Tom Brady makes Top 5 comeback list difficult

5. January 19, 2002 New England 16 Oakland 13 (OT)


"The quarterback's arm . . . was coming forward . . . " - The Tuck Rule

ESPN:

A relentless snowfall with swirling winds. Somehow, in his first NFL postseason start, Patriots' second-year quarterback Tom Brady -- who took over for injured veteran Drew Bledsoe earlier in the season -- throws nine consecutive completions to take the Patriots on a scintillating 67-yard drive, which he caps with a six-yard scamper into the end zone to slice the Raiders' lead to 13-10.

It is impossible to trump the 45 yard tying field goal by K Adam Vinatieri to force overtime. Tom Brady comes close with 32 for 52 passing for 312 yards, one interception and zero TD passes.

The game was so exciting that they closed Foxboro Stadium after C Lonnie Paxton finished making his snow angel in the end zone.

4. October 13, 2013 New England 30 New Orleans 27


25 completions in 43 attempts for 269 yards with one TD is generally not sufficient for victory. Throw in five sacks for losses of 54 yards and an interception, a QB rating of 74.6 and that normally means a certain loss. Sometimes, all Tom Brady needs is five seconds.

bleacherreport:

A beautifully thrown ball right over the defender landed in the outstretched hands of undrafted rookie Kenbrell Thompkins for a game-winning score.

3. November 23, 2013 New England 34 Denver 31 (OT)


After 17 plays for 70 yards in total offense at halftime and a 24-0 deficit to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, a sure Gillette Stadium loss loomed. Against the wind or with it didn't matter in the second half to QB Tom Brady. 34 for 50 passing with 344 yards, three TD's and 107.4 QB rating capped a 34-31 OT win in a thriller over the Broncos.

2. January 14, 2007 New England 24 San Diego 21


San Diego built a 21-13 lead in the fourth quarter. bleacherreport:

Brady and company struck a bit of luck when a pass intended for Troy Brown was intercepted by Chargers safety Marlon McCree, who then fumbled when Brown made the tackle. The fumble was recovered by then Patriot—and former Charger—Reche Caldwell to put New England back in business.

Caldwell would get his just rewards, catching a four-yard touchdown. A two-point conversion tied the game up at 21.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. 27 for 51 passing for 276 yards with two TD's and three interceptions with a QB rating of 57.3 was enough for a playoff victory in San Diego.

1. January 10, 2015 New England 35 Baltimore 31


33 for 50 passing for 367 yards, three TD's, one interception, one lateral and a QB rating of 99.3
is all in a Saturday night's work. After three playoff struggles against the Baltimore Ravens, this effort moves to the head of the class.

Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.

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