2021 New England Patriots season


The 2021 season was the New England Patriots' 52nd in the National Football League, their 62nd overall, their 20th playing home games at Gillette Stadium, and their 22nd under head coach Bill Belichick.
Following the team's 7–9 finish the previous season, their first losing record since 2000, the Patriots spent a record $163 million in guaranteed money to sign new free agent acquisitions. 11 free agents were added to the roster on March 19, with the largest contracts awarded to linebacker Matthew Judon, tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, cornerback Jalen Mills, and wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor. In the 2021 NFL draft, New England selected quarterback Mac Jones 15th overall, marking the first time the Patriots drafted a first-round quarterback since Drew Bledsoe in 1993. Jones also became the first rookie quarterback to start for the Patriots since Bledsoe after he was named the starter ahead of the season opener.
The Patriots began the season 2–4, but won eight of their next 11 games and finished with a 10–7 record to secure a wild card berth. In their first playoff appearance without quarterback Tom Brady since 1998 and their first as a wild card under Belichick, they were defeated 47–17 by the division rival [2021 2021 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills], the worst postseason loss of Belichick's tenure. The playoff game was also the Patriots' last with Belichick, and was their last playoff appearance until 2025.

Roster changes

Free agency

Signings/waiver claims

PositionPlayerPrevious teamDate signedContract
DEMontravius AdamsGreen Bay PackersMarch 19, 20211 year, $1.095 million
WRNelson AgholorLas Vegas RaidersMarch 19, 20212 years, $22 million
DEHenry AndersonNew York JetsMarch 19, 20212 years, $7 million
WRKendrick BourneSan Francisco 49ersMarch 19, 20213 years, $15 million
TEHunter Henry[2020 2020 Los Angeles Chargers season|Los Angeles Chargers season|Los Angeles Chargers]March 19, 20213 years, $37.5 million
LBMatthew JudonBaltimore RavensMarch 19, 20214 years, $54.5 million
CTed Karras[2020 2020 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]March 19, 20211 year, $3 million
LBRaekwon McMillanLas Vegas RaidersMarch 19, 20211 year, $1.149 million
CBJalen MillsPhiladelphia EaglesMarch 19, 20214 years, $24 million
TEJonnu Smith[2020 Tennessee Tennessee Titans|Titans season|Tennessee Titans]March 19, 20214 years, $50 million
LBKyle Van NoyMiami DolphinsMarch 19, 20212 years, $12 million
DTDavon GodchauxMiami DolphinsMarch 23, 20212 years, $15 million
LBLaRoy Reynolds[2020 2020 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]March 24, 20211 year, $1.213 million
LBHarvey LangiNew York JetsMay 10, 20211 year, $1.057 million
GAlex RedmondCincinnati BengalsMay 17, 20211 year, $1.080 million
LSWesley FarnsworthDenver BroncosMay 20, 20211 year, $660,000
FSAdrian ColbertNew York GiantsMay 21, 20211 year, $990,000
RBTyler GaffneySan Francisco 49ersMay 21, 20211 year, $660,000
TETroy FumagalliDenver BroncosMay 27, 20211 year, $850,000
WRMarvin Hall[2020 Cleveland Cleveland Browns|Browns season|Cleveland Browns]June 4, 20211 year, $1.015 million
GR. J. PrinceBaltimore RavensJune 17, 20211 year, $780,000
WRDevin RossNew England PatriotsJune 21, 20211 year, $660,000
TEDavid WellsNew England PatriotsJuly 23, 20211 year, $660,000
QBJake DolegalaGreen Bay PackersJuly 28, 20211 year, $780,000
OTJerald HawkinsPittsburgh SteelersJuly 30, 20211 year, $920,000
LBCassh MaluiaNew England PatriotsAugust 7, 20211 year, $780,000
LSBrian KhouryBaltimore RavensAugust 9, 20211 year, $660,000
SSMalik GantNew England PatriotsAugust 10, 20211 year, $660,000
TEKahale WarringHouston TexansAugust 24, 20214 years, $3.640 million
WRMalcolm PerryMiami DolphinsSeptember 2, 20214 years, 3.370 million
LBJamie CollinsDetroit LionsOctober 6, 20211 year, 1.075 million

Trades

Draft

Notes

Staff

Regular season

Schedule

The Patriots' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins

In rookie quarterback Mac Jones' first NFL start, a back-and-forth affair against divisional opponent Miami was sealed when Patriots running back Damien Harris fumbled the ball in the fourth quarter, allowing the Dolphins to run out the clock. With the close loss, the Patriots began the season 0–1 for the first time since 2017.

Week 2: at New York Jets

A battle of rookie quarterbacks saw Zach Wilson of the Jets throw four interceptions to the Patriots defense, allowing New England to coast to a 25–6 win, its 11th straight win over divisional rival New York. Mac Jones completed over 70% of his passes for the second game in a row.

Week 3: vs. New Orleans Saints

Jones threw three interceptions, including a pass bobbled by tight end Jonnu Smith before being returned by P. J. Williams for a touchdown, as the Patriots lost to the Saints 28–13 and dropped to 1–2. This was also the Patriots' first loss to the Saints since 2009.

Week 4: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This game marked former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's first return to Gillette Stadium since leaving the Patriots after the 2019 season, as he was cheered by the Patriots' home crowd during pre-game introductions before being jeered during the game. During the rain-soaked, back-and-forth contest, Brady was held without a touchdown and completed just over half of his passes; he was held to his third lowest passer rating – 70.8 – since joining the Buccaneers but led them to a go-ahead field goal just after the two-minute warning. Jones, who passed for 2 touchdowns and an interception, led the Patriots into position for their own field goal, but Nick Folk's 56-yard attempt hit the left upright, sealing the loss for the Patriots to their former franchise quarterback.
With their first loss to Tampa Bay since 2000, the Patriots fell to 1-3.

Week 5: at Houston Texans

Despite being down 22–9 to Houston at one point, the Patriots came back to win – coincidentally in the same stadium where they overcame a 28–3 deficit to the Atlanta Falcons to win Super Bowl LI. Aside from a missed extra point in the first half, Nick Folk made four field goals during the game, including the game-winner with 15 seconds left in the game. With the win, New England improved to 2–3, taking sole possession of 2nd place in the AFC East. This marked the Patriots last win over the Texans until 2025.

Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys

This was the Patriots' first overtime game since the 2018 AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs. This was the Pats' first loss to the Cowboys in 25 years and their first home loss to them in 34 years.

Week 7: vs. New York Jets

With the win, the Patriots improved to 3–4 and swept the Jets for the sixth consecutive season and improved the winning streak against the Jets to 12.

Week 8: at Los Angeles Chargers

With their 7th win against the Chargers, the Patriots improved to 4–4 on the season. However, this would be the Patriots last win against the Chargers until 2025.

Week 9: at Carolina Panthers

The Patriots intercepted Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold three times en route to victory, including an 88-yard pick-six by J.C. Jackson. New England improved to 5–4 on the year and . This was also the Patriots first win over the Panthers since 2009.

Week 10: vs. Cleveland Browns

The Patriots outplayed the Browns on both sides of the ball. Mac Jones had one of his better games as a rookie, completing over 80 percent of his passes for three touchdowns and no interceptions as the Patriots converted 7 of 9 third downs. The defense only allowed points on the first drive of the game, held the Browns to 1 of 11 on third down, and knocked Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield out of the game in the third quarter. With Damien Harris sidelined with a concussion from the Panthers game, Rhamondre Stevenson served as the primary running back, rushing for 100 yards and two touchdowns. With the score 38–7 in the fourth quarter, Brian Hoyer replaced Jones and threw the pass that ended Jakobi Meyers' record touchdown drought.
With their 4th win over the Browns since 2013, in addition to their 6th home win against Cleveland since 1995, the Patriots improved to 6-4.

Week 11: at Atlanta Falcons

The Patriots defense intercepted all three quarterbacks on the Falcons—Matt Ryan, Josh Rosen, and Feleipe Franks—as New England coasted to their 8th win over Atlanta since 2001 on Thursday Night Football, improving to 7–4. They would gain the AFC East division lead later in the week after the Buffalo Bills lost to the [2021 2021 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts].

Week 12: vs. Tennessee Titans

The Patriots defense put up a show against a banged up Titans team. The offense was only forced to punt once but struggled to finish drives and get the run game going, resulting in five Nick Folk field goals. Mac Jones threw for 310 yards, and completed a pair of touchdown passes to Kendrick Bourne, with Damien Harris adding a touchdown late in the fourth quarter on the ground. Cornerback J. C. Jackson secured his seventh interception of the season, while the rest of the defense forced five fumbles, three of which were recovered by the Patriots. The Patriots improved to 8–4 for the AFC East division lead and an overall second place in the AFC.

Week 13: at Buffalo Bills

The Patriots entered the game in first place in the AFC following the Baltimore Ravens' loss the previous day, and were playing for first place in the AFC East. The game was impacted by winds; Belichick noted after the game that the winds in the Patriots' Week 17 game in Buffalo in 2008 were "way worse".
The Patriots drew up a run-heavy game plan in which Jones attempted just three passes, completing two for 19 yards. The Patriots ran the ball 46 times, for over 220 yards, utilizing a sixth offensive lineman on the majority of their offensive snaps. The three pass attempts were the fewest in a game since 1974, the fewest in franchise history, and the fewest by a winning team in 30 years.
The Patriots defense was also stout: the Bills' only touchdown came after a N'Keal Harry muffed punt, and Myles Bryant broke up a fourth-down pass in the red zone late in the fourth quarter to preserve the Patriots' 14–10 win.
The Patriots had their bye week after this game, making it their latest regular-season bye since their Week 16 bye in 2001.
This would mark the Patriots last win in Buffalo until 2025.

Week 15: at Indianapolis Colts

The Patriots were flat for much of the game, being shut out in the first half for the first time in 99 games. A late second half comeback brought the Patriots to within three points, but fell short when Jonathan Taylor put the game away with a 67-yard touchdown run. With the loss, the Patriots fell to the #3 seed in the AFC prior to Week 15's Sunday games, while still maintaining first place in the AFC East. It was also the first time the Patriots lost to the Colts since Week 10 of the 2009 season. The Patriots gave up 226 rush yards in the loss.

Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills

This was the first time in five years the Pats and the Bills split the season series. Because of this loss, the Pats fell to the #6 seed in the AFC playoff picture. The Bills did not have a single punt in this game.

Week 17: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

With the blowout win, alongside Tennessee's win over Miami, the Patriots clinched their 12th playoff berth in 13 years after a 1 year absence. This marked the last time the Patriots clinched a playoff berth until 2025. New England finished 3-1 against the AFC South & 4-5 at home.

Week 18: at Miami Dolphins

With the loss, the Patriots not only failed to defeat Miami for the first time since 2000, but also Buffalo's win over the Jets meant the Patriots would lose the AFC East to the Bills for second year in a row. Instead, the Pats would clinch the #6 seed following a Raiders win. New England finished the regular season 3-3 against the AFC East & 6-2 on the road.

Postseason

Game summaries

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (3) Buffalo Bills

In New England's first playoff game since the departure of quarterback Tom Brady, they were unable to stop the Bills and quarterback Josh Allen defensively, with the Bills being the first team in NFL history to never punt, kick a field goal or turn the ball over on any of their drives. It was the New England Patriots' worst playoff loss since Super Bowl XX.

Statistics

Team

CategoryTotal yardsYards per gameNFL rank
Passing offense3,857226.914th
Rushing offense2,151126.58th
Total offense6,008353.415th
Passing defense3,181187.12nd
Rushing defense2,103123.722nd
Total defense5,284310.84th

Individual

''Statistics correct as of the end of the 2021 NFL season''