Saturday’s Wild Card Matchup for the New England Patriots will be their first of the new decade. But before they take the field, it’s appropriate to take one final look back at the incredible run of home games.
Gillette Stadium has been the home for many historic games for the New England Patriots. Many of them came in the 2000s, however the 2010s were the first full decade for the venue.
And while the bookends of the decade involved painful losses, there was plenty to enjoy in between (it began with the Wild Card blowout, in case you tried to forget).
Take one final look at the best New England Patriots home games of the 2010s.
5. Sunday Night Football vs. Kansas City, 2018
While most of New England had their remotes switching back and forth with the Boston Red Sox, this October game delivered on all of the hype and was must-see TV.
Though the Pats started out with the early lead, it quickly became a shootout. Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes tied the game late, but Tom Brady was able to execute a clutch game-winning drive featuring a massive catch-and-run by Rob Gronkowski and a go-ahead field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.
The victory reestablished the Patriots as an AFC contender and gave them the confidence to beat the Chiefs later in the season.
In addition, the Pats were able to use the game as a measuring stick and formulate game plans based on the nuances, which was another component to their victory later in January.
To this day, it is the last real vintage Brady performance at Gillette Stadium. Let’s hope for another on Saturday.
4. Unicorns and Show Ponies vs. New Orleans, 2013
Known mostly for its dramatic ending, this game was the only time we’ve really been able to see a duel between Brady and Drew Brees.
By the time the Saints converted a 3rd and 20 late and scored a go-ahead touchdown, it seemed very much like Brees would get the best of TB12. And after Brady threw a late pick, it looked like the Saints had the game locked away.
But as history wrote it, the Patriots would get the ball back and march down the field, with Austin Collie of all receivers making a clutch grab. With five seconds left, Brady tossed a beautiful back-corner touchdown to Kenbrell Thompkins to give New England the win. Scott Zolak immediately said, “Where’s the beef?!”
Much like the last game, this October game also coincided with another Red Sox all-time playoff moment. Hours after the touchdown to Thompkins, David Ortiz hit one of the most famous home runs in Red Sox history – a grand slam against the Detroit Tigers.
3. Sunday Night Football vs. Denver, 2013
Scott Zolak also said, “You can have your Manning, I’ll take my Brady.” No game signified that statement more in the 2010s more than this game at windy Gillette Stadium.
By the time halftime rolled around, the Broncos had a 24-0 lead and it looked like the game was all but over. Stevan Ridley had fumbled again, and Brady and Co. could get nothing going offensively.
But much like a phoenix, the New England Patriots would rise from the ashes and come all the way back to take the game over. Led by remarkable touchdowns by Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman, the offense woke up and began controlling the momentum.
Likewise, Peyton Manning threw an inevitable interception to Logan Ryan that seemed to have sealed the game. However, Denver would proceed to tie the game late and send it to OT, though a muffed punt by the Broncos set up a game-winning field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.
2. AFC Divisional Round Game vs. Baltimore, 2014
From the outset, this game had it all. Whether it was a double-pass TD, 4th down conversions, a Brady scramble for a touchdown, or a Hail Mary at the end, the Patriots and Ravens went toe-to-toe once again at Gillette.
Arguably the most intriguing aspect of the game, however, was the unique use of formations to gain favorable matchups. Ravens coach John Harbaugh was not happy with this development but the Patriots were simply out-coaching the Ravens with each new wrinkle.
This time, in the end, New England would avenge the 2012 home loss to Baltimore by willing their way to a signature home playoff win.
This fight would give them the mental toughness and momentum they needed a few weeks later when they won their first Super Bowl of the 2010s. Looking back on it, it truly was a turning point in the Patriots dynasty. Should they have lost, who knows what we would be talking about now.
1. AFC Championship Game vs. Jacksonville, 2018
In what appears to be the last home AFC Championship of Tom Brady’s career, we saw one of the most improbable wins of the entire dynasty.
By early in the fourth quarter, the Patriots had lost Gronk to injury for the rest of the game and were basically relying on Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks offensively. To make matters worse, Dion Lewis fumbled away the ball when New England was already down 20-10. Furthermore, they faced a 3rd and 18 shortly after they got the ball back.
After converting the third down via a pass to Amendola, Brady would lead the team to two touchdown drives, giving them the lead with little time to spare.
Stephon Gilmore would all but seal the victory by knocking away an errant pass with less than two minutes to go. This game is typically overshadowed by last year’s title game and forgotten because the New England Patriots went on to lose to Philadelphia. However, it was easily the most exciting home game of the 2010s.
Honorable Mentions: 2012 Monday Night Football vs. Houston, 2014 Sunday Night Football vs. Cincinatti, 2017 vs. Houston