Official website of the New England Patriots
Patriots vs. 49ers - 12/16/2012
The New England Patriots take on the San Francisco 49ers in a regular season game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2012.


















Patriots Pro Football Hall of Famers and honorary captains Mike Haynes, Andre Tippett and Curtis Martin were honored prior to game action.


A small black ribbon to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newtown, Conn., is affixed to the helmet of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as he takes the field before an NFL football game.

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers, bottom, hits New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley (22) in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes between San Francisco 49ers linebackers Aldon Smith (99) and Ahmad Brooks (55)in the first quarter an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss (84) celebrates his touchdown catch from quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012.

New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib, right, runs from San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis (76) after recovering a fumble in the first quarter an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

New England Patriots defensive end Justin Francis (94) reacts in the first quarter an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (75) and defensive end Justin Francis (94) tackle San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) as Patriots outside linebacker Jerod Mayo (51) converges in the first quarter of an NFL football game.

New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) knocks San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) off his feet in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)