Underrated Patriots plays in recent playoff history

The 2024 Patriots could not be further from their once-dominating presence during the Brady and Belichick dynasty. With one of the hardest schedules in the league this year, the betting lines have the Patriots to finish with 4.5 wins (ESPN, NFL.com) in 2024, which is last or second to last in the league. The days of the first-round byes and AFC East dominance may be over, but it’s always fun to look back on some of their greatest moments, especially in the playoffs.

Since 2010, the Patriots are 10x AFC East champs, 4x AFC Championship winners and 3x Super Bowl Champions. Compared to the 2000’s Pats teams, this second half of the Patriots’ dynasty has been filled with many more defining, stand-out plays. Whether it be Malcolm Butler’s interception or Julian Edelman’s tip drill catch, these moments have earned their spot in Patriots infamy. However, there are a multitude of important plays that deserve their own personal spotlight.

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The following list highlights plays or sequences in Patriots playoff games that have been overshadowed by the more memorable ones. A sizable portion of Pats nation may have completely forgotten about these plays, or need their memory jogged to remember how critical they were in their respective game. Since this list is specifically tailored to the 2nd half of the Pats dynasty, all of these moments or sequences must occur since the 2010 NFL season. If any of these plays swayed the other way, the Patriots’ 3 Super Bowls and 4 AFC Championships during the 2010s would be much more of a fictitious hope rather than a historic reality.

• 2011 AFC Championship – Ravens vs. Patriots – Sterling Moore’s Pass Breakup

  

  FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 22: Sterling Moore #29 of the New England Patriots breaks up a catch intended for Lee Evans #83 of the Baltimore Ravens late in the fourth quarter during their AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

  Billy Cundiff’s shanked kick to send the Patriots to Super Bowl 46 is a core playoff memory, but a key play happened seconds earlier. With less than 30 seconds left, Lee Evans seemed to have hauled in a game-winning catch from Joe Flacco, but at the last second, Sterling Moore jogged the ball loose to save the Patriots’ season. After another pass breakup by Moore, Cundiff missed the 32 Yard Field Goal.

• 2014 Divisional Round – Ravens vs. Patriots – Danny Amendola’s 3rd and 6 Conversion

  

  FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 10: Danny Amendola #80 of the New England Patriots celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in hte second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2014 AFC Divisional Playoffs game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

  In the 2014 Divisional Round, also against the Ravens, the Patriots’ two 14-point comebacks in the game was highlighted by the Brady to Edelman to Amendola touchdown pass to tie the game at 28. Even after this play, the Pats were still down 3 in the 4th. With 7 minutes left, Danny Amendola broke a tough tackle and converted a 3rd & 6, followed by Brandon LaFell’s touchdown to take the lead a few plays later. Amendola’s clutch conversion is often overlooked by fans when they think back to this game.

• Super Bowl 49 – Seahawks vs Patriots – Dont’a Hightower and Akeem Ayers Stop Marshawn Lynch

  

  GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 01: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks scrambles with the ball against Dont’a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots in the first quarter during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

  Malcolm Butler made arguably the biggest play in Patriots history with his interception at the goal line to seal the Super Bowl 49 win against the Seahawks. This play never would have been possible without Dont’a Hightower and Akeem Ayers’ tackle on the previous play. Marshawn Lynch looked like he had a clear lane to the end zone, but Hightower was able to give the Pats a chance by coming off his block and tackling Lynch at the one yard line. Ayers assisted on the tackle. 

• Super Bowl 51 – Falcons vs Patriots – Trey Flowers Sacks Matt Ryan

  

  Trey Flowers #98 of the New England Patriots tackles Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

  The Patriots’ 28-3 Comeback in Super Bowl 51 against the Falcons was a defining moment in Brady’s career. Fans instantly think of Julian Edelman’s catch or Hightower’s key strip sack in this comeback. When the Pats were down 28-20, Julio Jones’ incredible sideline grab over Eric Rowe put the Falcons in prime field position to put the game out of reach. However, a couple plays later, Trey Flowers sacked Ryan for a 12-yard loss, and immediately after, Chris Long drew a holding penalty to push the Falcons out of Field Goal range. With the ball back, the Pats drove down the field to tie – and eventually win – Super Bowl 51 in overtime.

• 2017 AFC Championship – Jaguars vs Patriots – Danny Amendola’s 3rd and 18 Conversion

  

  FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Danny Amendola #80 of the New England Patriots holds the Lamar Hunt trophy as he is interviewed by Jim Nantz after the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

  The Patriots were down 10 points in the 4th against the Jaguars in the 2017 AFC Championship Game, and battled back to win. The play that sticks out to most people is Stephon Gilmore’s pass break-up to win the game late in the 4th. But things looked bleak when the Pats were down 20-10 with 10 minutes left and a 3rd & 18 in front of them. Brady was able to look off the linebacker and hit Amendola to convert a 21 yard completion. This critical play sparked the Patriots’ offense as they completed the comeback on their way to Super Bowl 52.

• 2018 AFC Championship – Patriots vs Chiefs – Chris Hogan’s One-Handed Catch on 3rd Down

  

  KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 20: Chris Hogan of the New England Patriots attempts to make a catch in the second half against Steven Nelson of the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

  The Patriots vs. Chiefs AFC Championship game in 2018 was filled with tons of scoring, especially in the 4th quarter and overtime. Julian Edelman’s multiple 3rd Down conversions deserve to be celebrated, but one play seems to be left out of the conversation. Chris Hogan made an unbelievable one-handed catch on 3rd down to extend the Pats drive with 6 minutes left in the 4th, where they eventually scored. The Patriots needed to score to keep up with the Chiefs in a back-and-forth game, and they were able to knock them out in overtime.

• Super Bowl 53 – Rams vs. Patriots – Jason McCourty’s Pass Breakup

  

  ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 03: Brandin Cooks of the Los Angeles Rams drops a pass in the endzone as he is defended by Jason McCourty of the New England Patriots in the second half during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

  Brady’s 6th Patriots Super Bowl win against the Rams was a gritty, defensive game with only 1 touchdown. There were not many truly memorable moments, as the majority of the gameplay is forgotten about by fans. The play that should be highlighted is Jason McCourty’s 3rd Quarter pass break-up on Brandin Cooks in the back of the end zone. Cooks looked to be wide open to give the Rams the lead, but Jason McCourty came out of nowhere to blow up the play. In a game where any score was essential, this was a defining moment in the game for the Patriots’ defense.

   

  –Story written by Felger & Mazz intern Charlie Mack.