It was a streaky season indeed for the New England Patriots. Having lost a home game to New York and then having lost the team's star player, Drew Bledsoe, things were looking bad for the Pats. The Colts were looking better than ever before, but the Patriots somehow destroyed them by a score of 44 to 13.
Things were short-lived for the time being though. The next week, the Patriots were dominated by the Dolphins, having lost by 20 points. New QB Tom Brady's 86 yards were dismal compared to his performance against the Colts the week before. New England was now 1-3.
The Patriots played San Diego at Foxboro the next weekend, and the Chargers were 3-1, with a dangerous duo between QB Doug Flutie and RB LaDanian Tomlinson. Things were looking bleak for New England.
The lines all showed San Diego as the heavy favorites, as New England was still without Bledsoe and had looked horrible against Miami the week before. Somehow, New England came into its own, and things have never been the same ever since.
This game was a true showdown in every sense of the word. Each team seemed to alternate touchdowns or field goals, but somehow the Chargers found themselves up 10 points later in the game. It really looked like things were over, but we decided to stay for kicks.
Unbelievably, New England scored a field goal, and then a touchdown with nearly no time left in regulation, which tied up the game. Tom Brady led the charge and he looked as good as Bledsoe, if not better.
In overtime, the Patriots and Brady took control of the game. Brady almost brought about a game winning touchdown, but the Pats were stopped short inside the 10 yard line. This was fine though, as Vinatieri's game winner from 23 yards out was enough to win the game for New England.
For real, indeed. Brady finished the game 33 for 54 for 364 yards and 2 TDs. He was now putting up Bledsoesque numbers. There was something different about Brady, he seemed so calm in the pocket and didn't make the Bledsoesque blunders. On October 14th, 2001, Tom Brady came into his own and has never looked back. And I was there.
Things were short-lived for the time being though. The next week, the Patriots were dominated by the Dolphins, having lost by 20 points. New QB Tom Brady's 86 yards were dismal compared to his performance against the Colts the week before. New England was now 1-3.
The Patriots played San Diego at Foxboro the next weekend, and the Chargers were 3-1, with a dangerous duo between QB Doug Flutie and RB LaDanian Tomlinson. Things were looking bleak for New England.
The lines all showed San Diego as the heavy favorites, as New England was still without Bledsoe and had looked horrible against Miami the week before. Somehow, New England came into its own, and things have never been the same ever since.
This game was a true showdown in every sense of the word. Each team seemed to alternate touchdowns or field goals, but somehow the Chargers found themselves up 10 points later in the game. It really looked like things were over, but we decided to stay for kicks.
Unbelievably, New England scored a field goal, and then a touchdown with nearly no time left in regulation, which tied up the game. Tom Brady led the charge and he looked as good as Bledsoe, if not better.
In overtime, the Patriots and Brady took control of the game. Brady almost brought about a game winning touchdown, but the Pats were stopped short inside the 10 yard line. This was fine though, as Vinatieri's game winner from 23 yards out was enough to win the game for New England.
For real, indeed. Brady finished the game 33 for 54 for 364 yards and 2 TDs. He was now putting up Bledsoesque numbers. There was something different about Brady, he seemed so calm in the pocket and didn't make the Bledsoesque blunders. On October 14th, 2001, Tom Brady came into his own and has never looked back. And I was there.
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