2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 4: at Buffalo Bills
The Bills moved the ball well on their opening drive, reaching the Patriots 38, but were forced to punt. The Patriots stormed 90 yards in 7 plays, scoring on a 6-yard touchdown run by Ridley, giving the Patriots an early 7–0 lead. Mayo intercepted Ryan Fitzpatrick on the Bills ensuing drive, but the Patriots punted. After another Fitzpatrick interception, the Patriots drove to the Bills 31, but Gostkowski missed a 49-yard field goal. Two possessions later, Gronkowski lost a fumble with the Jairus Byrd recovering at the Patriots 24.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 4: at Buffalo Bills
On the very first play, Fitzpatrick connected with Scott Chandler for a 24-yard touchdown pass, tying the game 7-7. Starting at their own 19, the Patriots drove to the Bills 24, but Gostkowski missed a 42-yarder, keeping the game tied. The Bills took advantage, racing 62 yards in just 5 plays, scoring on another touchdown pass to Chandler, taking a 14–7 lead. Welker was stripped by Byrd on the Patriots next drive with Bryan Scott returning it to the Patriots 21. Four plays later, the Bills coughed it up themselves with Fred Jackson losing it at the Patriots 4.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 4: at Buffalo Bills
The Patriots ran out the rest of the clock, sending the game to halftime down 14–7. After a Patriots punt, the Bills raced 83 yards in just 5 plays, with Ryan Fitzpatrick bombing a 68-yard touchdown pass to Donald Jones, widening the lead to 21–7. The Patriots answered on their next drive, storming 80 yards in 8 plays with Woodhead taking a 17-yard screen pass to the house, trimming the deficit to 21–14. After a Bills punt, the Patriots constructed an 8 play, 85-yard drive, scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run by Brady, tying the game 21-21.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 4: at Buffalo Bills
After another Bills punt, the Patriots raced 63 more yards in just 5 plays, taking the lead on Brady's 28-yard touchdown pass to Gronkowski. All of a sudden down 28–21, the situation only got worse for the Bills when C. J. Spiller lost a fumble at the Bills 37 and the Patriots recovering. Six plays later, Ridley scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, increasing the lead to 35–21. On the fourth play of the Bills next drive, McCourty intercepted Fitzpatrick at the Bills 46 and returning it 34 yards to the Bills 12.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 4: at Buffalo Bills
Two plays later, Brandon Bolden scored on a 7-yard touchdown run, putting the Patriots up 42–21. The Bills finally scored again on their next drive, racing 80 yards in 11 plays, scoring on a 35-yard touchdown pass to Brad Smith, trimming the deficit to 42–28. After recovering the onside kick attempt at the Bills 48, the Patriots raced 52 yards in 6 plays, with Brady hitting Lloyd on a 25-yard touchdown pass, putting the game out of reach late in the fourth quarter. Fitzpatrick threw his fourth interception of the game to Tavon Wilson on the next drive, with Wilson returning it 22 yards to the Bills 19. The Patriots reached the Bills 13, and Gostkowski added a 31-yard field goal, making the final score 52–28.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 4: at Buffalo Bills
In the win, the Patriots became only the second team in NFL history—after the 2008 Green Bay Packers—to have two players with 100 yards receiving (Welker and Gronkowski) and two players with 100 yards rushing (Bolden and Ridley) in the same game. Brady threw for 340 yards and 3 touchdowns while Bolden (137 yards, 1 touchdown) and Ridley (106 yards, 2 touchdowns) chimed in to make it the most points the Patriots had scored since 2009 as the team improved to 2–2.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 5: vs. Denver Broncos
Coming off their win in Buffalo against the Bills, the Patriots returned to Foxborough to host the Denver Broncos. This was the 13th Brady-Manning meeting between quarterbacks since 2001, and the 17th overall meeting between Manning and the Patriots.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 5: vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos started off strong, driving to their own 47, but after a 43-yard completion to Demaryius Thomas, Sterling Moore (the AFC Championship Game hero from the year before) punched the ball loose, recovered, and returned it 14 yards to the Patriots 17. Two possessions later, the Patriots marched 84 yards in 12 plays, drawing first blood on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Welker. The Broncos countered, driving 80 yards in 10 plays. On 3rd-and-6, Manning threw an incomplete pass intended for Eric Decker, but McCourty was called for pass interference, moving the ball to the 1-yard line.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 5: vs. Denver Broncos
On the very next play, Manning hit Joel Dreessen for a 1-yard touchdown pass a few plays into the second quarter. However, the Patriots reeled off 24 unanswered points. The ambush began on the Patriots ensuing possession, with the Patriots marching 80 yards in 14 plays, scoring on Vereen's 1-yard rushing touchdown.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 5: vs. Denver Broncos
Following a Broncos punt, the Patriots marched on a marathon 16 play, 93-yard drive to the Broncos 1-yard line, but on 3rd-and-goal Brandon Bolden was tackled for a 4-yard loss by Von Miller and the Patriots settled for a 23-yard field goal by Gostkowski, increasing their lead to 17–7. Manning took a knee and the game went to halftime. After both teams punted to open the second half, the Patriots drained the Broncos already tired defense for a 16 play 95-yard drive, scoring on a 1-yard quarterback sneak, widening the lead to 24–7.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 5: vs. Denver Broncos
On the first play of the Broncos next drive, Manning was strip-sacked by Ninkovich with Wilfork recovering at the Broncos 14. After two penalties, Ridley scored on an 8-yard touchdown, making the score 31-7 and the anticipated tight game a blowout. The Broncos responded by racing 90 yards in 10 plays with Manning throwing a 2-yard touchdown pass to Decker, trimming the deficit to 31–14. Early in the 4th quarter, the Patriots drove to the Broncos 46, but back-to-back sacked by Derek Wolfe and Miller, respectively forced the Patriots to punt.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 5: vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos drove to the Patriots 47, but turned the ball over on downs when Manning threw an incomplete pass on 4th-and-1. The Patriots responded by driving to the Patriots 37, but Brady was sacked by Elvis Dumervil for an 11-yard loss on 4th-and-5, with Nate Solder recovering Brady's fumble, preventing it from becoming a disaster. The Broncos took over at the Patriots 43 and raced 43 yards in 6 plays, scoring on a 5-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley, closing the gap to 31–21 with 6:43 remaining.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 5: vs. Denver Broncos
The Patriots next drive lasted only three plays: a 4-yard rush by Ridley (which set a new career in high in rushing yards with 129), a 20-yard run by Ridley on the next play, and Miller stripping Ridley with Mike Adams recovering at Broncos 32. The Broncos stormed to the Patriots 14-yard line in just 5 plays, but Willis McGahee was stripped by Ninkovich with Jermaine Cunningham recovering with 3:48 remaining, halting the Broncos' rally attempt. The Patriots subsequently ran out the clock and won the game.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 5: vs. Denver Broncos
Tom Brady improved his head-to-head record against Peyton Manning to 9–4. With the QB battle between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning renewed, the Patriots took the first game and improved to 3–2.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
Coming off their win against Denver, the Patriots flew to Seattle to play their only game on the west coast of the season.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
After a Patriots punt, the Seahawks drove all the way to the Patriots 9, but ended up forcing to settle for a 34-yard field goal by Steven Hauschka. The Patriots responded, racing 82 yards in 6 plays, scoring on a 46-yard touchdown bomb from Brady to Welker. Seattle countered with a touchdown of their own, racing 85 yards in 7 plays, scoring on a 24-yard touchdown pass from rookie Russell Wilson to Doug Baldwin, taking a 10–7 lead. The Patriots countered again, going 80 yards in 15 plays, scoring on a yard touchdown pass to Hernandez, retaking the lead 14–10.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
Seattle drove to the Patriots 48 on their next drive, but Chandler Jones strip-sacked Wilson with Ninkovich recovering at the Seahawks 47. After starting the first half with a 17–10 lead, the Patriots score only two field goals in the second half. The Patriots drove to the Seahawks' 6, but settled for a 24-yard field goal by Gostkowski, increasing their lead to 17–10.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks turned the ball over at their own 38 with less than a minute remaining in the half, and the Patriots drove to the Seahawks' 3, but an intentional grounding penalty cost the Patriots points, sending the game to the half 17–10. After a Seahawks punt, the Patriots drove to the Seahawks' 17, and Gostkowski increased the lead to 20–10 on a 35-yard field goal by Gostkowski. After a Seattle punt, the Patriots drove to the Seahawks' 43, but Brady was intercepted by Richard Sherman at the Seahawks 20.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
After a Seahawks three-and-out, the Patriots drove to the Seahawks 6, but Brady was intercepted again at the 3, this time by Earl Thomas who returned it 20 yards to the Seahawks 23. On the third play of the Seahawks' next drive, Wilson hit Zach Miller for a 7-yard gain, but fumbled with Mayo recovering at the Patriots 30. The Patriots drove to the Seattle 17, settling for a 35-yard field goal by Gostkowski, extending the Patriots lead to 23-10 midway through the fourth quarter.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
On the first play of the Seahawks' next drive, Wilson hit Golden Tate for a 51-yard gain, with a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on Spikes, moving the ball to the Patriots 17. Four plays later, Wilson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards with 7:21 remaining, trimming the deficit to 23–17. Later in the fourth, after forcing the Patriots to go three and out, Leon Washington got the ball to the Seahawks 43 with a 25-yard return.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks
On the fourth play of the Seahawks' drive, Wilson hit Sidney Rice for a 46-yard touchdown bomb, giving the Seahawks a 24–23 lead with 1:18 remaining. On the second play of the Patriots next drive, Jason Jones sacked Brady for a 7-yard loss. Two plays later on 4th down, Brady completed a pass to Welker for 15 yards, but it was 2 yards short of a first down, giving the Seahawks the ball. Wilson kneed twice and the Seahawks got the surprising win. With the loss, the Patriots fell to 3–3. The loss also left them 0–2 against the NFC West.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 7: vs. New York Jets
Looking to bounce back from a loss the previous week, the Patriots played a wild back-and-forth game against the rival Jets in their only overtime contest of the season.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 7: vs. New York Jets
The Patriots marched deep into their own territory on the opening drive of the game, but were forced to punt. The Jets responded with an 11 play, 75-yard drive, aided by a defensive holding penalty on Ras-I Dowling giving the Jets a first down, and scoring on a Shonn Greene 1-yard touchdown run. Devin McCourty returned the ensuing kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown. After a Jets three-and-out, the Patriots raced 58 yards in 7 plays, scoring on Brady's 17-yard touchdown pass to Gronkowski, taking a 14–7 lead.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 7: vs. New York Jets
Two possessions later, Mark Sanchez fumbled the snap and kicked the ball out of the end zone for a safety, increasing the Patriots lead to 16-7 early in the second quarter. After a Patriots punt, the Jets drove to the Patriots 36, but Sanchez was intercepted by Dennard at the Patriots 2 for no gain. The Patriots drove to the Jets 45, but punted, as well. Starting at their own 5, the Jets raced to the Patriots 36, and Nick Folk nailed a 54-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 16–10 at halftime.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 7: vs. New York Jets
Joe McKnight returned the kickoff 37 yards to the Jets 32. With the decent starting field position, the Jets drove 66 yards to the Patriots 3, but the Patriots defense stiffened and forced the Jets to settle for Folk's 21-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to just 16–13. The Patriots countered on their next drive, putting together a 15 play, 67-yard drive in just under six minutes, converting three third-downs, and scoring on a two-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Gronkowski, extending the lead to 23–13.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 7: vs. New York Jets
Two possessions later, the Jets engineered a 14 play, 91-yard drive, converting three third-downs, scoring on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Sanchez to Dustin Keller, trimming the deficit to 23–20. After a Patriots three-and-out, the Jets marched to the Patriots 25 and Folk tied the game with his 43-yard field goal. The situation turned to disaster for the Patriots when Lex Hilliard forced McCourty to fumble and Asher Allen recovered at the Patriots 18. Hightower sacked Sanchez for a 10-yard loss on third down and Folk kicked a 43-yard field goal, giving the Jets a 26–23 lead.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 7: vs. New York Jets
Starting at their own 21, the Patriots marched 54 yards to the Jets 25 and Gostkowski tied the game on his 43-yard field goal as time expired. The Patriots received their opening kickoff of overtime, marching 54 yards to the Jets 30 and Gostkowski gave the Patriots the 29–26 lead on a 48-yard field goal. The Jets reached their own 40, but on 2nd-and-10, Sanchez was sacked by Ninkovich and Jermaine Cunningham with Ninkovich recovering and sealing the win. With the win, the Patriots improved to 4–3.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 8: at St. Louis Rams
The Patriots faced the St. Louis Rams in London in a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI. This time, the matchup proved lopsided.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 8: at St. Louis Rams
After receiving the opening kickoff, short passes to Steven Jackson and Austin Pettis moved the ball to the Rams 44. Next, back-to-back Jackson rushes moved the ball to midfield. On the next play Sam Bradford threw a 50-yard touchdown strike to Chris Givens for a 7–0 lead. The Rams didn't score again. The Patriots countered on their next drive, marching 77 yards in 8 plays, scoring on a 19-yard touchdown pass to Lloyd. Brady extended his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 40 behind Johnny Unitas and Drew Brees.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 8: at St. Louis Rams
After a Rams punt, the Patriots marched 84 yards in 9 plays, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run by Vereen on 4th-and-goal. After another punt the Patriots began to put the game away. Taking over at their own 22, aided by a 32-yard screen to Gronkowski on 3rd-and-4, the Patriot raced 78 yards in 9 plays with Brady throwing a 7-yard touchdown pass to Gronkowski, increasing the lead to 21–7. Gronkowski celebrated the touchdown by acting like a castle guard before spiking the ball.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 8: at St. Louis Rams
The Rams drove to the Patriots 35 on their next drive, but attempted a fake field goal that resulted in a 9-yard loss. The Patriots wasted no time, racing 56 yards in 9 plays, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run by Ridley with just :10 seconds left in the half. Bradford took a knee and the game went to halftime with the Patriots winning 28–7. The Patriots continued to speed up against a tired Rams defense in the second half.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 8: at St. Louis Rams
Taking the opening drive, the Patriots raced 80 yards in just 6 plays with Brady throwing a 9-yard touchdown pass to Lloyd, blowing the game open 35–7. The Rams offense continued to show no signs of life, going three-and-out again and he Patriots took advantage, driving 58 yards to the Rams 35 and Gostkowski increased the lead to 38–7 on his 53-yard field goal. After both teams punted on their next drive, the Rams drove to the Patriots 41, but turned the ball over on downs.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 8: at St. Louis Rams
The Patriots moved quickly again, driving 55 yards and scoring on Brady's 14-yard touchdown pass to Gronkowski. With the game out of reach, the Rams drove to the Patriots 25 on their next drive, but Dennard intercepted Bradford at the 4 and returned it 8 yards to the 12. The Patriots punted on their next drive, and the Rams responded by driving to the Patriots 15, but Tavon Wilson intercepted Kellen Clemens at the 1-yard line and returned it 45 yards to the Patriots 46. Ryan Mallett took three knees and the game was over.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 8: at St. Louis Rams
Brady threw for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns, 2 each to Lloyd and Gronkowski. The Patriots improved to 2–0 in games played in London, having defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers there in 2009. With the huge win, the Patriots went into their bye week at 5–3, but only 1–2 against the NFC West.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 9 Bye Week
On November 1 in a deadline deal, New England shipped a 2013 4th round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for cornerback Aqib Talib and a 2013 7th round pick.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 10: vs. Buffalo Bills
After the Bills punted on their opening drive, the Patriots drove 48 yards to the Bills 25 and Gostkowski was good on a 43-yard field goal. On the second play of the Bills next drive, Fitzpatrick was strip-sacked by Wilfork with Cunningham recovering at the Patriots 13. Three plays later, Ridley scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, increasing the lead to 10–0. The Bills responded by driving to the Patriots 23 and Lindell was good on a 41-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 10–3. This led to four straight touchdown drives before halftime.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 10: vs. Buffalo Bills
The Patriots responded by racing 83 yards in 8 plays with Woodhead scoring on a 15-yard touchdown run, increasing the lead to 17–3. The Bills answered right back, racing 80 yards in just 6 plays, scoring on a 14-yard run by Jackson, trimming the deficit to 17–10. The Patriots drove 82 yards in 6 plays, scoring on Brady's 12-yard touchdown pass to Gronkowski, upping the lead to 24–10. The Bills weren't done though, marching 75 yards in 11 plays, scoring on Fitzpatrick's two-yard touchdown pass to Chandler, bringing the deficit to 24–17 at halftime.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 10: vs. Buffalo Bills
The Patriots drove to the Bills 31, but on 3rd-and-5, Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams sacked Brady for a 7-yard loss and the Patriots punted rather than attempt a 56-yard field goal. After a Bills punt, aided by an unnecessary roughness penalty bringing the ball to the Bills 39, the Patriots needed just four plays to go 39 yards, scoring on Brady's 18-yard screen pass to Woodhead, his first multi-touchdown game of his career, making the score 31–17. The Bills answered, though, marching 84 yards in 11 plays, with Jackson trimming the deficit to 31–24 on a 1-yard run.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 10: vs. Buffalo Bills
The Bills drove to the Patriots 13, but Jackson was stripped by McCourty at the 1 and Arrington recovered. The Patriots were forced to punt, and the Bills raced 55 yards in a minute-and-a-half, scoring on Fitzpatrick's 2-yard touchdown pass to Jones, trimming the deficit to just 34–31. Edelman returned the ensuing kickoff 32 yards to the Patriots 32, and the Patriots drove to the Bills 9, but the Bills defense kept the Patriots out of the end zone, giving the Bills a chance down just 37–31. The Bills drove to the Patriots 15, but,  McCourty intercepted Fitzpatrick's next pass in the end zone with 0:23 seconds left, and the Patriots were able to run out the clock.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 10: vs. Buffalo Bills
With the win, the Patriots improved to 6–3 on the season and 11–0 against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts
The 6–3 Patriots played the 6–3 Indianapolis Colts and their rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. Though both offenses were potent, the Patriots ran roughshod over the Colts.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts took the opening drive 80 yards in 7 plays, added by a 40-yard defensive pass interference penalty on Kyle Arrington to score on a 1-yard touchdown run by Delone Carter. The Patriots countered, racing 81 yards in 8 plays, scoring on Brady's 4-yard touchdown pass to Gronkowski (his 42nd consecutive game with a touchdown pass). The Colts retook the lead on their next drive, covering 84 yards in 10 plays, scoring on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Luck to T. Y. Hilton. McCourty returned the ensuing kickoff 23 yards to the Patriots 25.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts
From there the Patriots drove all the way to the Colts 18, but Gostkowski shanked a 36-yard field goal. After forcing a Colts three-and-out, Julian Edelman ran back the punt for a 68-yard touchdown, tying the game 14-14. On the Colts ensuing drive, Aqib Talib in his first game with New England following a trade from Tampa Bay, intercepted Luck on the first play and ran it back for a 59-yard touchdown, giving the Patriots a 21–14 lead.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts drove down the field again on their next possession, reaching the Patriots 29 and Adam Vinatieri was good from 47 yards, making the score 21–17. After returning the kickoff 29 yards to the 25, the Patriots drove all the way to the Colts 13, but could only add a 31-yard field goal for a 24–17 lead. The Colts drove to the Patriots 40 and attempted a 58-yard field goal right before halftime, but it was no good and the score remained 24–17.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Patriots received the opening kick-off of the second half and stormed 76 yards in 10 plays, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Edelman, increasing the lead to 31–17. The Colts almost caught a break when on the drive when Darius Butler forced Wes Welker to fumble,  but the ball rolled out of bounds, and the Patriots retained possession. The Colts drove to the Patriots 39 on their next drive, but punted rather than risk a 57-yard field goal attempt.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts
On the second play of their next drive, Luck was stripped-sacked by Rob Ninkovich at the Colts 24-yard line. On the very first play of the Patriots ensuing drive, Brady connected with Gronkowski for a touchdown, increasing the lead to 38–17. The Colts just couldn't catch a break. Despite driving all the way to the Patriots 23, Luck was intercepted by Alfonzo Dennard, who returned it 87 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, increasing the lead to 45–17.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts finally responded on their next drive, racing 74 yards in a mere 5 plays, with Luck throwing a 43-yard touchdown to T. Y. Hilton to cut the score to 45–24. However, the Patriots couldn't be stopped. The Patriots raced 80 more yards against an overwhelmed Colts defensive, scoring on Ridley's 1-yard touchdown run, upping the blowout to 52–24. Aided by a 49-yard punt return by Edelman, the Patriots moved 39 yards and scored on a Vereen 4-yard touchdown run, running up the score to 59–24. Gronkowski suffered a freak arm injury on kick-protection on the PAT. The Colts stormed to the Patriots 45 on their next drive, but Luck was intercepted Wilson at the Patriots 22, who it returned it 20 yards to the Patriots 42. After a Patriots punt, the Colts ran out the rest of clock.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Luck completed only 27/50 for 334 yards and 2 touchdowns but 4 interceptions. Hilton was his leading receiver with 6 catches for 100 yards. Vic Ballard rushed 16 times for 72 yards. Tom Brady was excellent going 24/35 for 331 yards 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Gronkowski was his leading receiver with 7 catches for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns. Edelman, Vereen, and Ridley combined for 115 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts
The win put the Patriots at 7–3 and dropped the Colts to 6–4.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 12: at New York Jets
The Patriots faced the Jets at the Meadowlands in a rematch of their 29–26 overtime win a few weeks earlier, but this game was not similar.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 12: at New York Jets
After both teams punted on their opening drive, Edelman gave the Patriots decent field position with a 30-yard return to the Patriots 36. The Patriots drove to the Jets 21, but Gostkowski missed the 39-yard field goal. Starting at their own 30, the Jets drove to the Patriots 23, but Sanchez was intercepted by Gregory at the Patriots 15. The Patriots proceeded to march 84 yards in 15 plays, scoring on the first play of the second quarter. After driving to the Patriots 31, Shonn Greene fumbled Gregory recovering at the Patriots 19.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 12: at New York Jets
Brady dumped off a short pass to Vereen out of the backfield, who ran untouched down the sideline 83 yards for a touchdown, increasing the Patriots lead to 14–0. On the second play of the Jets next drive, Sanchez ran up the middle, but ran into his offensive line and fumbled (creating the infamous butt fumble) with Gregory returning it 32 yards for a touchdown, giving the Patriots a 21–0 lead. Joe McKnight fumbled the ensuing kickoff right into the hands of Edelman, who returned it 22 yards for a touchdown, giving the Patriots a 28–0 lead.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 12: at New York Jets
The Jets drove 41 yards to their own 43, but Mayo sacked Sanchez for a 9-yard loss and the Jets punted. The Patriots raced 73 yards in just 4 plays, scoring on a 56-yard touchdown bomb to Edelman, giving the Patriots a 35–0 lead. The Jets drove to the Patriots 14 and Folk got the Jets on the board with a 32-yard field goal. For the second week in a row, the Patriots tied a franchise record set in their 2009 Week 6 game against the Tennessee Titans—in this case, 35 second-quarter points, including three touchdown in 52 seconds.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 12: at New York Jets
Unlike the Titans game, though, where the Patriots held the ball for 9 minutes and 22 seconds, in this quarter the Patriots held the ball for just 2 minutes and 14 seconds, with the offense running just six plays in the entire quarter. After a Jets punt, the Patriots drove to the Jets 46, but Edelman fumbled with LaRon Landry recovering at the Jets 43. The Jets drove to the Patriots 1-yard line, but Greene was stuffed for no gain on 4th-and-1.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 12: at New York Jets
A penalty for a chop-block on Ridley in the end zone led to a safety, making the score 35-5 and giving the Jets the ball. The Jets marched 71 yards in 4 plays, scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run by Bilal Powell, making the score 35–12. The Patriots countered with a 17 play, 86-yard marathon, taking seven-and-a-half minutes off the clock and scoring on Brady's 1-yard touchdown run a few minutes into the fourth quarter.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 12: at New York Jets
On the Jets next drive, Sanchez hit Chaz Schilens for a 22-yard gain to the Jets 45, but Dennard forced him to fumble at the 40 with Ninkovich returning it to the Jets 37. A 28-yard completion to Welker and a 9-yard run by Ridley gave the Patriots a 49–12 lead. Two possessions later, Sanchez hit Keller for a 1-yard touchdown. After a Patriots punt, the Jets ran out of the rest of the clock and the Patriots won the game.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 12: at New York Jets
The Patriots scored three touchdowns in a span of 52 seconds, becoming the third team since the AFL-NFL merger to do so. (The 2002 Seahawks did it in 52 seconds while the 1998 Falcons in 49 seconds.) Also, the Patriots scored the most points in consecutive weeks (108) and in a four-week period (190) since the 1950 Los Angeles Rams.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 13: at Miami Dolphins
The Patriots faced the Dolphins for the first time of the season in Miami, looking to advance their winning streak to 6 games and remain undefeated against divisional opponents.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 13: at Miami Dolphins
Disaster struck on the first drive for the Dolphins. After being forced to punt, Brandon Fields fumbled the punt at the Patriots 8, he managed to make it to the 12, but no further, setting the Patriots up wonderfully. After a 10-yard penalty against, the Patriots scored four plays later with Ridley running in a 4-yard touchdown. After a Dolphins three-and-out, the Patriots drove to the Dolphins 31, but Gostkowski missed a 49-yard field goal wide right. Tom Brady was intercepted on the third play of the Patriots next drive by Reshad Jones.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 13: at Miami Dolphins
Six plays later, Dan Carpenter got the Dolphins on the board with a 44-yard field goal. Aided by a 29-yard return on the ensuing kickoff, the Patriots put together a 13 play, 75-yard drive in just under six minutes, scoring on a 7-yard touchdown pass to Welker, increasing the lead to 14–3. On the third play of the Dolphins next drive, after narrowly avoiding losing a fumble on the previous play, Ryan Tannehill was strip-sacked by Trevor Scott with Wilfork recovering at the Dolphins 25.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 13: at Miami Dolphins
The Patriots didn't gain a single yard, but Gostkowski was good on a 43-yard field goal, increasing the lead to 17–3. The Dolphins countered, marching 80 yards in 12 plays, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run by Tannehill, making the score 17-10 Patriots at halftime. After most of the third quarter were punts, the Patriots took over late in the third, driving to the Dolphins 7, but a 7-yard sack by Koa Misi forced the Patriots to settle for a 32-yard field goal by Gostkowski, increasing the lead to 20-10 early in the fourth quarter.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 13: at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins responded, driving all the way to the Patriots 7, but on 3rd-and-4, Mayo sacked Tannehill for an 8-yard loss, forcing them to settle for a 33-yard Carpenter field goal, trimming the deficit to 20–13. The Patriots answered the Dolphins field goal with one of their own, driving all the way to the Dolphins 2, with Gostkowski pushing the score back to two scores 23–13. The Dolphins drove to the Patriots 24 on their next drive, with Carpenter giving the Dolphins a chance with a 42-yard field goal, making the score 23–16. The Patriots dashed the Dolphins hopes with Lloyd recovering the onside kick and Brady taking a knee to seal the win.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 13: at Miami Dolphins
With the win, the Patriots improved to 9–3, and clinched their 15th AFC East title.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 14: vs. Houston Texans
At home against the top team in the AFC, the Patriots dismantled the 11-1 Houston Texans on Monday Night Football. Tom Brady threw four touchdowns in New England's first home game against the Houston Texans since 2006.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 14: vs. Houston Texans
After punting on their opening drive, Welker returned the punt 31 yards to the Patriots 44-yard line. The Patriots raced 56 yards in just 7 plays with Hernandez catching a 7-yard touchdown pass. On 1st-and-goal from the 4, running back Stevan Ridley fumbled, but tight end Aaron Hernandez recovered at the 7. On the next play, Hernandez caught Brady's 7-yard touchdown pass for the early lead. The Texans drove all the way to the Texans 21, but on 2nd-and-8, Matt Schaub was intercepted at the 1 by Devin McCourty who returned it to the Patriots 19.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 14: vs. Houston Texans
The Patriots proceeded by swooping 81 yards in a ridiculous 6 plays to take a 14–0 lead on a 37-yard touchdown reception by Brandon Lloyd. After another Texans punt, the Patriots drove 70 yards, with Brady finding Hernandez, again, uncovered, for a 4-yard touchdown giving the Patriots a 21–0 lead early in the second quarter. After both teams traded punts, the Texans began a 10 play, 56-yard march to the Patriots 33, but on 4th-and-5, Schaub threw an incomplete pass intended for Kevin Walter, turning the ball over on downs.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 14: vs. Houston Texans
After a Patriots three-and-out, the Texans drove to the Patriots 38, but once again, on 4th-and-5 Schaub threw an incomplete pass, once again intended for Walter for another turnover on downs. Neither team scored for the remainder of the half. After both teams punted to start the second half, the Patriots scored on a 74-yard drive, with a 63-yard touchdown pass to Donté Stallworth increasing the Patriots lead to 28–0. Stallworth played his first game with the Patriots since August training camp (and first official game since 2007).


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 14: vs. Houston Texans
Following the game, Stallworth was diagnosed with an ankle injury and placed on IR. The Texans finally managed to answer on their next drive by storming 88 yards in just 7 plays, aided by three Patriots penalties, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run by Arian Foster. The Patriots continued their scoring barrage two drives later. The Patriots marched 72-yards in 9 plays, with Brady throwing a screen pass to Woodhead, J. J. Watt forcing him to fumble, but Brandon Lloyd jumping on it in the end zone for a Patriots touchdown, increasing the lead to 35–7.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 14: vs. Houston Texans
After the Texans punted, the Patriots marched 68 yards in 10 plays, with Ridley rushing for a 14-yard touchdown, blowing the game open 42–7. Later Brady was pulled up 42-7 for Ryan Mallett who promptly threw an interception at his own 25. T. J. Yates, replacing Schaub, engineered a 25-yard drive ending with his 1-yard touchdown run. Mallet took three knees on the next drive and the Patriots won the game.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 14: vs. Houston Texans
Tom Brady was on point, completing 21/35 passes for 296 yards, 4 touchdown and 0 interceptions. He was backed up by Ridley and Vereen combining for 112 yards on 26 carries. The Texans offense and defense were overwhelmed, being out-gained 419–323. The win pushed the Patriots to 10–3 while the Texans fell to 11–2, the start of the Texans losing three of their last four, missing out on either a #1 or #2 seed.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 15: vs. San Francisco 49ers
In a bitterly fought affair in cold rain, the Patriots fell to 10–4 and snapped their 21-game winning streak at home in December, the longest such winning streak in the NFL at the time. The Patriots fell to 18–4 at Gillette Stadium against NFC teams and have lost three straight home contests in interconference games. The 49ers raced to a 31–3 lead in the third quarter off four Patriots turnovers (two of them Brady interceptions), but the Patriots rallied to score four touchdowns. A 63-yard kick return set up Colin Kaepernick's fourth touchdown pass of the game and a failed fourth-down conversion attempt led to a Niners field goal.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 16: at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Patriots ground out a 23–16 win sealed on two late interceptions by Patrick Chung.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 16: at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars surprised the Patriots by storming 78 yards in 9 plays to take an early 7–0 lead on a Chad Henne 3-yard touchdown pass to Justin Blackmon. On the third play of their first drive Brady was intercepted by Chris Prosinski at the Jaguars 43 who returned it 4 yards to the 47. The Jaguars reached the Patriots 23, and Josh Scobee came on a drilled a 41-yard field goal, increasing the lead to 10–0.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 16: at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Patriots got going on their next drive, marching all the way to the Jags 7, but could only get a field goal out of it. Henne continued to carve update the Patriots secondary, reaching Patriots territory on a 36-yard bomb to Jordan Shipley, but the Patriots defense held and Scobee missed a 43-yard field goal, keeping the score 10–3. However, once again on the third play of the Patriots next drive, Brady was intercepted by Derek Cox.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 16: at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars took advantage, driving to the Patriots 17 and Scobee kicked his second field goal, extending the Jaguars surprising lead to 13–3. Two possession later, the Patriots marched to the Jaguars 30 and Gostkowski was good on a 48-yard field goal. The Patriots forced the Jags to punt again on their next drive, and once again the Patriots took advantage, marching 66 yards in 10 plays, scoring on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Woodhead with :18 seconds remaining in the first half, tying the game at 13-13.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 16: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Henne completed a pass to Shipley to the Patriots 40, but time expired. After receiving the opening kick-off, the Patriots drove to the Jaguars 20 and took the lead 16–13 on a 38-yard Gostkowski field goal. Two possessions later, at midfield, Henne was intercepted by Marquice Cole at the Patriots 40. Two possessions later, after Welker returned a punt 16 yards to the Patriots 41, the Patriots marched 59 yards in 9 plays, scoring on a two-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Welker, increasing the lead to 23–13.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 16: at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars responded on their next drive, reaching the Patriots 24 and trimming the deficit to 23–16 on a 42-yard field goal by Scobee, his third. After a Patriots punt, the Jags stormed to Pats the 1-yard line. On 1st down, Greg Jones was tackled for no gain. On 2nd down, Zach Potter was flagged for a false start moving the ball to the Patriots 5. An incompletion and 5-yard sack followed bring up 4th-and-goal at the 10. On the next play, Chung intercepted Henne in the end zone and returned it 27 yards to the Patriots 28.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 16: at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars forced the Patriots to punt and got the ball back at their own 38 with :54 seconds left. An unnecessary roughness penalty on Chung coupled with completions of 17 and 18 yards to Toney Clemons and Jordan Shipley, respectively moved the ball to the Patriots 12 yard line. However, Henne was intercepted by Chung again, who kneeled for a touchback and the Patriots escaped with the win. The win, however, left the Patriots angry; Tom Brady criticized his teammates following the game, saying "We didn't compete," and his postgame press conference was unusually short.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 17: vs. Miami Dolphins
Tom Brady threw for two touchdowns, Stevan Ridley ran for two more, and the defense shut down Miami in a blowout victory.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 17: vs. Miami Dolphins
With the shutout win, the Patriots ended their regular season at 12–4, and they swept their AFC East rivals for the first time since 2007. The win also clinched the AFC's No. 2 seed, following the Texans' loss to the Colts earlier that day.


2012 New England Patriots season, Regular season results, Week 17: vs. Miami Dolphins
The game was the final regular-season radiocast for longtime Patriots play-by-play announcer Gil Santos; CBS Sports made note of this by simulcasting part of his game call on their telecast. His longtime color analyst Gino Cappelletti rejoined Santos in the radio booth during the first quarter.


2012 New England Patriots season, Postseason results, Divisional Round vs. Houston Texans
Danieal Manning returned the opening kickoff 94 yards to the Patriots 12. After a 3-yard run by Foster, back-to-back incompletions forced the Texans to settle for a 27-yard field goal by Shayne Graham for an early 3–0 lead. After a Patriots three-and-out, the Texans drove to the Patriots 45, but were forced to punt. Three possessions later, the Patriots finally got on the board, marching 65 yards in 6 plays, scoring on Vereen's 1-yard touchdown run. The Texans drove deep into their own territory on their next drive, but were forced to punt.


2012 New England Patriots season, Postseason results, Divisional Round vs. Houston Texans
The Patriots responded by driving all the way to the Texans 19, and took a 10–3 lead on Gostkowski's 37-yard field goal. The Texans then drove to the Patriots 43, but couldn't get any further and punted. The Patriots made them pay, racing 80 yards in 7 plays, scoring on an 8-yard touchdown catch by Vereen, widening the lead to 17–3. A 47-yard catch by Welker on the drive gave him the new franchise record for postseason catches (59) over legend Troy Brown.


2012 New England Patriots season, Postseason results, Divisional Round vs. Houston Texans
Manning returned the ensuing kickoff 35 yards to the Texans 38, but a horse-collar tackle moved the ball to the Patriots 47. It took just 5 plays for the Texans to strike on Foster's 1-yard touchdown run, trimming the deficit to 17–10 with just over a minute remaining in the first half. After forcing the Patriots to a quick three-and-out, the Texans raced to the Patriots 37 and Graham nailed a 55-yard field goal, bringing the score to 17–13 at halftime. But the Patriots took over in the second half.


2012 New England Patriots season, Postseason results, Divisional Round vs. Houston Texans
After Slater returned the ensuing kickoff 19 yards to the Patriots 31, the Patriots marched 69 yards in 7 plays, scoring an 8-yard touchdown run by Ridley, increasing the lead to 24–13. Two possessions later, the Texans once again drove deep into Patriots territory, to the 37, but Schaub was intercepted by Ninkovich at the 31. It took the Patriots under three minutes to race 63 yards, scoring on Lloyd's 5-yard touchdown catch, widening the lead to 31–13. This was Brady's 40th career touchdown pass in the postseason, making him only the third player with so many in the postseason.


2012 New England Patriots season, Postseason results, Divisional Round vs. Houston Texans
The Texans reached their own 23 on their next drive, but on 4th-and-1, Schaub's deep pass fell incomplete. On the very next play Brady hit Vereen on a 33-yard touchdown pass, Vereen's third touchdown of the game, putting the game away with a 38–13 score. This was the 5th 300-yard postseason game for Brady and Vereen tied Curtis Martin and Gronkowski with three touchdowns in a playoff game. Manning continued his great returning with a 69-yard return to the Patriots 37. Five plays later, Schaub hit DeVier Posey on a 25-yard touchdown pass, trimming the deficit to 38–20.


2012 New England Patriots season, Postseason results, Divisional Round vs. Houston Texans
After a Patriots punt, the Texans marched 73 yards in 11 plays, scoring on Schaub's 1-yard touchdown pass to Foster on 4th-and-Goal, with a successful two-point conversion, trimming the deficit to 38–28 with 5:11 left, giving the Texans a chance, but Ninkovich recovered the ensuing onside kick, the Patriots drained the clock to 1:14, and Gostkowski kicked a 38-yard field goal, making the score 41–28. The Texans drove to the Patriots 41, but the clock ran out after Schaub hit Daniels for a 9-yard gain.


2012 New England Patriots season, Postseason results, Divisional Round vs. Houston Texans
Tom Brady became the winningest quarterback in NFL playoff history with his 17th postseason win, breaking a tie with Joe Montana; it was also the 450th victory (regular season and playoffs) in franchise history. The win put the Patriots into the AFL-AFC Title Game for the tenth time in franchise history (ninth under the AFC banner) and a rematch of the 2011 title game (as well as a rematch of Week 3) with the Baltimore Ravens.


2012 New England Patriots season, Postseason results, AFC Championship vs. Baltimore Ravens
Just as they had the previous season, the Patriots faced the Ravens at home for the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Patriots lead 13–7 in the first half, but were shut out for the second half by the Ravens. With the loss, the Patriots concluded their season with a record of 13–5, and dropped to 1–2 against the Ravens during the postseason (all 3 playoff meetings have occurred at Gillette Stadium). This was also the first time Tom Brady lost a home game after leading at halftime.


2012 New England Revolution season
The 2012 New England Revolution season was the team's seventeenth year of existence, all in Major League Soccer. The team opened its season on March 10 at the San Jose Earthquakes and concluded on October 27 at Montreal Impact. New England's first home league game was March 24 against the Portland Timbers.


2012 New England Revolution season, Overview, Offseason
The New England Revolution had plenty of turnover during the offseason after finishing in last place in the Eastern Conference the prior year. The Revolution fired longtime coach Steve Nicol after 10 seasons with the club, and hired former long-time New England Revolution defender Jay Heaps to replace Nicol. Heaps had most recently worked as the color commentator for Revolution broadcasts on Comcast SportsNet New England and 98.5 The Sports Hub.


2012 New England Revolution season, Overview, Preseason
The New England Revolution started training camp in Arizona culminating with a scrimmage against the PDL club FC Tucson which the Revolution won 2-1. New England then returned home for a few more weeks of training along with two scrimmages against the Boston College Eagles of the NCAA, both of which ended in Revolution victories.


2012 New England Revolution season, Overview, Preseason
The Revolution then returned to Arizona in order to participate in the 2012 Desert Diamond Cup. Their successful preseason continued with 3 consecutive victories over the Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake in order to advance to the Desert Diamond Cup championship game. The Revolution lost the final to the Galaxy, 4 - 2 in a penalty shoot-out.


2012 New England Revolution season, Overview, March
The Revolution opened the regular season on March 10, 2012 all the way across the country to San Jose, California to face the San Jose Earthquakes. A first half mistake by Revolution captain Shalrie Joseph was converted into a goal by Chris Wondolowski. New England was never able to recover from that mistake and ended up losing their season opener 0-1 to San Jose. One week later, the Revolution traveled to Kansas City, Kansas in order to take on Eastern Conference favorites Sporting Kansas City. Revolution defender Stephen McCarthy was sent off on a controversial tackle in the 14th minute. The Revolution, who were suffering from numerous injuries to their defense corp was unable to survive 76 minutes with only 10 men and ended up losing 0-3 to Sporting Kansas City.


2012 New England Revolution season, Overview, March
New England had their home opener on Saturday March 24, 2012 against the Portland Timbers at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution came out of the gates fast with a score by new striker Saër Sène in the 1st minute. They were able to shut down the Timbers for the rest of the game and get new head coach Jay Heaps his first MLS victory with a 1-0 result. Once again, the Revolution traveled cross country to Carson, California to face the Los Angeles Galaxy on March 31, 2012.


2012 New England Revolution season, Overview, March
Once again the Revolution scored early off a cross from Shalrie Joseph to rookie Kelyn Rowe for the first goal of his MLS career in the 10th minute. The Revolution attack continued and lead to another goal by Chris Tierney in the 13th minute and added one more to their tally off a Saër Sène goal in the 65th minute. The Galaxy were able to break through and finally score one off the foot of Robbie Keane in the 78th minute, but the Revolution held on to record their 2nd victory of the year, 3-1 over Los Angeles.


2012 New England Revolution season, Squad, Current roster
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2012 New England Revolution season, Competitions, Major League Soccer, Standings
Note: the table below has no impact on playoff qualification and is used solely for determining host of the MLS Cup, certain CCL spots, and 2013 MLS draft. The conference tables are the sole determinant for teams qualifying to the playoffs


2012 New England Revolution season, Competitions, Major League Soccer, Standings
Last updated: October 25, 2012Source: MLS ResultsPld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won;  T = Matches tied;  L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference


2012 New England Revolution season, Miscellany, Allocation ranking
New England is in the #19 position in the MLS Allocation Ranking. The allocation ranking is the mechanism used to determine which MLS club has first priority to acquire a U.S. National Team player who signs with MLS after playing abroad, or a former MLS player who returns to the league after having gone to a club abroad for a transfer fee. A ranking can be traded, provided that part of the compensation received in return is another club’s ranking. New England held the #1 position until they selected Juan Toja, which dropped them to the bottom of the order.


2012 New England Revolution season, Miscellany, International roster spots
New England has 8 MLS International Roster Slots for use in the 2012 season. Each club in Major League Soccer is allocated 8 international roster spots and no New England trades have been reported.


2012 New England Revolution season, Miscellany, Future draft pick trades
Future picks acquired: *2013 MLS SuperDraft Round 2 pick from D.C. United; *2013 MLS SuperDraft Round 2 pick from Chivas USA. Future picks traded: None.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary
The 2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary took place on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney won the primary.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Campaign
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Texas Congressman Ron Paul, Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum were heavily contesting and campaigning in the New Hampshire primary. Santorum won the Iowa Caucus on January 3, but no one knew that yet, and believed Romney had won by 8 votes.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Campaign
Televised debates in New Hampshire were held on January 7, 2012, on ABC News at Saint Anselm College and the following morning on January 8, 2012, on NBC's Meet the Press and MSNBC. All major Republican candidates attended both debates.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Ballot
In 2012, a record 33 Republican candidates filed to appear on the ballot in New Hampshire, including various single-issue activists, protest candidates, and perennial candidates. For instance, Stewart Greenleaf, who had no interest in becoming President, registered for the ballot to promote the issue of government spending in the Republican Party. Under New Hampshire's lenient ballot access laws, a candidate is only required to pay $1,000 to the state's treasury, and needs no party approval or petitions for placement.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Endorsements, Newspapers
Various newspapers that circulate widely in New Hampshire made endorsements ahead of the New Hampshire primary. While the conservative Union Leader, the only statewide newspaper, endorsed Gingrich, various newspapers endorsed Huntsman, with the Valley News stating that Huntsman was "a candidate whose views are solidly conservative, but not myopically so" and criticizing Romney and Gingrich, stating that "The former has raised the flip-flop to an art form, while the latter has done the same for hypocrisy" and endorsing Huntsman "in the hopes that the cooler heads will prevail in New Hampshire and elsewhere." Romney also received support, including from the Portsmouth Herald of the Seacoast Region.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Endorsements, State politicians
Romney led the field in endorsements from New Hampshire Republican elected officials. The New York Times reported that after losing New Hampshire in the 2008 primary to John McCain, Romney devoted considerable time and money to gain the support of New Hampshire Republican figures. Romney's political action committee (PAC) "spread thousands of dollars" to New Hampshire Republican campaigns, including that of youthful Republican state Representative D.J. Bettencourt of the Republican-heavy Salem area, elected state House majority leader in 2011, who is one of Romney's most active supporters.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Endorsements, State politicians
Romney's PAC also donated $25,000 to the New Hampshire Republican State Committee under the chairmanship of prominent New Hampshire party player John H. Sununu, a former governor and White House Chief of Staff. Republican candidates for state Senate and state House, small-town Republican committees, and county sheriffs and district attorneys were all "recipients of [Romney's] largesse." Romney was criticized by some as "buying" endorsements, who referenced "blatantly transactional terms that lie behind the announcements." A large number of officials endorsing Romney, in New Hampshire and in other early primary states, had received contributions first.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Endorsements, State politicians
By December 11, Romney had already received the endorsement of Ted Gatsas, mayor of Manchester (New Hampshire's largest city) and former state Senate president, and 58 endorsements from state representatives. According to prominent Romney supporter Thomas D. Rath, a former state attorney general described as a Republican power broker, on the eve of the primary the Romney campaign had been endorsed by 11 of 19 Republicans in the State Senate, 73 or 74 of the Republican state representatives, and eight of the 10 sheriffs, as well as the mayor of the largest city.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Endorsements, State politicians
The New York Times reported that so many officials endorsed Romney that it took a three-page pamphlet mailed to New Hampshire Republicans to list them all. The Times reported that Romney-supporting officials "introduce him at virtually every campaign stop, flood gyms and seniors centers with crowds on short notice and attack his Republican rivals."


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Endorsements, State politicians
New Hampshire House Speaker William L. (Bill) O'Brien endorsed Gingrich, while former House speakers George Roberts, Howard Burns, John Tucker, Donna Sytek, and Doug Scamman endorsed Romney. State Senators Jim Forsythe, Andy Sanborn, and Ray White endorsed Ron Paul.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Endorsements, Federal politicians
Of the three Republicans in New Hampshire's congressional delegation, Senator Kelly Ayotte and Representative Charles Bass endorsed Romney, while Frank Guinta declined to endorse a candidate. Executive Council members Raymond S. Burton (who has represented northern New Hampshire since the 1970s), Christopher T. Sununu, and Raymond Wieczorek; State Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, state Senators David Boutin, John Barnes, Jr., Jim Rausch, and Chuck Morse; and former state Senate President Tom Eaton endorsed Romney before December 7. Douglas Dutile, the sheriff of Grafton County, also endorsed Romney.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Endorsements, Federal politicians
Senator John McCain of Arizona, who won the New Hampshire Republican primary in 2000 and 2008 and was the Republican nominee for president in 2008, endorsed Romney following the Iowa caucuses and ahead of the New Hampshire primary at a Manchester rally on January 4, despite prior tension between the two in the 2008 primary race.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Endorsements, Tea Party
After Iowa but before the New Hampshire primaries, tea party movement-aligned Buffalo, New York businessman Carl Paladino, the 2010 gubernatorial candidate in nearby New York, supported Gingrich and sharply criticized the rest of the candidates.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Endorsements, Rick Santorum's endorsements
Notably, former PA Sen. Rick Santorum gained a disproportionately high number of endorsements (when compared to his pre-Iowa polling in the single digits) in the run up to and including the NH Primary. At one point Santorum led the entire field of GOP candidates in total number of endorsements (until the entrance of Romney and Perry), and finished with more endorsees than even Huntsman who finished third in the race.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Endorsements, Rick Santorum's endorsements
This was due in large part to the efforts of Santorum's State Co-chairs: Rep. Dan Tamburello, a current member of the NH House of Representatives from Londonderry who spearheaded the effort, Hon. Bill Cahill, a former Governor's Councilor and member of the NH House, and Claira Monier, a notable Republican party activist who was instrumental in Reagan's NH victory in 1980.


2012 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Endorsements, Rick Santorum's endorsements
Sen Santorum's national campaign manager was by Mike Biundo, who was the architect of former Manchester mayor Frank Guinta's surprising 2010 primary upset for the NH 1st Congressional district; Guinta went on to win the NH-1 district in November 2010 in a decisive victory over Democrat Carol-Shea Porter, who never conceded the race. Other notable endorsements for the Senator included Sen. Jim Luther, Sen. Fenton Groen, former candidate for Governor Karen Testerman, Rep Susan DeLemus, and NH Tea-Party luminary Jerry DeLemus. Testerman and the DeLemus' endorsed Rick after having defected from the Bachmann camp.


2012 New Hampshire Wildcats football team
The 2012 New Hampshire Wildcats football team represented the University of New Hampshire in the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by 14th-year head coach Sean McDonnell and played their home games at Cowell Stadium. They are a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. They finished the season 8–4, 6–2 in CAA play. Due to Old Dominion (7–1 in CAA play) being ineligible for the CAA title, the Wildcats finished in a four way tie for the CAA championship. They received an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs where they lost in the second round to Wofford.


2012 New Hampshire gubernatorial election
The 2012 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election, U.S. House elections, and various state and local elections.


2012 New Hampshire gubernatorial election
Four-term incumbent governor John Lynch was eligible to seek a fifth term. In the fall of 2011, Lynch announced that he would retire rather than run for re-election. On September 11, 2012, Democrat Maggie Hassan and Republican Ovide Lamontagne defeated primary opponents to win their parties' nominations. Hassan won the election while carrying every county in the state and began the two-year term on January 3, 2013.


2012 New Haven Open at Yale
The 2012 New Haven Open at Yale (New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara for sponsorship reasons) was a women's tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It was the 44th edition of the New Haven Open at Yale, and was part of the Premier Series of the 2012 WTA Tour. It took place at the Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center in New Haven, Connecticut, United States, from August 17 through August 25, 2012. It was the last event on the 2012 US Open Series before the 2012 US Open.


2012 New Haven Open at Yale, Singles main draw entrants, Other entrants
The following players received wildcards into the singles main draw:


2012 New Haven Open at Yale, Doubles main draw entrants, Other entrants
The following pair received wildcard into the doubles main draw:


2012 New Haven Open at Yale, Finals, Doubles
Liezel Huber /  Lisa Raymond defeated  Andrea Hlaváčková /  Lucie Hradecká, 4–6, 6–0, [10–4]


2012 New Haven Open at Yale – Doubles
Chuang Chia-jung and Olga Govortsova were the defending champions, but decided not to defend their title together. Chuang partnered with Shahar Pe'er and lost in the Quarterfinals to Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond. Govortsova played alongside Vera Dushevina, but lost in the first round to Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond. Huber and Raymond  won the final against Andrea Hlaváčková and Lucie Hradecká 4–6, 6–0, [10–4].


2012 New Haven Open at Yale – Singles
Caroline Wozniacki was the four-time defending champion. She retired in the semifinals against Maria Kirilenko.


2012 New Haven Open at Yale – Singles, Seeds
The top two seeds receive a bye into the second round.


2012 New Jersey's 10th congressional district special election
The 2012 special election in New Jersey's 10th congressional district was a special election that took place in New Jersey on November 6, 2012, following the death of Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives Donald M. Payne. Payne's son, Donald Payne Jr., won the Democratic Party primary that was held on June 5, 2012. He also won the Democratic primary (held the same day) for the full term beginning in January 2013.


2012 New Jersey's 10th congressional district special election, Schedule
As a matter of convenience and cost saving, this special election was be held in conjunction with the regularly scheduled general election on November 6, 2012. Voters were asked to select two candidates: one to serve the remainder of Payne's term in the 112th Congress, and the other to serve the full 2-year term in the 113th Congress beginning in January 2013.


2012 New Jersey's 10th congressional district special election, Candidates, Democratic
The following Democratic candidates ran in the special election primary on June 5, 2012:


2012 New Jersey's 10th congressional district special election, Candidates, Republican
No Republicans declared their intent to run in the special election for the unexpired term. Brian Kelemen ran as the Republican candidate for the full term.


2012 New Mexico Bowl
The 2012 Gildan New Mexico Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game that was held on December 15, 2012, at University Stadium on the campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the United States. The seventh edition of the New Mexico Bowl began at 11:00 a.m. MST and aired on ESPN. It featured the Nevada Wolf Pack, who represented the Mountain West Conference in their first year as a member, against the Arizona Wildcats, who represented the Pac-12 Conference. The Wolf Pack accepted their invitation with a 7–4 record in their first eleven games of the season, while the Wildcats accepted their invitation after finishing the regular season at 7–5. The bowl was the first of 35 played in the 2012–13 bowl game season.


2012 New Mexico Bowl
Coming into the game, both teams had sound offenses and were led by their respective running backs, sophomore Ka'Deem Carey for Arizona and senior Stefphon Jefferson for Nevada, who ranked number one and number two respectively in total rushing yards during the regular season. Arizona and Nevada ranked third and fourth respectively in total offense. Both teams' defenses were ranked towards the bottom of college football. Consequently, the game was widely expected to be high-scoring.


2012 New Mexico Bowl
Arizona won the game 49–48 after scoring two touchdowns in the final two minutes to come back for the victory. As expected, the game was dominated by offense; Arizona and Nevada combined for 1234 total yards and 70 first downs. Despite losing the game, Nevada possessed the ball nearly twice as long and gained twice as many rushing yards as Arizona. Arizona quarterback Matt Scott was named the game's offensive most valuable player (MVP), and teammate Marquis Flowers, a linebacker, was named the game's defensive MVP.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Teams
The New Mexico Bowl is played annually at the campus stadium of the University of New Mexico, a founding member of the Mountain West Conference which has had a tie-in since the game's establishment in 2006. 2012 was the first year of the Pac-12's tie in. The game featured the nation's top rushers, Arizona's All-American Ka'Deem Carey (146.4 ypg) and Nevada's Stefphon Jefferson (141.9 ypg). It also featured Arizona quarterback Matt Scott (3,723 total offense yards) and Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo (3,511 total offense yards).


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Teams
This was the fourth meeting between these two teams. Arizona leads the all-time record 2-1-1. The last time they played was in 1941.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Teams, Arizona
Arizona came off of a 7-5 (4-5 in conference) season in coach Rich Rodriguez's debut with the team. Arizona started their season by beating Toledo, Oklahoma State, and South Carolina State prior to getting blown out 49-0 by Oregon. Later in the season, Arizona beat USC who was ranked #9. Star running back Ka'Deem Carey had his best game of the year against Colorado totaling 366 yards to give the Wildcats their sixth win of the season. Their regular season concluded with a loss to rival Arizona State 41-34.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Teams, Arizona
The 2012 edition was the first appearance in the bowl for both Arizona and for the Pac-12. Arizona, seventh best in the nation in total offense (521.83 ypg), was led by quarterback Matt Scott (338.45 ypg, 3,238 yards passing), All-American running back Ka'Deem Carey who led the nation in rushing (146.42 ypg) and set a school record with his 1,757 rushing yards, good for 21 touchdowns, and wide receiver Austin Hill who totaled 1,189 yards. 2012 was the first season in Arizona's history during which they had a 3000-yard passer, a 1000-yard rusher, and a 1000-yard receiver. Senior place kicker John Bonano was named the 2012 Pac-12 Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Physiology major with a 3.927 GPA).


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Teams, Nevada
The Wolf Pack came off their inaugural season as a member of the Mountain West, during which they compiled a conference record of 4-3, good for fifth place in the conference. They began their season by defeating rival California 31-24. After losing to South Florida by a single point, Nevada won five consecutive games to achieve bowl eligibility. The Wolf Pack then dropped three of their final four to bring their record to 7-5. After defeating the New Mexico Lobos to improve their record to 7-4, the Wolf Pack accepted an invitation to the New Mexico Bowl.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Teams, Nevada
Nevada coach Chris Ault was one of three members of the College Football Hall of Fame to lead a team into a bowl game, along with Barry Alvarez (Wisconsin interim coach) and Steve Spurrier (South Carolina). Nevada's senior receiver Brandon Wimberly had caught a pass in all 39 games of his college career. This was the Wolf Pack's second New Mexico Bowl; they had previously played in the 2007 edition (then as a member of the Western Athletic Conference), losing to the hometown New Mexico Lobos by a score of 23-0.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Pregame buildup
This was the first bowl of the 2012-13 College Football Bowl season. Prior to 2012, the teams had not met since 1941 despite their close proximity. In 1941, Arizona beat Nevada 26–7. Overall, the series record prior to the game was 1–1–1. Arizona, who had appeared in a bowl game in four of the previous five seasons, made the Pac-12's first appearance in the New Mexico Bowl. Nevada made its eighth consecutive bowl appearance and second all-time in the New Mexico Bowl.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Pregame buildup, Offense
Coming into the game, Arizona and Nevada were two of the top offenses in the country, ranking 7th and 10th in yards per game respectively. There was also significant hype surrounding the game because it featured two of the best running backs in the country, Ka'Deem Carey for Arizona, and Stefphon Jefferson for Nevada. Carey was ranked number one in the country in total rushing yards, while Jefferson was ranked number two. The duo were also prolific scorers; Jefferson was second in the country in rushing touchdowns with 25 and Carey was third with 24. The game was widely expected to be a shoot-out, as both teams were in the top-20 scoring offenses in the regular season.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Pregame buildup, Defense
There were very low expectations for the defenses; the over/under was set at 75.5 total points. During the regular season, both defenses were ranked in the bottom 30 (out of 120) in points allowed. Despite having three players on the All-Mountain West team, Nevada allowed opponents to convert third downs 47.2% of the time (107th in the country). Arizona was led defensively during the regular season by Jake Fischer, who accumulated 119 total tackles, while Nevada was led by Albert Rosette who totaled 135 regular season tackles.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Game summary, First quarter
Nevada methodically moved down the field on their first drive and scored first on a 16-yard run by Stefphon Jefferson to cap off an 8-play, 75-yard drive. Later in the quarter, the Wolf Pack took a 14-0 lead following a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cody Fajardo to Zach Sudfeld. Arizona fumbled on the ensuing kickoff. On the first play of their drive, Nevada took a 21-0 lead on a 28-yard touchdown pass to Sudfeld. All-American running back Ka'Deem Carey finally got Arizona on the board with a 21-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Game summary, Second quarter
In the second quarter, Arizona outscored Nevada 21-10. Taking advantage of two Nevada turnovers, an interception thrown by Cody Fajardo and a fumble by Stefphon Jefferson, Arizona was able to tie the game at 21 with one-yard touchdown runs by Matt Scott and Carey, respectively. Nevada regained the lead on a 14-yard rushing touchdown by Jefferson, but Arizona tied the game once again on a 9-yard Carey touchdown run, his third of the game. Nevada enjoyed a three-point lead at the half after a 27 field goal by Allen Hardison capped off a 16-play, 65-yard drive and made the score 31-28.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Game summary, Third quarter
After kicking off to start the game, Arizona got the ball first in the second half. Their first drive went three-and-out. After a 51-yard punt, Nevada took over at their own 11-yard line. They put together an 11-play, 89-yard drive that culminated with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Cody Fajardo to Richy Turner. During the course of throwing the touchdown pass, Fajardo hurt his hand and was seen shaking it on his way to the end zone to celebrate the score. He returned for Nevada's next offensive drive.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Game summary, Third quarter
Arizona's next drive got them into Nevada territory, but an interception thrown by Matt Scott ended any hopes of scoring. Nevada took the field and drove 84 yards down the field on 15 plays. Near the end of the drive once Nevada was inside the 10-yard line, Fajardo ran the ball for a gain of three yards. During the course of the play, he took a hit to the head from an Arizona defender. He exited the game for one play, but subsequently returned on that drive and scored a one-yard rushing touchdown. Arizona was held scoreless in the quarter, and heading into the final quarter of regulation, Nevada possessed a 45-28 lead.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Game summary, Fourth quarter
Arizona came into the fourth quarter trailing Nevada by 17 points. Arizona was able to cut the lead to 45-35 on a 63-yard touchdown pass from Scott to Austin Hill soon after the 4th quarter began. Nevada then took a 48-35 lead on a 25-yard field goal from Hardison, for a 13-point lead with only 1:44 left in regulation time. Arizona, with no timeouts and needing two scores to win the game, was able to cut the lead down to 48-42 with only 42 seconds left in regulation on a short touchdown pass from Scott to Hill.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Game summary, Fourth quarter
After Marquis Flowers successfully recovered the onside kick, Arizona quickly scored with another short Scott touchdown pass, this time to Tyler Slavin, to take tie the game at 48 with only 19 seconds left in regulation. Prior to the extra point attempt, Nevada coach Chris Ault called his final timeout to try to ice kicker John Bonano. The tactic was unsuccessful, as Bonano made the extra point to give Arizona a one-point lead. The final 19 seconds of the game were the only time that Arizona led. Arizona held on to the lead after Arizona's Flowers intercepted a Fajardo pass with a few seconds remaining in the game.


2012 New Mexico Bowl, Aftermath
On December 28, 2012, nearly two weeks after the bowl game, Nevada head coach Chris Ault announced that he would resign from his position as head football coach at Nevada. Son of former National Football League executive Bill Polian Brian Polian was subsequently signed a five-year contract to be the new head coach of the Wolf Pack on January 7, 2013.


2012 New Mexico Lobos football team
The 2012 New Mexico Lobos football team represented the University of New Mexico in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Lobos were led by first-year head coach Bob Davie. They played their home games at University Stadium and were members of the Mountain West Conference. They finished the season 4–9, 1–7 in Mountain West play to finish in a tie for ninth place.


2012 New Mexico Stars season
The 2012 New Mexico Stars season was the team's first season as a professional indoor football franchise and first in the Indoor Football League (IFL). One of sixteen teams competing in the IFL for the 2012 season, the Rio Rancho, New Mexico-based New Mexico Stars were members of the Intense Conference.


2012 New Mexico Stars season
Under the leadership of owner/general manager Dart Clark and head coach Chris Williams, the team played their home games at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.


2012 New Mexico Stars season, Roster
Rookies in italics updated June 16, 201220 Active, 0 Inactive


2012 New Mexico State Aggies football team
The 2012 New Mexico State Aggies football team represented New Mexico State University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Aggies were led by fourth–year head coach DeWayne Walker who resigned after the end of the season and played their home games at Aggie Memorial Stadium. They were members of the Western Athletic Conference. This was their final season as a member of the WAC. With the WAC ceasing to support football in the 2013 season, New Mexico State became an FBS Independent for the 2013 season. They finished the season 1–11, 0–6 in WAC play to finish in last place.


2012 New Orleans Bowl
The 2012 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game held on December 22, 2012, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 12th edition of the New Orleans Bowl began at 11:00 a.m. CST and aired on ESPN. It featured the East Carolina Pirates from Conference USA against the Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns from the Sun Belt Conference and was the final game of the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season for both teams. The Ragin' Cajuns accepted their invitation after earning an 8–4 record in the regular season, while the Pirates advanced to the game through the C-USA's contingency plan after earning an 8–4 record.


2012 New Orleans Bowl
The 77 combined points scored by both teams set a New Orleans Bowl record.


2012 New Orleans Bowl, Teams
Since 2002, the New Orleans Bowl has had its current setup with a team from Conference USA playing a team from the Sun Belt Conference.


2012 New Orleans Bowl, Teams
This was the eleventh meeting between the two teams. Louisiana–Lafayette leads the all-time record 6-4. The last time they played was in 1990.


2012 New Orleans Bowl, Teams, East Carolina
The Pirates continued their winning history in Conference USA, becoming the East Division Co-Champions with a 7-1 conference record (though losing the championship game tiebreaker through their only conference loss to the UCF Knights). After said Knights lost the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the 2012 Conference USA Football Championship Game, the conference's corresponding contingency plan for the 2012–13 NCAA Bowl season put the Pirates in the 2012 New Orleans Bowl.


2012 New Orleans Bowl, Teams, Louisiana–Lafayette
The Ragin' Cajuns are the defending New Orleans Bowl champions, and their road to this year's game is similar to the previous year's. Although the Sun Belt has a record five bowl-eligible teams this year, the Ragin' Cajuns stood out amidst the competition by compiling a 5-2 conference record, including victories over fellow bowl-eligible teams the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks and the WKU Hilltoppers. After defeating the South Alabama Jaguars to improve their regular-season record to 7-4, the Ragin' Cajuns accepted the fifth invitation of the 2012–13 NCAA Bowl season to the 2012 New Orleans Bowl.


2012 New Orleans Saints season
The 2012 season was the New Orleans Saints' 46th in the National Football League and their 37th playing home games at the Superdome. It would have been their seventh season under head coach Sean Payton, but he was suspended by the NFL for the entire season as part of the punishment for the team's bounty scandal. On April 12, 2012, linebackers coach Joe Vitt was named interim head coach to replace Payton while he was suspended.


2012 New Orleans Saints season
On August 22, 2012, it was announced that Aaron Kromer would take over while Vitt himself served a six-game suspension to start the regular season. The Saints attempted to make history as the first host team to play the Super Bowl on their own home field, but they were eliminated from post-season contention for the first time since 2008 in Week 16. The Saints set an NFL record for most yards given up by a defense, 7,042 yards, surpassing the 1981 Baltimore Colts record of 6,793 yards.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Personnel changes
After his contract expired, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was hired by the St. Louis Rams to the same position on January 16, 2012. Former Rams' head coach Steve Spagnuolo replaced Williams. Williams was later handed an indefinite suspension from the NFL for his role in the bounty scandal.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Roster changes, Draft
The Saints did not have a first- or second-round selection.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Roster changes, Undrafted free agents
All undrafted free agents were signed just after the 2012 NFL Draft concluded on April 28.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Staff
† – suspended for the entire 2012 season(see New Orleans Saints bounty scandal)


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 4: at Green Bay Packers
With the loss, the Saints faced their first 0–4 start since 2007.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers
Drew Brees broke Johnny Unitas' record of consecutive games with a touchdown in the first quarter. The record touchdown was witnessed by Unitas' son Joe. With the surprising win, the Saints go into their bye week at 1–4.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 7: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With the win, the Saints improved to 2–4. Also, QB Drew Brees increased his number of consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 49.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 8: at Denver Broncos
With the loss, the Saints fell to 2–5. However, despite the loss, QB Drew Brees increased his record of consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 50.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 9: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
With the win, the Saints improved to 3–5. Also, QB Drew Brees increased his streak of games with at least one passing touchdown to 51.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 10: vs. Atlanta Falcons
After their huge win over the Eagles, the Saints stayed home for a game against their heated rival Falcons. Sitting at 3–5, the Falcons came into this game at 8–0. The Saints surprisingly won their 4th-straight game against the Falcons and improved their record to 4–5 while the Falcons dropped to 8–1. Drew Brees brought his total of games with a passing touchdown to 52.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 11: at Oakland Raiders
After 2 straight dominant home wins, the Saints traveled to Oakland to take on the Raiders. The Saints again dominated this game after the Raiders took the first points of the game. The Saints would win and improve to 5–5 on the season keeping their playoff hopes alive. Also Drew Brees brought his streak of at least 1 passing touchdown in a single game to 53.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 12: vs. San Francisco 49ers
The loss dropped the team to 5–6, but Brees' record of games with at least 1 passing touchdown stood at 54.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons
After the tough road loss to the Niners, the Saints traveled to take on the Falcons in a TNF matchup. The Saints' 4-game winning streak against the Falcons would be snapped as the team dropped to 5–7. Also, QB Drew Brees' streak of consecutive games with at least 1 passing touchdown would come to an end as he threw a career-high 5 interceptions in one game on the night. Regardless, his total passing touchdowns at this point was 31 bringing him his 5th straight season with 30+ passing touchdowns.


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With the win, The Saints improved to 6–8 and swept the Buccaneers for the first time since 2006 and posted their first shutout win since 1995 to the New York Jets 12–0


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 16: at Dallas Cowboys
With the win, the Saints improved to 7–8. However, the Saints were eliminated from postseason contention, thus rendering them unable to play Super Bowl XLVII on their own home turf (as of 2020, no team has done this in Super Bowl history).


2012 New Orleans Saints season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers
With the loss, the Saints finished with their first losing season since 2007 at 7–9. Also, the team was swept by the Panthers for the first time since 2008.


2012 New Orleans VooDoo season
The 2012 New Orleans VooDoo season was the sixth season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Pat O'Hara and played their home games at New Orleans Arena. The VooDoo finished the regular season with a record of 8–10, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since their inaugural season in 2004. The VooDoo however, were defeated in the conference semifinals by the Philadelphia Soul, 53–66.


2012 New Orleans VooDoo season, Schedule, Regular season
The VooDoo had a bye in week 1 and began the season in week 2 at home against the Philadelphia Soul on March 18. They hosted the Georgia Force on July 21 in their final regular season game.


2012 New Orleans VooDoo season, Roster
Rookies in italics updated July 26, 201225 Active, 18 Inactive


2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries
The 2012 New Progressive Party primaries were the primary elections by which voters of the New Progressive Party (PNP) chose its nominees for various political offices of Puerto Rico for the 2012 general elections. They were held on March 18, 2012 and coincided with the Republican Party primaries in the island.


2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Background
At the time of the primaries, the New Progressive Party had already chosen current Governor Luis Fortuño, as their gubernatorial candidate for reelection. He would be joined again in the ballot by current Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi. There was the possibility for a primary between Fortuño and aspiring candidate Iván González Cancel, but he wasn't certified by the Commission. González appealed the decision in the courts, but the case was still pending at the time of the primaries.


2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Background
In the Senate, there were 14 sitting senators looking to retain their election spots. In the House, there were around 6 sitting at-large representatives as well. Also, some returning candidates from previous years, like Carlos Díaz, and other former officeholders, like María Milagros Charbonier and Zoé Laboy, were entering the political race. Current representative Liza M. Fernández was running for a Senate seat this time, while her husband, Angel Pérez, was running for a representative seat in District 6.


2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Background
Sitting representative Cristóbal Colón Ruíz was also looking to gain an election spot to be mayor of Patillas, against sitting mayor Benjamín Cintrón. There were fifteen sitting mayor from the PNP that were challenged in primaries.


2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Background
Also, the amount of primaries per municipality and districts were few, when compared to previous years. As a result, the primaries were expected to be of low participation among the party members.


2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Candidates, Senate, District
The New Progressive Party held primaries on 5 of the 8 senatorial districts.


2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Candidates, House of Representatives, District
The New Progressive Party held primaries on 18 of the 40 representative districts.


2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Candidates, Mayors
The New Progressive Party held primaries in 24 of 78 municipalities.


2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Aftermath, Allegations of fraud
On the same day of the primaries, PPD Electoral Commissioner Eder Ortíz, claimed he had evidence of fraud from the PNP primaries.


2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Aftermath, Sitting senators losing
Senators Evelyn Vázquez (District IV) and José Emilio González (District III) had their candidatures at risk. Vázquez win over Benjamín Velázquez was close and could go to a recount, while José Emilio González claimed there were irregularities that could have led to his loss.


2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Aftermath, Representative District 6
There was a lot of controversy surrounding the primaries for the House of Representatives District 6. Both candidates, Angel Pérez and Antonio Soto, have exchanged leads and have been announced as winners after different vote counts. Pérez, who had initially appeared as the loser, claimed there was fraud in the election, and accused Guaynabo mayor, Héctor O'Neill, of orchestrating it. When Pérez was announced as the real winner, O'Neill, who supported Pagán's rival, went into a rant on a radio interview against his own party.


2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries, Aftermath, Incumbent mayors losses
Several sitting mayors from the PNP lost their candidacies for the elections. Some of them were Benjamín Cintrón (from Patillas), Lemuel Soto (Arecibo), and Maritza Meléndez (Naguabo).


2012 New Radiant S.C. season
The 2012 season is New Radiant Sports Club's 33rd year in existence as a football club.


2012 New Radiant S.C. season, Background
New Radiant finished at the 4th position of last year's Dhivehi League, 4th in FA Cup as they were beaten in the third place play-off match and as runners-up of the President's Cup.


2012 New Radiant S.C. season, Background
Club appointed Ali Waheed, as the new chairman of the club and he appointed the team skipper Ahmed Thoriq as the club's new general secretary.


2012 New Radiant S.C. season, Background
On 7 January 2012, club decided to establish a youth academy this year.


2012 New Radiant S.C. season, Background
New Radiant signed Ibrahim Fazeel, Ali Ashfaq, Ali Umar and Imran Mohamed to strengthen club's goal, midfield and attack for the 2012 season, while Ahmed Niyaz and Adam Shareef renewed their contract with the club.


2012 New Radiant S.C. season, Background
Ashfaq's signing was a Maldivian record signing of MVR 1.4 million.


2012 New Radiant S.C. season, Background
Sobah Mohamed, Fareed Mohamed, Mohamed Jameel and Charles Wright Gaye left the club ang joined VB Addu FC.


2012 New Radiant S.C. season, Background
They also signed 2 Nigerian defenders, Kudus Omolade Kelani and Kingsley Chukwudi Nkurumeh before the start of the season.


2012 New Radiant S.C. season, Background
Club announced the signing of Ahmed Afrad, Mohamed Hussain and Ivan Karamanov during the mid-season break.


2012 New Radiant S.C. season, Competitions, Dhivehi League, League table
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.


2012 New Radiant S.C. season, Competitions, Dhivehi League, League table
1 Maziya S&RC qualified for the 2013 AFC Cup as they won the 2012 Maldives FA Cup. Updated to games played on 6 October 2012. Source:


2012 New South Wales Cup
The 2012 New South Wales Cup was the 105th season of New South Wales's top-level statewide rugby league competition. The competition is contested by eleven teams over a 30 Week Long Season (including Finals), which concludes with the 2012 Grand Final at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.


2012 New South Wales Cup, Grand final
Newtown 22 (Daniel Tupou, Jack Bosden, Francis Vaiotu, Nafe Seluini tries; Daniel Mortimer 3 goals) defeated Balmain Ryde-Eastwood 18 (Ava Seumanufagai, Sean Meaney, Josh Davis, Dane Chisholm tries; Sean Meaney goal) at ANZ Stadium, Homebush on 30 September 2012.


2012 New South Wales Cup, Bundaberg Red Cup
The 2012 Bundaberg Red Cup season was the third tier rugby league competition held in New South Wales, after the National Rugby League and New South Wales Cup.


2012 New South Wales Cup, Bundaberg Red Cup, Grand final
Wentworthville 16 (Cecil McKenzie, Mitch Stanfield, Pat Mataele tries; Aaron Fluke 2 goals) defeated The Entrance 14 (Mark Falaniko, Tim Nawaqatabu tries; Jake Fitzpatrick 3 goals) at St Mary's League Stadium on September 22, 2012.


2012 New South Wales Swifts season
The 2012 New South Wales Swifts season  saw New South Wales Swifts compete in the 2012 ANZ Championship. They were coached by Lisa Beehag, a former Australia international. During the 2011 season, Beehag had served as head coach of NNSW Blues in the Australian Netball League. During the regular season, Swifts finished in fifth place and failed to qualify for the play offs. They narrowly missed out on the play offs after a 50–49 defeat to Northern Mystics in their final regular season match.


2012 New South Wales Swifts season, Players, 2012 roster
Manager: Rebecca PollardHigh Performance Coach:Sue HawkinsPhysiotherapist: Brett DoringPaula PeraltaSean MungovanStrength and conditioning: Jason Schulman


2012 New South Wales Swifts season, Tauranga Pre-Season Tournament
On 2, 3 and 4 March, Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic hosted a pre-season tournament at the TECT Arena in Tauranga. For the first time since 2008, all ten ANZ Championship teams competed at the same tournament. The ten teams were divided into two pools of five. Teams within each pool played each other once and the winners qualified for the final. Swifts finished the tournament in 8th place.


2012 New Year Honours
The New Year Honours 2012 were announced on 31 December 2011 in The United Kingdom, New Zealand, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Belize, Saint Christopher and Nevis, The Solomon Islands, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and The Cook Islands, to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 2012.


2012 New Year Honours
The recipients of honours are displayed as they were styled before their new honour and arranged by the country (in order of independence) whose ministers advised The Queen on the appointments, then by honour with grades i.e. Knight/Dame Grand Cross, Knight/Dame Commander etc. and then divisions i.e. Civil, Diplomatic and Military as appropriate.


2012 New Year Honours (New Zealand)
The 2012 New Year Honours in New Zealand were appointments by Elizabeth II in her right as Queen of New Zealand, on the advice of the New Zealand government, to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by New Zealanders, and to celebrate the passing of 2011 and the beginning of 2012. They were announced on 31 December 2011.


2012 New Year Honours (New Zealand)
The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before their new honour.


2012 New York Film Critics Circle Awards
The 78th New York Film Critics Circle Awards, honoring the best in film for 2012, were announced on 3 December 2012 and presented on 7 January 2013.


2012 New York Giants season
The 2012 New York Giants season was the franchise's 88th season in the National Football League, the ninth under head coach Tom Coughlin and the third playing their home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants began the 2012 season as defending Super Bowl Champions for the fourth time in their history, by virtue of their 21–17 victory in Super Bowl XLVI over the New England Patriots, their second Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. The Giants finished 9–7 for the second straight year, but failed to make the playoffs. The 2012 Giants were also the first defending Super Bowl champion to miss the playoffs since the 2009 Steelers.


2012 New York Giants season
This was the last season the Giants had a winning record until 2016.


2012 New York Giants season, Personnel changes
On February 10, Giants quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan was hired as the new offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sullivan was with the Giants since the beginning of Tom Coughlin's tenure as head coach of the Giants, serving as the wide receivers coach from 2004 to 2009 and as quarterbacks coach from 2010 to 2011.


2012 New York Giants season, Personnel changes
The Giants offensive staff suffered another loss three days later (February 13) when assistant offensive line coach Jack Bicknell, Jr. was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs to be their offensive line coach. Bicknell was with the Giants the past three seasons.


2012 New York Giants season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys
With their Super Bowl XLVI title to defend, the Giants began its 2012 campaign at home in the Annual Kickoff Game against their NFC East foe, the Dallas Cowboys. After a scoreless first quarter, New York struck first in the second quarter with a 22-yard field goal from kicker Lawrence Tynes. The Cowboys would close out the half with quarterback Tony Romo completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kevin Ogletree.


2012 New York Giants season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas added onto its lead in the third quarter as Romo completed a 40-yard touchdown to Ogletree. New York struck back with running back Ahmad Bradshaw's 10-yard touchdown run, but the Cowboys answered with kicker Dan Bailey making a 33-yard field goal. Dallas came right back in the fourth quarter with Romo completing a 34-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Miles Austin. The Giants tried to rally as Super Bowl XLVI MVP quarterback Eli Manning completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Martellus Bennett, but the Cowboys' offense ran out the clock and preserved the win.


2012 New York Giants season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys
With the loss, New York began its season at 0–1 and became the first defending Super Bowl Champion team to lose a regular season opener since the Broncos in 1999.


2012 New York Giants season, Schedule, Game summaries, Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After a season-opening home loss to the Cowboys, the Giants were looking to win their first game of the season. Although Tampa Bay led the Giants 24–13 at halftime, the Giants rallied in the fourth quarter to score 25 points and win their first game, improving to a 1–1 home record and a 1–1 overall record.