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.
January 19, 2002
Adam Vinatieri kicks two incredible FG’s, including the game-winner in OT, Brady gets his 1st playoff win and the refs call a play correctly that somehow turns controversial as the Pats defeat the Raiders (16-13)
What a gamepic.twitter.com/EiDZVftOrT
— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) January 19, 2022
LISTEN: Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti with the Highlights of The Snow Bowl 20 Years ago today as featured in our Belichick 20/20 series produced by @howiesyl pic.twitter.com/vlaJz9NtMx
— 98.5 The Sports Hub (@985TheSportsHub) January 19, 2022
https://twitter.com/JoeGiza/status/1483950473925300230?s=20
Where were you 20 years ago today? pic.twitter.com/lRImLz6LtA
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 19, 2022
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