Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (right) celebrates with quarterback Tom Brady (12) after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Where do the New England Patriots show up in a recent list ranking the greatest moments in NFL history?
They may not have the long and storied history of a team like the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers or Dallas Cowboys, but their recent success is certainly giving the New England Patriots a strong place in NFL history. Led by Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, the Patriots have sustained consistent success over the last 15 years.
In an era where free agency and strict salary cap rules keeps the playing field level, nobody else has been able to hold a torch to the success of the Patriots each and every year. Make no mistake, the Belichick and Brady Patriots are a true dynasty who will go down favorably as one of the elites in NFL history.
In a recent list put together by the staff at FanSided, we were in a way able to see the Patriots’ place in NFL history. The top 100 moments in NFL history is a great look back at the most memorable and influential moments across the long history of the National Football League. It is a great piece to check out for any NFL fan, but I took a look at it more from the Patriots’ perspective.
The Patriots come in nicely in these rankings, with five moments that stood out, and were ranked extremely well. They were not all positive moments (although most of them were), but it was an interesting way to see how the modern-day Patriots are sizing up in the eye of NFL history.
Without further ado, here are the choices, and their rankings in accordance to the FanSided staff.
Next: A Memorable Super Bowl Kick
29. Adam Vinatieri Beats Heavily-Favored Rams
This one may have ranked a bit higher if it were Patriots’ fans making the list, but Adam Vinatieri‘s Super Bowl winning kick over the St. Louis Rams comes in as the 29th most memorable moment in NFL history.
The Patriots were heavy underdogs in the game against the Rams, and very few actually gave them a chance to win. Later we learned to never count out Brady and Belichick, but at this time nobody could have possibly known what they would become. Brady’s last second drive was miraculous, and Vinatieri’s 48-yard kick as time expired is a memory that no Patriots’ fan will ever forget.
This was the beginning of the dynasty and an obvious inclusion to the list. Here is what they had to say about the moment:
"This might be hard for some to believe, there was a time where the New England Patriots were the underdog, even in a Super Bowl. That evening was Super Bowl XXXVI following the 2001 season, and the moment when Adam Vinatieri became a household name across the country. Going into this game against the high-powered St. Louis Rams and the “Greatest Show on Turf,” not many gave the Patriots a chance. However, through a strong defensive effort and Tom Brady’s emergence, they were able to have the game tied at 17 with seven seconds left on the clock. Brady led them down the field, setting Vinatieri up for the 48-yard attempt to lift the Patriots to glory. Vinatieri put the kick through with time expiring and kick-started the eventual run New England would go on. The Patriots would miss the playoffs in 2002 before winning the next two Super Bowls. In 2006, Vinatieri won his fourth title with the Indianapolis Colts"
Next: The Best Rivalry of the Era
22. Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning
Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) meets with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) after the 2013 AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
One was a sure-fire number one overall pick who is arguably the greatest regular season quarterback of all-time. The other was overlooked entering the NFL, taken in the sixth round, and has become arguably the greatest signal caller in NFL history.
We were all lucky to see the careers of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady unfold together, and they became natural rivals over the years. The Brady vs. Manning debate comes in at number 22 on this list.
Brady’s teams typically got the best of Manning’s squads, but Manning’s stats are superior. No matter where you lie on this debate (BRADY!), it has been so much fun watching these two incredible players battle throughout the years.
Here is what the FanSided staff said about their choice of Brady vs. Manning:
"Brady or Manning? Manning or Brady? Tom or Peyton? Peyton or Tom? How a person answers those questions of preference tells a lot about the individual. Though, to be clear, there’s no wrong answer. One is arguably the greatest regular season quarterback in National Football League history, having bowled over every single significant passing record. The other is one of the greatest postseason quarterbacks the league has ever known, having played in six Super Bowls and won four. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning was the preeminent rivalry of the 2000s during the spark of the fantasy football era. They played in the regular season, they played in the postseason. Brady started off owning Peyton, but Manning fired back later in his career. For more than a decade the AFC basically went through these guys’ teams. The NFL has some special rivalries in its history – the Raiders and Steelers in the 1970s, the Packers and Bears in the 1930s and 40s, the Cowboys and 49ers in the early 1990s, to name a few. However, in terms of individual rivalries there are none better than Brady-Manning."
Next: A Not So Fond Memory
17. David Tyree Makes Helmet Catch
In my eyes, the 2007 New England Patriots were the greatest team in NFL history. Now, they did not finish the job, so I understand that they can never really be considered the best ever, but that team was incredible.
An explosive offense like we had never seen before and a dominating defense, the 2007 Patriots seemed to be perfect. And perfect was exactly what they were until they faced the New York Giants in the Super Bowl that season.
You know the game, and you know the result. It is a shame that the greatest team ever did not win it all, but that’s just how it went. The Giants had a great game plan and stepped up and made plays when they needed it the most. The Patriots may have beaten the Giants nine out of ten times, but on that day, New York was the better team, and that’s all that matters.
Little known wide receiver David Tyree made the signature play of the game with an incredible catch off of his helmet on a pass from Eli Manning who had just escaped intense pressure. Tyree’s catch is a moment that every Patriots’ fan would love to forget, but it was undoubtedly memorable, and comes it at number 17 on this list.
The reasoning:
"The undefeated New England Patriots entered Super Bowl XLII as heavy favorites and with dreams of becoming the first team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to navigate an entire NFL season without a single tie or loss. The only thing in their way was the New York Giants, the same team that had given New England its only true test of the regular season. The game was a defensive struggle until the fourth quarter, when New York scored their first touchdown of the game and took a 10-7 lead. New England promptly answered on a Tom Brady to Randy Moss touchdown with 2:42 remaining, setting the stage for one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history. With 1:15 on the clock, the Giants faces a 3rd and five from their own 44 yard line. The Patriots nearly took down Eli Manning in the backfield, but the New York QB wiggled away to get a pass off. The play was well defended by Rodney Harrison, but somehow David Tyree managed to pin the football to his helmet in order to secure the completion, even after being dragged to the ground by Harrison. Four plays later, Manning hit Plaxico Burress in the end zone to give New York a 17-14 victory, winning the Super Bowl and upsetting one of the greatest teams in NFL history."
Next: Controversy Sides with New England
14. Tom Brady’s Legacy is Born with Tuck Rule
The most famous play early on in the Patriots’ dynasty was undoubtedly the Tuck Rule play in the AFC championship game prior to their Super Bowl victory over the Rams.
Late in the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders, the Patriots trailed 13-10 and Brady was trying to drive them downfield for a comeback win. Brady dropped back, pump faked and was drilled on his blindside by a blitzing Charles Woodson. Brady lost the ball, Oakland recovered and the game appeared to over.
However, after a lengthy video review, it was determined that Brady’s arm was in fact going forward when the ball left his hand, so the pass was ruled incomplete. That was true. However, it was only going forward because Brady was trying to tuck the ball and take the sack. He was no longer attempting a pass, and it was fairly obvious.
That said, the NFL rule was clear, and there was not anything the officials could do. The Patriots got the ball back, scored a field goal on that possession and won the game in overtime. Two weeks later, they upset the Rams in the Super Bowl to begin their dominance over the NFL.
Tough break for the Raiders.
Here is explanation of the Tuck Rule play coming in at number 14 on the list:
"The New England Patriots are as close to a dynasty as any modern NFL team can claim to be, but an odd series of events almost snuffed it out before their thrilling victory in Super Bowl XXXVI. One little game in the snow spawned four Super Bowl victories and a major rule change. With under two minutes to play in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the Raiders, the Patriots were down 13-10 but marching down the field, looking to at least force a tie. Quarterback Tom Brady took the snap and was looking to hit a quick slant route, but after not seeing his first target, pumped the ball to move to his second. However, he was hit on the blindside during the tuck and appeared to fumble the football. The officials went to the review booth and determined that because Brady was in the midst moving forward with his arm, despite being in the midst of a tuck, and therefore the call was overturned and ruled an incomplete pass. Brady would complete a 13-yard pass to David Patten on the next play, setting up a game-tying field goal from Adam Vinatieri and forcing overtime. New England would win the toss and take the first possession of overtime and put the game away with a 61-yard drive culminating with another Vinatieri field goal. The rest, as they say, is history."
Next: An Instant Classic
12. Malcolm Butler Saves Super Bowl for Patriots
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette (83) in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Last, but certainly not least, the final Patriots’ moment on this list comes in at number 12. It is a much more recent moment, that will undoubtedly be remembered forever.
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The Patriots have long been known for being able to pluck players from seemingly nowhere who make an impact. This time they took it to the next level, when undrafted rookie Malcolm Butler became a Super Bowl hero last season.
The Patriots signed Butler after he went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft. They were the only team to have any real interest in Butler, and he even needed to try out for a shot with them in training camp.
Butler impressed the coaching staff right away, fought through his rookie season with little playing time and was ready when they needed him. Butler showed some signs during the 2014 season, but he came in and played huge for the Patriots in the biggest moment. Butler was a little used cornerback, but was forced into Super Bowl action as Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks constantly picked on their slot corner, Kyle Arrington.
Butler stepped in and played well for the Patriots as their number three corner in the second half of the Super Bowl, and his addition to the lineup was a huge reason why the Patriots were able to slow down Seattle’s passing attack.
As you all know, Butler’s moment came late in the fourth quarter with time expiring and the Seahawks threatening to score the game-winning touchdown inside the five yard line. Instead of handing off to superstar back Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks’ coach Pete Carroll called a passing play, a call that will haunt him forever.
Next: Patriots Have Best Defense in Entire NFL
Wilson tried to hit Ricardo Lockette on a quick slant route, but Butler was not having any of it. He drove down on the ball, jumping the route with absolutely perfect timing. Butler stole the pass away from Lockette, coming away with the interception to save the game and win the Super Bowl championship for the Patriots.
It was an incredible play to win the freaking Super Bowl by a guy who the Patriots seemingly plucked out of thin air. It was an indescribable moment that I know I will never forget. In fact, that is something I can say about each and every Patriots’ moment on this list.
Here is what the FanSided staff had to say about Butler’s pick coming in as the twelfth greatest moment in NFL history:
"During their run over the course of the last decade, players all over the field have stepped up for the New England Patriots. Sometimes, these are players that we might not have known all that much about, such as Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl XLIX. After being down by 10 points in the fourth quarter to the Seattle Seahawks, the Patriots fought back to take a 28-24 lead. However, with time running down in regulation, the defending champion Seahawks were threatening, taking the ball near the goal line of the Patriots. Everyone was looking for a run from Marshawn Lynch to get Seattle the win. Yet, the Seahawks’ coaching staff thought they had another trick up their sleeves by calling for a pick play and an inside slant. Butler wasn’t fooled one bit. Instead of handing the ball off to Lynch, quarterback Russell Wilson dropped back and looked for receiver Ricardo Lockette. Butler read the play and timed the pass perfectly, stepped in front of it and sealed yet another Super Bowl win for the Patriots in the process."