Fansided

5 times Belichick and Pats had no business winning, and did

By Dan Israeli

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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3. Edelman to Amendola

When debating Pats playoff comebacks packed with Belichickian hijinks, no game compares to New England’s stunning win over Baltimore in the 2015 Divisional Round matchup. Belichick literally threw the creativity kitchen sink at Baltimore and got a win that propelled the Pats to their fourth Super Bowl title.

Finding themselves down 14-0 in the first quarter, the Pats rallied back to tie the game, including a gutty four-yard TD scramble by Brady. The knotted game soon swung back into the Ravens’ favor, however, as they went up 28-14 on the Pats early in the third quarter.

Finding themselves in another two touchdown hole, the Pats rallied back once again using a flurry of quick substitutions and unconventional receiver sets that had Ravens coach John Harbaugh flummoxed. A Gronk spike brought the Pats within one score as the Pats trailed 28-21 in the third.

None of the trickery earlier in the game held a candle to the play that tied it up again for the Pats on their next possession. On first-and-10 from midfield, Brady took a snap from under center and threw a backwards pass to Julian Edelman. A little swing and run play? Nope, Edelman — the former Kent State quarterback — cocked it back and threw a 51-yard TD to a streaking Danny Amendola. The Pats went on to win 35-31.

Next: The Tuck Rule

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