The 25 Greatest Moments in New England Patriots History

Intro

What a difference a decade makes. Prior to the 2001 season, the New England Patriots were best known for one monumental Super Bowl loss, one player being paralyzed in a preseason game, and two weird helmet logos. Flash forward to 2012, and the Pats are playing in their seventh Super Bowl, with a shot at their fourth title (only four other teams have that many or more). Greatness? They're tilting at that, too. Their coach and quarterback are making legit arguments for being called the best of all time.

A collection of the Patriots' greatest hits is bound to have a lot of bangers from the past decade, which will happen when you have one of a literal handful of best decades ever in the NFL. So we've got Brady, Brown, Bruschi, Vinatieri, Vrabel, and Vinatieri again and again (and again)—it was a fun decade. But there's Grogan, James, and Bledsoe, too. Now, a "reward" for reading this far: Whaddaya call a Satan at the urinal?* Read on, for the 25 Greatest Moments in New England Patriots History.

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*wicked pisser

Dan Connolly 71-yard kick return

25. Connolly's Scamper

What: Regular season vs. Green Bay
Date: 12/19/2010

Every sport has its novelty moment; an otherwise ordinary occurrence made incredible by the player involved. In baseball, it's a pitcher hitting a home run. In hockey, it's a goalie clearing the puck into an empty net. And in football, it's a fat guy running in the open field. One of the greatest fat-guy moments occurred when right guard Dan Connolly took a kickoff 71 yards for a near touchdown against the Packers. Not only did Connolly field the bouncing squib kick, he broke containment, shook a defender and was a block away from six points. His return was the longest ever by a lineman and it sparked the Patriots' 31-27 comeback win.

1978 Playoff Game vs. Houston

24. Back on the Scene

What: AFC Divisional Playoff vs. Houston Oilers
Date: 12/31/1978

The Boston Patriots were the AFC East's bottom-dwelling mainstay for the first half of the 1970's. Before Eason, Bledsoe, and Brady there was Steve Grogan, a tall, gangly quarterback out of Kansas State. And although Grogan was never a Pro Bowl-caliber passer, he did scramble and hand the ball off enough for New England to set an NFL team record with over 3,100 rushing yards in 1978. On New Year's Eve 1978, the Patriots hosted their first-ever playoff game, a loss to the Houston Oilers. The season marked a breakthrough for the franchise and established the Patriots for the first time in the NFL.

Running Through the Fog

23. The Fog Bowl

What: AFC Divisional Playoff vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: 1/5/1997

Steelers vs. Patriots is one of the most underrated playoff rivalries and it all began with Fog Bowl II. The Steelers were defending AFC Champions, but Terry Glenn, Drew Bledose, and Bill Parcells punked them right out of Foxborough in a 28-3 laugher. In Rod Woodson's last game with Pittsburgh, he was burned by Glenn for a 53-yard catch early in the first quarter. Not to be outdone, big-play Curtis Martin busted a 78-yard touchdown run to basically put the game on ice by halftime. The Steelers offense disappeared in the fog, as the intensely hyped Slash-and-Czack quarterback combination never got going. Kordell Stewart was a pathetic 0 for 10 passing, and Mike Tomczak threw two interceptions.

Patriots Make the Scene

22. Boston Patriots Rep the AFL

What: Conference Championship @ San Diego Chargers
Date: 1/5/1964

After finishing second to the Houston Oilers for two straight seasons, the Patriots finally made it over the hump and won the AFL's East division. The Pats were led to their first postseason appearance by Pro Bowl quarterback Babe Parilli, who finished the '63-'64 season with 2,345 yards, 13 TDs, 24 INTs and 7 fumbles. Yeah, the game's changed a bit since then. Although Boston lost to San Diego in the Conference Championship, the season marked the first true success in the franchise's history.

Bledsoe throws 70 passes in a game

21. On the Arm of Bledsoe

What: Regular season vs. Minnesota Vikings
Date: 11/13/1994

The 1994 season didn't start off promising for Drew Bledsoe and the Patriots. Bledsoe was playing as poorly as a quarterback can (4 TD, 11 INT during a four game losing streak) and the Patriots were a miserable 3-6. Down by 10 with less than 4:00 left in a regular season game against the Vikings, Bledsoe led a heroic comeback, and in the process, set an NFL record with seventy pass attempts. In overtime, Bledsoe ended the game by finding Kevin Turner in the end zone. The dramatic finish sparked a seven-game winning streak for New England who, after their pathetic start, slid into the playoffs.

The Tuna Bowl

20. The Tuna Bowl

What: Regular season vs. New York Jets
Date: 9/14/1997

When Bill Parcells led the Patriots to the Super Bowl, he was a hero. When he left to coach the Jets, he became a pariah. Patriot fans were foaming from the mouth for weeks in anticipation of a regular season game between New England and New York. The game lived up to the hype, with the Jets almost pulling off a miracle comeback. In a span of 15 seconds, Keyshawn Johnson tied the game on a touchdown reception, then the Jets recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and set themselves up for a 29-yard game-winning field goal. The kick was blocked by Patriots linemen Mike Jones in an astonishing turn of events, and the Patriots won in overtime on an Adam Vinatieri field goal. That Vinatieri guy's going to pop up again on this list.

Brady's 4th Down Conversion

19. 4th and 3

What: Divisional Playoff vs. Tennessee Titans
Date: 1/10/2004

With the game tied in the fourth quarter, the Pats were facing 4th and 3 from the Tennessee 33-yard line—too close to punt and too far away to try a field goal. So, Belichick put his trust in Tom Brady. Brady dropped back and found Troy Brown for a 4-yard gain. The Patriots moved the chains and set up Adam Vinatieri for the game-winner. Patriots 17, Titans 14.

Brady Throws 5 TD's... In a Quarter

18. Brady Throws 5 TDs ... In a Quarter

What: Regular season vs. Tennessee Titans
Date: 10/18/2009

2009 wasn't the greatest season for Tom Brady and the Patriots, but it might have been the year of his greatest game. En route to a 59-0 sonning of the Titans, Tom Brady threw 6 touchdowns, including five in the same damn quarter. With the score 45-0 at the break, the Patriots let off the gas pedal, tacking on a trivial couple of scores with Brian Hoyer at the helm in the second half.

Robert Weathers "Must Win" Run in '85

17. "Must Win"

What: Regular season vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Date: 12/22/1985

On the cusp of playoff contention, the Patriots were in a must-win season finale against the Bengals. New England was up by four late in the fourth quarter. Not wanting to give Boomer Esiason and the Bengals a chance for a comeback, the Patriots went for it on a crucial fourth down. The rarely used Patriot running back Robert Weathers busted a 42-yard touchdown to ice the game. The Patriots went to the playoffs and ultimately the Super Bowl.

Troy Brown Strips McCree

16. McCree's Gift

What: Divisional Playoff @ San Diego Chargers
Date: 1/14/2007

Just inside Chargers territory the Patriots were going for it on fourth down. San Diego was up 21-13 and they were a play away from advancing to the AFC Championship game. Brady dropped back and threw an interception to Chargers defensive back Marlon McCree. Game over, right? During McCree's return, the always-on-time Troy Brown stripped the ball and the Patriots recovered. If McCree would have knocked the ball down, the Chargers win. If McCree would have held on to the pick, the Chargers win. If McCree would have missed the team bus and was a no-show for the game, the Chargers win. The Patriots go on to score a touchdown, a two-point conversion and (you guessed it) Adam Vinatieri hit the go-ahead field goal with 1:10 remaining.

Matt Millen's Punch

15. The Punch

What: Divisional Playoff @ Los Angeles Raiders
Date: 1/5/1986

Marcus Allen ran wild for the Raiders, but it was Jim Bowman's fumble recovery in the endzone that sealed a playoff win for the Pats. As exciting as the game was, the greatest moment occurred during the post-game hand shake. Patriots general manager Pat Sullivan was involved in an on-field scuffle with the former Raiders hard-ass, one-time worst GM of all-time, and current ESPN blowhard Matt Millen. "We're just getting back for Jack Tatum and all the other crap that this football team has put on our football team for twelve years," Sullivan said after the game.

Otis Smith DEF TD

14. Scoop and Score

What: AFC Championship vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Date: 1/12/1997

In a game mostly void of offense, the biggest play came—as they often do—on a turnover. Down by a score in the fourth quarter, Jacksonville needed a touchdown, but instead, they fumble. Patriots defensive back, Otis Smith, grabbed the loose ball and took it 47 yards for the score. The Super Bowl-bound Pats never looked back and won the game 20-6.

A Slouch Takes an Island

13. A "Slouch" Owns an "Island"

What: Regular season @ NY Jets
Date: 9/19/2010

In an offseason interview with NFL Network, Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis was asked to play a word association game. When Randy Moss was mentioned, Revis replies, "slouch." Moss responded on game day when he burned Revis up the seam and maked an unbelievable palm catch with his right hand. As Moss celebrated, Revis grabbed his left hamstring and grimaced in pain. Who's slouching now?!?

Just Like Last Year

12. Just Like Last Year

What: AFC Divisional Playoff vs. Indianapolis Colts
Date: 1/16/2005

Peyton Manning never looked worse than when he was playing in Foxborough with snow on the ground. A year earlier, Manning looked like a hopeless rookie, splitting Ty Law's numbers and gesturing for defensive holding calls like a pussy after every pass. A year later, armed with new rule changes targeted at the Patriots physical secondary, there was no way No. 18 could look as bad, right? Wrong! The Colts only cross the 50-yard line four times in a 20-3 beatdown. On the last play of the game, Manning fired an interception to Rodney Harrison. Instead of chasing the play, he stood alone. With his pants soaked in mud, and his hands on his hips, he breathed the cold air of Foxborough for the second straight year.

Brady Brings an end to Tebow-Mania

11. Slaying Tebowmania

What: AFC Divisional Playoff vs. Denver Broncos
Date: 1/14/2012

Whether you're a fan of Tim Tebow's or a Merril Hoge-caliber hater, after the Broncos beat the Steelers you thought the Mile High Messiah had a shot at taking out Tom Brady (admit it). Once the game started, there was no chance of another miracle. Brady was lights out, throwing six touchdowns, and the only fight the Broncos showed was after a Brady punt (yes, a Brady punt) inexplicably starting a brawl by the Pats sideline. As the scuffle cleared and the game ended, Tebowmania was played out like Beanie Babies and Silly Bandz.

Tom Brady jukes Urlacher

10. Brady Jukes Urlacher

What: 2006 Regular Season vs. Chicago Bears
Date: 11/26/2006

When the Patriots hosted the Bears during a regular-season game in 2006, it was touted as a matchup between two of the NFL's best teams. Instead, it was a turnover-saturated slop fest—but it did feature one of the NFL's greatest open field moments. With the game tied in the fourth quarter and the Patriots driving in Bears' territory, a scrambling Tom Brady found himself squared up with Brian Urlacher. A lesser man would have taken a slide, but Brady set his left foot, shook his pads and left the Bears All-Pro linebacker charging in empty space like a blind bull.

Troy Brown Keeps the Cinderella Story Alive

9. Cancelled Reservations

What: AFC Championship @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: 1/27/2002

In January of '02 we learned a lot about what would become the Patriots Dynasty, the Steelers learned that when your quarterback is Kordell Stewart, you should be a little less presumptuous. The Steelers were so confident that they'd bring an end to the Patriots Cinderella season that they openly discussed their hotel reservations in New Orleans for the Super Bowl. Instead, Patriots wideout Troy Brown murdered the black and yellow with 121 receiving yards, a scoop-and-score lateral on special teams and an electrifying punt return for a touchdown. No word on whether the Steelers got their deposits back.

Brady to Moss

8. 16-0

What: Regular season @ New York Giants
Date: 12/29/2007

Sometimes life comes full circle. The Patriots started their perfect season with a win in Giants Stadium - and in Week 17 - it almost ended there. The Giants were up by three in the fourth quarter when Brady went up top to Moss for six. The touchdown pass was Brady's 50th of the season (an NFL record) was Moss' 23rd score (an NFL record), and preserved a 16-0 regular season for the Pats (you guessed it ... also an NFL record).

Squish the Fish

7. Squish the Fish

What: 1985 AFC Championship @ Miami Dolphins
Date: 1/12/1986

The Patriots had a hard time winning in the Orange Bowl—going into the 1985 AFC Championship, they'd lost all eighteen games they'd played there. In their third straight playoff road game, Patriots quarterback Tony Eason swagger-jacked Dan Marino, throwing three touchdowns in his house. Craig James (who was much better at running with his feet for the Patriots than he is at running his mouth for ESPN) gained 105 yards on the ground killing the "Miami Jinx" and sending the Patriots to the Super Bowl.

Bruschi intercepts McNabb, Pats Repeat

6. Making McNabb Sick

What: Super Bowl XXXIX vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Date: 2/6/2005

The Eagles were driving in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXXIX and looked to make it a one-score game. Deep in Patriots territory, Donovan McNabb threw a pass so bad it could make him sick (or maybe it did). He split Tedy Bruschi's jersey, and the Patriots linebacker ended the threat. The fourth quarter bled out a few drives later, and the Patriots were champions again.

Ty Law's 3 Picks

5. Ty Law's Hat Trick

What: AFC Championship vs. Indianapolis Colts
Date: 1/18/2004

The Indianapolis Colts were the hottest team in football, steam-rolling their way through the playoffs without even having to attempt a punt. That was until they came to Foxborough. The Patriots made Peyton Manning look like a rookie, sacking him four times and forcing him to throw four picks. As the game wore on, a muddied Manning thew his arms up in the air after every pass, desperately pleading for a defensive holding call. The Patriots just played their game, especially cornerback Ty Law who picked Manning three times.

Rodney Harrison Pick 6

4. A Rookie Mistake

What: AFC Championship @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: 1/23/2005

The Steelers were an NFL best 16-1 and were playing at home in the AFC Championship. But when the Patriots took an early lead, the Steelers were forced to rely on an inexperienced Ben Roethlisberger to make plays. The Patriots defense feasted on the young quarterback forcing three interceptions. The signature moment was Rodney Harrison baiting Big Ben to throw an out pattern. Harrison jumped the rout and took it 87 yards for a touchdown. During the return, Roethlisberger was bounced off the grass on a block. The Patriots took a 24-3 lead and never looked back.

Vinatieri's Clutch Kick in Superbowl XXXVIII

3. Vinatieri Does It Again

What: Super Bowl XXXVIII vs. Carolina Panthers
Date: 2/1/2004

Adam Vinatieri missed a chip shot from 31 yards at the end of the Patriots first drive. Later in the game, he had a 36-yard attempt blocked. So, with the game tied and only a few seconds left in Super Bowl XXXVIII, people were justifiably doubting the most clutch kicker of all time. The biggest party in Boston kicked off in three simple steps: Snap, hold and kick. Adam Vinatieri did it again.

The Greatest Kick of All-Time

2. The Snow Kick

What: AFC Divisional Playoff vs. Oakland Raiders
Date: 1/19/2002

Blinding snow storms make the easiest of things difficult, so you can imagine how difficult iknocking down a 45-yard field goal in one would be. It was the last game ever at Foxboro Stadium. A snow storm turned the playoff game in to a cleat-sliding, snow-ball-throwing affair. And as theatrical as the setting was, the real dramas was on the field. A blitzing Charles Woodson separated Tom Brady from the football, it was recovered by the Raiders and the Patriots season was over. Or was it? The call was reversed on the controversial "Tuck Rule" and the Pats' second life allowed enough time to attempt a game-tying field goal. Adam Vinatieri stood 45 yards out—a little out of his range (he'd missed 4 of his past 5 kicks from 40+). He planted his leg and kicked up as much snow as pigskin. The ball sailed awkwardly in the air and through the uprights. It was the greatest kick ever. The Patriots eventually won in overtime.

Vinatieri's Superbowl Winning FG

1. The Kick

What: Super Bowl XXXVI vs. St. Louis Rams
Date: 2/3/2002

The Pats led the heavily-favored St. Louis Rams 17-3 going into the 4th quarter, but after a 26-yard Kurt Warner touchdown pass knotted the score at 17, Bill Belichick was left with a dilemma. Run out the clock and take his chances with overtime, or let his young quarterback try to drive the ball (or worse, cough up the ball) with 1:21 remaining, no timeouts, and the ball on the Rams' 17. Coach Hoodie looked to his offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and said, "Let's do it." Tom Brady finds J.R. Redmond on a couple checkdowns before the drive is highlighted by Troy Brown's 23-yard catch. With :07 remaining, the unflappable Adam Vinatieri sets up for 46-yard field goal. Destined to live forever in Patriot lore or "Wide Right" infamy, Vinatieri swings his leg, raises his arms and triggers dip-spilling pandemonium at Super Bowl parties throughout Massachusetts.