Tom Brady: Career history in Divisional Round

10. 2003 – Patriots 17, Titans 14

Appearing in his first playoff game since Super Bowl XXXVI, Brady didn’t play spectacularly in this game, completing just 21 of 41 passes. However, he hit Bethel Johnson for a 41-yard touchdown to open the scoring, and the Patriots never relinquished the lead.

Brady handed off to Antowain Smith on the goal line to give the Patriots a 14-7 halftime lead. Although the Patriots would allow Derrick Mason to reach the end zone in the third quarter, a 46-yard Vinatieri field goal in the fourth quarter was the difference in this game, advancing the Patriots to the AFC Championship Game.

Patriots vs. Chiefs: 6 Surprise hero candidates

This is perhaps one of the more overlooked playoff games of the Brady era, but it was one of the closer contests of the entire 2003 season. The Pats didn’t have trouble dispatching the Indianapolis Colts the following weekend; the Titans were the more difficult AFC South opponent.

In a game where every possession carried weight, Rodney Harrison’s interception of Steve McNair can be viewed as the difference.

Next: 9. 2004 – Patriots 20, Colts 3