Following their victory in Super Bowl XXXVI seven months earlier, the Patriots played their first game in the new Gillette Stadium in the NFL's primetime Monday Night Football opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a win for the Patriots. After an additional two wins to begin the season, including a 44–7 road win against the division rival New York Jets, the team lost five of its next seven games, allowing an average of 137 rushing yards a game during that span.
Following their triumph in Super Bowl XXXVI seven months prior, the Patriots participated in their inaugural contest at the new Gillette Stadium within the NFL's prime-time Monday Night Football opening match against the Pittsburgh Steelers, resulting in a victory for the Patriots. Following two additional wins to commence the season, including a 44–7 road triumph over the divisional rival New York Jets, the team suffered five of its subsequent seven games, conceding an average of 137 rushing yards per game during that period.