2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 3: vs. Houston Texans
Six plays later, Blount scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 20–0 late in the third quarter. Ervin returned the kick 21 yards to the Texans' 23. The Texans drove 44 yards to the Patriots' 36-yard line but turned the ball over on downs early in the fourth quarter when Osweiler threw incomplete on 4th-and-4. Danny Amendola returned a punt 10 yards to the Patriots' 47. Two plays later, Blount burst through for a 41-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 27–0. The Texans turned the ball over on downs two more times before running out the clock to end the game.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 3: vs. Houston Texans
The Patriots forced three turnovers and allowed zero points, improving to a record of 3–0.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills
The Patriots stayed at home for a matchup against the Tyrod Taylor-led Bills. On the first play of scrimmage, Brissett hit Edelman on a 90-yard catch-and-run to the Bills' 1, but the play was nullified by a holding penalty on former Bill Chris Hogan. The Patriots didn't get a first down and punted. Starting from their own 35, the Bills marched 65 yards in over 7 minutes, scoring on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Taylor to LeSean McCoy.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills
After a Patriots three-and-out, the Bills moved to the Patriots' 16, but settled for Dan Carpenter's 34-yard field goal on the second play of the second quarter, making the score 10–0. After forcing the Patriots to punt, the Bills drove 71 yards and Carpenter ended the drive with a 43-yard field goal, extending the lead to 13–0. The Patriots drove all the way to the Bills' 18 on their ensuing possession, but Brissett was strip-sacked by Zach Brown, with Preston Brown recovering for the Bills. Starting at their own 9, the Bills drove to their own 42, but punted.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills
The Patriots punted as well, and the Bills led 13–0 at halftime. After forcing the Bills to punt on the opening drive, the Patriots drove to the Bills 30, but Gostkowski missed a 48-yard field goal. The Bills countered, reaching the Patriots 29, but Carpenter missed a 47-yard field goal. After yet another Patriots punt, Ben Tate returned the punt 18 yards to the Bills' 30. The Bills reached the Patriots' 26 and Carpenter nailed a 44-yard field goal, stretching the score to 16–0. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Patriots drove all the way to the Bills' 21, but turned the ball over on downs. After a Bills punt, the Patriots reached the Bills' 44, but the clock ran out.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills
With the loss, the Patriots fell to 3–1. This was the first time ever that the Patriots had been shut out at home with Bill Belichick as their head coach, their first shut out at home overall since 1993, and was their first shutout loss since December 10, 2006. This was also the team's first shutout loss to the Bills since their 2003 Super Bowl-winning season.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 5: at Cleveland Browns
Tom Brady returned from his four-game suspension against the Cleveland Browns.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 5: at Cleveland Browns
After forcing the Browns to a quick three-and-out on their opening drive, Brady led the Patriots on an 8-play, 80-yard drive, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run by Blount to take an early 7–0 lead. The Browns countered on their next drive, marching 75 yards to score on an 11-yard touchdown pass from rookie Cody Kessler to Andrew Hawkins. The Patriots answered right back, aided by a 36-yard dump-off pass to James White, in a 75-yard drive ending with Brady's 7-yard touchdown pass to Bennett, retaking the lead 14–7.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 5: at Cleveland Browns
On the second play of the Browns' next drive, Kessler fumbled the snap and kicked the ball out of the end zone for a safety, extending the Patriots' lead to 16–7. Edelman returned the ensuing free kick 9 yards to the Patriots' 36. Aided by a 43-yard pass to Hogan, Brady found Bennett again, capping off the 8-play, 64-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass, widening the lead to 23–7. Charlie Whitehurst took over for an injured Kessler on the next drive, but the Browns went nowhere and punted.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 5: at Cleveland Browns
The Patriots seemed poised to widen their lead on their next drive, racing all the way to the Browns' 1-yard line, but Blount couldn't get in on 3rd or 4th down, and the Patriots turned the ball over on downs. Three possessions later, the Patriots reached the Browns' 32, but Gostkowski missed a 50-yard field goal attempt wide right. The Browns ran out the rest of the clock, and the Patriots held their 23–7 lead going into halftime.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 5: at Cleveland Browns
The Patriots started the second half like the first, racing 75 yards in 8 plays, with Brady hitting Bennett for a 37-yard touchdown, Bennett's third touchdown catch of the game, increasing the lead to 30–7. The Browns drove to the Patriots' 39 on their ensuing possession, but Whitehurst was intercepted by Patrick Chung, who returned it 4 yards to the Patriots' 34.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 5: at Cleveland Browns
Three possessions later, the Browns raced 80 yards in just 7 plays, with Whitehurst throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass to Connor Hamlett, trimming the deficit to 30–13, but the two-point conversion attempt failed, keeping the deficit at three scores. The Patriots answered right back, advancing to the Browns 13, but had to settle for a 31-yard Gostkowski field goal, extending the lead to 33–13. Terrelle Pryor took over for Whitehurst midway through the Browns' next possession, but the Browns turned the ball over on downs. Both teams took turns running out the rest of the clock, and the Patriots went to 4–1.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 5: at Cleveland Browns
In the win, Tom Brady collected the eighth 400+-passing-yard game of his career.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Patriots faced the Bengals at home, their first meeting with Cincinnati since the "We're on to Cincinnati" game that marked the turning point in a Super Bowl-winning season two years earlier.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Patriots took the opening kickoff and marched 47 yards in 8 plays, with placekicker Stephen Gostkowski hitting a 46-yard field goal for an early 3–0 lead. The Bengals moved the ball well, reaching midfield, but couldn't get any further and punted. The Patriots once again drove into Cincinnati territory on their next drive, but were forced to punt. The Bengals then gained 89 yards in just under 9 minutes, but the Patriots' defense made a goal-line stand to keep the Bengals scoreless.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
On 3rd-and-8 from the Patriots 38, Andy Dalton connected with running back Giovani Bernard for a 32-yard gain to the Patriots' 6. On 1st-and-goal, Bernard gained 5 yards to the Patriots' 1. On 2nd-and-goal, Bernard was stuffed on for no gain. On 3rd-and-goal, Dalton threw an incomplete pass, bringing up 4th-and-goal at the 1. The Patriots stuffed Bernard for no gain, causing a turnover on downs. The Patriots couldn't capitalize and were forced to punt. The Bengals raced 60 yards in just 7 plays, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run by Dalton. The Patriots countered, charging 75 yards in just 8 plays, culminating with Brady's 15-yard touchdown pass to running back James White. The Patriots led 10–7 at the halfway point.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals took the opening possession of the second half and rushed 80 yards in 9 plays, ending with Dalton throwing a five-yard touchdown pass to former Patriot Brandon LaFell, giving Cincinnati a 14–10 lead. The Patriots punted on their next drive, but three plays after penning the Bengals at their own 16, Dont'a Hightower burst through the middle on a blitz and sacked Dalton for a safety.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Now trailing 14–12, the Patriots embarked on a 68-yard drive, with Brady throwing for every yard, that ended in a 4-yard touchdown reception by Rob Gronkowski, putting the Patriots ahead 19–14 late in the third quarter. After a Bengals three-and-out, the Patriots began to take over. Starting at their own 47, the Patriots went on a quick four-play, 53-yard drive, with Brady finding White again on a 4-yard touchdown pass. Gostkowski missed the extra point for the second consecutive game, but the Patriots led 25–14.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
With a 38-yard completion to Gronkowski on that drive, Brady completed his 5,000th pass; the completion put Brady fourth in all-time quarterback completions while Gronkowski also reached the 22nd game with at least 100 receiving yards in his career, tying Jackie Smith for third all-time by a tight end. The Bengals responded by driving 68 yards to the Patriots' 7, but settled for a 25-yard field goal by Mike Nugent, shrinking the deficit to just one score at 25-17 early in the fourth quarter.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Patriots countered again by slowly advancing 62 yards in over six minutes with a 31-yard Gostkowski field goal, widening the lead to 28–17. The Patriots' defense forced the Bengals to punt again on their next drive, with Julian Edelman returning 23 yards to midfield. The Patriots put the game away with a 9-play, 50-yard drive, scoring on running back LeGarrette Blount's three-yard touchdown run. Two plays later the game was over.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers
In the game at Heinz Field, the Patriots faced off against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who started backup quarterback Landry Jones in place of Ben Roethlisberger, was out with a knee injury.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers
On the Patriots' first offensive play following a Steelers three-and-out, Tom Brady hit Chris Hogan for a 12-yard gain, but Hogan was stripped by Jarvis Jones, who recovered the ball at the Patriots' 45. The Steelers drove to the Patriots' 16, but on 3rd-and-6, Jones was intercepted in the end zone by Malcolm Butler on a pass intended for Antonio Brown. Taking over at their own 20, the Patriots went on an 80-yard, 13-play drive, with Brady finding James White on a 19-yard touchdown pass.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers
After the Steelers went three-and-out again, the Patriots marched 84 more yards, scoring on LeGarrette Blount's 3-yard touchdown four minutes into the second quarter, increasing the Patriots' lead to 14–0. On the Steelers' next drive, Brown's 51-yard catch was the key play leading up to a 14-yard touchdown catch by Darrius Heyward-Bey. With the score 14–7, a bad punt by Ryan Allen gave the Steelers the ball at their 47. Six plays later, Jones hit Heyward-Bey for a 14-yard touchdown, but the play was nullified by a holding penalty on Chris Hubbard.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers
On the next play, Jones threw an incompletion and then Chris Boswell missed a 42-yard field goal. The Patriots reached midfield on their next drive, but were forced to punt. Allen seemingly pinned the Steelers at their own 6, but Pittsburgh challenged that the ball had entered the end zone. The ruling was reversed, giving the Steelers the ball at the 20. With the better field position, the Steelers drove 66 yards to the Patriots' 14, where Boswell kicked a 32-yard field goal to close the score to 14–10 at halftime.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers
In the second half, following a Patriots three-and-out, the Steelers drove to the Patriots' 28 and Boswell made a 46-yard field goal, trimming the score to 14–13. The Patriots countered with a 75-yard, 5-play drive ending with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Rob Gronkowski, increasing the lead to 20–13, but Stephen Gostkowski missed his second extra point of the season. Justin Gilbert returned the ensuing kickoff 32 yards to the Steelers' 42.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Aided by the good field position, Pittsburgh drove 42 yards to the Patriots' 26, and Boswell kicked a 44-yard field goal that trimmed the score to 20–16 on the third play of the fourth quarter. The Patriots countered again with a 75-yard drive and 5-yard touchdown run by Blount, increasing the lead to 27–16. The Steelers were forced to punt on their next drive, but Edelman fumbled and the Steelers recovered at the Patriots' 43. The Steelers reached the 36, but Boswell missed a 54-yard field goal, keeping the Patriots ahead 27–16. Later in the fourth quarter, the Steelers drove to the Patriots' 45 but turned the ball over on downs after Jones threw an incomplete pass on 4th-and-11. Brady took a knee and the Patriots won the game.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers
With the win, the Patriots improved to 6–1 and 3-0 under Brady.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 8: at Buffalo Bills
In a rematch of their only loss so far this season, the Patriots faced the Buffalo Bills in a road game.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 8: at Buffalo Bills
After taking the opening kick, the Bills raced 70 yards all the way to the Patriots 5, but the Patriots defense kept Buffalo out of the end zone, forcing them to kick a 23-yard field goal. On the ensuing kickoff, Walt Powell forced Matthew Slater to fumble, but Shea McClellin recovered for the Patriots at their own 30. The Patriots drained over half of the remainder of the first quarter, going 70 yards to score on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Amendola. After a Bills three-and-out, the Patriots were given good field at the Bills 45.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 8: at Buffalo Bills
An offensive pass interference penalty on Amendola moved the ball back to the Patriots 45, but a holding penalty on Robert Blanton of the Bills moved the ball to mid field. A two-yard run by Blount and incomplete pass brought up a 3rd-and-8 from the Bills 48, and Brady hit Edelman with a 47-yard bomb to the 1-yard line, but the gain was nullified on an ineligible man downfield penalty on Marcus Cannon moving the ball back to the Patriots 47. Then Brady hit Hogan on a 53-yard touchdown bomb, increasing the lead to 14–3.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 8: at Buffalo Bills
Four possessions later, the Bills raced 59 yards in just 5 plays, scoring on a Mike Gillislee 3-yard touchdown rush. After Amendola returned the ball 24 yards to the Patriots 21, the Patriots countered, using just four plays and Brady found Gronkowski on a 53-yard touchdown, increasing the lead to 21–10. The Bills raced 44 yards in 11 plays to the Patriots 31 on their ensuing possession, but Carpenter missed a 49-yard field goal after it hit the upright.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 8: at Buffalo Bills
Taking over at their own 39, a 6-yard pass to White, a 15-yard pass to Amendola, and a 7-yard pass to Edelman led the Patriot to Bills 33 and Gostkowski kicked a 51-yard field goal, giving the Patriots a 24–10 lead at halftime. Amendola kicked off the second half with fireworks, returning the kick 73 yards to the Bills 24. Two plays later, Brady hit Edelman for a 12-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 31–10.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 8: at Buffalo Bills
The Bills didn't quit, though, using a marathon 75-yard, six minute drive, concluding with Taylor splitting the defense for a 26-yard touchdown run, making it a game again with a 31–17 score. The Patriots countered right back, engineering an 11-play, 75-yard drive with LeGarrette Blount chalking up a 1-yard touchdown run, increasing the lead to 38-17 late in the third quarter.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 8: at Buffalo Bills
Using Reggie Bush 35 yard kick return, the Bills drove 50 yards to the Patriots 10 in just 4 plays, but on the first play of the fourth quarter, a Taylor pass bounced off the fingertips of Charles Clay and the Bills turned the ball over on downs. The Patriots put the game away on their next drive, marching 76-yards in 13 plays, taking 7:49 off the clock, with Gostkowski adding a 32-yard field goal, giving the Patriots a 41–17 lead with just 7:06 remaining in the game.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 8: at Buffalo Bills
The Bills drove 52 yards to the Patriots 32 on their next drive, but turned the ball over on downs when Robert Woods was tackled 1-yard short of the first down by Malcolm Butler. The Bills forced a Patriots punt and raced 66 yards in 6 plays, scoring a touchdown on a 1-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Williams with a two-point conversion on a two-yard pass from backup quarterback EJ Manuel to Nick O'Leary trimming the score to 41–25, but only 0:30 remained. After recovering the onside kick, the Patriots took a knee to win the game.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 8: at Buffalo Bills
Brady was 22/33 for 315 yards and had four touchdown passes to four different receivers (Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman); LeGarrette Blount added a running touchdown and Stephen Gostkowski a field goal. Heading into their bye week, the Patriots improved to 7–1, the best record in the league.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Coming off of their Week 9 bye, the Patriots hosted the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football in a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Patriots marched 75 yards in 9 plays on their first drive of the game, with LeGarrette Blount scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run. Placekicker Stephen Gostkowski's kick went out of bounds, giving Seattle the ball at their own 40. The Seahawks reached the Patriots 8-yard line, but the Patriots red zone defense held them to a 26-yard field goal by placekicker Steven Hauschka and the score was 7–3.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
After a Patriots three-and-out, the Seahawks drove 66 yards in 10 plays, reaching the Patriots 13, but once again the Patriots kept them out of the end zone, and Hauschka kicked a 31-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 7–6. After another Patriots three-and-out, the Seahawks 65 yards in 10 plays, this time reaching the end zone on quarterback Russell Wilson's 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Doug Baldwin, but the PAT was blocked, keeping the score 12–7.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
On the second play of the Patriots next drive, Gronkowski seemed to fumble after being hit hard by safety Earl Thomas, but replay overturned it. Two plays later, cornerback DeShawn Shead intercepted quarterback Tom Brady at the Seattle 22 and returned it 2 yards to the Seahawks 24. The Patriots forced Seattle to punt, then marched 81 yards in 11 plays, scoring on Blount's 1-yard touchdown run with 1:05 remaining in the first half.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
However, 1:05 was too much time for Seattle as they raced 75 yards in under a minute, with Wilson finding Baldwin wide open in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown, giving Seattle a 19–14 lead at halftime. After a Seahawks three-and-out, the Patriots had their way with Seattle on 10 play, 91-yard drive, scoring on Blount's 13-yard touchdown run, re-taking the lead, 21–19. Seattle countered with a long drive of their own, advancing 52 yards in 9 plays, taking a 22–21 lead on Hauschka's 41-yard field goal.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Patriots countered Seattle's field goal with one of their own, marching 63 yards in 10 plays, reaching the Seattle, but the Seahawks clamped down, and drove the Patriots back to the 12 and forced them to settle for Gostkowski's 30-yard field goal, retaking the lead 24–22. Seattle countered as well, racing 58 yards in 8 plays, reaching the New England 5, but the Patriots red zone defense once more kept them out of the end zone, and Hauschka was good from 23 yards away, his fourth, retaking the lead for Seattle, 25–24.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Kickoff returner Cyrus Jones fumbled the kick return, but safety Nate Ebner recovered, but two plays later, after a 5-yard gain, safety Kam Chancellor forced wide receiver Julian Edelman to fumble, with Richard Sherman returning the ball 14-yards to the Patriots 48. Eight plays later, Wilson capped off the 48-yard drive with his touchdown pass to Baldwin, with a failed two point conversion, keeping the Patriots in the game 31–24. Facing a 3rd-and-10 at their own 46, Brady hit Edelman on a 30-yard bomb to the Seahawks 24.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
After a 4-yard loss by Blount, Brady hit Gronkowski on a 26-yard bomb to the Seahawks 2. Very close to the end zone, Brady gained 1-yard on the sneak attempt. But on the very next play, Blount was stuffed for no gain, bringing up 3rd-and-Goal at the 1. Brady tried to sneak again, but fumbled and recovered at the Seahawks 2. On 4th-and-Goal Gronkowski couldn't catch a pass from Brady and the Patriots turned it over on downs. The Seahawks ran out the final seconds and won the game.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Patriots dropped to a record of 7–2, but still maintained first place in the AFC East. This was their last loss of the season. The Seahawks improved to a record of 6–2–1.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers
After a disappointing loss to Seattle the Patriots traveled to Santa Clara, California to face Tom Brady's childhood team, the San Francisco 49ers, who were on an eight-game losing streak. This was also the first time Brady played the 49ers in San Francisco, as he missed the Patriots' trip to Candlestick Park in 2008 as a result of an injury.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers
After a 49ers three-and-out, Amendola returned the punt 30 yards to the 49ers 27. Six plays later, Brady hit Edelman on a 7-yard touchdown pass, but Gostkowski missed the extra point. The 49ers drove all the way to the Patriots 6 on their next drive, but Hightower sacked Colin Kaepernick for a 9-yard loss on 3rd-down and they were forced to settle for a 33-yard field goal by Phil Dawson. The Patriots countered on their next drive, racing 77 yards in just 6 plays, scoring on Brady's 9-yard touchdown pass to James White, increasing the lead to 13–3.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers
Two possessions later, the 49ers raced 92 yards in just over four minutes, scoring on an 18-yard touchdown catch by Vance McDonald, trimming the deficit to 13–10. After both teams punted, the Patriots drove to the 49ers 41, but White couldn't get out of bounds in time after a 25-yard catch, and the Patriots led 13–10 at halftime. After the first four possessions of the second half ended in punts, the Patriots marched 80 yards in 10 plays, scoring on Brady's 5-yard connection to Amendola, increasing the lead to 20–10.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers
Three possessions later, Brady found Mitchell for a 56-yard touchdown pass as Brady was falling down, capping off a 70-yard drive, upping the lead to 27–10. After a 49ers three-and-out, the Patriots kept pouring it on, driving all the way to the 49ers 20, and Gostkowski added a 38-yard field goal, widening the lead to 30–10. The Niners marched 75 yards on their next drive, scoring on Kaepernick's 13-yard touchdown pass to Shaun Draughn, trimming the deficit to 30–17. Amendola recovered the ensuing onside kick and the Patriots ran out the rest of the clock to end the game.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers
The Patriots improved to 8–2. Running back LeGarrette Blount had a big day as he rushed for a total of 125 yards on 19 carries. In addition, Tom Brady also had a big day passing for a total of 4 touchdowns against the 49ers. This was also Brady's 199th career win (regular season and postseason combined), tied with Brett Favre for second place.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 12: at New York Jets
After forcing a three-and-out, the Jets marched 41 yards to the Patriots 33, finishing the drive with a 51-yard field goal by Nick Folk. On the Patriots third possession of the game, Gronkowski came to the sideline injured. He went to the locker room and didn't play another game that season. Later in the first quarter, the Jets marched 79 yards, converting a 3rd-and-9, with Ryan Fitzpatrick finding Brandon Marshall for a 1-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter, increasing the lead to 10–0.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 12: at New York Jets
The Patriots responded on their next drive, reaching the Jets 8, but after a 2-yard sack and an incompletion, Gostkowski kicked a 28-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 10–3. On the second play of the Jets ensuing possession, Fitzpatrick connected with Robby Anderson for a 25-yard gain, but Anderson was stripped by Malcolm Butler, who recovered at midfield. The Patriots drove 50 yards, only facing one third-down, and scored on a 4-yard touchdown catch by Malcolm Mitchell. The Jets drove to the Patriots 36 on their next drive, but Folk missed a 54-yard field goal attempt.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 12: at New York Jets
With great field position at their own 46, the Patriots drove 33 yards to the Jets 21, but Gostkowski missed a 39-yarder, sending the game to halftime tied 10-10. After a Jets three-and-out, the Patriots marched all the way to the Jets 11, but the Jets clamped down and forced a 29-yard field goal by Gostkowski, giving the Patriots their first lead, 13–10. After swapping punts, the Jets covered 73 yards, not facing a single third down, regaining the lead with Fitzpatrick throwing a 22-yard pass to Quincy Enunwa with 10:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 12: at New York Jets
Down 17–13, the Patriots advanced to the Jets 22, but decided to kick a 40-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 17–16. The Jets reached their own 27, but an intentional grounding penalty pushed them back, and they punted two plays later. A holding penalty on McCourty negated Amendola's 15-yard return which would have set the Patriots up at their own 42. Starting at their own 17, Brady led a clutch, 9 play, 83-yard drive.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 12: at New York Jets
Facing a 4th-and-4 at the Jets 37, Brady completed three consecutive passes: a 4-yard completion to White, a 25-yard completion to Hogan, and then an 8-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell, with a missed two-point conversion, giving the Patriots a 22–17 lead with just 1:56 remaining. After a five-yard completion to Jalin Marshall, Fitzpatrick was strip-sacked by Long with Trey Flowers recovering at the Jets 34. A 3-yard run by Blount on 3rd-and-2 sealed the win for the Patriots.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 12: at New York Jets
With the win, the Patriots improved to 9–2 and clinched their 16th consecutive winning season. This was also the Patriots' 500th franchise win, as well as Tom Brady's 200th career win, tying him with Peyton Manning and surpassing Brett Favre, who had 199 wins. In addition to this, Tom Brady also surpassed the 60,000-yard career passing mark.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Tom Brady was making his 231st career start, tying John Elway for the 5th-most all-time.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Patriots marched 80 yards right down the field on their opening possession, scoring on a 43-yard burst by Blount. The next four possessions of the game were punts, but Butler intercepted Jared Goff on the last play of the first quarter and returned it 7 yards to the Rams 30. It only took four plays from Brady to find Chris Hogan on a 14-yard touchdown pass, increasing the Patriots lead to 14–0.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams
After the next three drives ended in punts, the Patriots marched 48 yards to the Rams 10, but as a sign of the Patriots soon-to-come red zone struggles, Stephen Gostkowski kicked a field goal with 0:11 remaining in the first half. The Rams took a knee and the Patriots led 17–0 at halftime. The first two possessions of the second half were punts, but the Rams finally got on board late in the 3rd quarter.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams
After Pharoh Cooper returned a punt 6 yards to the Rams 45, the Rams drove to the Patriots 26-yard line and Greg Zuerlein got the Rams on the scoreboard with a 44-yard field goal. The Patriots countered by driving to the Rams 30 with Gostkowski adding a 48-yard field goal, increasing the lead to 20–3. Kyle Van Noy intercepted Goff on the first play of the Rams next possession. The Patriots only managed to reach the Rams 27, but Gostkowski added a 44-yard field goal. Down 23–3, the Rams were still unable to move the ball and punted.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Once again the Patriots drove to the Rams 27 and another 45-yard Gostkowski field goal increased the Patriots lead to 26–3. a few plays into the fourth quarter. Late in the game, Goff hit Kenny Britt for a 66-yard gain to the Patriots 1-yard line. Four plays later, they connected again on a 1-yard touchdown pass, trimming the score to 26–10, but only 1:15 remained. The Patriots recovered the Rams onside kick attempt and ran out the clock to end the game.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Rams
With the win, the Patriots improved to 10–2, clinching their 14th consecutive 10-win season. The defense dominated, holding the Rams to a paltry 162 yards and just 10 points while forcing two turnovers. Additionally, Tom Brady won his 201st career game, surpassing Peyton Manning for the most combined regular season and postseason victories by a quarterback in NFL history.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 14: vs. Baltimore Ravens
The defenses dominated the first three drives of the game, all ending in punts. But midway through the first quarter, Malcom Brown and Patrick Chung shared a tackle of Kenneth Dixon in the end zone for a safety(the third by the Patriots' defense on the season). The Ravens forced the Patriots to punt, and, aided by a 40-yard gain from Joe Flacco to Kyle Juszczyk and a 15-yard pass interference penalty on Cyrus Jones, drove all the way to the Patriots 16, but Shea McClellin blocked Justin Tucker's field goal attempt.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 14: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Following that, the Patriots covering 74 yards in 10 plays, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run by Blount, his 14th, which tied him with Curtis Martin who had 14 for the 1995 New England Patriots. The Ravens reached Patriot territory on their following possession, too, but punted again. Aided by a 61-yard completion to White, the Patriots raced 89 yards in just eight plays with Brady finding Mitchell on a 6-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 16–0.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 14: vs. Baltimore Ravens
On the second plays of the Ravens next drive, McCourty intercepted Flacco at the Patriots 22 and returned it 40 yards to the Ravens 38, but official review ruled him down by contact at the Patriots 23. Despite this, the Patriots reached the Ravens 1-yard line, but Eric Weddle intercepted Brady (only his second interception of the season) and returned it 14 yards to the Ravens 10.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 14: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Two possessions later, after Devin Hester returned a punt 12 yards to the Ravens 28, the Ravens reached the Patriots 28 and got on board with a 50-yard Tucker field goal with 0:11 seconds left in the half, making the score 16–3 at halftime. After forcing the Ravens to punt on the initial drive of the third quarter, the Patriots marched 65 yards to score on Brady's 19-yard pass to Bennett, increasing the lead to 23–3. A 6-yard run by Blount on the drive game him 1,005 yards for the season.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 14: vs. Baltimore Ravens
However, the Ravens got back in the game with aide from the Patriots. While the Ravens offense continued its ineptitude, Cyrus Jones muffed a punt with Chris Moore recovering at the Patriots 3. Two plays later, Flacco connected with Darren Waller for a two-yard touchdown pass, trimming the deficit to 23–10. Things got better for the Ravens with Matthew Slater fumbling the kick return and Shareece Wright recovering at the Patriots 22-yard line. Four plays later, Dixon caught a swing pass for an 8-yard touchdown, and all of a sudden the score was 23–17.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 14: vs. Baltimore Ravens
After three consecutive punts, the Ravens, aided by a 47-yard catch by Breshad Perriman, reached the Patriots 12, but on 3rd-and-4 Flacco was sacked by Ninkovich for an 8-yard loss. Tucker finished the drive with a 38-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 23–20 with 6:35 remaining in the game. On the first play of the Patriots next drive, Brady found Chris Hogan wide open for a 79-yard touchdown, extending the Patriots lead to 30–20. That was Brady's 450th career touchdown pass and only Hogan's second career 100-yard receiving game.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 14: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Yet, the Ravens were still in the game, driving to the Patriots 20-yard line, Tucker hit a 37-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 30–23 and giving the Ravens a chance. On the Patriots next drive, the Ravens brought the game to a 4th-and-1 with 0:13 remaining. Instead of punting, the Patriots went for the kill shot and got it with Blount's 3-yard run enabling the Patriots to run out the clock and end the game.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 14: vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Patriots improved to 11–2 and dropped 496 yards of total offense and 30 points on the Ravens' top-ranked defense, both the most allowed in the season by the Ravens. The Patriots posted their 10th all-time franchise victory against the Ravens. This was Brady's 100th career home win and his 9th 400+ yard passing game of his career and his second of the season.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 15: at Denver Broncos
The Patriots faced the Denver Broncos in a rematch of the previous season's AFC Championship game. The Broncos won the coin toss and elected to kick. Beginning at their own 24, the Patriots went were unable to get a first down causing them to punt. Unluckily for the Broncos, during Ryan Allen's punt Jordan Norwood muffed the punt and the Patriots obtained it with a Jonathan Jones recovery. The Patriots began at the Denver 31.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 15: at Denver Broncos
Unfortunately for the Patriots, they were unable to get a first down and were forced to settle with a Stephen Gostkowski 45-yard field goal for 3 points. The Broncos began the ball on their own 25 on the next possession. They started off well with a 13-yard run by Justin Forsett. However, they were unable to get a first down. On the Patriots next drive, they began at their own 15. On the beginning of the first play, an illegal formation was called on the Patriots forcing them to move back 5-yards.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 15: at Denver Broncos
Once again, they went three and out unable to acquire a first down. The Patriots punted and the Broncos began at their own 38. This time, they managed to get a field goal with Brandon McManus's 33-yard kick. They traveled 47-yards in 8 plays and 2:55. The next Patriots drive again ended in a punt but this time traveling 31 yards on 6 plays. The Broncos received the punt at their own 7. This time, they managed to get to the Patriot's red zone nearly getting into the end zone.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 15: at Denver Broncos
Nonetheless, Trevor Siemian was intercepted by Logan Ryan on a pass intended for Emmanuel Sanders. Ryan ran the ball back all the way to the Denver' 46. This was the first play of the second quarter. This time the Patriots managed to get a touchdown in spite of the fact that they had to face a 1st & 20. The first play of the drive ending in a Tom Brady fumble in which Patriot offensive lineman Joe Thuney recovered. The Patriots reached the Broncos' 1 and scored a touchdown with LeGarrette Blount's 1-yard run.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 15: at Denver Broncos
The next 2 drives of both teams ended in punts. The Broncos received the ball once more and ended the first half with a run play. The Broncos began with first possession in the beginning of the second half. On their first drive, they went three and out having to punt. Similarly, the Patriots also went three and out. On the next Broncos' possession once again, they were unable to get a first down. The Patriots managed to score on their next drive with Gostkowski's 40-yard field goal. They went 11 plays for 61 yards in 5:12. The next 5 incoming drives all ended in punts. The next three points came on another Gostkowski 21-yard field goal. The next two drives ended in downs. McCourty stripped Jordan Norwood with a few seconds left to seal the win.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 15: at Denver Broncos
Despite just sixteen completions for 188 yards Brady defeated the Broncos for only the third time at Denver and seventh time in his career With the win, the Patriots improved to 12–2, and they clinched a first round bye for the playoffs and the AFC East title for the eighth straight season. Their eighth straight division title surpassed the Rams franchise from 1973-79 for the most consecutive division titles won by one team in NFL history.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 16: vs. New York Jets
The Patriots dominated the game from start to finish as they blew out the Jets 41–3 to move to a 13–2 record. The game began with a coin toss in which the Pats won and elected to kick. After forcing the Jets to punt on the first drive of the game, the Patriots used good field position to reach the Jets' 11 and Gostkowski gave the Patriots the early lead with a 29-yard field goal. On 3rd-and-11 on the Jets next drive, Bryce Petty was intercepted by Malcolm Butler at the Jets' 47 for no gain.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 16: vs. New York Jets
The Patriots wasted no time, needing just 8 plays to score on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Bennett, extending the lead to 10–0. After both teams punted on their next possession, Khiry Robinson lost a fumble while being tackled by Elandon Roberts and Butler recovered for the Patriots. Petty was suffered a dislocated shoulder injury on the play and didn't return, being replaced by embattled veteran, Ryan Fitzpatrick. Taking over at the Jets' 28, outstanding field position, the Patriots drove all the way to the Jets 4, but could only settle for a field goal.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 16: vs. New York Jets
The Jets finally moved the ball on their ensuing possession, but Nick Folk missed a 34-yard field goal wide right. Following a Patriots three-and-out, Fitzpatrick was intercepted by Eric Rowe at the Patriots' 46 for no gain. It took the Patriots a mere four plays to score on Brady's 18-yard touchdown pass to third-string tight end Matt Lengel, his first career catch, and the lead widened to 20–0.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 16: vs. New York Jets
As the Jets anemic offense punted, a 47-yard pass interference penalty on Doug Middleton moved the ball from the Patriots' 28 to the Jets' 25 and on the next play, Brady threw a touchdown pass to James White with just 0:25 seconds left in the half to increase the margin to 27–0. The pass was just out of the reach of linebacker David Harris, who was covering him.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 16: vs. New York Jets
After the first two drives of the second half ended in punts, the Patriots marched 63 yards in 13, lasting nearly 8 minutes to further their lead to 34–0 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Blount. On the 5th play of the Jets next drive, Fitzpatrick was intercepted by Butler, his second, who returned the ball 21 yards to the Jets 47, plus a face mask penalty moving the ball to the Jets' 22. With Garoppolo replacing Brady, the Patriots continued rolling 8 plays later with another 1-yard touchdown run by Blount early in the fourth quarter.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 16: vs. New York Jets
With that touchdown (his 17th of the season) the lead increased to 41–0. On their next drive, the Jets finally ended the shutout attempt with Folk's 29-yard field goal. After a Patriots punt, the Jets once again drove into Patriots territory, but turned the ball over on downs. The Patriots proceeded to run out the clock to end the game.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 16: vs. New York Jets
The Patriots improved to 13–2, and their defense shut down Fitzpatrick, who had had a career day against the Patriots just four weeks earlier. The Patriots forced four turnovers from the Jets, including three interceptions; one being made by Eric Rowe and another two which were made by Malcolm Butler, who also recovered a fumble. Furthermore, head coach Bill Belichick recorded his 200th regular season victory with the Patriots; he became the fifth coach in NFL history to accomplish this feat with a single franchise.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 17: at Miami Dolphins
The Patriots took the opening kickoff right down the field, marching 75 yards in 13 plays, taking seven-and-a-half minutes off the clock, to score on a two-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Bennett. After a Dolphins three-and-out, starting at the Dolphins 45, the Patriots needed just five plays to score on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Michael Floyd, who managed to get into the end zone while fighting through 4 defenders for his first touchdown as a Patriot. On the next Dolphins' possession, Matt Moore was intercepted by Logan Ryan.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 17: at Miami Dolphins
Beginning at their own 44 yard line, the Patriots managed to reach the Dolphins' 22, but were forced to settle for a 40-yard field goal, extending the lead to 17–0 on the first play of the second quarter. Once again, the Dolphins offense remained lifeless and they punted. The Patriots scored again, driving from their own 10 all the way to the Dolphins 8, but the Miami defense stiffened, and the Patriots settled for a 26-yard field goal by Gostkowski, increasing the Patriots lead to 20–0 with just over three minutes remaining in the first half.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 17: at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins finally answered on their next drive, putting together a 10 play, 75-yard drive, with Jarvis Landry scoring on an 8-yard touchdown pass in which he was knocked back by Dont'a Hightower but still managed to reach the end zone pylon. Develin returned the ensuing squib kick 15 yards to the Patriots 43 with 0:23 seconds remaining. The Patriots drove to the Dolphins 34, but Gostkowski missed the 52-yard field goal attempt wide-right, keeping the score 20–7 at half time.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 17: at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins struck again, taking the opening possession 75 yards in 12 plays, with Moore bombing a 24-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Stills, trimming the deficit to just 20–14. The Patriots countered, facing a 3rd-and-7 from the Patriots 23, Brady connected with Edelman on a quick-screen, aided by a huge block by Floyd, 77-yards for a touchdown, widening the lead to 27–14. Neither team scored for the remainder of the quarter.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 17: at Miami Dolphins
Early in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins drove all the way to the Patriots 9, but on 2nd-and-goal Damien Williams was stripped by McCourty with Shea McClellin returning it 69 yards to the Dolphins 18. Six plays later, Blount scored on a 1-yard run with a successful two point conversion to give the Patriots a 35–14 lead. Neither team did anything for the remainder of the game and the Patriots won.


2016 New England Patriots season, Game Summaries, Week 17: at Miami Dolphins
With this win, the Patriots clinch home field advantage throughout the entire AFC playoffs. They also finished with a record of 14–2 for the first time since 2010. This was the Patriots first win in Miami since the 2012 season. Julian Edelman had a huge day against the Dolphins as he had 151 yards of receiving in 9 receptions, 6 rushing yards, and 1 receiving touchdown.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, AFC Divisional Playoffs: vs (4) Houston Texans
With this win, the Patriots advance to the AFC Championship for the 6th time in a row. After throwing only two regular-season interceptions in 437 attempts, Tom Brady surprisingly threw 2 in this game. Dion Lewis had a big night with three total touchdowns - 1 receiving, 1 rushing, and 1 returning. He became the first player to ever accomplish this in the NFL Postseason. Furthermore, the Patriots' defensive backs also played outstandingly in this game, especially cornerback Logan Ryan, safety Devin McCourty, and safety Duron Harmon who all recorded one interception each.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, AFC Divisional Playoffs: vs (4) Houston Texans
In a coincidence, they were all alumni of Rutgers University and played on its football team. In the locker room after the match, coach Bill Belichick acknowledged the work of the Rutgers' alumni as he was quoted for saying, "Big day for Rutgers." Also, on a 44-yard pass from Brady to wide receiver Julian Edelman, Edelman surpassed former Patriot Wes Welker for most receptions in the postseason; breaking the former Patriots' record of 69. He finished the game with 76 career receptions.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, AFC Championship: vs (3) Pittsburgh Steelers
In a rematch of the regular season meeting between these two teams, the Patriots proved to be the superior team, cruising to the seventh Super Bowl of the Brady–Belichick era (ninth overall).


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, AFC Championship: vs (3) Pittsburgh Steelers
The Patriots took the opening kickoff and marched all the way to the Steelers 13, but Malcolm Mitchell dropped a wide open pass on 3rd-and-1 and the Patriots settled for a 31-yard Gostkowski field goal. After the next few drives ended in punts, quarterback Tom Brady capped of an 80-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hogan for a 10–0 lead. The Steelers countered with an 11-play, 84-yard drive with DeAngelo Williams scoring on a 5-yard touchdown run (with a missed PAT) early in the second quarter.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, AFC Championship: vs (3) Pittsburgh Steelers
The Patriots answered the Steelers, though, storming 82 yards with a flea flicker from Dion Lewis to Brady, resulting in a 34-yard touchdown pass to Hogan. The touchdown pass increased Brady's all-time playoff record to 19 as well as Hogan having his first career 100-yard receiving playoff game in just his second career playoff game. The Steelers then answered with a 70-yard, marathon drive, but were only able to score on a 23-yard field goal by Chris Boswell, trimming the deficit to 17–9 at halftime.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, AFC Championship: vs (3) Pittsburgh Steelers
On the drive, Ben Roethlisberger seemingly hit tight end Jesse James for a 19-yard touchdown pass, but a review ruled James down at the 1, but the Patriots kept the Steelers out of the endzone. After forcing the Steelers to punt on their opening drive, the Patriots marched 55 yards in 9 plays with Gostkowski increasing the Patriots lead to 20–9 on a field goal on a 47-yard field goal by Gostkowski. The Steelers seemed primed to respond, driving to the Patriots 39, but the Patriots defense clamped down again, and the Steelers punted.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, AFC Championship: vs (3) Pittsburgh Steelers
The Patriots took advantage and stormed 88 yards with LeGarrette Blount carrying half of the Steelers to the 1-yard line then finishing off the drive on the next play and the Patriots began to pull away leading 27–9. A 39-yard pass to Hogan on the drive gave Brady his 11th career 300-yard passing game in the playoffs and Hogan with 180 yards receiving broke the previous record of 153 yards set by Deion Branch.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, AFC Championship: vs (3) Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers situation grew worse on the first play of the Steelers next drive, Kyle Van Noy stripped Eli Rogers after a 5-yard catch with Rob Ninkovich recovering at the Steelers 28-yard line. Four plays later, Brady found Edelman for a 10-yard touchdown, widening the lead to 33–9 (with a missed PAT). The Steelers then stormed all the way to Patriots 2-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs early in the fourth quarter.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, AFC Championship: vs (3) Pittsburgh Steelers
After forcing the Patriots to punt, Eric Rowe intercepted Roethlisberger and returned the ball 37 yards to the Steelers 32, ending any hope of a miraculous comeback. Eight plays later, Gostkowski kicked a 26-yard field goal giving the Patriots a 36–9 lead. Roethlisberger struck back with a 30-yard touchdown pass plus a two-point conversion, trimming the deficit to 36–17. The onside kick went out of bounds and the Patriots ran out the clock to win the game.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, AFC Championship: vs (3) Pittsburgh Steelers
During the game, the Patriots broke numerous records. One of the records was by placekicker Stephen Gostkowski, in which he set the Patriots' franchise record for most postseason field goals in a career. He passed former Patriot Adam Vinatieri who had 26 with the franchise. He only trails three other kickers in the history of the NFL who are Gary Anderson (32), David Akers (39), and Vinatieri who now has 51 after he added 25 with the Indianapolis Colts. Adding to this, wide receiver Julian Edelman made a new record of most receptions yards in the playoff by a Patriot.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, AFC Championship: vs (3) Pittsburgh Steelers
He surpassed Deion Branch for the record. Surprisingly, both of these records were made in the first drive of the Patriots. Next, wide receiver Chris Hogan set the single-game franchise receiving record in the postseason. He finished the game with a total of 180 yards along with 2 touchdowns. Finally, with the win, the Patriots set the record for most Super Bowls ever attended by a single franchise with 9. They surpassed the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and Denver Broncos who are all tied at 8. This will be the 7th for the Brady-Belichick tandem.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, Super Bowl LI: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Both the Patriots and Falcons were held scoreless in the first quarter of Super Bowl LI. After a LeGarrette Blount fumble in Atlanta territory early in the second quarter gave the Falcons possession, the offense drove 71 yards in 5 plays, with running back Devonta Freeman capping the drive off with a 5-yard touchdown run to put the Falcons up 7–0 with 12:20 left in the second quarter.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, Super Bowl LI: vs. Atlanta Falcons
After a Patriots punt, the Falcons quickly returned to the red zone, where tight end Austin Hooper caught a 19-yard pass in the back of the end zone from Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan to extend the Falcons' lead to 14–0. The Patriots then drove to the Atlanta 23-yard line (aided by three Falcons holding penalties that negated third-down stops) where cornerback Robert Alford intercepted a Tom Brady pass intended for Danny Amendola and returned 82 yards for a touchdown to put the Falcons up 21–0 with 2:21 left in the first half. The ensuing Patriots possession resulted in a 41-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal with five seconds left in the first half, leaving the score 21–3 in favor of Atlanta at halftime.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, Super Bowl LI: vs. Atlanta Falcons
After the two teams traded punts to begin the second half, the Falcons drove 85 yards in 8 plays, with Ryan throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass from Ryan to running back Tevin Coleman, putting Atlanta up 28–3, with 8:31 left in the 3rd quarter. A fourth-down pass from Brady to Amendola extended the Patriots' ensuing drive, which ended with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brady to James White to cut the Patriots' deficit to 28–9 with 2:06 left in the 3rd quarter after Gostkowski missed the extra point.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, Super Bowl LI: vs. Atlanta Falcons
After a failed onside-kick attempt and a Falcons punt, the Patriots drove inside the Atlanta 10-yard line, but Brady was sacked twice in three plays and the Patriots settled for a 33-yard Gostkowski field goal to make the score 28–12 with 9:44 remaining in regulation. On third and one on the Falcons' next drive, Dont'a Hightower sacked Ryan and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Alan Branch at the Falcons' 25-yard line.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, Super Bowl LI: vs. Atlanta Falcons
With new life, Brady threw a 6-yard touchdown to Amendola, and James White took a direct snap into the end zone for a 2-point conversion to make the score 28–20 with 5:56 left. The Falcons then drove to the New England 22-yard line, aided by a Devonta Freeman 39-yard catch-and-run and a 27-yard sideline catch by Julio Jones, and were in range to kick a field goal to go up by 11 points and virtually seal the win. However, a 12-yard sack and a holding penalty knocked Atlanta out of field goal range, and they were forced to punt.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, Super Bowl LI: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Starting at their own 9-yard line, the Patriots drove 91 yards in 10 plays, with James White scoring a one-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left in regulation to make the score 28–26. On the ensuing 2-point attempt, Danny Amendola took a Brady screen pass into the end zone to tie the game, completing a 25-point comeback, the largest in Super Bowl history.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, Super Bowl LI: vs. Atlanta Falcons
For the first time in Super Bowl history, the game went into overtime. New England won the coin toss, calling "heads" and chose to receive the kick. After passes from Brady to White, Amendola, Chris Hogan, and Julian Edelman, as well as a 10-yard rush by White, the Patriots had first-and-10 at the Falcons' 15-yard line. A pass interference penalty against De'Vondre Campbell put the ball at the Atlanta 2. After an incomplete pass intended for Martellus Bennett, James White took a toss to the right and dove at the goal line for a touchdown, winning Super Bowl LI for the  Patriots, 34–28.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, Super Bowl LI: vs. Atlanta Falcons
With the victory, the Patriots won their fifth Super Bowl, tying them with the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers for the second most of all time. The win was also the fifth Super Bowl victory for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, both setting records (Belichick surpassing Chuck Noll for most Super Bowl wins by a head coach, and Brady surpassing Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw for most Super Bowl wins by a quarterback). Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the fourth time, also setting a record.


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, Super Bowl LI: vs. Atlanta Falcons
The following are the records surpassed by the Patriots in Super Bowl LI:


2016 New England Patriots season, Postseason, Super Bowl LI: vs. Atlanta Falcons
The following are the records tied by the Patriots in Super Bowl LI:


2016 New England Patriots season, Awards and honors, Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections
Four Patriots were elected to the 2017 Pro Bowl. Quarterback Tom Brady, linebacker Dont'a Hightower, safety Devin McCourty, and special teamer Matthew Slater were all named as starters. However, none of them participated because the Patriots reached Super Bowl LI.


2016 New England Patriots season, Awards and honors, Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections
Seven Patriots were elected to the 2016 All-Pro Team. Only Slater was named to the first team as a special teamer. Everyone else was named to second team. This included pro bowlers Brady, Hightower, and McCourty. Adding to this, there was also tackle Marcus Cannon, cornerback Malcolm Butler, and special teamer Nate Ebner.


2016 New England Revolution season
The 2016 New England Revolution season was the club's 21st season of existence and their 21st season in Major League Soccer, the top-flight of American soccer.


2016 New England Revolution season, Player movement, In
Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.


2016 New Hampshire 301
The 2016 New Hampshire 301 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held on July 17, 2016 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. Contested over 301 laps on the 1.058-mile (1.703 km) speedway, it was the 19th race of the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Matt Kenseth won the race, his second win of the season, and Tony Stewart finished second. Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick and Greg Biffle rounded out the top five. The race had 13 lead changes among 8 drivers and seven cautions for 36 laps.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Report, Background
New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a 1.058-mile (1.703 km) oval speedway located in Loudon, New Hampshire, which has hosted NASCAR racing annually since the early 1990s, as well as the longest-running motorcycle race in North America, the Loudon Classic. Nicknamed "The Magic Mile", the speedway is often converted into a 1.6-mile (2.6 km) road course, which includes much of the oval.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Report, Background
The track was originally the site of Bryar Motorsports Park before being purchased and redeveloped by Bob Bahre. The track is currently one of eight major NASCAR tracks owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Report, Background, Entry list
The preliminary entry list for the race included 40 cars and was released on July 11, 2016 at 10:12 a.m. Eastern time. Among the changes is Alex Bowman subbing for Dale Earnhardt Jr. who'll sit out this race due to concussion symptoms.


2016 New Hampshire 301, First practice
Martin Truex Jr. was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 28.517 and a speed of 133.562 mph (214.947 km/h).


2016 New Hampshire 301, Qualifying
Jimmie Johnson scored the pole for the race with a time of 28.430 and a speed of 133.971 mph (215.605 km/h). He said afterwards that his car "had a really weird set of tires or something odd go on on our mock run at the end of practice," Johnson said. "It felt like something was broken on the car.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Qualifying
So to come back and have good speed in the car and advance, I knew after round two we would have a shot at the pole, because we were able to keep our lap count down and advance to the next round on our first lap in each session. And then put together a smooth lap. I felt like it could have been faster, but certainly a good smooth one, and it was enough." He commented further that he has "had, as everybody knows, a tough month or two. To be back in the media center is a nice feeling.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Qualifying
I even forgot that I had to come here. It’s amazing how fast things change." He also added that qualifying at New Hampshire is important because it's "the most important track for track position. It’s a short race, very difficult to pass. You need track position. The key is to keep it, but at least we’re starting with it.”


2016 New Hampshire 301, Qualifying
Kyle Busch, who qualified second, said his "car wasn’t quite as good as I had hoped it would be as far as the feeling that I had with grip.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Qualifying
It was fast though, the second round and third round were certainly high up there on the speed charts, but just didn’t quite have the comfort that I was looking for out of the car to be able to push it a little bit more and get some more time out of it, actually had to give up a little time because of the lack of grip that I felt off the exit of four and ended up p2 today.”


2016 New Hampshire 301, Practice (post-qualifying), Second practice
Carl Edwards was the fastest in the second practice session with a time of 28.974 and a speed of 131.456 mph (211.558 km/h).


2016 New Hampshire 301, Practice (post-qualifying), Final practice
Chase Elliott was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 28.998 and a speed of 131.347 mph (211.383 km/h).


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, First half
Under mostly sunny New Hampshire skies, Jimmie Johnson led the field to the green flag at 1:41 p.m. Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch tried to pass Johnson exiting turn 4, but Johnson edged ahead and led the first lap. Kyle got right beside him exiting turn 4 and edged him to the line to lead the second lap. By lap 30, he held a three-second lead over Johnson. By lap 35, Johnson fell from second to fourth. The first caution of the race flew on lap 36. It was a scheduled competition caution for overnight rain.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, First half
The race restarted on lap 41. After 20 laps, his lead was half a second over Martin Truex Jr. By lap 80, the gap shrunk to four-tenths of a second. By lap 81, Truex closed up to his rear bumper. After working on Kyle for seven laps, Truex took the lead on lap 89. After 10 laps, Kyle fell from second to fifth. The second caution of the race flew on lap 100 for a single-car spin on the backstretch. Exiting turn 2, Chris Buescher got loose, slammed on the brakes to avoid slamming Josh Wise – but hit him anyway – and spun down the track. Wise went on to finish 40th.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, First half
The race restarted on lap 109. By lap 120, his lead grew to three seconds over Kurt Busch. By lap 140, the lead shrunk to 1.3 seconds. By lap 173, Kyle reeled in Truex and passed him in turn 1 to retake the lead. Truex didn't give up and stayed close to Kyle to try and pounce on him for the lead. A number of cars began making green flag stops on lap 181. Kyle hit pit road on lap 183 and handed the lead to Brad Keselowski. He pitted the next lap and the lead cycled back to Kyle. Ryan Blaney was tagged for speeding on pit road and was forced to serve a pass through penalty.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Second half
Debris in turn 3 brought out the third caution of the race with 80 laps to go. Truex exited pit road with the race lead. A. J. Allmendinger was tagged for his crew being over the wall too soon and restarted the race from the tail-end of the field.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Second half
The race restarted with 74 laps to go. He was unable to pull away from the field as Matt Kenseth pulled up to him looking for the lead. He spent the next 30 laps tailing Truex until he got to his inside exiting turn 4 and took the lead with 44 laps to go. Debris in turn 3 brought out the fourth caution of the race with 36 laps to go. Denny Hamlin opted not to pit under the caution and assumed the lead. During the caution, Truex reported that his shifter had broken and that he had no clutch.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Second half
The race restarted with 33 laps to go. Truex's car, being stuck in fourth gear, stalled on the restart and caused a log jam with cars swerving to avoid him, which led to a number of cars making contact with one another. Kenseth worked on Hamlin for a number of laps before retaking the lead with 30 laps to go. The fifth caution of the race flew with 29 laps to go for a two-car wreck on the frontstretch.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Second half
Entering turn 1, Alex Bowman – subbing for the injured Dale Earnhardt Jr. – suffered a tire blowout and slammed the wall. Chase Elliott also suffered a tire blowout, but avoided the wall. Bowman said after the race that he thought Edwards "was backing up because he was blocked in as I was leaving the pit box. My left-rear hit his right-rear as I was leaving. It caved it in enough, we thought we would be fine, but obviously, when I got into (Kurt Busch) it was already going down.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Second half
They knew we were here for sure and I had a blast.” He added that what happened was "really unfortunate — the worst we would have finished was about seventh or eighth. I hate the circumstances obviously, and I hope Dale Jr. is feeling better, but we had a top-10 car all day long.”


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Second half
The race restarted with 24 laps to go and a number of cars made contact on the restart, notably the No. 41 of Kurt Busch. Three laps later, he suffered a left-rear tire blowout and hit the wall. Brad Keselowski also suffered a tire blowout.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Second half
The race restarted with 17 laps to go. A three-car wreck on the backstretch brought out the sixth caution of the race. It started with Ryan Newman made contact with Carl Edwards. He turned down into Kasey Kahne who turned up into Kyle Larson who turned down through the grass.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Second half
The race restarted with 11 laps to go and Kenseth drove on to score the victory.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Post-race, Driver comments
Kenseth said in victory lane that a driver is "always pleased to be in victory lane. The farther down the road you get, the better they feel for sure. Thanks to everybody at Joe Gibbs Racing. I’ve said it a million times, but I’m blessed with this opportunity to be over here with the guys I get to work with and my great sponsors, Dollar General and of course, can’t do it without Toyota, TRD (Toyota Racing Development), Interstate Batteries, WileyX, Gatorade. Jason (Ratcliff, crew chief) and the team over there made great, great adjustments today. I didn’t do a very good job qualifying and after round one today it was pretty much money, we just had to get there. It was a fun day.”


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Post-race, Driver comments
After a runner-up finish, Stewart said his crew chief "is doing a great job on the box. You can see the confidence not only in him, but all the guys on the team. Our Chevys are fast right now. I feel like we are gaining on it. What we said, I don't know when we said it, we were talking about you crawl before you walk, walk before you run, run before you jog and job before you sprint. We are definitely running right now. I feel like we are getting pretty close to this sprint at the end."


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Post-race, Driver comments
After edging out Harvick at the line for third, Logano said he would "take a third place after all that. We were awful at the beginning of the race. We tried some new things and apparently they didn’t work so we aborted mission in the middle of the race and got some speed back in the 22 but not enough to beat the 20.”


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Post-race, Driver comments
"We under-execute as a team on a weekly basis and got to do a better job," an unhappy Harvick said after finishing fourth. "The ... cars are always fast, but we always do something wrong. It's really going to have to come from the top [to manage]. I mean they are going to have to clamp down and there is no way we can win a championship like this unless they straighten some of this stuff out."


2016 New Hampshire 301, Race, Post-race, Penalties
Kenseth was issued a penalty on the Wednesday following the race for failing post-race inspection. He was docked 15 driver points, crew chief Jason Ratcliff was issued a 25-thousand dollar fine and placed on probation through December 31.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Media, Television
NBC Sports covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, four-time and all-time Loudon winner Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte had the call in the booth for the race. Dave Burns, Mike Massaro, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast reported from pit lane during the race.


2016 New Hampshire 301, Media, Radio
PRN had the radio call for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary
The 2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary took place on February 9. As per tradition, it was the first primary and second nominating contest overall to take place in the cycle. Bernie Sanders defeated Hillary Clinton in the primary by a margin of more than 22% in the popular vote. Sanders claimed 15 delegates to Clinton's 9.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary
It occurred on the same day as the Republican primary.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Debates and forums, December 2015 debate in Goffstown
On December 19, 2015, the Democratic Party held their third debate at St. Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Hosted by "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir and Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz, it aired on ABC News. Ahead of the debate, WMUR-TV's co-sponsorship had been revoked by the DNC due to a labor dispute. Participants were Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Martin O'Malley.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Debates and forums, December 2015 debate in Goffstown
The topics covered during the debate included Sanders' campaign's breach of Clinton's campaign data, strategy for defeating ISIS, gun control, the issue of whether to depose President Assad of Syria, if Wall Street favored each candidate, stability in the Middle East enforced by dictators and whether regime change was necessary, and the role of the First Spouse.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Debates and forums, February 2016 forum in Derry
A fifth forum, a Town Hall event, was held on February 3, 2016, in Derry, New Hampshire. It aired on CNN.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Debates and forums, Lesser known candidates forum at Goffstown
One of the highlights of the campaign is when the non-recognized candidates gather together to introduce themselves to the public at this event, which first was held in 1972.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Debates and forums, Lesser known candidates forum at Goffstown
Due to the notorious glitter-bombing incident of the previous cycle, Vermin Supreme was pointedly dis-invited, but showed up anyway, and made the national news. Eighteen people showed up: Jon Adams, Eric Elbot, Rocky De La Fuente, Mark Greenstein, Henry Hewes, William McGaughey, Edward O'Donnell, Graham Schwass, Sam Sloan, Edward Sonnino, Michael Steinberg, and several others.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Debates and forums, February 2016 debate in Durham
Unlike in previous years, initially, only a single authorized debate was scheduled to be held in New Hampshire. Initially planned as an unsanctioned debate, a debate on February 4 in Durham, New Hampshire was however later confirmed by the DNC. Hosted by Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow, it was broadcast by NBC News. While Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Martin O'Malley all confirmed their participation, O'Malley eventually came to suspend his campaign prior to the debate.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Debates and forums, February 2016 debate in Durham
Commentators of the debate cited the elevated discourse between the candidates. There was discussion on the death penalty (federal versus state), money in politics, and assessing Iran, North Korea and Russia as threats to national security. Clinton demanded that Sanders explain his "artful smears" of Clinton receiving campaign donations. Sanders responded by critiquing the inherently "quid-pro-quo" nature of Wall Street campaign donations. The exchange between the two candidates was called by Eric Levitz one of the best 10-minute exchanges in the history of American political debates.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Candidates
This is a list of the candidates on the ballot in the New Hampshire primary.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Candidates
The following notable candidates had participated in all authorized debates:


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Candidates
The following candidates have not been invited to any major debates or listed in national polls, but were notable enough to have Wikipedia articles written about them:


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Candidates
In addition to appearing on the New Hampshire primary ballot, the following candidates were on the primary ballot in one or more other state(s):


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Candidates
The following were not listed on the primary ballot in any state(s) other than New Hampshire:


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Analysis
Sanders scored a landslide 22-point routing in the New Hampshire primary, thanks to what The New York Times described as a "harness [of] working-class fury" against the so-called "establishment" candidates like Hillary Clinton, in a state known for its rebellious electorate. Sanders' win was propelled by younger voters, whom he won 74–25, men whom he won 67–32, self-identified Independents whom he won 73–25, and white voters whom he won 61-37 and who comprised 91% of the Democratic electorate in the Granite State.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Analysis
According to exit polls, a 53-45 majority of voters thought Clinton was not honest or trustworthy, while 89% said Sanders was honest. 61% of voters said they were dissatisfied or angry about the federal government. Sanders swept all income levels and educational attainment levels in the Granite State, except those who made more than $200k per year.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Analysis
Sanders swept all of the major cities, including Nashua, Dover, Concord, and Manchester. Sanders won along the seacoast 59–41, in the Manchester/Nashua area 54–44, in Concord/Ct. Valley 64–35, in the south 59–39, and in the north 65–33. Clinton only won three towns: Bedford, Millsfield, and Windham.


2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, Analysis
Sanders' landslide victory was a clear regression for Clinton from 2008, when she had narrowly beaten Barack Obama in the 2008 New Hampshire primary thanks to support from populous southern New Hampshire. Both Sanders' percentage of the vote and margin of victory are the largest in a Democratic New Hampshire primary since John F. Kennedy in 1960.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary
The 2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, which took place on February 9, was the second major vote of the cycle. Donald Trump was declared the winner with 35.3% of the popular vote and picked up 11 delegates, while John Kasich emerged from a pack of candidates between 10-20% to capture second place with 15.8% of the vote and picked up four delegates.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary
It occurred on the same day as the Democratic primary.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Campaign
Politico described the 2016 Republican primary in New Hampshire as a "topsy-turvy" campaign that saw "an all-out assault" on "establishment" politics.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Campaign
Donald Trump dominated the polling results,  with Chris Christie, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, and Jeb Bush vying to place second and emerge as the leading mainstream alternative to Trump and to Ted Cruz. In November Chris Christie gained the endorsement of the New Hampshire Union Leader. Candidates receiving the endorsement later received a boost of on average 8 points in the polls, but the endorsed candidate only won a Republican primary in half of the elections from 1980 to 2012. But in late January The Boston Globe and the Concord Monitor endorsed Kasich, leading Politico to dub him the winner of the "newspaper primary."


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Major debates and forums
Two major televised gatherings of major candidates took place during the 2015-16 campaign, both took place at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics of Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Major debates and forums, August 3, 2015 – Voters First Presidential Forum
The 2016 Voters First Presidential Forum was moderated by Jack Heath of WGIR radio, who asked questions of each of the participating candidates based on a random draw. Candidates each had three opportunities to speak: two rounds of questions, and a closing statement. Topics of discussion during the forum were partially selected based on the results of an online voter survey. The facilities were provided by the New Hampshire Institute of Politics and Political Library of St. Anselm College. The forum was organized in response to the top-ten invitation limitations placed by Fox News and CNN on their first televised debates (see descriptions below).


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Major debates and forums, August 3, 2015 – Voters First Presidential Forum
Eleven of the candidates participated: Senators Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Marco Rubio participated in the forum via satellite to avoid missing a vote. Three major Republican candidates who did not participate were Donald Trump (who chose not to attend), Jim Gilmore (who missed the cutoff deadline) and Mike Huckabee (who was invited, but did not respond). Mark Everson did not receive an invitation, albeit after a "serious look."


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Major debates and forums, August 3, 2015 – Voters First Presidential Forum
The Voters First forum was broadcast nationally by C-SPAN as the originating source media entity, beginning at 6:30 p.m. EDT and lasting from 7 to 9 p.m.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Major debates and forums, August 3, 2015 – Voters First Presidential Forum
The event was also simulcast and/or co-sponsored by television stations KCRG-TV in Iowa, New England Cable News in the northeast, WBIN-TV in New Hampshire, WLTX-TV in South Carolina, radio stations New Hampshire Public Radio, WGIR in New Hampshire, iHeartRadio on the internet (C-SPAN is also offering an online version of the broadcast), and newspapers the Cedar Rapids Gazette in Iowa, the Union Leader in New Hampshire, and the Post and Courier in Charleston South Carolina. There was a live audience, with tickets to the event awarded via a lottery.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Major debates and forums, Lesser known candidates forum at Goffstown
One of the highlights of the campaign is when the nonrecognized candidates gather together to introduce themselves to the public at this event, which first was held in 1972. Five candidates participated. They were Stephen Comley, Tim Cook, Walter Iwachiw, Andy Martin, and Joe Robinson.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Major debates and forums, February 6, 2016 – Goffstown, New Hampshire
The eighth debate was held in New Hampshire, the first state to hold primaries, was organized by ABC News and the Independent Journal Review. It was scheduled to be held in the St Anselm's College Institute of Politics. The eighth debate did not feature an undercard event. David Muir and Martha Raddatz were moderaters, along with WMUR political director Josh McElveen and Mary Katherine Ham.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Major debates and forums, February 6, 2016 – Goffstown, New Hampshire
To participate in the debate, a candidate must either have placed among the top 3 candidates in the popular vote of the Iowa caucus, or placed among the top 6 candidates in an average of New Hampshire or national polls recognized by ABC News. Only polls conducted no earlier than January 1 and released by February 4 were included in the averages.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Major debates and forums, February 6, 2016 – Goffstown, New Hampshire
On February 4, 2016, Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump were invited to the debate. Carly Fiorina and Jim Gilmore were not invited as they did not meet the criteria.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Major debates and forums, February 6, 2016 – Goffstown, New Hampshire
The debate was notable for Rubio's poor performance, where he repeated the same phrase four times, including once while Christie was criticizing him for making "canned" remarks.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Candidates
Twenty-six total candidates were on the ballot in the New Hampshire primary. The following notable candidates were listed in five major polls and participated in authorized debates. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and former Governors Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and George Pataki of New York withdrew from the race, but remained on the ballot.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Candidates
The following were listed in national polls and participated in at least one nationally televised debate.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Candidates
The following were listed in national polls and participated in at least one nationally televised debate, but withdrew their candidacies before the New Hampshire primary.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Candidates
The following candidates have not been listed in major independent polls nor participated in Republican party sanctioned debates:


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Analysis
According to exit polls, Trump was able to win over all genders, income levels, and age groups, but his particular strength was among gun-owners, voters worried about the economy and immigration, and voters who described themselves as "dissatisfied" or "angry" at the federal government, a norm within the electorate in a state with a rebellious nature. He also won white voters; the electorate was 96% white. An overwhelming majority of voters supported Trump's proposed Muslim ban.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Analysis
While a plurality of the 53% of voters with a college degree backed Trump, he managed a 42-13 routing over Cruz among voters without a college degree. Trump swept all voters' family financial situations, but showed considerable strength among those who are "holding steady" or "falling behind." He won 37-15 over Cruz among the 47% of voters who felt betrayed by Republican politicians, and a 62-10 landslide among those 50% of voters who wanted a candidate from outside the political establishment. In terms of party affiliation, Trump won a 33% plurality of registered Republicans, and a 39% plurality of undeclared/independent voters.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Analysis
Trump won along the seacoast 32-17 over Kasich, in the Manchester/Nashua area 33-16, in Concord 32-20, in Southern New Hampshire 40-13, and in Northern New Hampshire 36-17. Mr. Trump swept rural, urban and suburban areas of the state.


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Analysis
The New York Times described Mr. Trump's commanding victory in the Granite State as a "harness [of] working-class fury" and noted Mr. Trump amassed the largest margin of victory in a New Hampshire Republican primary since 2000. In his victory speech, Mr. Trump promised, "I am going to be the greatest jobs president that God ever created," and that he will "knock the hell out of ISIS."


2016 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary, Analysis
Following the primary, Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina and Jim Gilmore, who had all invested heavily in New Hampshire but picked up no delegates, suspended their campaigns following a poor showing. Christie endorsed Trump following the primary, while Fiorina endorsed Ted Cruz.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election
The 2016 New Hampshire Senate election was held on November 8, 2016, concurrently with the elections for the New Hampshire House of Representatives, to elect members to the 165th New Hampshire General Court. All 24 seats in the New Hampshire Senate were up for election. It resulted in Republicains maintaining control of both chambers of the New Hampshire General Court.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election
In addition, Republican Chris Sununu won the open 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial election giving the New Hampshire Republican Party total control of the state government for the first time since Republican Governor Craig Benson was defeated by Democrat John Lynch in the 2004 New Hampshire gubernatorial election. Furthermore, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton was able to win the state in 2016 Presidential election by fewer than 3,000 votes (0.4%) and Democrat Maggie Hassan won 2016 United States Senate election by around 1,000 votes (0.2%).


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Background
In the 2014 New Hampshire state elections, Republicans expanded their majority in the New Hampshire Senate to a margin of 14–10. Republicans also gained control of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. On the other hand, incumbent Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan was able to secure a second two-year term preventing total Republican control.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Campaign
A major issue of the campaign was the long planned extension of MBTA's Lowell Line from Lowell towards Nashua, Manchester and Concord as part of the so called Capital Corridor. Democratic candidates for the General Court were overwhelmingly in favor of the project, while most Republican candidates were opposed. One exception was Daniel Innis, Republican nominee in the 24th district, who stated that "[The project] clearly adds value." The 2016 elections were seen as crucial for the project. In case the project would get political approval, the State of New Hampshire was expected at the time to pay around $72 million of $245.6 million for the construction of the line as well as between $3 Million to $5 million per year for the operation of it.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Analysis
Despite Hillary Clinton carrying New Hampshire by a small margin in the simultaneous 2016 United States Presidential election, Democrats were not able to achieve significant gains in New Hampshire's state legislature. In total, just two seats changed hands between the parties. On the one hand, State Senate District 7, which was carried by Donald Trump by a 54-40 margin, switched from the Democrats to the Republicans. On the other hand, Democrats flipped State Senate District 16, which was carried by Hillary Clinton by a 48-47 margin.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Analysis
A total of four districts elected a Senator of a different party than the party of the presidential nominee that the district. State Senate Districts 1 and 18 reelected their Democratic Senators, despite being carried by President Trump. On the other hand, State Senate Districts 9 and 24 reelected their Republican Senators, despite being carried by Hillary Clinton.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 1
Incumbent Democratic State Senator Jeff Woodburn had represented the New Hampshire's 1st State Senate District since 2012. Senator Woodburn had also served as Senate Minority Leader since 2014. He won reelection against Republican Dolly McPhaul.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 2
Incumbent Republican State Senator Jeanie Forrester had represented the New Hampshire's 2nd State Senate District since 2010. She did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Republican Bob Giuda against Democrat Charlie Chandler.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 3
Incumbent Republican State Senator Jeb Bradley had represented the New Hampshire's 3rd State Senate District since 2009. He won reelection against Democrat John White.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 4
Incumbent Democrat State Senator David Watters had represented the New Hampshire's 4th State Senate District since 2012. He won reelection against Republican Bill O'Connor.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 5
Incumbent Democrat State Senator David Watters had represented the New Hampshire's 5th State Senate District since 2012. He did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Democrat Martha Hennessey against Republican Marie Lobito.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 6
Incumbent Republican State Senator Sam Cataldo had represented the New Hampshire's 6th State Senate District since 2012. He did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Republican James Gray against Democrat Joe Casey.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 7
Incumbent Democratic State Senator Andrew Hosmer had represented the New Hampshire's 7th State Senate District since 2012. He was defeated by Republican Harold French.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 8
Incumbent Republican State Senator Jerry Little had represented the New Hampshire's 8th State Senate District since 2014. He did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Republican Ruth Ward against Democrat John Garvey.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 9
Incumbent Republican State Senator Andy Sanborn had represented the New Hampshire's 9th State Senate District since 2012. He won reelection against Democrat Lee Nyquist.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 10
Incumbent Democrat State Senator Molly Kelly had represented the New Hampshire's 10th State Senate District since 2006. She did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Democrat Jay Kahn against Republican Chester Lapointe.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 11
Incumbent Republican State Senator Gary L. Daniels had represented the New Hampshire's 11th State Senate District since 2014. He won reelection against Democrat Peggy Gilmour.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 12
Incumbent Republican State Senator Kevin Avard had represented the New Hampshire's 12th State Senate District since 2014. He won reelection against Democrat Peggy Gilmour.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 13
Incumbent Republican State Senator Bette Lasky had represented the New Hampshire's 13th State Senate District since 2012. She won reelection against Republican Joan Donahue.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 14
Incumbent Republican State Senator Sharon Carson had represented the New Hampshire's 14th State Senate District since 2008. She won reelection against Democrat Richard Leonard.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 15
Incumbent Democratic State Senator Dan Feltes had represented the New Hampshire's 15th State Senate District since 2014. He won reelection against Republican Jeff Newman.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 16
Incumbent Republican State Senator David Boutin had represented the New Hampshire's 16th State Senate District since 2010. He did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Democrat Scott McGilvray against Republican State Representative Joe Duarte.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 17
Incumbent Republican State Senator John Reagan had represented the New Hampshire's 17th State Senate District since 2012. He won reelection against Democrat Nancy R.B. Fraher.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 18
Incumbent Democratic State Senator Donna Soucy had represented the New Hampshire's 18th State Senate District since 2012. She won reelection against former Republican Ross Terrio.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 19
Incumbent Republican State Senator Regina Birdsell had represented the New Hampshire's 19th State Senate District since 2014. She won reelection against Democrat Kristi St. Laurent.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 20
Incumbent Democratic State Senator Lou D'Allesandro had represented the New Hampshire's 20th State Senate District since 1998. He won reelection against Republican Carla Gericke.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 21
Incumbent Democratic State Senator Martha Fuller Clark had represented the New Hampshire's 21st State Senate District since 2012. She won reelection against Republican Peter Macdonald.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 22
Incumbent Republican State Senator Chuck Morse had represented the New Hampshire's 22nd State Senate District since 2010. He won reelection against Democrat Richard O'Shaughnessy.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 23
Incumbent Republican State Senator Russell Prescott had represented the New Hampshire's 23rd State Senate District since 2010. He did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Republican Bill Gannon against Democratic State Representative Alexis Simpson.


2016 New Hampshire Senate election, Results, Detailed results, District 24
Incumbent Republican State Senator Nancy Stiles had represented the New Hampshire's 24th State Senate District since 2010. She did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Republican Daniel Innis against Democratic State Representative Tom Sherman.


2016 New Hampshire Wildcats football team
The 2016 New Hampshire Wildcats football team represented the University of New Hampshire in the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by 18th-year head coach Sean McDonnell and played their home games at Wildcat Stadium. They were a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. They finished the season 8–5, 6–2 in CAA play to finish in a tie for second place. They received an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs where they defeated Lehigh in the first round before losing in the second round to James Madison.


2016 New Hampshire elections
New Hampshire state elections in 2016 were held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. Voters elected 4 electors in the electoral college for President of the United States, one Senator in the United States Senate, 2 members to the United States House of Representatives, the Governor of New Hampshire, all five members to the Executive Council, all 24 members to the New Hampshire Senate, and all 400 members to the New Hampshire House of Representatives, among other local elected offices. The Democratic and Republican presidential primary were held on February 9, 2016 and the primary elections for all others offices were held on September 13, 2016.


2016 New Hampshire elections, President of the United States, Primary elections, Republican presidential primary
Donald Trump won the 2016 New Hampshire Republican primary by around 55,800 votes (19.51%). Trump went on to win the 2016 Republican presidential primaries and was nominated by the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016.


2016 New Hampshire elections, President of the United States, Primary elections, Democratic presidential primary
Bernie Sanders won the 2016 New Hampshire Democratic primary by around 56,800 votes (22.46%). Hillary Clinton went on to win the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries and was nominated by the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 26, 2016.


2016 New Hampshire elections, President of the United States, General election
Hillary Clinton was able to carry New Hampshire in the 2016 United States Presidential election by around 2,700 votes (0.37%). Donald Trump was elected as 45th President of the United States.


2016 New Hampshire elections, United States Congress, Senate
New Hampshire's Class 3 Senate seat was up for election. Republican incumbent Kelly Ayotte was defeated by Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan.


2016 New Hampshire elections, United States Congress, House of Representatives
New Hampshire's two seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election. Both seats were retained by the Democratic Party.


2016 New Hampshire elections, State's constitutional offices, Governor
Incumbent Democrat Maggie Hassan did not run for reelection. She ran for United States Senate instead. The open seat was won by Republican nominee Chris Sununu against Democrat Colin Van Ostern and Libertarian Max Abramson.


2016 New Hampshire elections, State's constitutional offices, Executive council
All 5 seats of the New Hampshire Executive Council were up for election. Republican retained their 3-2 majority.


2016 New Hampshire elections, State Legislature, State Senate
All 24 seats of the New Hampshire Senate were up for election. Republican retained their 13-11 majority.


2016 New Hampshire elections, State Legislature, State House of Representatives
All 400 seats of the New Hampshire House of Representatives were up for election. Democrats were able to gain 16 seats but Republicans maintained a majority by a 217-176 majority.