Fansided

Tom Brady retires: The Top 10 moments of his playing career

By Sravan Gannavarapu

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (L) tries to avoid being tackled during first-half action on 03 February 2002 of Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans, Louisiana. The St. Louis Rams and the New England Patriots are playing for the NFL championship. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (L) tries to avoid being tackled during first-half action on 03 February 2002 of Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans, Louisiana. The St. Louis Rams and the New England Patriots are playing for the NFL championship. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

No. 8: Super Bowl XXXVI vs. St. Louis Rams

Ricky Prohel was right. A dynasty was born, but it was not the Rams. This great run of Brady had to start somewhere. Going into that game, New England was double-digit underdogs. Additionally, Dexter McLeon uttered that Brady was “overrated.” Joke’s on you, pal. Against the Greatest Show on Turf, Brady and the Patriots’ defense took to the task and made the most out of the opportunity.

The entire year was a story all and all. An 0-2 start compounded with an injury to then quarterback Drew Bledsoe forced Brady into the spotlight. After a 5-5 overall record, the Patriots decided to stick with Brady for the rest of the year. It turned out to be the right decision, but it was still puzzling, going with a sixth-round quarterback over a former No. 1 overall pick who had signed a 10-year deal.

In the playoffs, Brady showed glimpses of what he would become. Against the Raiders, though “The Tuck Rule” came into play, Brady helped the team go down the field and allow Adam Vinatieri to get in range for a game-winning field goal in overtime. Following a win over Pittsburgh in the AFC Title Game, it was on to the Super Bowl. 20-17 later, thanks to a kick by Adam Vinatieri, Brady was on top of the world as Super Bowl MVP. A dynasty was born.

No. 7: 5 TDs vs. the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter

2009 was not a good year for the Patriots. Yes, they won the division. Yes, they made the playoffs, but Baltimore ran them out of Foxborough in the Wild Card round. That was the Colts’ year, and the Jets somehow made the AFC Championship game. But there was one game where you just had to look and shake your head in shock.

Tennessee was winless coming into the game, but Brady and the Patriots had also been struggling during the year. Somehow, snow dropped, and the Patriots dropped the hammer. 59 points while giving up zero. Brady finished with six touchdown passes despite being replaced midway through the third quarter.

Do we need to say more? Yes, the year ended up being a dud, at least in terms of the Patriots’ standard, but it was still an impressive moment, and it had a lot of significance. A year after missing the season with a knee injury, Brady returns and, during his return year, puts up a historically significant game. Enough said.

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