Remembering one of the greatest forgotten plays in Patriots history

[dannydyn]

Just pure awesomeness (given the circumstances).

A decade later, it remains a truly remarkable feat of athleticism and character.

While the first postseason loss of Tom Brady’s career is not a moment many Patriots fans enjoy looking back on, the game is memorable for one of the greatest plays in franchise history.

The play went as follows:

• In the third quarter of the divisional playoff game against the Broncos, the Patriots trailed 10-6, facing a 3rd and goal at the Denver five-yard line.
• Tom Brady rolled to his right, making a poor decision to try and hit Troy Brown in the end zone. Denver cornerback Champ Bailey, covering Brown, stepped in front of the pass. He was off to the races, with only open field in front of him.
• Bailey tore down the sideline, escorted by a bevy of Broncos blockers. Patriots running back Kevin Faulk appeared to have the best chance at tackling Bailey, but couldn’t bring him down.
• The convoy of Broncos players (including Bailey) eased up as they approached the end zone, savoring the imminent touchdown after a 100-yard interception return.
• Yet one Patriots player had other thoughts. Ben Watson, a tight end, seemingly came out of nowhere to demolish Bailey at the goal-line, causing a fumble. Watson, as the replays showed, ran the distance of the football field (and from across it) to catch Bailey on the brink of the end zone.

Remembering one of the greatest forgotten plays in Patriots history

 

[TB_Helmet]

I don't think this play is forgotten by any means! Definitely the thing that I remember from that game the most, and also whenever Ben Watson's name comes up (as it did Monday night).

 

[Joey007]

Yeah that's definitely not a forgotten play at all.

 

[Froob]

Touchback...

 

[oldrover]

Fellow posters: when you saw the thread title, did you guess it might be this play? I know I did.

 

[patfanken]

The untold story of that great play by Watson is that he forced Bailey to fumble THROUGH the endzone, which by rule would have given the ball back to the Pats on the 20. Yeah that's right. It might be a dumb rule, but it's still the rule today. Unfortunately for the Pats the refs understandably missed it and there was no DIFINITIVE camera angle to reverse the call. Even fewer cameras back 10 years ago. So it wasn't exactly a robbery, but rather a misfortune,

Nevertheless, it is THAT play that will always make Ben Watson a favorite of mine, even though he currently plays for the dispiseable Ravens (on IR). I look forward to his retirement so he can come back and hang at Gillette and get all the accolades he deserves. Or maybe we resign him if he comes back healthy and have him back up Gronk and Bennett and do a swan song year.

 

[Wheelman]

The video clip, what show/documentary is this from?

@oldrover I did too.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

Hustle!

 

[shmessy]

The very definition of "Bittersweet".

 

[PatsDeb]

It's not forgotten, but it's also not one of the greatest because the wrong call was made. The ball was fumbled through the endzone so it should have been a touchback, and Patriots ball. Instead the refs screwed up, and screwed us, and awarded the ball to the Broncos on the one yard line. I'd actually like to forget the play, but I can't.

 

[Tony2046]

Forgotten or not I'll enjoy watching that no matter what the thread title is.

Another forgotten gem I'll watch over and over again:

 

[Patjew]

That game sucked and that play sucked.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Just pure awesomeness (given the circumstances).


Remembering one of the greatest forgotten plays in Patriots history

That was a goddamn touchback.

Another BS play that haunts me from that game.

 

[Froob]

The untold story of that great play by Watson is that he forced Bailey to fumble THROUGH the endzone, which by rule would have given the ball back to the Pats on the 20. Yeah that's right. It might be a dumb rule, but it's still the rule today. Unfortunately for the Pats the refs understandably missed it and there was no DIFINITIVE camera angle to reverse the call. Even fewer cameras back 10 years ago. So it wasn't exactly a robbery, but rather a misfortune,

Nevertheless, it is THAT play that will always make Ben Watson a favorite of mine, even though he currently plays for the dispiseable Ravens (on IR). I look forward to his retirement so he can come back and hang at Gillette and get all the accolades he deserves. Or maybe we resign him if he comes back healthy and have him back up Gronk and Bennett and do a swan song year.

Watson is a really good dude too, he's quite the philosopher.

 

[RayClay]

Actually the only play I remember Watson for, except 170 lb CBs wrestling the ball from him in the end zone.

 

[Pats Fanatic]

When they say forgotten play I think of this one.

 

[farn]

Fellow posters: when you saw the thread title, did you guess it might be this play? I know I did.

Nope. It was a loss.

I thought it'd be an actual winning play. Like maybe the intentional safety that lead to a GW drive. That was a play.

 

[irishfanatic]

Forgotten or not I'll enjoy watching that no matter what the thread title is.

Another forgotten gem I'll watch over and over again:

What was so special about this ??

 

[Tony2046]

When they say forgotten play I think of this one.

Do you remember this game?

 

[PittPatriot]

That Ben Watson play highlights BB's plight for endzone/goal line cameras.

Also, that play symbolises the "ghosts" that come out when the Patriots travel to Denver. Where even the GOAT has struggled.