Greatest Pats Team Ever? My whatifsports.com Pats tournament

[BaltimorePatsFan]

Personally I think the 2004 team was the best, but the 2003 team is my favorite and truly was "destiny's team." The team wasn't totally dominant and had a lot of close games that could have gone either way but at literally every crucial moment someone would step up and make a play.

 

[ivanvamp]

Hey Look, Terry Glenn made a contribution!

I know! I honestly forgot that he was even on that roster.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

2004 >>>> all, stats or no stats

With each year that passes by and we see this team fail in the clutch, geting punched in the mouth by a 9-7/10-6 team or outphysicalled for a jump ball by some scrub backup, I appreciate that 2004 team more and more. They just annihilated 2 fantastic teams in the Colts and Steelers then beat the Eagles in our least stressful SB.

 

[ivanvamp]

2004 >>>> all, stats or no stats

With each year that passes by and we see this team fail in the clutch, geting punched in the mouth by a 9-7/10-6 team or outphysicalled for a jump ball by some scrub backup, I appreciate that 2004 team more and more. They just annihilated 2 fantastic teams in the Colts and Steelers then beat the Eagles in our least stressful SB.

Yep. These reasons and more are why they're the #1 seed in my little tournament. I still expect the 2007 team to win it though. Their stats were just ridiculous.

 

[brdmaverick]

Ya, it shouldn't be a shocker that the 2001 Patriots were eliminated. Of the pats 20 Super Bowl winners, this team may have been the one with the least talent. Sure, they had a lot heart, but they were certainly lacking star power. Remember, Brady was not even "BRADY" at this point. He was a screen passer and game manager. As Patriots fans I don't think we should take offense to the 2001 Patriots being the worst Super Bowl champs in the past 20 years, because in order to qualify for this argument you have to WIN THE FREAKING SUPER BOWL! Which is exactly what they did.

 

[Ring 6]

Game 3: #11 1978 Pats at #6 1976 Pats

'78 Pats: 27
'76 Pats: 15

Continuing the theme of "upsets", the 1978 Patriots beat the 1976 Patriots 27-15 in a game that featured a lots of rushing, a punt return for a TD, and a safety.

The '76 Patriots exploded on the ground for 212 rushes on 37 carries (5.7 ypc), but couldn't do much in the air, as Steve Grogan (78) was just 10-21 for a mere 127 yards, 1 td, and 2 costly interceptions.

The '78 Patriots also ran well (36-155), and their Steve Grogan fared better in the air, going 10-19 for 167 yards and a touchdown.

After a scoreless first quarter, the '78 Pats struck first, with a long scoring drive culminating in a 36 yard field goal. On the drive, Grogan hit his tight ends for two big gains - one to Don Hasselbeck for 16 and the other to Russ Francis for 26.

After a punt by the '76 Pats, the '78 Pats once again went down the field for a score. Grogan hit Francis for 14 and Stanley Morgan for 15, leading to a Sam Cunningham 2-yard TD run.

On the ensuing possession, the '78 Pats forced a punt, and, after receiving it on the 21, the '78 Pats returned it 79 yards for a TD to make the score 17-0. The rout was on.

Jon Smith made it 17-3 late in the 2nd quarter after he hit a 38 yard FG.

In the 3rd quarter a strange sequence led to a safety for the '76 Patriots. The '76 Pats moved the ball downfield from their own 25, mixing in runs by Sam Cunningham and passes by Grogan. Facing a 3rd and 3 from the '78 Pats' 8 yard line, Grogan's pass was intercepted by Steve Nelson, who was tackled at the 2 yard line.

One play later, Andy Johnson (no not Patsfans' Andy Johnson...at least, I don't think they're the same guy) was drilled in the backfield for a safety, making the score 17-5.

The '76 Pats would hold on the next possession, and then took the ensuing punt and drove the ball downfield again, setting up John Smith's 38 yard FG to cut the lead to 17-8.

They had a chance to cut the lead further at the start of the 4th quarter, facing 3rd and 3 from their own 40, but Johnson was stopped inches short of the first down. They went for it on 4th and inches, but Grogan was sacked by **** Conn to turn the ball over to the '78 squad.

The '78 Pats took over at the 37 of the '76 Pats. Andy Johnson (78) rumbled for 18 yards to set up a 37 yard field goal to make it 20-8.

The '76 Pats got the ball back and picked up two first downs - one on a Grogan 12 yard scramble and the other on a 9-yard Cunningham run. But then, on 1st and 10 from the 45 of the '78 Pats, Grogan was intercepted by Mike Haynes. From there the '78 Pats marched on an 11-play, 67 yard drive, capped by a 9-yard TD pass to Russ Francis on 3rd down, with just 1:55 to go in the game.

The '76 Pats cut the lead to 27-15 after moving down the field quickly, scoring on a Grogan-to-Johnson 14-yard pass, but it wasn't enough as the '78 Pats held on for the win.

Individual Stats
'78 Pats
Grogan: 10-19, 167 yds, 1 td, 0 int, 5 rushes, 35 yds
Johnson: 11 rushes, 52 yds
Cunningham: 15 rushes, 45 yds, 1 td, 1 rec, 15 yds
Ivory: 4 rushes, 22 yds
Morgan: 3 rec, 61 yds
Francis: 3 rec, 49 yds, 1 td
Fox: 10 tackles
Conn: 7 tackles, 1 sack
Nelson: 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 int
Haynes, 5 tackles, 1 int

'76 Pats
Grogan: 10-21, 127 yds, 1 td, 2 int
Cunningham: 18 rushes, 104 yds, 1 rec, 10 yds
Johnson: 13 rushes, 92 yds, 2 rec, 25 yds, 1 td
Francis: 3 rec, 43 yds
Stingley: 2 rec, 32 yds
Beaudoin: 8 tackles
Fox: 7 tackles
McCray: 4 tacles, 1 sack

The 1978 Patriots move on to play the #3 seeded 2003 Patriots.

I am exhausted after playing for both teams in the same game

 

[ivanvamp]

Game 6: #12 1996 Pats at #4 2004 Pats

'96 Pats: 16
'04 Pats: 21

The #1 seeded 2004 Patriots beat the 1996 Patriots 21-16 in the quarterfinals of the all-time Patriots team tournament. It was a very evenly played game as both the score and stat sheet suggest.

The '96 Pats got off to a good start, outscoring the '04 Pats 13-0 in the game's first 20 minutes. They received the opening kickoff and drove 66 yards in just four plays to score a TD. On the drive, Curtis Martin had a 24-yard run and Drew Bledsoe hit Shawn Jefferson for a 39-yard TD to give the '96 Pats a 7-0 lead.

That lead grew to ten after the teams exchanged punts. Dave Meggett and Curtis Martin keyed a short scoring drive, both ripping off 11-yard runs, and Adam Vinatieri kicked a 42-yard FG to cap the drive.

Vinatieri added a 35-yard FG with 11:30 to go in the 2nd quarter, giving the '96 Pats a 13-0 lead. They thwarted a good '04 Pats drive when Corey Dillon fumbled on the '96 Pats' 8 yard line. After an exchange of punts, the '04 Pats struck as Tom Brady threw a long touchdown pass of 46 yards to David Patten, drawing the '04 Pats to within 13-7.

The '04 Pats had a chance to score late in the half, but with 0:15 left on the clock, facing 3rd and 3 from the '96 Pats' 33, Brady was sacked by Willie McGinest, ending the scoring threat.

Midway through the third quarter, the '04 Pats took the lead on a 59-yard scoring drive, highlighted by Corey Dillon's running (4 rushes for 24 yards) and Tom Brady's passing to Kevin Faulk. Dillon capped the drive with a 19-yard TD run to give the '04 Pats the lead.

The '96 Pats retook the lead early in the 4th quarter, capping a 10-play, 56-yard drive. Vinatieri nailed a 35-yard FG to put the '96 Pats up 16-14.

But the '04 Pats made enough big plays the rest of the way to win the game. Brady hit David Givens for 15 yards on 3rd and 4, and then he hit Deion Branch for 25 yards on 3rd and 15, setting up a 5-yard TD pass from Brady to Branch to put the '04 Pats up 21-16.

They then allowed the '96 Pats to drive down the field all the way to the '04 Pats' 19-yard line. But the defense held as Willie McGinest ('04 version) sacked Bledsoe and then batted a pass down on 4th and 13 with just 2:07 left. From there, the '04 Pats ran out the clock, keyed by a crucial facemask penalty by the '96 Pats.

Individual Stats
'96 Pats
Bledsoe: 12-23, 209 yds, 1 td, 0 int, 2 rushes, 15 yds
Martin: 21 rushes, 90 yds
Jefferson: 5 rec, 126 yds, 1 td
Glenn: 6 rec, 72 yds
Bruschi: 4 tackles, 1 sack
Moore: 2 tackles, 1 sack
McGinest: 2 tackles, 1 sack

'04 Pats
Brady: 12-21, 200 yds, 2 td, 0 int
Dillon: 23 rushes, 90 yds, 1 td
Faulk: 8 rushes, 37 yds, 1 rec, 14 yds
Patten: 3 rec, 75 yds, 1 td
Givens: 4 rec, 54 yds
Branch: 3 rec, 42 yds, 1 td
McGinest: 9 tackles, 1 sack
Warren: 7 tackles
Vrabel: 5 tackles

The 2004 Patriots move on to the semifinals, where they will play the upset-minded 1986 Patriots.

 

[thechris]

I'm enjoying this little tourney!

 

[patsfan55]

Game 6: #12 1996 Pats at #4 2004 Pats

'96 Pats: 16
'04 Pats: 21
The '04 Pats had a chance to score late in the half, but with 0:15 left on the clock, facing 3rd and 3 from the '96 Pats' 33, Brady was sacked by Willie McGinest, ending the scoring threat.

They then allowed the '96 Pats to drive down the field all the way to the '04 Pats' 19-yard line. But the defense held as Willie McGinest ('04 version) sacked Bledsoe and then batted a pass down on 4th and 13 with just 2:07 left. From there, the '04 Pats ran out the clock, keyed by a crucial facemask penalty by the '96 Pats.
.

My boy always knew how to play in the clutch

 

[ivanvamp]

Game 7: #11 1978 Pats at #3 2003 Pats

'78 Pats: 10
'03 Pats: 6

The surprising 1978 Patriots won a defensive slugfest against the 2003 Patriots, 10-6, in the quarterfinals of the all-time Patriots tournament. Neither team could muster much offense, as both defenses played hard-hitting, shutdown ball.

The '78 Pats won the battle of field position early on, and that led to the first score of the game. After starting their first drive on their own 22, the '78 Pats moved the ball efficiently down to the '03 Pats' 45. Andy Johnson had 11 yards rushing and 11 yards receiving on the drive. They were forced to punt and pinned the '03 Pats back on their 13. After a 3-and-out, the '03 Pats punted, but a good punt return put the ball at the '03 Pats' 42-yard line.

Johnson ran for one yard and then ripped off an 18-yard run, putting the ball at the 23. The very next play, Horace Ivory swept around left end, following the blocking of hall-of-famer John Hannah, racing 23 yards for the score.

The '03 Pats countered with a solid drive of their own, but the drive stalled at the '78 Pats' 32-yard line, and Adam Vinatieri's 49-yard field goal missed.

Neither team could get much of anything going in the second quarter. The '78 Pats had the best scoring opportunity, but a 45-yard FG attempt sailed wide. Finally, the 2003 Patriots put together a scoring drive. Taking over at their 35 following the missed FG, they moved downfield, the key play being a 26-yard run by Kevin Faulk. They had 1st and goal at the 10, but Tom Brady couldn't connect with either Deion Branch or Larry Centers, and they had to settle for Vinatieri's 27-yard FG to make it 7-3 with just 1:31 remaining in the half.

On the ensuing possession, however, Steve Grogan heated up. He hit Harold Jackson for gains of 14 and 30, setting up a 38-yard FG by David Posey with just 30 seconds remaining in the half to make it 10-3.

The half had one more big moment, however. With just 7 seconds left and the ball at their own 40, the '03 Patriots sent Deion Branch deep and Brady hit him for 58 yards, but he was tackled at the 2-yard line as time expired.

There was no scoring in the 3rd quarter. The '78 Pats had two good scoring opportunities, but Posey missed from 40 and 37 yards out, keeping the score at 10-3. The '03 Pats had a good drive in the 4th quarter, getting the ball down to the '78 Pats' 14 yard line for a first down. But they lost 2 yards on the next 3 plays - the key being a Tim Fox 5-yard sack of Brady - and were forced to settle for a 33-yard Vinatieri field goal, cutting the lead to 10-6.

After forcing a punt with 2:01 remaining, the '03 Pats had one last opportunity. The drive started on their own 8 yard line and, after another sack of Brady, he hit Faulk and Daniel Graham for 17 total yards, giving them a first down on the 22. They picked up another first down on a Brady-to-Branch connection, and ended up facing a 3rd and 4 from their 38. Brady overthrew David Givens bringing up 4th down. The '78 Patriots blitzed two men and forced Brady to scramble, but he only got one yard before being pushed out of bounds, giving the ball back to the '78 Pats, who proceeded to run out the clock for the win.

Individual Stats
'78 Patriots
Grogan: 9-11, 139 yds, 5 rushes, 24 yds
Johnson: 11 rushes, 46 yds, 1 rec, 11 yds
Ivory: 10 rushes, 34 yds, 1 td
Cunningham: 14 rushes, 26 yds, 1 rec, 15 yds
Jackson: 1 rush, 7 yds, 3 rec, 59 yds
Morgan: 2 rec, 32 yds
Francis: 2 rec, 22 yds
Zabel: 9 tackles, 2 sacks
Clayborn: 9 tackles
Fox: 7 tackles, 2 sacks
Conn: 4 tackles, 1 sack

'03 Patriots
Brady: 13-24, 215 yds, 0 td, 0 int
Smith: 13 rushes, 32 yds, 1 rec, 14 yds
Faulk: 11 rushes, 31 yds, 2 rec, 16 yds
Centers: 4 rushes, 10 yds
Branch: 3 rec, 82 yds
Graham: 3 rec, 34 yds
Givens: 1 rec, 21 yds
Bruschi: 7 tackles
Harrison: 6 tackles
Warren: 5 tackles, 1 sack

The 1978 Patriots move to the semifinals, where they will play the winner of the #10 seeded 2010 Patriots and the #2 seeded 2007 Patriots.

 

[ivanvamp]

Game 8: #10 2010 Pats at #2 2007 Pats

'10 Pats: 27
'07 Pats: 45

The 2007 Patriots showed why they are one of the favorites to win the all-time Patriots tournament as they demolished the 14-2 2010 Patriots 45-27 in the final game of the quarterfinal round. The '07 Pats racked up 482 yards of total offense and held a 24-13 advantage in first downs.

The game featured lots of yards and scoring. The 2007 Patriots got off to a 6-0 start on two Stephen Gostowski field goals of 36 and 49 yards. They extended the lead in the 2nd quarter on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Wes Welker. On that drive, Brady had 3 key plays: a 23-yard pass to Donte Stallworth, an 18-yard pass to Randy Moss, and the 4-yarder to Welker.

On the very next possession, Danny Woodhead cut the lead to 13-7 when he ripped off a 57-yard TD run on 3rd-and-1.

The '07 Pats came right back, however, starting at their own 23 yard line. Brady hit Ben Watson for 10 on 3rd-and-8, then connected with Welker for 14 and again for 15. On 2nd-and-9 from the '10 Pats' 23, Brady found Jabar Gaffney for 20, putting the ball at the 3-yard line. On 2nd and goal, Brady found Watson in the corner of the end zone for a 20-7 lead.

The '10 Pats took the next drive right down the field as Brady found Deion Branch for 14 yards and Wes Welker for 14 more before Benjarvus Green-Ellis ripped off a 44-yard run off left tackle. On 1st-and-goal from the 5, Brady found Branch for the TD to make it 20-14.

The teams traded 3rd quarter touchdowns. The '07 Pats struck first in the quarter, on a 3-yard Brady-to-Stallworth pass, which was set up by a beautiful 25-yard screen pass from Brady to Laurence Maroney.

The '10 Pats cut the lead back to 6, however, thanks to an electrifying 94-yard kickoff return all the way to the '07 Pats' one-yard line. From there, Green-Ellis punched it in to make it 27-21.

But the '07 Pats showed why they are a heavy favorite. On 2nd and 3 from their own 14, with 13:24 to go in the game, Brady hit a streaking Randy Moss for an 86-yard TD score. The successful 2-point conversion (Sammy Morris run) made it 35-21. After forcing a punt by the '10 Patriots, the '07 Pats returned the punt 89 yards for another touchdown to make it 42-21.

The '10 Pats tried to hang in there, and they successfully moved downfield on their next possession, which culminated in a 24-yard TD run by Danny Woodhead. The PAT was no good, making the score 42-27.

A 16-yard pass from Brady to Welker, followed by a 29-yard pass to Watson moved the ball quickly downfield again for the '07 Pats. The drive ended in a 25-yard Gostowski field goal that made it 45-27 with just 1:56 remaining in the game, and that would be the final score.

Individual Stats
'10 Patriots
Brady: 12-24, 142 yds, 2 td, 0 int
Woodhead: 6 rushes, 93 yds, 2 td
Green-Ellis: 12 rushes, 78 yds, 1 rec, 1 yd, 1 td
Branch: 4 rec, 50 yds, 1 td
Tate: 2 rec, 35 yds
Welker: 3 rec, 26 yds
Gronkowski: 1 rec, 23 yds
Mayo: 10 tackles
McCourty: 6 tackles

2007 Patriots
Brady: 20-31, 342 yds, 4 td, 0 int
Maroney: 16 rushes, 72 yds, 1 rec, 25 yds
Faulk: 7 rushes, 37 yds
Morris: 11 rushes, 36 yds
Moss: 5 rec, 148 yds, 1 td
Welker: 6 rec, 69 yds, 1 td
Watson: 4 rec, 52 yds, 1 td
Stallworth: 2 rec, 26 yds, 1 td
Gaffney: 2 rec, 22 yds
Vrabel: 4 tackles, 1 sack
Green: 3 tackles, 1 sack

The 2007 Patriots move on to the semifinals where they will play the 10th seeded 1978 Patriots.

Here are the semifinal matchups:

#12 1986 at #1 2004
#10 1978 at #2 2007

 

[brdmaverick]

Just reminds us (a little, anyway) of just how stacked that 2007 team was.

 

[ivanvamp]

Just reminds us (a little, anyway) of just how stacked that 2007 team was.

Right. Which is why (a) I predict the 2007 squad to win the tournament, and (b) why SB 42 hurt FAR worse than SB 46. This year's team had a great run to get there, but the 2007 team was an absolutely historically great juggernaut that lost on poor O-line play and an absolutely miraculous play by the Giants.

:bricks:

 

[The Brandon Five]

Right. Which is why (a) I predict the 2007 squad to win the tournament, and (b) why SB 42 hurt FAR worse than SB 46. This year's team had a great run to get there, but the 2007 team was an absolutely historically great juggernaut that lost on poor O-line play and an absolutely miraculous play by the Giants.

:bricks:

Not to mention a horrendous call on a recovered fumble (Woods/Bradshaw), a couple of missed interceptions and a complete b.s. call that allowed the miracle play.

 

[brdmaverick]

Yes, and for some reason the 2007 team has a false stigma of only being able of winning by blowing teams out and not 'winning the nail biters'.

They probably had just as many fourth quarter comebacks as the 2004 team though. After all, the 2007 team had fourth quarter comebacks against the Colts, Ravens, and Eagles.

The AFC Championship Game against the Chargers was also a nail biter in the fourth quarter in which the Pats closed the deal with a 9 minute drive to end the game.

 

[ivanvamp]

Game 9: #12 1986 Pats at #1 2004 Pats

'86 Pats: 0
'04 Pats: 30

In a matchup of the top and bottom seeds in the all-time Patriots tournament, the #1 seeded 2004 Pats obliterated the #12 seed 1986 Pats, 30-0. The stat sheet was as one-sided as the score, as the magic carpet ride that Tony Eason rode finally came to an end.

The '04 Pats racked up 442 yards of offense while holding the '86 Pats to just 135 in the rout.

On the first drive of the game, Eason looked like he would keep things rolling. He completed his first two passes, generating two first downs in the process, but the '04 Pats' D held and forced a punt. From there, Tom Brady led a 95 yard drive for a touchdown. On the drive, Brady was 5-6 for 71 yards, connecting with Daniel Graham for a 12-yard TD to finish the drive.

After a 3-and-out, the '04 Pats once again moved the ball effectively. Starting at their own 22, Brady hit Deion Branch for 17 and David Givens for 34. They got a break when Corey Dillon fumbled, but the '04 Pats recovered to keep the drive alive. It ended on a 31-yard Adam Vinatieri field goal that made it 10-0.

In the second quarter, following another 3-and-out by the '86 Pats, Brady hit Givens for 14, Dillon ran for 15, and Brady connected with David Patten for 17. On 1st and goal from the 3, Dillon smashed off tackle for a TD giving the '04 Pats a 17-0 lead.

A third consecutive 3-and-out for the '86 Pats gave the ball back to the '04 Pats on their own 39. On 3rd and 2 from the 47, Kevin Faulk ran for 12 yards, plus a 5-yard facemask penalty. At the '86 Pats' 36-yard line, Patrick Pass took a draw play 32 yards down to the 4. On the next play, Dillon ran left for his second touchdown of the game, giving the '04 Pats a 24-0 lead.

The '04 Pats would get the ball one more time late in the quarter, and they moved into field goal position thanks to an 11-yard Brady-to-Givens pass, setting up Vinatieri's 36-yard field goal at the gun to make it 27-0 at the half.

The '86 Pats just could not muster anything offensively as the '04 Patriots' D clamped down on every type of play the '86 Pats tried to run (the '86 Pats mustered just 8 first downs in the game. The '04 Pats closed out the scoring late in the 4th quarter on Vinatieri's 3rd field goal of the game, this one from 23 yards out, to complete the scoring.

Individual Stats
1986 Patriots
Eason: 6-13, 65 yds, 0 td, 0 int
Collins: 10 rushes, 34 yds, 1 rec, 5 yds
Tatupu: 5 rushes, 24 yds
James: 11 rushes, 17 yds, 2 rec, 24 yds
Morgan: 2 rec, 25 yds
Fryar: 1 rec, 11 yds
Reynolds: 5 tackles
McGrew: 5 tackles

2004 Patriots
Brady: 17-26, 265 yds, 1 td, 0 int
Dillon: 26 rushes, 111 yds, 2 td
Pass: 4 rushes, 44 yds
Faulk: 6 rushes, 16 yds, 2 rec, 17 yds
Givens: 4 rec, 69 yds
Patten: 4 rec, 66 yds
Branch: 3 rec, 44 yds
Fauria: 1 rec, 25 yds
Brown: 1 rec, 22 yds
Graham: 1 rec, 12 yds, 1 td
Vrabel: 7 tackles
Bruschi: 6 tackles
Johnson: 5 tackles

The 2004 Patriots advance to the all-time Patriots championship, where they will face the winner between the #10 seeded 1978 Pats and the #2 seeded 2007 Pats.

 

[ivanvamp]

Game 10: #10 1978 Pats at #2 2007 Pats

'78 Pats: 9
'07 Pats: 17

In a surprising defensive struggle, the #2 seeded 2007 Patriots ground out a tough win over the upstart 1978 Patriots, 17-9, in the semifinals of the all-time Patriots tournament.

Despite being outgained 303-251, and despite 3 interceptions thrown by Tom Brady, the '07 Pats displayed grit and tenacity in holding off the tough '78 squad.

It looked like the '07 Pats would blow the doors off the '78 squad right from the start, as they took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field. Brady hit Moss for 10, Donte Stallworth for 14, and Wes Welker for 13, and, after an 11-yard run by Laurence Maroney, Brady hit Moss again, this time from 3 yards out for the game's first touchdown.

After forcing a punt by the '78 Pats, it looked like the '07 Pats would put the game away, but Brady's pass was intercepted by Mike Haynes, who returned it all the way to the '07 Pats' 12 yard line. There, the '07 Pats held, forcing a short field goal by David Posey.

The '07 Pats had another big play in their next possession as Brady hit Moss for a 39-yard gain, but the drive stalled on the '78 Pats' 32-yard line, and Stephen Gostowski's 49-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

Andy Johnson ran for 12 yards and Steve Grogan hit Stanley Morgan for 19, setting the '78 Pats up at the '07 Pats' 27-yard line, but Posey's 44-yard field goal attempt missed, keeping the score at 7-3.

On their next possession, the '07 Patriots moved the ball well. Brady connected with Welker for 13, Jabar Gaffney for 8, and Stallworth for 19. Maroney added 15 yards on the ground, but they couldn't punch it in from the 4-yard line, settling for a short Vinatieri field goal to make it 10-3.

Asante Samuel intercepted Grogan deep in '78 Pats' territory, setting up the '07 Pats on the '78 Pats' 23-yard line. Brady connected with Welker for 12, and then, following a sack by **** Conn, Brady hit Moss for 13 yards and a TD, making it 17-3.

The '78 Pats tried to get on the board as they drove down the field with a good mix of passing and running. The key play on the drive was an 18-yard Grogan-to-Harold Jackson pass on 3rd and 5, setting up Posey for a 43-yard field goal attempt. But he missed another one, giving the ball back to the '07 Pats at their own 33 with just 53 seconds left in the half.

Brady tried a quick pass to the sideline, but Raymond Clayborn intercepted the ball and returned it to the '07 Pats' 36. After a 6-yard sack by Rodney Harrison set up a 3rd and 15 from the 41, Grogan found Russ Francis down the seam for 33 yards, setting up a 25-yard Posey field goal at the end of the half, making it 17-6.

The third quarter featured a key exchange. Holding a 17-6 lead, the '07 Pats forced a punt by the '78 Pats, who had driven down to their 37 yard line. Taking over at their own 2, Maroney ran for 6 yards, but on the next play, Brady threw his third interception, as Steve Zabel picked off the pass and returned it to the '07 Pats' 9 yard line. Down by 11, the '78 Pats looked poised to turn this into a nail-biter, but on 3rd and goal from the 3, Andy Johnson was stripped of the ball and the '07 Pats recovered, preserving the 17-6 lead.

They could do nothing with the ball, however, and had to punt it away. A good return gave the ball back to the '78 Pats at the '07 Pats' 37-yard line. They moved it to the 19 before the drive stalled, and Posey connected on a 36-yard field goal to make it a one-score game at 17-9.

After picking up one first down, Brady misfired on two passes and the '07 Pats were forced to punt. The '78 Pats got to midfield before they, too, had to punt, as Grogan's 3rd down pass to Johnson went through his hands.

Brady hit Ben Watson for 22 yards getting the '07 Pats down to the '78 Pats' 42 yard line, but they had to punt, and the '78 Pats took over at their own 9 with 7:04 left in the game.

From there, they began to move the ball well. Four runs by Johnson and Sam Cunningham netted 11 yards and set up a 2nd and 9 from their own 20. Grogan then zipped a pass to Stanley Morgan, who raced 26 yards all the way to their 46 yard line with 3:41 remaining.

On 4th and 6 from the 50, Grogan found Carlos Pennywell for 10 yards to keep the drive alive. Cunningham ran for 7 and Grogan hit Johnson for 8, Francis for 8, and then Francis again for 6, giving the '78 Pats a first down at the '07 Pats' 11-yard line with just 1:12 to go.

On first down, Grogan dropped back to pass but the '07 Pats blitzed, sacking Grogan for a 1-yard loss. On second down, Grogan's pass went off Francis' fingertips at the 5-yard line, bringing up third down. Grogan looked for Morgan in the end zone but Rodney Harrison knocked the ball down, bringing up 4th and goal from the 11. Grogan looked for an open receiver but couldn't find anyone as the coverage was outstanding, and the '07 Pats took over at their 12 yard line with 0:51 left.

Maroney ran for 12 yards on first down, and then a couple of kneel-downs later, and the '07 Pats survived a tough struggle.

Individual Stats
1986 Patriots
Grogan: 16-27, 202 yds, 0 td, 1 int, 6 rushes, 15 yds
Cunningham: 17 rushes, 45 yds, 3 rec, 27 yds
Johnson: 12 rushes, 32 yds, 1 rec, 8 yds, 1 fumble
Ivory: 4 rushes, 14 yds, 1 rec, 7 yds
Morgan: 4 rec, 73 yds
Francis: 3 rec, 47 yds
Jackson: 3 rec, 30 yds
Nelson: 8 tackles
Zabel: 7 tackles, 1 int
Haynes: 5 tackles, 1 int
Clayborn: 4 tackles, 1 int
Fox: 2 tackles, 1 sack
Conn: 2 tackles, 1 sack

2007 Patriots
Brady: 15-25, 200 yds, 2 td, 3 int
Maroney: 12 rushes, 48 yds
Faulk: 4 rushes, 15 yds, 1 rec, 10 yds
Moss: 4 rec, 69 yds, 2 td
Welker: 4 rec, 42 yds
Stallworth: 3 rec, 37 yds
Watson, 1 rec, 22 yds
Gaffney: 2 rec, 20 yds
Seau: 9 tackles
Vrabel: 5 tackles, 1 sack
Harrison: 4 tackles, 1 sack
Samuel: 4 tackles, 1 int

The 2007 Patriots advance to the championship game where they will face the #1 seeded 2004 Patriots.

Final matchup:

#2 2007 Patriots at #1 2004 Patriots

 

[Kulko]

I think the SB matchup is not too surprising,so now lets see who comes out on top.

 

[thechris]

I'm predicting Gisele Brady chokes to Moynahan Brady.

'04 wins the whole thing.

 

[ivanvamp]

Game 11: #2 2007 Pats at #1 2004 Pats

'07 Pats: 12
'04 Pats: 24

The #1 seeded 2004 Patriots defeated the #2 seeded 2007 Patriots 24-12 in the championship of the all-time Patriots tournament. The '04 Patriots were behind 12-10 heading into the fourth quarter, but got two last period touchdowns to rally for the win.

The '04 Pats' defense did a masterful job containing the explosive '07 Pats' offense, holding Tom Brady (07) to just 144 yards passing and intercepting him twice.

On the opening drive, the '04 Patriots picked up two first downs on Corey Dillon runs, but the drive stalled on the '07 Pats' 40 yard line and the '04 Pats punted. It was a poor punt, however, and the '07 Pats started at their own 28. Facing 3rd and 2 from their 36, Kevin Faulk was held just short of the first down on a draw play, and the '07 Pats punted.

On their next possession, the '04 Pats marched down the field from their own 31. Dillon ran for 9 and Faulk for 6. After a short Tom Brady-to-Deion Branch pass, Dillon rumbled for 14 more. Faulk ran for 4 more and then Brady hit David Givens for 16, taking the ball down to the '07 Pats' 16. On 3rd and 9, however, Brady overthrew David Patten and they had to settle for Adam Vinatieri's 32-yard field goal.

On their next drive, the '07 Pats had big plays from Brady to Wes Welker (16 yards) and Donte Stallworth (17 yards). A facemask penalty set up first down at the '04 Pats' 19 yard line. On third down from the 15, heavy pressure forced Brady to scramble, but he couldn't pick up the first down and they ended up tying the game on Stephen Gostowski's 32-yard field goal.

The teams traded punts (2 for the '04 Pats and one for the '07 Pats) before the '07 Pats got on the board again. Starting at their own 15, Laurence Maroney burst for 25 yards and Faulk ripped off a 43-yard run of his own, setting up 1st and 10 at the '04 Pats' 17. Brady threw a short screen to Randy Moss, who was tackled for no gain. On second down, they ran the same play and Moss got 4 yards. On 3rd down, a screen to Maroney netted 2 yards, and they once again had to settle for a short Gostowski field goal, this time from 28 yards out, giving the '07 Pats a 6-3 lead.

The '04 Pats got the ball back with 1:51 left in the half and Brady made several big passes to march down the field. On the first play, though, Dillon lost the football but the '04 Pats recovered at their 39. From there, Brady hit Faulk for 13, Faulk ran for 12, and Brady hit Daniel Graham for 11, putting the ball at the '07 Pats' 25-yard line with 0:55 to go. Two plays later, Brady hit Patten down the middle for 22 yards, setting up first and goal from the 9. The next play, Brady connected with Graham for 8 yards on a sideline pattern, and Dillon ran it in from 1 yard out giving the '04 Pats a 10-6 lead with just 26 seconds left in the half.

But, incredibly, the half was not yet over, and on the ensuing kickoff, the '07 Pats ripped off a 75-yard kickoff return all the way to the '04 Pats' 28 yard line with just 11 seconds left. Brady then hit Welker for 14 before Gostowski nailed a 31-yard field goal at the gun, making the score 10-9 in favor of the '04 Patriots.

In the third quarter, Tom Brady ('04) made a big mistake, leading to points for the '07 squad. On 1st and 10 from the '07 Pats' 42, Brady threw deep down the sideline but was intercepted by Asante Samuel, who returned it to the '07 Pats' 32-yard line. Maroney ran for 12 and Brady hit Stallworth for 17. After a 6-yard Faulk run, Brady hit Welker for 10 more. The drive stalled at the '04 Pats' 31 yard line, but Gostowski hit the long 48-yard field goal, giving the '07 Pats a 12-10 lead.

Taking over at their own 22 with 2:45 left in the 3rd quarter, trailing by 2, the '04 Pats moved the ball...in the wrong direction. On 1st down, the '04 Pats had a holding penalty, making it 1st and 20 from their 12. Brady connected with Patten for 12 setting up 2nd and 8. Brady then hit Dillon on a screen pass for 13 yards for the first down, and on the next play, Dillon exploded for 48 yards off right tackle, giving them a first down at the '07 Pats' 15. On the last play of the quarter, Patrick Pass, spelling a winded Dillon, ran for 12 more right up the middle, setting the '04 Pats up on the 3 yard line. The '07 Pats stuffed Faulk on a draw play on first down, but then on second down, Dillon pounded it into the end zone for a 3-yard TD run to make it 17-12.

The '07 Pats moved the ball downfield on their next possession, the big play being a 13-yard Brady-to-Stallworth completion with an additional 15 yards tacked on for a facemask penalty. They made it to the 37 yard line of the '04 Pats but on 1st down, Ty Warren sacked Brady for 7 yards, and, facing a 3rd and 16, Brady's deep ball was broken up, and the '07 Pats chose to punt.

The '04 Pats then went on a true championship drive. Starting at their own 3 yard line with 10:18 to go, Dillon ran twice for 5 yards, setting up 3rd and 5 from the 8. Brady found Branch for 15 yards for the first down to the 23. Then Brady hit Givens who shed a tackle and picked up 14. On first down from the 37, Brady hit Givens again, this time for 16, taking the ball to the '07 Pats' 47-yard line. Brady hit Patten for 5 and then threw incomplete, setting up a huge 3rd down play with just 5:56 left in the game. On 3rd-and-5, Brady hit Dillon out of the backfield, and he broke a tackle and picked up 13 yards for the key first down, and the clock kept running.

Brady hit Christian Fauria for 2 before Dillon again punished the '07 Pats, this time with a 12-yard run down to the 15 yard line. Brady twice threw incomplete to Branch, setting up a 3rd and 10 from the '07 Pats' 15. If the '07 Pats had held and given up a field goal, there would still have been three and a half minutes left, down by just one score. But on 3rd and 10, Brady zipped a bullet in to Branch, who dove for the end zone and scored to make it 24-12. It was a 13-play, 97-yard drive that took nearly 7 full minutes off the clock.

With not much time to rally, the '07 Pats went into pass only mode. They moved down to the '04 Pats' 38 with 2:11 left, but Brady's pass was intercepted by Tedy Bruschi at the '04 Pats' 24-yard line.

The '04 Pats were quickly forced to punt, and the '07 Pats took over again at their own 42 with just 1:42 left. Surprising the defense, Maroney ripped off a 20-yard run, but on 3rd and 9 from the 37, Brady was again intercepted, this time by Roman Phifer, who returned it to the '04 Pats' 45. After two kneeldowns, the '04 Patriots were crowned champions, and deservedly so.

Team Statistics
First downs: '07 (15), '04 (23)
Rushes-Yds: '07 (29-148, 5.1), '04 (34-179, 5.3)
Passing Yds: '07 (120), '04 (198)
Time of Possession: '07 (27:59), '04 (32:01)

Individual Statistics
2007 Patriots
Brady: 13-22, 144 yds, 0 td, 2 int
Maroney: 13 rushes, 88 yds
Faulk: 4 rushes, 58 yds
Welker: 5 rec, 67 yds
Stallworth: 3 rec, 47 yds
Moss: 5 rec, 30 yds
Seau: 5 tackles
Samuel: 5 tackles, 1 int
Wilfork: 3 tackles, 1 sack
Green: 3 tackles, 1 sack

2004 Patriots
Brady: 19-26, 211 yds, 1 td, 1 int
Dillon: 21 rushes, 127 yds, 2 td, 2 rec, 26 yds
Faulk: 6 rushes, 24 yds, 1 rec, 13 yds
Pass: 3 rushes, 23 yds
Patten: 1 rush, 11 yds, 4 rec, 38 yds
Givens: 4 rec, 66 yds
Branch: 4 rec, 49 yds, 1 td
Graham: 3 rec, 13 yds
Bruschi: 10 tackles, 1 int
Vrabel: 7 tackles
Warren: 4 tackles, 1 sack
McGinest: 4 tackles, 1 sack
Colvin: 2 tackles, 1 sack
Phifer: 1 tackles, 1 sack, 1 int

MVP: Corey Dillon