What are the top-5 or so single biggest plays of the Patriots dynasty? Obviously huge weight must be placed on the biggest games, and I don’t think you could fit a regular season play into a list like this (Mo Lewis aside). This cannot be a series of plays, or a drive of any type. It has to be a single play that was critical to winning a huge game.
We all know the Malcom Butler interception rightfully tops the list, and probably by a wide margin. That’s pretty much not debatable, but feel free to list it just because it’s always good to relive. Here are the ones that come to mind (I excluded any losing games - sorry Gronk about that Denver AFCCG and SB52 when you had many worthy plays - but I included plays from winning games even if they didn’t win the SB later).
Feel free to add more and/or rank your top/favorite plays.
- Vinatieri’s snow bowl game tying FG vs Raiders, 2001-02 ADCDG
- Brown punt return TD vs. Steelers, 2001-02 AFCCG at Pittsburgh
- Law’s pick-6 of Kurt Warner, SB36
- Vinatieri’s SB winner vs Rams, SB36
- Law picks Manning (3rd of game), clinches 2003-04 AFCCG. Manning taunted with “cut that meat!” Manning cries to competition committee and ruins offensive/defensive balance of league forever.
- Brady to Branch for 23 yards to setup game winning FG against Panthers, SB38
- Bruschi rips ball away from Rhodes in 2004-05 AFCDG vs. Colts (more symbolic)
- Brady to Branch bomb at Pittsburgh AFCCG, 2004-05
- Harrison pick-6s rookie Big Ben to blow game open AFCCG 2004-05
- Harrison picks McNabb in end zone in 1st quarter, destroys McNabb’s confidence, SB39
- Brown strips McCree after interception in 4th, AFCDG, 2006-07 vs. Chargers
- Brady drops 49-yard dime to Caldwell to setup game winning FG, AFCDG vs Chargers, 2006-07
- Moore breaks up Lee Evans go-ahead TD vs Ravens in 2011-12 AFCCG
- Edelman throws TD pass to Amendola, AFCCG vs Ravens, 2014-15
- Brady to LaFell TD in comeback win over Ravens in AFCDG, 2014-15
- Officials re-inflate balls at halftime of 2014-14 AFCCG vs. Colts, giving massive advantage to Patriots after weather naturally deflates balls
- Brady to Edelman, 3rd and 14, Super Bowl 49 vs. Seahawks
- Hightower stops Lynch a yard short of goal line
- *****The Butler Interception*****
- Hightower strip sacks Ryan in fourth quarter, SB51 vs. Falcons
- Flowers sacks Ryan, pushes Falcons to brink of field goal range, SB51 vs. Falcons
- Long draws holding penalty, pushes Falcons out of field goal range, SB51 vs Falcons
- Brady completes 3rd and 10 pass to Hogan on final series of regulation, SB51
- Edelman squirrel catches Patriots to inevitability, crushes Falcons souls, SB51
- Brady completes do-or-die two point conversion to Amendola, SB51
- Brady throws go ahead TD pass to Amendola vs. Jags, 2017-18 AFCCG
- Gilmore breaks up Bortles deep pass to clinch game, 2017-18 AFCCG
- J. McCourty covers 30+ yards to breakup Goff-Cooks TD, SB53 vs. Rams
- Brady immaculate lob to Gronkowski sets up game winning TD vs. Rams, SB53 vs. Rams
- Gilmore intercepts Goff to essentially clinch SB53 vs. Rams