Top 15 Patriots Moments of 2015
To ring in the new year, spend the last day of 2015 remembering how well 2015 treated the New England Patriots.
2015 began with the Divisional Round classic against the Baltimore Ravens. A week later was the infamous Deflategate game, and we’ll save that conversation for another day. The postseason culminated in one of the most exciting football games of our time, the Patriots’ victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX.
The top six moments in this list, as you will notice, occurred in the 2015 playoffs. After all, those moments gave Patriots fans extreme highs, eventually leading to the first Super Bowl success in ten years.
Other moments on this list include awesome, unforgettable plays over the course of the 2015 regular season. Enjoy.
Next: 15. James White’s TD against the Titans
15. James White’s touchdown against the Titans
When it happened: Week 15 (December 20th, 2015)
Where it happened: Foxborough, Massachusetts
What happened: White caught a dump pass, waited patiently for his blocking and exploded for a 30-yard touchdown.
The most exciting play yet in White’s young career was called “one of the best-executed plays of the year” by Bill Belichick, per ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss. Here’s Bill elaborating on that statement:
"To get those kind of blocks in the open field, to get it all timed out as well as it did, James White doing a great job of running and setting up the blocks, it’s probably one of the best-executed plays of the year as a total team."
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White’s stock has been rocketing in recent weeks. He may not be Dion Lewis (more on him later), but he’s a very solid player in his own right. Each week, it seems like he reaches the end zone, and each week, he gains more and more of Tom Brady’s trust.
We look forward to seeing more shifty open-field running out of the Wisconsin product in 2016.
Next: 14. Jones’ strip-sack against the Giants
14. Chandler Jones’ strip-sack against the Giants
When it happened: Week 10 (November 15th, 2015)
Where it happened: East Rutherford, New Jersey
What happened: Jones forced a fumble of Eli Manning, and the Patriots recovered deep in Giants territory.
Right when the Patriots needed a turnover against the Giants, Jones answered the call by recording his 10.5th sack and second forced fumble of the season. Justin Coleman recovered the fumble, ending a threatening G-Men drive. In a game that was decided by one possession (and one point), Jones’ strip-sack can be pointed to as one of the deciding factors.
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Jones has made plenty of other highlight-reel plays this season, including a three-sack performance against the Buffalo Bills and several other multiple-sack outings. Because the strip-sack of Manning was such a meaningful play in the Patriots’ closest scare of the season, this moment that makes the list.
Right now, Jones has 12.5 sacks on the season, tying Mike Vrabel’s total in 2007. If Jones gets one more on his stat sheet, he will have more sacks in one season than any other player in the Bill Belichick era.
Next: 13. Jamie Collins’ extra-point block
13. Jamie Collins’ extra point block against the Colts
When it happened: Week 6 (October 18th, 2015)
Where it happened: Indianapolis, Indiana
What happened: Collins blocked a Colts extra-point attempt with his unreal athleticism.
One can’t say enough good things about Collins. The third-year pro was a frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year before coming down with a serious sickness, which sidelined him for a month. Coming in at No. 13 on this list is Collins’ insanely athletic extra-point block in garbage time against the Colts back in Week 6.
This play put the stamp on the Patriots’ resounding, Deflategate-weighted victory over the Colts. Collins’ block on the extra point of a pointless touchdown was borderline mocking of the Colts.
Deservedly so, Collins earned a Pro Bowl nod after another outstanding season.
Next: 13. Tom Brady’s catch against the Eagles
12. Tom Brady’s reception against the Eagles
When it happened: Week 13 (December 6th)
Where it happened: Foxborough, Massachusetts
What happened: Brady caught a pass for 36 yards
It was a tough loss to the Eagles in Week 13, but there was a bright spot. We’ll always remember Brady’s 36-yard catch and run from Danny Amendola.
Brady moved surprising well for his 38-year-old self. Oddly enough, Brady is more athletic in his late thirties than he was earlier in his career as a result of a new training regimen.
Unfortunately, the play was followed by an ill-advised interception by Tom Terrific. Nonetheless, it will go down in Patriots’ lore as Brady’s second career reception. His first was way back in 2001, when he caught a pass for 23 yards in a 20-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 16.
Next: 11. Gronk’s TD against the Giants
11. Rob Gronkowski’s touchdown against the Dolphins
When it happened: Week 8 (October 29th, 2015)
Where it happened: Foxborough, Massachusetts
What happened: Gronkowski snagged a pass from Brady and ripped through the Miami defense on the opening drive.
Players don’t exactly tremble with excitement before a Thursday Night Football game. TNF has been the subject of criticism from a variety of sources, but it’s what you make of it. Back in Week 8, Gronk certainly made the most of it by snagging a 47-yard touchdown on the opening drive.
Brady led a balanced, methodical drive into Dolphins’ territory before finding Gronk on a crossing pattern. Once the ball was in his hands, it was off to the races for Gronkowski, setting the tone early in the Patriots’ 36-7 victory over their divisional rivals.
Of course, Gronk has made plenty of other exciting plays this season, including the longest touchdown of his illustrious career against the Giants. But there are plenty of moments from the Giants game on this list (you’ve got several more to read about), so we’re highlighting Gronk’s most influential play from the win over Miami.
Next: 10. Edelman breaking Claiborne’s ankles
10. Julian Edelman breaking Morris Claiborne’s ankles
When it happened: Week 5 (October 11th, 2015)
Where it happened: Arlington, Texas
What happened: Edelman completely embarrassed Claiborne at the line of scrimmage before catching a first down pass.
One of the most memorable plays of the Patriots’ 2015 regular season was a display of unreal quickness by Edelman.
In this game, Edelman also made his longest reception of the season, a 59-yard touchdown. On the day, Edelman caught four of five targets for 120 yards and the touchdown.
The Patriots and the fan base are hopeful that Edelman will return in Week 17 to brush off the rust he’s accumulated during his time on the sideline before the playoffs start.
Next: 9. Amendola’s punt return against the Giants
9. Danny Amendola’s punt return against the Giants
When it happened: Week 10 (November 15th, 2015)
Where it happened: East Rutherford, New Jersey
What happened: Amendola sliced his way through the Giants’ coverage team, nearly reaching the end zone.
Although the end was heartbreaking, Amendola had his best punt return of his career in the third quarter of the Giants game. He fielded and returned a punt 82 yards before Duron Harmon tripped him up yards short of the goal line.
Nonetheless, the Patriots capitalized off the momentous play when LeGarrette Blount squeezed in for a one-yard touchdown a few plays later. The score cut the lead to three late in the third quarter, keeping the Patriots above water in what had become a very difficult game.
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Although he fumbled against the Titans in Week 15, Amendola should be considered one of the best punt returners not just on the Patriots’ roster, but in the entire NFL. He leads the league with an average of 12 yards per return.
Next: 8. Dion Lewis’ TD against the Cowboys
8. Dion Lewis’ touchdown against the Cowboys
When it happened: Week 5 (October 11th, 2015)
Where it happened: Arlington, Texas
What happened: Lewis introduced himself to the NFL by embarrassing almost half of the Cowboys’ defense.
You might have seen the Twitter reaction piece compiled here on Musket Fire in the wake of Lewis’ jaw-dropping juke effort that got him past three, four Cowboys into the end zone.
Unreal. There hasn’t been a player quite like Lewis on the Patriots’ roster in some time. This play was the highlight of Lewis’ season, although there were plenty of other eyebrow-raisers. 31 of Lewis’ 99 total touches translated into first downs for the Pats, not to mention his four touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving).
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In such a charged game against the Cowboys, in the NFL bread basket that is the Cowboys’ AT&T stadium, this play propelled Lewis into the national conversation.
Next: 7. Gostkowski’s game winner
7. Stephen Gostkowski’s field goal against the Giants
When it happened: Week 10 (November 15th, 2015)
Where it happened: East Rutherford, New Jersey
What happened: Gostkowski booted the winning kick in one of the best regular season games of the decade.
Taking the cake as the best moment from the Patriots’ 2015 regular season is Gostkowski’s calm, collected field goal at the end of the fourth quarter against the Giants. It was truly a thing of beauty.
The ball hooked pretty hard to the left at the tail end, but it was just enough to give the Pats the victory. Thankfully, the kick coverage unit didn’t fudge it after Gostkowski’s kick, as time hadn’t completely expired.
This was the first of the Patriots’ victories that came down to the wire, so the excitement factor alone made this the most exciting play of the season. It was good to see the Pats get tested like they did by the Giants, and it was even better to see them pull out the win.
Next: 6. LaFell’s TD catch against the Ravens
6. Brandon LaFell’s go-ahead touchdown against the Ravens
When it happened: Divisional Round Playoffs (January 10th, 2015)
Where it happened: Foxborough, Massachusetts
What happened: LaFell came down with the winning touchdown pass in the Divisional Round classic.
When LaFell corralled this perfect over-the-shoulder pass for the winning score, Brady passed Joe Montana as the all-time leader in postseason touchdown passes.
It’s been a rocky 2015 regular season for LaFell, but he will forever go down in Patriots’ history as an instrumental component in the Patriots’ 2015 postseason run. Don’t forget, he caught the opening touchdown in Super Bowl XLIX, as well.
Against the Ravens, LaFell was targeted seven times, catching five of those passes for 62 yards including the game-winner. When Edelman and Amendola are on the field with him, LaFell is a very dependable pass catcher. You just don’t want him to be the guy in the passing attack.
Hopefully, LaFell gives us another long-lasting postseason memory in January (and knock on wood, February).
Next: 5. Gronk’s TD in Super Bowl XLIX
5. Rob Gronkowski’s touchdown against the Seahawks
When it happened: Super Bowl XLIX (February 1st, 2015)
Where it happened: Glendale, Arizona
What happened: Gronkowski caught the Patriots’ second touchdown in Super Bowl XLIX.
With 31 seconds left in the first half, everyone knew where the ball was going. Gronk had single coverage against linebacker K.J. Wright. In the mic’d up edit of Super Bowl XLIX, you can see/hear Pete Carroll talking to himself, urging Wright before the snap—fully aware that Brady was going to throw the ball that direction.
Sure enough, Wright was no match for Brady’s perfect pass to the 6-foot-6 Gronk.
Unfortunately, what should have been an emphatic end to the first half of the big game ended up not being the last points scored before the teams left for the locker rooms. Chris Matthews caught an 11-yard touchdown pass in the waning seconds before the end of the second quarter.
Regardless, this play has to be viewed as one of the best moments of the year because it involved a Gronk spike on the biggest stage.
Next: 4. Harmon’s game-sealing INT against the Ravens
4. Duron Harmon’s game-sealing interception against the Ravens
When it happened: Divisional Round Playoffs (January 10th, 2015)
Where it happened: Foxborough, Massachusetts
What happened: Harmon capped one of the best postseason games in recent memory by intercepting a desperation Joe Flacco throw late in the fourth quarter.
When Harmon made this leaping interception, it brought an end to one of the best playoff games in Patriots history. The Patriots clawed back from 14 points down not once, but twice, and Harmon’s game-sealing interception spelled an end to the heart throbbing tension and a transition to the AFC Championship Game.
Harmon may have struggled mightily filling-in for Devin McCourty in Week 16, but at least he snuffed out this play. The Patriots can owe their appearance in Super Bowl XLIX to this play, as who knows what madness could have occurred if the Ravens had gotten another chance at the end zone.
Next: 3. Edelman’s TD against the Seahawks
3. Julian Edelman’s go-ahead touchdown against the Seahawks
When it happened: Super Bowl XLIX (February 1st, 2015)
Where it happened: Glendale, Arizona
What happened: Edelman caught the winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLIX, the final points scored in the 2014 season.
Right before this play, Brady and Edelman couldn’t connect on virtually the same route. But Brady knew that Edelman had a major advantage against backup cornerback Tharold Simon, who replaced the injured Jeremy Lane in the first half.
Brady wasted no time in going back to Edelman, giving the Patriots a four-point lead with just over two minutes left, a lead which they would never relinquish.
You could also put Edelman’s catch before getting rocked by Kam Chancellor on this list, but this play was simply too significant to leave out.
Next: 2. Edelman’s pass to Amendola
2. Julian Edelman’s pass to Danny Amendola against the Ravens
When it happened: Divisional Round Playoffs (January 10th, 2015)
Where it happened: Foxborough, Massachusetts
What happened: Josh McDaniels reached into his bag of tricks, letting former college quarterback Edelman throw a deep pass to Amendola, resulting in a much-needed touchdown.
The score tied the game, marking the second time in the contest the Patriots came back from 14 points down. It was a truly beautiful play, the perfect call on first down at midfield.
For every playoff game, the Patriots have a few last-resort plays in their repertoire to turn to in the right situation. The Patriots really needed to score at this juncture, so it was wise of Bill Belichick to give McDaniels the green light.
This is a moment in time that will never be forgotten among the Patriots’ fan base.
Next: 1. Butler’s INT
1. Malcolm Butler’s game-sealing interception against the Seahawks
When it happened: Super Bowl XLIX (February 1st, 2015)
Where it happened: Glendale, Arizona
What happened: Butler anticipated and jumped on a slant route, picking off the pass and ending Super Bowl XLIX.
No surprise here. The best moment of the year for the Patriots was Butler’s game-sealing interception on the goal line, one of the most impressive displays of instincts and finishing ability you’ll see in professional sports. Here’s a breathtaking on-field view of the play:
It just doesn’t get better than this. An undrafted rookie out of an obscure Division II school making the play of a lifetime, giving Brady his fourth Super Bowl ring. You just can’t make this stuff up.
In the 2015 regular season, Butler has proven that he’s more than just a one-play wonder. He’s been one of the best cover corners in football, as evidenced by his Pro Bowl nod.
No one in New England misses Darrelle Revis very much these days. Butler has been everything and more that the Patriots and their fan base could ask, and we look forward to seeing more great play out of the sophomore pro this postseason.
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Here’s to another great year for the Patriots.