#10 – The Butt Fumble
No other information is needed. The play is that infamous. Did the play lead to any Patriot greatness that season? No. The Jets were the best of the three division rivals during this era, and even they were more often than not destined to lose to the Patriots in dominant fashion. This play is the best representation of the Pats/Jets relationship during those years.
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rAp57G1hLn0&pp=ygULYnV0dCBmdW1ibGU%3D
#9 – Gronk refuses to be tackled vs Redskins
The poor Redskins defenders looked foolish on this play. Of course, there are several Gronk plays on this list. This was the play where we could sit back and smile knowing we had the most dominant receiving force on our team.
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BdzQTNNLQQk&pp=ygUOR3JvbmsgcmVkc2tpbnM%3D
#8 – Gronk one handed catch vs Broncos
While the Sergio Brown play demonstrated Gronk’s blocking dominance, this catch demonstrated Gronk’s greatness as a pure receiver. It is the greatest catch I have ever seen from a TE. It was also a catch that put the final nail in the hated Broncos in what became a blowout win.
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rF91wi_jnb4&pp=ygUWZ3Jvbmsgb25lIGhhbmRlZCBjYXRjaA%3D%3D
#7 – Brady Kenbrell Tompkins vs Saints (2012)
Kenbrell who? Yup, Kenbrell Tompkins was Brady’s #1 WR for part of a season. Brady being Brady made the most of it. This game was frustrating as it appeared a loss to the Saints was inevitable. A final drive that included a 4th down conversion to Austin Collie (yes, he was on that team too) was punctuated with a perfect throw to Tompkins with seconds remaining to win the game. Pure Brady clutch.
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iBJqYb25PyQ&pp=ygUOYnJhZHkgdG9tcGtpbnM%3D
#6 – Brady 2nd Quarter in the Snow vs Titans (2009)
I know I said I would keep each entry to a play or two. I lied. To stay true to the rules, I will use the flea flicker bomb TD to Moss as the play. For all the whining done by NFL Karens about running up the score in 2007, Brady could have put up 80+ points if they kept playing in the 2nd half. This game was beautiful—the snow, the dominance.
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7A7cJp0f-e4&pp=ygUYdG9tIGJyYWR5IHZzIHRpdGFucyAyMDA5
#5 – Welker 99 yard TD vs Miami (2011)
Patriots were up by 14 early in the 4th quarter, but were buried inside their own 1 yard line. Brady went empty to the surprise of the announcers, and 99+ yards later Welker was in the endzone. Belichick’s reaction was notable as we got a rare glimpse of celebration from him out of the amazing execution of that play.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QVR_66QMHjo&pp=ygURd2Vsa2VyIDk5IHlhcmQgdGQ=
#4 – Goal Line Stand vs Colts (2003)
It was Week 13 against the rival Colts. Both teams were 9-2 and playoff seeding was on the line, and the Colts were driving to take the lead and win the game. 1st and goal from the 2 yard line. 4 straight stops. Willie McGinest and Manning face on the last play! So satisfying.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=89Os6gtS9eE&pp=ygUecGF0cmlvdHMgY29sdHMgZ29hbCBsaW5lIHN0YW5k
#3 – Mo Lewis Hit on Drew Bledsoe (2001)
Some may find it distasteful to put this on the list. Hey, I loved Bledsoe too. I don’t care. Mo Lewis deserves a statue in Foxboro. Sure, Brady would have eventually replaced Drew. However, had this happened in Week 10 instead of Week 2, we likely do not have the beginning of the dynasty that year. Love ya, Mo! So Jetsy, isn’t it?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tNzd9Xd0who&pp=ygUcbW8gbGV3aXMgaGl0IG9uIGRyZXcgYmxlZHNvZQ==
#2 – Bruschi INT and Snowballs vs Miami (2003)
One week after the goal line stand against the Colts, this was another must win game for playoff seeding in Week 14. This pick 6 by Bruschi was simply special. Amazing hands and awareness to catch that ball. The fans turning Foxboro Stadium into a snow globe makes this play memorable forever.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yUHoscE-hW8&pp=ygUVYnJ1c2NoaSBpbnQgc25vd2JhbGxz
#1 – Brady to Troy Brown in OT vs Miami (2003)
2003 is getting a lot of love, isn’t it? It deserves it. Go back and rewatch that season. So much excitement in those games. Remember, this was not yet a dynasty. 2001 was still considered a fluke. 2002 was a terrible disappointment. And this was an early game in Miami. The pass Brady threw was a majestic bomb hitting Brown in stride for the win. It was one of our earliest examples of clutch Brady. And watch Belichick’s reaction on the sideline. He threw his headset in the air in jubilation. Since when does Belichick go all Pete Carroll? He doesn’t. He knew how special that play and that win was. Watch it again now. If you do not get goosebumps, you have no soul.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3qz057Ab49I&pp=ygUZYnJhZHkgdG8gdHJveSBicm93biBtaWFtaQ==
Feel free to comment on plays I missed or orders you disagree with. Or give me a Kraft special rub n tug if you agree with everything.
Let me know if you have suggestions for the next list.
No other information is needed. The play is that infamous. Did the play lead to any Patriot greatness that season? No. The Jets were the best of the three division rivals during this era, and even they were more often than not destined to lose to the Patriots in dominant fashion. This play is the best representation of the Pats/Jets relationship during those years.
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rAp57G1hLn0&pp=ygULYnV0dCBmdW1ibGU%3D
#9 – Gronk refuses to be tackled vs Redskins
The poor Redskins defenders looked foolish on this play. Of course, there are several Gronk plays on this list. This was the play where we could sit back and smile knowing we had the most dominant receiving force on our team.
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BdzQTNNLQQk&pp=ygUOR3JvbmsgcmVkc2tpbnM%3D
#8 – Gronk one handed catch vs Broncos
While the Sergio Brown play demonstrated Gronk’s blocking dominance, this catch demonstrated Gronk’s greatness as a pure receiver. It is the greatest catch I have ever seen from a TE. It was also a catch that put the final nail in the hated Broncos in what became a blowout win.
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rF91wi_jnb4&pp=ygUWZ3Jvbmsgb25lIGhhbmRlZCBjYXRjaA%3D%3D
#7 – Brady Kenbrell Tompkins vs Saints (2012)
Kenbrell who? Yup, Kenbrell Tompkins was Brady’s #1 WR for part of a season. Brady being Brady made the most of it. This game was frustrating as it appeared a loss to the Saints was inevitable. A final drive that included a 4th down conversion to Austin Collie (yes, he was on that team too) was punctuated with a perfect throw to Tompkins with seconds remaining to win the game. Pure Brady clutch.
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iBJqYb25PyQ&pp=ygUOYnJhZHkgdG9tcGtpbnM%3D
#6 – Brady 2nd Quarter in the Snow vs Titans (2009)
I know I said I would keep each entry to a play or two. I lied. To stay true to the rules, I will use the flea flicker bomb TD to Moss as the play. For all the whining done by NFL Karens about running up the score in 2007, Brady could have put up 80+ points if they kept playing in the 2nd half. This game was beautiful—the snow, the dominance.
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7A7cJp0f-e4&pp=ygUYdG9tIGJyYWR5IHZzIHRpdGFucyAyMDA5
#5 – Welker 99 yard TD vs Miami (2011)
Patriots were up by 14 early in the 4th quarter, but were buried inside their own 1 yard line. Brady went empty to the surprise of the announcers, and 99+ yards later Welker was in the endzone. Belichick’s reaction was notable as we got a rare glimpse of celebration from him out of the amazing execution of that play.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QVR_66QMHjo&pp=ygURd2Vsa2VyIDk5IHlhcmQgdGQ=
#4 – Goal Line Stand vs Colts (2003)
It was Week 13 against the rival Colts. Both teams were 9-2 and playoff seeding was on the line, and the Colts were driving to take the lead and win the game. 1st and goal from the 2 yard line. 4 straight stops. Willie McGinest and Manning face on the last play! So satisfying.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=89Os6gtS9eE&pp=ygUecGF0cmlvdHMgY29sdHMgZ29hbCBsaW5lIHN0YW5k
#3 – Mo Lewis Hit on Drew Bledsoe (2001)
Some may find it distasteful to put this on the list. Hey, I loved Bledsoe too. I don’t care. Mo Lewis deserves a statue in Foxboro. Sure, Brady would have eventually replaced Drew. However, had this happened in Week 10 instead of Week 2, we likely do not have the beginning of the dynasty that year. Love ya, Mo! So Jetsy, isn’t it?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tNzd9Xd0who&pp=ygUcbW8gbGV3aXMgaGl0IG9uIGRyZXcgYmxlZHNvZQ==
#2 – Bruschi INT and Snowballs vs Miami (2003)
One week after the goal line stand against the Colts, this was another must win game for playoff seeding in Week 14. This pick 6 by Bruschi was simply special. Amazing hands and awareness to catch that ball. The fans turning Foxboro Stadium into a snow globe makes this play memorable forever.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yUHoscE-hW8&pp=ygUVYnJ1c2NoaSBpbnQgc25vd2JhbGxz
#1 – Brady to Troy Brown in OT vs Miami (2003)
2003 is getting a lot of love, isn’t it? It deserves it. Go back and rewatch that season. So much excitement in those games. Remember, this was not yet a dynasty. 2001 was still considered a fluke. 2002 was a terrible disappointment. And this was an early game in Miami. The pass Brady threw was a majestic bomb hitting Brown in stride for the win. It was one of our earliest examples of clutch Brady. And watch Belichick’s reaction on the sideline. He threw his headset in the air in jubilation. Since when does Belichick go all Pete Carroll? He doesn’t. He knew how special that play and that win was. Watch it again now. If you do not get goosebumps, you have no soul.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3qz057Ab49I&pp=ygUZYnJhZHkgdG8gdHJveSBicm93biBtaWFtaQ==
Feel free to comment on plays I missed or orders you disagree with. Or give me a Kraft special rub n tug if you agree with everything.
Let me know if you have suggestions for the next list.
