(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots waits in the tunnel to lead his team onto the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots waits in the tunnel to lead his team onto the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Brady extended his streak of pass attempts without an interception to 268 passes, while marking his sixth straight game with at least two touchdowns without an interception, tying With the win, the Patriots not only improved to 11–2, but also became the first team in the league to clinch a playoff berth. Linebacker On August 23, the Patriots acquired offensive lineman On September 4, the day the team was required to cut down to 53 players, they acquired linebacker The Patriots traded their original fifth-round pick (#153 overall) to the The Patriots traded a conditional seventh-round pick to the As of the Patriots' first training camp practice at The Patriots began their season at home with an AFC duel against the After a Bengals punt, the Patriots scored the first points of the game, racing 72 yards in 5 plays, scoring on a 9-yard touchdown pass from New England went on the road to face division rival New York in the latest meeting between the two teams at the With the loss, the Patriots fell to 1–1. Earlier that week, the Patriots acquired former receiver The Ravens went on a 15 play, 86-yard marathon drive, taking over 8 minutes and converting two third-and-longs, reaching the Patriots 8, but were forced to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Following the game Brandon Meriweather was heavily fined by the league for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Hoping to extend their winning streak the Patriots flew to After the first two drive of the game ended in punts, the Chargers marched from midfield all the way to the 14, but settled for a 32-yard field goal by Hoping to extend their winning streak, the Patriots played on home ground for a game with the Vikings, who came to Foxboro with former Patriot Randy Moss. Seven plays later, Brady hit Alge Crumpler on a 4-yard touchdown pass, widening their lead to 24–3 at halftime. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against the New England Patriots on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Heath Miller #83 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by James Sanders #36 of the New England Patriots on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Patriots marched 78 yards on 9 plays, scoring on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski, increasing the lead to 14–3. The Patriots improved on their 10–6 record from 2009 by finishing with a league-best 14–2 record and clinching the top seed in the AFC, before losing to the New York Jets in the playoffs. Brady was 19/25 for just 186 yards, but didn't turn the ball over. Cotchery had 5 receptions for 96 yards Harris had 9 tackles, 3 assists, and an interception, while Ellis added 5 tackles and two sacks. 231 overall) to the Washington Redskins for the Redskins' seventh-round selection (#208 overall). Coming off their win over the Colts, the Patriots flew to After the first three possessions of the game ended in punts, the struck first blood, driving all the way to the Lions 2-yard line, but could only muster a 19-yard field goal by With the win, New England improved to 9–2. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Bills drove to Patriots 17, but Fitzpatrick was strip-sacked by Guyton with Mayo recovering at the Patriots 20. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates scoring a touchdown with Sammy Morris #34 and Wes Welker #83 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.