In their first real offensive drive of the game, the Patriots marched their way into the red zone, but came up short of the end zone, leaving them down 9-3 early in the second quarter.

Brady, appearing more in his element then he did on the intentional grounding, completed passes to BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Deion Branch, and Wes Welker as the Patriots drove from their own 29-yard line to the Giants' 17 with a first down. Aaron Hernandez was the next target, but could not call upon his usual elusiveness against strong New York tacklers, gaining just two yards on the play. A run from Green-Ellis set up the Patriots with a 3rd-and-4. Again targeting Hernandez, Brady may have been able to find another first down were it not for a leaping Jason Pierre-Paul, who got his hands on the ball and knocked it to the ground, incomplete.

Stephen Gostkowski managed to put the ball through the uprights from close range to make it 9-3, but the Patriots had to be hoping for more after the Giants' strong start.