.
NE – Nick Folk 45-yard field goal, 1:03. Jets 13–10. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 3:30.
NYJ – Jamison Crowder 50-yard pass from Joe Flacco (Sergio Castillo kick), 0:25. Jets 20–10. Drive: 2 plays, 77 yards, 0:38.
Third quarter
NE – Rex Burkhead 1-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 7:27. Jets 20–17. Drive: 13 plays, 78 yards, 7:33.
NYJ – Breshad Perriman 15-yard pass from Joe Flacco (Sergio Castillo kick), 0:30. Jets 27–17. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:57.
Fourth quarter
NE – Nick Folk 29-yard field goal, 6:04. Jets 27–20. Drive: 17 plays, 58 yards, 9:26.
NE – Cam Newton 1-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 1:57. Tied 27–27. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 3:53.
NE – Nick Folk 51-yard field goal, 0:00. Patriots 30–27. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 0:47.
Top passers
NE – Cam Newton – 27/35, 274 yards
NYJ – Joe Flacco – 18/25, 262 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers
NE – Damien Harris – 14 rushes, 71 yards
NYJ – Frank Gore – 12 rushes, 46 yards
Top receivers
NE – Jakobi Meyers – 12 receptions, 169 yards
NYJ – Breshad Perriman – 5 receptions, 101 yards, 2 TD :
Against the winless Jets, the Patriots fell behind 20–10 by halftime, but mounted a comeback, limiting the Jets to just four plays in the fourth quarter. Nick Folk's game-winning 51 yard field goal as time expired ended the Patriots' four-game losing streak, got them their first road win of the year and their 9th win over the Jets since 2015. New England improved to 3–5 with the win and began 3–5 for the first time since 1994.

#### Week 10: vs. Baltimore Ravens

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Ravens | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Patriots | 0 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 23 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: November 15
* Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Rain, 52 °F (11 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Shawn Hochuli
* TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya and Terry McAulay
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
BAL – Willie Snead 6-yard pass from Lamar Jackson (Justin Tucker kick), 14:54. Ravens 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 94 yards, 8:04.
NE – Rex Burkhead 7-yard pass from Cam Newton (Nick Folk kick), 11:46. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:08.
BAL – Justin Tucker 24-yard field goal, 5:32. Ravens 10–7. Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 6:14.
NE – Rex Burkhead 24-yard pass from Jakobi Meyers (kick failed, wide left), 1:02. Patriots 13–10. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:30.
Third quarter
NE – Cam Newton 4-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 13:17. Patriots 20–10. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:43.
NE – Nick Folk 20-yard field goal, 6:24. Patriots 23–10. Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 3:16.
BAL – Willie Snead 18-yard pass from Lamar Jackson (Justin Tucker kick), 0:08. Patriots 23–17. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:16.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
BAL – Lamar Jackson – 24/34, 249 yards, 2 TD, INT
NE – Cam Newton – 13/17, 118 yards, TD
Top rushers
BAL – Lamar Jackson – 11 rushes, 55 yards
NE – Damien Harris – 22 rushes, 121 yards
Top receivers
BAL – Jakobi Meyers – 5 receptions, 59 yards
NE – Willie Snead – 5 receptions, 64 yards, 2 TD :
In the rain, the Patriots were able to sneak out a 23–17 win against the previously 6-2 Ravens. With the win, the Patriots improved to 4–5, and this was their first winning streak this season. They also began 4-5 for the first time since 1988.

#### Week 11: at Houston Texans

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| Texans | 7 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 27 |
at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
* Date: November 22
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 79 °F (26 °C) (retractable roof open)
* Game attendance: 12,503
* Referee: John Hussey
* TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and AJ Ross
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Damien Harris 9-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 6:52. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 5:32.
HOU – Randall Cobb 3-yard pass from Deshaun Watson (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 3:36. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 3:16.
Second quarter
NE – Nick Folk 45-yard field goal, 8:32. Patriots 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 5:05.
HOU – Deshaun Watson 4-yard run (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 3:54. Texans 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:38.
HOU – Keke Coutee 6-yard pass from Deshaun Watson (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 0:10. Texans 21–10. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 2:10.
Third quarter
NE – Damiere Byrd 42-yard pass from Cam Newton (Nick Folk kick), 8:14. Texans 21–17. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 2:43.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 36-yard field goal, 2:04. Texans 24–17. Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 6:10.
Fourth quarter
NE – Nick Folk 36-yard field goal, 7:39. Texans 24–20. Drive: 16 plays, 65 yards, 9:25.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 46-yard field goal, 4:11. Texans 27–20. Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 3:28.
Top passers
NE – Cam Newton – 26/40, 365 yards, TD
HOU – Deshaun Watson – 28/37, 344 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
NE – Damien Harris – 11 rushes, 43 yards, TD
HOU – Deshaun Watson – 6 rushes, 36 yards, TD
Top receivers
NE – Damiere Byrd – 6 receptions, 132 yards, TD
HOU – Brandin Cooks – 4 receptions, 85 yards :
Cam Newton's last-second Hail Mary was not enough as the Patriots suffered their second straight loss to the Texans. Their two-game win streak ended as they fell to 4–6, their first 4–6 start since 1994. They also lost 6 games in a season for the first time since 2009.

#### Week 12: vs. Arizona Cardinals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 10 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Patriots | 0 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 20 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: November 29
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Sunny, 52 °F (11 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Bill Vinovich
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Kenyan Drake 1-yard run (Zane Gonzalez kick), 12:09. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 23 yards, 1:29.
ARI – Zane Gonzalez 47-yard field goal, 1:49. Cardinals 10–0. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 5:24.
Second quarter
NE – James White 7-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 14:15. Cardinals 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:34.
Third quarter
NE – Nick Folk 22-yard field goal, 7:46. Tied 10–10. Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 3:57.
NE – James White 1-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 3:30. Patriots 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 2:51.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Kenyan Drake 1-yard run (Zane Gonzalez kick), 8:02. Tied 17–17. Drive: 16 plays, 80 yards, 7:19.
NE – Nick Folk 50-yard field goal, 0:00. Patriots 20–17. Drive: 7 plays, 33 yards, 1:47.
Top passers
ARI – Kyler Murray – 23/34, 170 yards, INT
NE – Cam Newton – 9/18, 84 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
ARI – Kenyan Drake – 22 rushes, 78 yards, 2 TD
NE – Damien Harris – 14 rushes, 47 yards
Top receivers
ARI – DeAndre Hopkins – 5 receptions, 55 yards
NE – Jakobi Meyers – 5 receptions, 52 yards :
Nick Folk's last-second 50-yard field goal improved the Patriots to a 5–6 start for the first time since 1994 and increased their home win streak to two games.

#### Week 13: at Los Angeles Chargers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 7 | 21 | 7 | 10 | 45 |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
* Date: December 6
* Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/1:25 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Clear, 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Carl Cheffers
* TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Amanda Balionis
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Cam Newton 1-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 7:50. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 7:10.
Second quarter
NE – Gunner Olszewski 70-yard punt return (Nick Folk kick), 14:02. Patriots 14–0.
NE – Cam Newton 2-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 0:51. Patriots 21–0. Drive: 16 plays, 54 yards, 5:41.
NE – Devin McCourty 44-yard return of blocked field goal (Nick Folk kick), 0:00. Patriots 28–0.
Third quarter
NE – N'Keal Harry 5-yard pass from Cam Newton (Nick Folk kick), 8:44. Patriots 35–0. Drive: 7 plays, 32 yards, 3:38.
Fourth quarter
NE – Nick Folk 32-yard field goal, 11:21. Patriots 38–0. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 2:04.
NE – Gunner Olszewski 38-yard pass from Jarrett Stidham (Nick Folk kick), 6:50. Patriots 45–0. Drive: 4 plays, 61 yards, 1:23.
Top passers
NE – Cam Newton – 12/19, 69 yards, TD
LAC – Justin Herbert – 26/53, 209 yards
Top rushers
NE – Damien Harris – 16 rushes, 80 yards
LAC – Austin Ekeler – 8 rushes, 36 yards
Top receivers
NE – Gunner Olszewski – 1 reception, 38 yards, TD
LAC – Keenan Allen – 5 receptions, 48 yards :
With the blowout win, the Patriots improve to 6-6 and were now at an even .500. This was only their second road win this season.

#### Week 14: at Los Angeles Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Rams | 10 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
* Date: December 10
* Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST/5:20 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Clear, 60 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Craig Wrolstad
* TV announcers (Fox/NFLN/Amazon Prime): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
LAR – Jared Goff 1-yard run (Matt Gay kick), 11:21. Rams 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:39.
LAR – Matt Gay 35-yard field goal, 5:16. Rams 10–0. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 4:25.
Second quarter
LAR – Kenny Young 79-yard interception return (Matt Gay kick), 14:46. Rams 17–0.
NE – Nick Folk 29-yard field goal, 1:04. Rams 17–3. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 3:36.
Third quarter
LAR – Cooper Kupp 2-yard pass from Jared Goff (Matt Gay kick), 1:33. Rams 24–3. Drive: 16 plays, 90 yards, 9:42.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
NE – Cam Newton – 9/16, 119 yards, INT
LAR – Jared Goff – 16/25, 137 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
NE – Damien Harris – 11 rushes, 50 yards
LAR – Cam Akers – 29 rushes, 171 yards
Top receivers
NE – Damiere Byrd – 5 receptions, 48 yards
LAR – Tyler Higbee – 5 receptions, 33 yards, TD :
With the loss, the Patriots dropped below .500 again as they fell to 6–7, losing at least 7 games for the first time since 2002 and beginning 6-7 for the first time since 1987. This was also the Patriots' first loss to the Rams since their 2001 Super Bowl-winning season.
Despite 4 red zone trips, the Patriots’ only score came from a Nick Folk field goal; their three points scored were the lowest the Patriots have scored in a game since a 2016 Week 4 shutout against the Buffalo Bills. This was also their fewest points scored in a game in which their first-string quarterback made a start, since a 2006 shutout loss against the Miami Dolphins (Brady was serving his four-game suspension in that 2016 loss against the Bills).
In addition, with the Bills beating the Steelers later on NBC Sunday Night Football, the Patriots failed to win the AFC East for the first time since 2008.

#### Week 15: at Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| Dolphins | 0 | 0 | 7 | 15 | 22 |
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: December 20
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 79 °F (26 °C)
* Game attendance: 13,354
* Referee: Brad Allen
* TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
NE – Nick Folk 45-yard field goal, 8:55. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 6:10.
NE – Nick Folk 36-yard field goal, 4:19. Patriots 6–0. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 2:32.
Third quarter
MIA – Salvon Ahmed 1-yard run (Jason Sanders kick), 10:32. Dolphins 7–6. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:28.
NE – Nick Folk 45-yard field goal, 4:23. Patriots 9–7. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 3:16.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Tua Tagovailoa 3-yard run (Tua Tagovailoa–Salvon Ahmed pass), 12:55. Dolphins 15–7. Drive: 14 plays, 90 yards, 6:25.
NE – Nick Folk 42-yard field goal, 9:07. Dolphins 15–12. Drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 3:52.
MIA – Tua Tagovailoa 1-yard run (Jason Sanders kick), 3:17. Dolphins 22–12. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:46.
Top passers
NE – Cam Newton – 17/27, 209 yards
MIA – Tua Tagovailoa – 20/26, 145 yards, INT
Top rushers
NE – Sony Michel – 10 rushes, 74 yards
MIA – Salvon Ahmed – 23 rushes, 122 yards, TD
Top receivers
NE – Jakobi Meyers – 7 receptions, 111 yards
MIA – Durham Smythe – 5 receptions, 40 yards :
With the loss, the Patriots were eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and were ensured a non-winning season for the first time since 2000. During the 2nd quarter, cornerback and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore suffered a partially torn quad that would cause him to miss the remainder of the season. Quarterback Cam Newton also lost to the Dolphins for the first time in his 9-year career. It was the team's first 6–8 start since 1971. They also finished 2-6 on the road.

#### Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 3 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
| Patriots | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: December 28
* Game time: 8:15 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Clear, 41 °F (5 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Ronald Torbert
* TV announcers (ESPN/ABC): Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Laura Rutledge and John Parry
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Nick Folk 45-yard field goal, 12:44. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:16.
BUF – Tyler Bass 22-yard field goal, 6:43. Tied 3–3. Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 6:01.
Second quarter
BUF – Zack Moss 5-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 14:50. Bills 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 70 yards, 5:28.
NE – Cam Newton 9-yard run (kick failed), 10:39. Bills 10–9. Drive: 9 plays, 90 yards, 4:11.
BUF – Lee Smith 4-yard pass from Josh Allen (Tyler Bass kick), 5:32. Bills 17–9. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:07.
BUF – Stefon Diggs 50-yard pass from Josh Allen (Tyler Bass kick), 3:55. Bills 24–9. Drive: 3 plays, 67 yards, 0:47.
Third quarter
BUF – Stefon Diggs 18-yard pass from Josh Allen (Tyler Bass kick), 11:28. Bills 31–9. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:32.
Fourth quarter
BUF – Stefon Diggs 8-yard pass from Josh Allen (Tyler Bass kick), 13:16. Bills 38–9. Drive: 10 plays, 95 yards, 7:25.
Top passers
BUF – Josh Allen – 27/36, 320 yards, 4 TD
NE – Jarrett Stidham – 4/11, 44 yards
Top rushers
BUF – Zack Moss – 12 rushes, 57 yards, TD
NE – Sony Michel – 10 rushes, 69 yards
Top receivers
BUF – Stefon Diggs – 9 receptions, 145 yards, 3 TD
NE – Jakobi Meyers – 4 receptions, 45 yards :
With the loss, the Patriots suffer their first losing record since 2000, and have been swept by the Bills for the first time since 1999 as well as for the first time under Bill Belichick's tenure. This is also the first time since 2000 a division rival swept New England. The 29 point home loss is the worst in the Bill Belichick era, and the 2nd worst loss overall (Buffalo won 31–0 in Week 1 of the 2003 season in then-Ralph Wilson Stadium).

#### Week 17: vs. New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jets | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Patriots | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: January 3, 2021
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 33 °F (1 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Brad Rogers
* TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy and Jay Feely
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – James White 7-yard pass from Cam Newton (Nick Folk kick), 11:26. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 84 yards, 3:37.
Second quarter
NYJ – Chris Herndon 21-yard pass from Sam Darnold (Chase McLaughlin kick), 1:40. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:07.
Third quarter
NYJ – Josh Adams 1-yard run (Chase McLaughlin kick), 11:40. Jets 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:20.
NE – Cam Newton 19-yard pass from Jakobi Meyers (Nick Folk kick), 2:22. Tied 14–14. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 4:45.
Fourth quarter
NE – Devin Asiasi 26-yard pass from Cam Newton (Nick Folk kick), 13:56. Patriots 21–14. Drive: 4 plays, 45 yards, 1:13.
NE – Sony Michel 31-yard pass from Cam Newton (Nick Folk kick), 11:42. Patriots 28–14. Drive: 2 plays, 57 yards, 0:29.
Top passers
NYJ – Sam Darnold – 23/34, 266 yards, TD, 2 INT
NE – Cam Newton – 21/30, 242 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
NYJ – Josh Adams – 11 rushes, 47 yards, TD
NE – Cam Newton – 11 rushes, 79 yards
Top receivers
NYJ – Breshad Perriman – 3 receptions, 84 yards
NE – Jakobi Meyers – 6 receptions, 68 yards :
The Patriots completed their fifth straight season-sweep of the Jets, and won 10 in a row in the rivalry. New England also avoided a double digit loss season, something that has not happened since 2000.

### Standings
#### Division

AFC East :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(2)}$ Buffalo Bills | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 6–0 | 10–2 | 501 | 375 | W6 |
| Miami Dolphins | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 7–5 | 404 | 338 | L1 |
| New England Patriots | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 6–6 | 326 | 353 | W1 |
| New York Jets | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 0–6 | 1–11 | 243 | 457 | L1 |

#### Conference

AFCvte :
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
| Division leaders ||||||||||||
| 1 | Kansas City Chiefs | West | 14 | 2 | 0 | .875 | 4–2 | 10–2 | .465 | .464 | L1 |
| 2 | Buffalo Bills | East | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 6–0 | 10–2 | .512 | .471 | W6 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh Steelers | North | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 4–2 | 9–3 | .475 | .448 | L1 |
| 4 | Tennessee Titans | South | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .475 | .398 | W1 |
| Wild Cards ||||||||||||
| 5 | Baltimore Ravens | North | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .494 | .401 | W5 |
| 6 | Cleveland Browns | North | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .451 | .406 | W1 |
| 7 | Indianapolis Colts | South | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .443 | .384 | W1 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason ||||||||||||
| 8 | Miami Dolphins | East | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .467 | .347 | L1 |
| 9 | Las Vegas Raiders | West | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .539 | .477 | W1 |
| 10 | New England Patriots | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .527 | .429 | W1 |
| 11 | Los Angeles Chargers | West | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .482 | .344 | W4 |
| 12 | Denver Broncos | West | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .566 | .388 | L3 |
| 13 | Cincinnati Bengals | North | 4 | 11 | 1 | .281 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .529 | .438 | L1 |
| 14 | Houston Texans | South | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .541 | .219 | L5 |
| 15 | New York Jets | East | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 0–6 | 1–11 | .594 | .656 | L1 |
| 16 | Jacksonville Jaguars | South | 1 | 15 | 0 | .063 | 1–5 | 1–11 | .549 | .688 | L15 |
| Tiebreakers ||||||||||||
| 1 2 Tennessee finished ahead of Indianapolis in the AFC South based on division record. 1 2 Baltimore claimed the No. 5 seed over Indianapolis based on head-to-head victory. Division tiebreaker used to eliminate Cleveland (see below). 1 2 Baltimore claimed the No. 5 seed over Cleveland based on head-to-head sweep. 1 2 Cleveland claimed the No. 6 seed over Indianapolis based on head-to-head victory. 1 2 New England finished ahead of the LA Chargers based on head-to-head victory. ↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division. ||||||||||||