Sweet 16-0: Recapping perfect regular season

(Globe Staff Photos/ Jim Davis)

Pats were unflappable When the story of the Patriots' undefeated regular season is written, it likely will focus on blowouts and records and almost unprecedented dominance, but it was composure and resiliency - attributes ingrained in their gridiron ethos - that enabled them to make history in win No. 16. Perfect unpredictability How the Patriots unpredictable ride ended forever will be documented in the history books, but where it began can be debated. photo gallery The road to 16-0 RECORD TRACKER Marks set by Pats

road to 16-0: game-by-game recap

Game 1: Patriots 38, Jets 14
Box score game recap Perfect takeoff dan shaughnessy Moss is fine wingman inside the game Even keel tipped balance patriots notebook Corner proves he's back Jets mainly positive despite comedown Risk brings reward Play of the game Game photos

Game 2: Patriots 38, Chargers 14
Box score game recap Highlight film jackie macmullan Players hand it to embattled coach inside the game This pattern is by design patriots notebook Belichick reportedly in NE through 2013 Brady tosses 3 TDs, praise Hold that line: Colvin, Thomas able to deliver Chargers never found their power source Play of the game Game photos

Game 3: Patriots 38, Bills 7
Box score game recap Real knockouts jackie macmullan Moss has been mesmerizing so far inside the game Welker yielding dividends patriots notebook Samuel back on the corner Light, line keep Schobel mostly under wraps Brady a picture perfect pitcher Injuries hurt the bills Play of the game Game photos

Game 4: Patriots 34, Bengals 13
Box score game recap Purring along dan shaughnessy Patriots are in cruise control inside the game Attacking a weak side patriots notebook Strength at WR runs deep Third-down defense was first rate Morris keeps offense grounded Moss sticks with the pattern Play of the game Game photos

Game 5: Patriots 34, Browns 17
Box score game recap Effort not up to scale, but result makes grade bob ryan Patriots are in cruise control inside the game It's Junior achievement day patriots notebook Trying to knock the rust off leadIng role elementary for Watson Stallworth gets into the act McGinest enjoyed visit- to a point Play of the game Game photos

Game 6: Patriots 48, Cowboys 27
Box score game recap Wow boys bob ryan QB receives more support inside the game Air of superiority patriots notebook Moss has praise for Belichick Owens unhappy, without question A number of reasons to smile Switch was made for safety's sake Play of the game Game photos

Game 7: Patriots 49, Dolphins 28
Box score game recap Not fish stories jackie macmullan Stadium hardly Dolphin-safe inside the game Moss seems to get it patriots notebook Safe to say late QB move was interesting Defense had no answers Andrews kicks it into gear Welker proves receptive Play of the game Game photos

Game 8: Patriots 52, Redskins 7
Box score game recap Washington slapped here inside the game Defense felt it needed to make a point patriots notebook Seymour proves to be a bit rusty in return Buildup for Colts begins Maroney getting up to speed More questions than answers for Redskins For Vrabel, both sides now Play of the game Game photos

Game 9: Patriots 24, Colts 20
Box score game recap Pats race back in fourth quarter to beat Colts dan shaughnessy Coach downplays this one? Perfect inside the game Surprise package delivered patriots notebook Flags really flying here Moss had a big hand in victory Terrific at the finish Colts kicking themselves after this Role player? Thomas wasn't a prominent actor CBS explains audio Play of the game Game photos

Game 10: Patriots 56, Bills 10
Box score game recap Buffing the resume jackie macmullan Patriots' defense is unbeatable, too inside the game Thomas given an outside chance patriots notebook Belichick throws praise Moss's way patriots notebook Brady passes Grogan, sets TD mark Bills aren't in a whine mood Line protected Brady, served him well Play of the game Game photos

Game 11: Patriots 31, Eagles 28
Box score game recap Chore thing jackie macmullan Somehow, some way, survival inside the game No disguising Eagles' success patriots notebook Easy to pick Samuel out of crowd A quarterback's options Stand-in Feeley played big role Diligent Welker comes in handy Play of the game Game photos

Game 12: Patriots 27, Ravens 24
Box score game recap Dodge ball jackie macmullan Efficiency experts kept it all together dan shaughnessy Luck helps keep perfection alive inside the game Not out front in stopping the run patriots notebook Admiring work of the QB Gaffney spreads wings Maroney shows he's catching on A sluggish offense nearly drops the ball Quoth the Ravens: Refs the difference Play of the game Game photos

Game 13: Patriots 34, Steelers 13
Box score game recap Satisfaction guaranteed jackie macmullan Perfect answer for Smith dan shaughnessy To them, nothing to speak of inside the game Strategy thrown out there, and works patriots notebook Combination unbeatable Defense digs in its heels Special play pays off for Patriots Steelers' Smith not at a loss for words Play of the game Game photos

Game 14: Patriots 20, Jets 10
Box score game recap Forecast: Reign bob ryan Elements, Jets can't delay march dan shaughnessy Win was collected calmly, cooly inside the game It was just like old times patriots notebook He had a big hand in win Wilson picks up his play Duty calls, Maroney delivers Tight end Spach came in prepared Play of the game Game photos

Game 15: Patriots 28, Dolphins 7

Box score game recap One step ahead jackie macmullan Late focus not great, but look at big picture inside the game Win wasn't showy, maybe by design patriots notebook Vrabel had a haul of takedowns Gaffney's eyes were on prize He was long gone and hard to find Moss has deep thoughts on historic run Brown's return to action is well-received Dolphins have much to perfect Play of the game Game photos

Game 16: Patriots 38, Giants 35
Box score game recap Sweet 16 jackie macmullan Brady and Moss set the records straight dan shaughnessy Patriots are just perfect inside the game Offensive line serves up plenty of protection patriots notebook '72 Dolphins toast achievement Welker again comes up big A giant effort was expanded Hobbs picks great time for first INT Pride, relief among emotions Play of the game Game photos

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