hoyer saw only limited action during the 2011 season; his only pass attempt was the patriots' final attempt of the 2011 regular season. the pass, which head coach bill belichick asked offensive coordinator bill o'brien to call, was a 22-yard pass to tight end rob gronkowski to give gronkowski the nfl record for receiving yards in a season by a tight end. in the playoffs, the patriots defeated the denver broncos in the divisional round and the baltimore ravens in the afc championship game to reach super bowl xlvi. the patriots went on to lose 21-17 to the new york giants.