Tom Brady (Getty Images)

When Tom Brady first ‘retired’ after the 2021 season, the Sports Hub’s Alex Barth, Matt McCarthy, and Tim McKone compiled a list of ‘the 22 best Tom Brady games’ for his 22 years in the NFL. That list was originally going to be accompanied by a podcast including highlights and reflection on those games.

Before the whole project could be put together though, the unimaginable happened – Brady returned for a 23rd NFL season. Suddenly, his resume was one again ‘in progress.’

This past February Brady retired again, this time for good (we think). With his playing days now behind him (again, we assume), he’ll return to Gillette Stadium this Sunday to be honored by the Patriots on the first Sunday he won’t be on an NFL roster since 1999.

In celebration of Brady’s return, we’ve dug up the original ‘Brady 22,’ and turned it into the ‘Brady 23’ to accommodate his final season in the NFL. Unfortunately, the podcast is lost to the ages, but here is the list of the top 23 Tom Brady games of his NFL career from Barth, McCarthy, and McKone…

Honorable mentions

FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots runs through the tunnel before the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

–2001 Week 5 vs. Chargers (33/54, 364 yards, 2 TDs, first NFL touchdown pass)
–2007 Week 1 vs. Jets (22/28, 297 yards, 3 TDs, first game with Randy Moss and Wes Welker)
–2013 Week 12 vs. Broncos (33/50, 344 yards, 3 TDs, erased 24-0 halftime deficit)
23. 2009 Week 6 vs. Titans

FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 18: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots calls out the play as Sebastian Vollmer #76 listens in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans on October 18, 2009 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Stats: 29/34, 389 yards, 6 TDs (NFL record 5 in one quarter)

Perhaps it says more than anything else that Brady broke the record for the most passing touchdowns in a single quarter, yet this game is at the bottom of our list. Aesthetically though, between the throwback uniforms and the score, these three hours are easily an all-time Brady moment. -Alex Barth
22. 2009 Week 1 vs. Bills

FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 14: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots passes the ball as Marcus Stroud #99 of the Buffalo Bills defends on September 14, 2009 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bills 25-24. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Stats: 39/53, 378 yards, 2 TDs, INT

This was a time when returning from torn ACLs was much less of a guarantee than it is now. Yet Brady picked right up where he left off before tearing his ACL in the 2008 season opener, leading the Patriots back from down two scores in the final five minutes for a 25-24 win to begin the 2009 campaign. The go-ahead touchdown led to the iconic Gil Santos line “Tom Brady, you are Tom Terrific!” -AB
21. 2017 Week 15 at Steelers

PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 17: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass in the second half during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Stats: 22/35, 298 yards, TD, INT

Late in the season and with home field advantage in the playoffs likely on the line, the Patriots – coming off a loss – went into Pittsburgh to face a Steelers team that had won eight games in a row. In a back-and-forth game, Brady repeatedly made clutch throws to Rob Gronkowski, who finished the game with nine catches for 168 yards and a key two-point conversion in a 27-24 win. It was an excellent display of late-game precision on Brady’s part, but certainly ranks higher on Gronkowski’s game list. -AB
20. 2013 Week 13 vs. Saints

FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins #85 after they connected for the game winning touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the Patrioits 30-27 win at Gillette Stadium on October 13, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Stats: 25/43, 269 yards, TD, INT

Throwing to a young Julian Edelman, Aaron Dobson, Austin Collie, and finally Kenbrell Thompkins, Brady marched his way down the field with 1:13 to go an no timeouts for the go-ahead touchdown in a 30-27 win against a defense that would finish the season ranked fourth in the NFL. “Unicorns! Show Ponies! Where’s the beef?” What else is there to say? -AB
19. 2003 Week 7 at Dolphins

Oct 19, 2003; Miami, FL, USA; Tom Brady of the New England Patriots in action against the Miami Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium. Credit: Preston Mack/USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 24/34, 283 yards, 2 TDs

Brady’s game-winning 82-yard bomb in overtime to Troy Brown is one of the most enjoyable single plays of the dynasty. This was a statement win for the Patriots on the road against a Dolphins team that many considered their equal at the time. This was the first indication that the 2003 Patriots were truly special. -Matt McCarthy
18. 2006 Divisional Round at Chargers

SAN DIEGO – JANUARY 14: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots calls a play during the AFC divisional playoff game against the San Diego Chargers held on January 14, 2007 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

Stats: 27/51, 280 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs

A popular topic of Brady retrospective is all of the potential dynasties he prevented across the NFL. One of those teams is the mid-2000s Chargers, who were at their height in 2006. They finished the season with the NFL’s best record at 14-2, led by league MVP LaDainain Tomlinson along with six All-Pros and 11 Pro Bowlers including players like Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Shane Merriman, and Jamal Williams.

Yet Brady went into San Diego – where the Chargers hadn’t lost that season – and kept them from a shot at the AFC Championship Game. This was a game that highlighted Brady’s mental toughness, as he bounced back from multiple mistakes (with some help from Troy Brown) and a 14-3 deficit to lead the team to a 24-21 win. Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer was fired after the game. -AB
17. 2003 Week 13 at Colts

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 30: Tight end Christian Fauria #88 of the New England Patriots celebrates during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome on November 30, 2003 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Patriots defeated the Colts 38-34. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Stats: 26/35, 236 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs

No Brady list would be complete without a Peyton Manning duel, and this game is perhaps the most iconic of all the matchups between the two best quarterbacks of their generation. This game will forever be remembered by Willie McGinest’s stuff of Edgerrin James at the goal line, but don’t forget the final score: 38-34. This was a shootout and Brady won. -MM
16. Week 5 vs. Bengals

FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium on October 5, 2014 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Stats: 23/35, 292 yards, 2 TDs

While many thought we may have been on the precipice of the end of Brady’s career, he reminded us he still had plenty of work left to do. In the first game after a 41-14 drubbing at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs on national TV that drew calls for his job, Brady was “on to Cincinnati” as he led the Patriots to a 43-17 win over the previously undefeated Bengals. Needless to say, the questions about his age and performance quickly subsided, as this win kicked off a seven-game winning streak during which Brady averaged 315 yards per game with 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions. -AB
15. 2003 Week 9 at Broncos

DENVER – NOVEMBER 3: Quarterback Drew Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws an interception to the Denver Broncos in the first quarter November 3, 2003 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Stats: 20/35, 350 yards, 3 TDs, INT

A true Monday night classic, best remembered for Bill Belichick’s decision to take an intentional safety by snapping the ball off the goalposts. But don’t forget Brady’s game-winning drive, hitting David Givens for the decisive score in the corner of Denver’s end zone. Of all the great 4th quarter Tom Brady moments, this is one of them. -MM
14. Super Bowl LII

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a 4-yard touchdown pass to teammate Rob Gronkowski #87 against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 4th quarter of Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Stats: 28/48, 505 yards, 3 TDs

This loss hurt, but it would be wrong to make a list of Tom Brady’s best individual games without this one. After all, it’s arguably the greatest single performance by a quarterback in Super Bowl history. And no, don’t come at us with ‘but he fumbled!’ He was far from the reason they lost that game. -AB
13. 2007 Week 17 at Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 29: Tom Brady #12 and the New England Patriots drops back to pass against the New York Giants on December 29, 2007 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Stats: 32/42, 356 yards, 2 TDs

If only this were how the story ended. Brady to Moss, a record-setting throw and catch for both players, and the Patriots wrap up the season with a perfect record. -MM
12. Super Bowl LIII

ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 03: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after winning the Super Bowl LIII at against the Los Angeles Rams Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Stats: 21/35, 262 yards, INT

Perhaps the most uneventful of Brady’s Super Bowl wins, he was able to stay on schedule against a frustrating Rams defense, regularly finding eventual game MVP Julian Edelman to keep control of the tempo. Then at the end of the game, he made the big play when called on hitting Rob Gronkowski to set up the game-winning touchdown. -AB
11. 2004 AFC Championship Game at Steelers

PITTSBURGH – JANUARY 23: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Stats: 14/21, 207 yards, 2 TDs, 103° fever

Have you ever felt more confident as a fan about your team going on the road for a championship game against a 15-1 team? The 2003-2004 Patriots were invincible, and this game was at the height of their immortality. It didn’t matter that Brady had the flu, this game was a bludgeoning from the opening kickoff and was over when Brady hit Deion Branch for his iconic deep touchdown in the opening minutes of the game. Never in doubt. -MM
10. Super Bowl XXXIX

New England Patriots QB Tom Brady #12 calling signals during Super Bowl XXXIX between the Eagles and the New England Patriots at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6, 2005. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Stats: 22/33, 236 yards, 2 TDs

It’s funny that of Brady’s two Super Bowl trilogies, the third game is the least eventful for him in both. That doesn’t mean Brady didn’t play well though, as he led the Patriots up and down the field putting together three scoring drives against a top-10 Eagles defense. It wasn’t dramatic, but it was one of his cleanest Super Bowl performances, with a completion percentage just under 70 percent and no turnovers. Compared to the issues had by Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb in that game (both in terms of his quarterback play and keeping his pre-game meal down), it showed how Brady was on another level, as he led the Patriots to the dynasty-clinching win. -AB
9. Super Bowl LV

Feb 4, 2020; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 21/29, 201 yards, 3 TDs

Yup, it’s not just a list of Brady’s top Patriots games. This one ultimately means more for his legacy than we probably realized at the time, with it being a head-to-head win against Patrick Mahomes. That was of course on top of the fact he’d proven he could win a title without Bill Belichick, doing so in his first year on a new team at 43 years old. –AB
8. 2017 AFC Championship Game vs. Jaguars

FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks at his right hand during warm ups before the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Stats: 23/36, 293 yards, TD

Just a few days before the game, Brady required 12 stitches on his throwing hand as it was gashed open in a practice injury. He responded by leading a 10-point fourth quarter comeback against the league’s second-ranked defense. -AB
7. Super Bowl XXXVIII

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 1: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots with the ball against the Carolina Panthers during Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots won 32-29 to claim their second Super Bowl in three years. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Stats: 32/48, 354 yards, 3 TDs, INT

A criminally under-appreciated Super Bowl. This game had it all, from a nearly scoreless first half to a wild second half. Brady led two huge drives in the fourth quarter, the first to regain the lead after Muhsin Mohammed’s 85-yard touchdown catch put Carolina up 22-21, and the second to set up Adam Vinatieri’s 41-yard game-winning field goal. Brady hit Mike Vrabel for his iconic 1-yard score with 2:51 to play, capping off a 68-yard drive with the game in the balance. His critical 17-yard pass to Deion Branch on 3rd and 3 on the final drive of the game is one of the biggest clutch plays in the early years of the dynasty. -MM
6. 2001 Divisional Round vs. Raiders (‘The Snow Bowl’)

Tom Brady spikes the ball after scoring fourth-quarter touchdown in the famous “tuck rule” game against the Raiders in January 2002. Twenty years later, Brady has officially retired from the NFL. (Providence Journal)

Stats: 32/52, 312 yards, INT, rushing TD

No, it’s not the Tuck Rule Game. Around here, we call it The Snow Bowl. That snow played a big part in limiting offense yet Brady, in his first ever playoff game, threw for over 300 yards and erased a 13-3 fourth-quarter deficit. That included a two-minute drive to set up Adam Vinatieri’s game-tying 45-yard field goal, then again in overtime to set up the game winner. This game also gave us one of the most iconic shots of Brady, spiking the ball after his six-yard scramble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Just like that a legend was born – even if we didn’t know it yet. -AB
5. 2014 Divisional Round vs. Ravens

FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 10: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of the 2015 AFC Divisional Playoffs game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Stats: 33/50, 367 yards, 3 TDs, INT, rushing TD

The greatest game ever played at Gillette Stadium, and according to many who were there that night, the loudest Foxboro has ever been. Brady erased two 14-point deficits, capping off a spectacular comeback with his dime to Brandon Lafell for the game-winning score late in the fourth quarter. The Patriots needed to pull out all the punches to win this one, from their mastery of the ineligible receiver rules to Julian Edelman’s double-pass. This was a heavyweight bout. -MM
4. 2018 AFC Championship Game at Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Patriots defeated the Chiefs 37-31. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Stats: 30/46, 348 yards, TD, 2 INTs

The opening drive of the game and the opening drive of overtime are both works of art. One of those moments where Brady and the Patriots’ offense simply wouldn’t be denied no matter the setting or situation. Add in the environment the game was played in in Kansas City, and this game is far and away an all-timer. Brady’s best non-Super Bowl ever. -AB
3. Super Bowl LI

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots in action against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Stats: 43/62, 466 yards, 2 TDs, INT

Any other team, with any other quarterback, would have been toast. Down 21-3 at halftime of the Super Bowl, and 28-3 late in the third quarter? Forget about it. But not this team, and not this quarterback. With his margin for error completely removed, Brady went to work orchestrating the greatest comeback in NFL history. It included some of his best throws, including a 14-yard opposite-hash out route to Danny Amendola that is considered to be one of the best single throws of his career. The defense certainly gets credit in this as well, but this game was representative of the way people spoke in hyperbole about Brady – until it became reality. -AB
2. Super Bowl XXXVI

Feb 3, 2002; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in action against the St. Louis Rams during Super Bowl XXXVI at the Superdome. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17 and Brady was named the games most valuable player. Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Stats: 16/27, 145 yards, TD

Could there be a more perfect genesis for Brady’s dominance? Hollywood couldn’t script the foreshadowing any better. What he accomplished at the end of this game feels like light work now, but it was monumental and unheard of at the time. He let us know who he was going to be right away, even if we didn’t know it yet ourselves. -AB
1. Super Bowl XLIX

GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 01: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Stats: 37/50, 328 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs (4th quarter: 13/15, 124 yards, 2 TDs)

The stakes were perhaps never higher for Brady and the Patriots, who had not won a Super Bowl since Spygate and were in the middle of a decade-long championship drought. Down 10 points in the fourth quarter against an all-time defense, Brady shredded the Seahawks, going 13-for-15 with two touchdowns with his back against the wall. His game-winning touchdown pass to Julian Edelman capped off an 8-for-8 drive in which the Patriots never saw a third down. That fourth quarter was his Mona Lisa. On this night, Brady cemented himself as the greatest to ever play the sport. -MM