PatsFans.com Menu
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans

New England Patriots > Patriots Blog

VIDEO: Remembering The “Snow Bowl” On Its 20th Anniversary

Robert Alvarez
Robert Alvarez on Twitter
January 19, 2022 at 5:16 pm ET

VIDEO: Remembering The “Snow Bowl” On Its 20th Anniversary(PHOTO: Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports)

🕑 Read Time: 2 minutes

20 years ago tonight, the New England Patriots played their final game at the old Foxboro Stadium during the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoffs against the Oakland Raiders.

The Patriots, who trailed 13-3 entering the fourth quarter, rallied for ten points in the period, forcing a tie following a 45-yard field goal in whiteout, snowy conditions by Adam Vinatieri to send the game to overtime.

Of course, in the midst of the Patriots fourth-quarter comeback while down 13-10, the game was nearly lost on what initially appeared to be a Tom Brady fumble caused by a blitzing Charles Woodson, but as the rules at the time said, it was correctly deemed an incomplete pass after a replay review due to Brady moving the ball forward when it was lost rather than if he was tucking it back towards his body.

To the Raiders and their fans, the game became known as the “tuck rule game” as a result of the ruling and possibly the ensuing inability of their team to make key stops or score the remainder of the night after the play. The “controversy” around the ruling continues to this day despite the tuck rule working against the Patriots earlier during that same season and in the rulebook for two years prior.

Anyways, at the start of overtime, the Patriots won the coin toss, and Vinatieri punched the Patriots ticket to Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship with yet another clutch kick in the snow, but this time a 23-yard winner following a 15 play, 61-yard drive by the Patriots offense.

The 16-13 victory marked the first playoff win of Tom Brady’s career and the start of a new NFL dynasty.

You can relieve both of Vinatieri’s clutch kicks from both the television and radio broadcasts below.

https://twitter.com/JoeGiza/status/1483950473925300230?s=20

READ NEXT:
5 Needs For the Patriots Heading into the Offseason

Posted Under: Patriots Video
Tags: Adam Vinatieri Charles Woodson Tom Brady

  • Subscribe
    Notify of
    guest

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    0 Comments
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments

  • More Patriots News Headlines:

    MORSE: 5 Thoughts as Wolf Underwhelms with Patriots Free Agency Class

    MORSE: 5 Thoughts as Wolf Underwhelms with Patriots Free Agency Class

    By: Mark Morse
    The final straw broke the camel’s back.  When Tyron Smith signed a one-year deal with the NY Jets, this transaction spelled the doom of rookie…
    12 hours ago
    Monday Patriots Notebook 3/18: News and Notes

    Monday Patriots Notebook 3/18: News and Notes

    By: Ian Logue
    While there has been some speculation that the club might be willing to entertain offers for the #3 overall pick, it sounds like New England…
    14 hours ago
    Patriots Add Vikings WR Osborn

    Patriots Add Vikings WR Osborn

    By: Ian Logue
    The Patriots may be having a tough time attracting high-end talent when it comes to wide receivers, but that hasn't stopped Eliot Wolf from trying…
    1 day ago
    Patriots News 3-17, Free Agency, The Dynasty, Mock Draft 1.0

    Patriots News 3-17, Free Agency, The Dynasty, Mock Draft 1.0

    By: Steve Balestrieri
    The only way I wouldn’t stand pat at #3 is because I’d have serious concerns about either Maye or Daniels being “the guy”
    2 days ago
    Friday Patriots Notebook 3/15: News and Notes

    Friday Patriots Notebook 3/15: News and Notes

    By: Ian Logue
    The Vikings are among several teams who have been pondering a move up the draft board, but a move on Friday signals that they may…
    4 days ago

    Share via
    Copy link
    Powered by Social Snap
    Search For Links: - CLOSE
    For searches with multiple players
    add commas (Ex: "Bill Belichick, Devin McCourty")