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.

2002 New England Patriots season
Owner	Robert Kraft
Head coach	Bill Belichick
Home stadium	Gillette Stadium[1]
Results
Record	9–7
Division place	2nd AFC East
Playoffs	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	ST Larry Izzo CB Ty Law SS Lawyer Milloy DT Richard Seymour K Adam Vinatieri C Damien Woody
All-Pros	K Adam Vinatieri (1st team)
Uniform
← 2001 Patriots seasons 2003 →

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.^[2] 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. ^[3]

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

Main article: 2002 NFL draft

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

Staff

2002 New England Patriots staff

Front office Chairman/CEO – Robert Kraft Vice chairman – Jonathan Kraft Senior vice president/coo – Andy Wasynczuk Vice president of player personnel – Scott Pioli Assistant director of player personnel – Jason Licht Director of college scouting – Larry Cook Assistant director of college scouting – Lionel Vital Assistant director of pro scouting – Andre Tippett Assistant director of pro scouting – Keith Kidd Football research director – Ernie Adams Head coaches Head coach – Bill Belichick Assistant head coach/offensive line – Dante Scarnecchia Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Charlie Weis Running backs – Ivan Fears Wide receivers – Brian Daboll Assistant offensive line – Jeff Davidson Coaching assistant – Josh McDaniels

Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator/defensive line – Romeo Crennel Inside linebackers – Pepper Johnson Outside linebackers – Rob Ryan Defensive Backs – Eric Mangini Coaching assistant – Nick Caserio Special teams coaches Special teams – Brad Seely Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Mike Woicik Assistant strength and conditioning – Markus Paul

Final roster

2002 New England Patriots roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 12 Tom Brady  6 Rohan Davey 19 Damon Huard Running backs (RB) 44 Marc Edwards FB 33 Kevin Faulk KR 35 Patrick Pass FB 21 J. R. Redmond 32 Antowain Smith Wide receivers (WR) 83 Deion Branch KR 80 Troy Brown PR 84 Fred Coleman 87 David Givens 81 Donald Hayes 86 David Patten Tight ends (TE) 49 Fred Baxter 85 Cam Cleeland 88 Christian Fauria

Offensive linemen (OL) 63 Joe Andruzzi G 68 Tom Ashworth G/T 77 Mike Compton G 71 Russ Hochstein G 74 Kenyatta Jones T 70 Adrian Klemm G/T 62 Matt Knutson T 72 Matt Light T 64 Greg Randall T 67 Grey Ruegamer C 65 Damien Woody C Defensive linemen (DL) 97 Jarvis Green DE 91 Bobby Hamilton DE 99 Bernard Holsey DT 96 Rick Lyle DT 55 Willie McGinest DE 98 Anthony Pleasant DE 93 Richard Seymour DT

Linebackers (LB) 54 Tedy Bruschi 53 Larry Izzo OLB 52 Ted Johnson MLB 55 Willie McGinest DE 95 Roman Phifer OLB 59 Maugaula Tuitele OLB 50 Mike Vrabel OLB Defensive backs (DB) 22 Terrell Buckley CB 30 Je'Rod Cherry CB/S 27 Victor Green FS 23 Antwan Harris SS 29 Chris Hayes FS 34 Tebucky Jones FS 24 Ty Law CB 36 Lawyer Milloy SS 25 Leonard Myers CB Special teams (ST) 66 Lonie Paxton LS  4 Adam Vinatieri K 13 Ken Walter P

Practice squad 75 Maurice Anderson DT 28 Dyshod Carter CB 76 Brandon Gorin T 94 Ken Kocher DT 16 Scott McCready WR Reserve 58 Matt Chatham LB (IR) 82 Daniel Graham TE (IR) 31 Ben Kelly CB (IR) 37 Rob Kelly S (IR) 61 Stephen Neal G (IR) 45 Otis Smith CB (IR) 42 Antwoine Womack RB (IR) Rookies in italics 53 active, 7 reserve, 5 practice squad

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
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

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 1: Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

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

Week 2: at New York Jets

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	0	10	17	17	44
Jets	0	0	7	0	7

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 2: New England Patriots at New York Jets

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

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

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 3: Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots

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

Week 4: at San Diego Chargers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	7	7	0	0	14
Chargers	7	7	7	0	21

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

Week 4: New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers

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

This was the first time the Chargers had defeated the Patriots since 1970.^[8][e]

Week 5: at Miami Dolphins

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	0	0	6	7	13
Dolphins	6	10	7	3	26

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 5: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins

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

Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	0	14	7	7	28
Patriots	0	3	0	7	10

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 6: Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots

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

Week 8: vs. Denver Broncos

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	7	14	0	3	24
Patriots	0	7	3	6	16

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 8: Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

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

Week 9: at Buffalo Bills

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	7	10	14	7	38
Bills	0	7	0	0	7

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 9: New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills

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

Week 10: at Chicago Bears

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	0	6	10	17	33
Bears	0	6	21	3	30

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 10: New England Patriots at Chicago Bears

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

Week 11: at Oakland Raiders

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	3	3	7	7	20
Raiders	3	14	7	3	27

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 11: New England Patriots at Oakland Raiders

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

Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	7	7	3	17
Patriots	7	14	0	3	24

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 12: Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots

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

Week 13: at Detroit Lions

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots'	10	7	0	3	20
Lions	3	3	3	3	12

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 13: New England Patriots at Detroit Lions

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

Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	0	10	7	17
Patriots	17	3	0	7	27

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 14: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

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

Week 15: at Tennessee Titans

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	0	0	7	0	7
Titans	0	14	7	3	24

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 15: New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans

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

Week 16: vs. New York Jets

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	14	3	3	10	30
Patriots	7	3	7	0	17

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 16: New York Jets at New England Patriots

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

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

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

Week 17: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots

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

Standings

AFC East
view talk edit	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

Notes

1. The Patriots traded their first-, third- and seventh-round draft picks to the Washington Redskins for the Redskins' first-round pick.^[4]
2. The Patriots traded fourth- and fifth-round draft picks to the Denver Broncos for the Broncos' fourth-round pick. The Patriots received the fifth-round pick in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the Patriots' sixth-round pick in the 2001 NFL draft. ^[5]
3. The Patriots received a fourth-round pick from the Green Bay Packers in a trade for Terry Glenn and a conditional pick in the 2003 NFL draft.^[6]
4. The Patriots traded a fifth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for the Cowboys' fifth- and seventh-round draft picks.^[7]
5. The Patriots and Chargers did not meet at all between 1984 and 1993 inclusive — an impossible occurrence in the pre-1978 or post-2002 NFL — because non-division conference matchups were entirely based on the previous season’s standings.^[9][10]