#10 Brady to Patten 4th and 4 / 2001 Divisional
This play is at 10:44 on the video below. It was 4th and 4 in OT at near the Raiders 30 yard line. Too far for a FG in that weather, and you could not expect Vinateiri to pull off another kick like that. A failed play would result in Raiders ball only needing a FG. This is the play I remember most vividly from this game. Brady threw to the left past the sticks. Patten was on his knees in a pile of snow when he caught the ball for a first down. And Wiggins came real close to getting his right hand on the throw (thinking it was meant for him) which would have been incomplete. The rest is history--history that wouldn't have happened without this huge conversion.
#9 Pats D stuffs Raiders 3rd and 1 / 2001 Divisional
Yes, the same game. This is where it all began. People think Vinateiri's kick was pure fate, but this game was filled with those moments. This is the third play from this game to make the list. The Raiders were up 13 - 10 getting near midfield. On 3rd and 1, a first down would have essentially ended the game. No miracle ending. No SB run. Maybe no dynasty. This play is at 5:45 below. What a moment watching Zach Crockett getting cut down and then stuffed before even getting close to converting.
#8 Edelman to Amendola TD / 2014 Divisional
The offense had already gone to the unbalanced OL out of desperation to get back into the game. This play was part two of going unconventional and tying the game at 28 - 28. Because of the novelty of a WR throwing the TD pass, the play is obviously well remembered. In this instance, it is justified. This was the game that led to the elusive 4th ring and began another dynasty within the dynasty. And it was a great play!
#7 Blocked FG for TD / 2001 AFCCG
Up 14-3 against the heavily favored Steelers, the Pats D held the Steelers to a short FG attempt. But with Brady out, an 8 point lead in the 2nd quarter would have been anything by comfortable. What happened next filled those ugly yellow towels with tears. Brandon Mitchell (who?) broke through the line and blocked the kick. Troy Brown (because it's Troy f'n Brown) scooped up the bouncing ball. As he was being tackled, he lateraled the ball to Antwan Harris (who?) who took it to the endzone. A 14 - 6 game turned into 21 - 3, and another improbable playoff victory was in sight.
#6 Rodney Harrison INT / 2003 AFCCG
The media darling Colts and Manning were the unstoppable offense. And the Patriots were the one-time "fluke" SB champion. The Patriots went up 7 -0 to begin the game on a TD pass from Brady to David Givens. The Colts promptly took the ball right down the field and were about to tie the game in the snow. On 3rd and Goal, Manning back pedaled looking for an open receiver and threw it into the endzone...and right into the arms of Rodney Harrison. The fans went nuts, and the dome team offense never looked the same after that one drive. Instead of a 7-7 game, we got the best combination of Manning face and his arms flailing in the air looking for someone to blame. The play is at 3:07 in the video. Enjoy the roar of the fans and the reactions from Manning!
#5. Troy Brown Punt Return TD / 2001 AFCCG
Troy f'n Brown. The Patriots were big underdogs, and this game was looking like it was going to be a struggle to score points. Late in the 1st quarter with no score, Brown fielded the punt close to midfield. He weaved thru tackles up the middle and found his was in the endzone. It was typical Troy Brown of that era. And I remember thinking that we might actually have a shot of going to the Super Bowl. The return is at 2:53 in the video below.
4. Vinatieri 46 yard FG / 2003 Divisional
What! A Vinatieri FG in the top 5, and it's not THAT one? This kick gets overlooked, but it was the epitome of clutchness. The game was tied 14-14 with 4:10 remaining. It was zero degrees with windchills below -20. It was the coldest game in Foxboro history. In those conditions, A 46 yard FG was not a sure thing. A miss would have given the Titans great field position and a great opportunity to win the game. When Vinatieri kicked that frozen ball, it looked like it would never make it. Somehow, it made it thru the lower left corner of the uprights. It would be any other kicker's signature kick. It may have been the most nervous I have ever been as a fan before a FGA. See it at 2:46 in the video.
#3. Brady to Branch 61 yard TD / 2004 AFCCG
I was worried about this game for some reason. We needed that 3rd SB for the dynasty label. Up 3-0 in the 1st quarter, the Pats D had just stuffed Bettis on a 4th and 1 run. The Patriots offense responded on the very next play with this bomb. Brady (battling the flu) threw a perfect pass deep to Branch in stride who proceeded to trash talk the Steelers fans in the endzone. 10-0. It was game over. Dynasty almost cemented. 0:50 in the video.
#2 Vinatieri 45 Yard FG / 2001 AFC Divisional
This flip flopped from #1 to #2 at the last minute. Call it #1b. I have no idea how that kick made it thru the wind and snow. I certainly didn't see the ball on my TV, just the refs arms raising in the air and the crowd going ape shit. This is the greatest kick in NFL history. Enjoy again below.
#1 3rd and 10 X 3 in OT / 2018 AFCCG
Yes, I know the first completion was on 3rd and 9, not 10. Close enough. And it's three plays not one. I don't care. This is the only time I have felt exhausted after a game. The highs and lows of the game were insane. And let's face it, the Chiefs were winning the game if they got a chance on offense in OT. A TD was a must. Three times, it looked like the drive was in jeopardy. Three times Brady made clutch throws to well covered receivers (Edelman, Edelman, Gronk). Anything less than perfection on those three plays would mean no sixth ring. This OT is by far my most rewatched Patriots game ever. See the video below for the goosebumps!
