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Patriots: 3 best games from Tom Brady’s first season under center

By Jerry Trotta

Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass during Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jon Soohoo/Getty Images)
Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass during Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jon Soohoo/Getty Images) /
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Patriots QB Tom Brady (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

2. Week 10 vs New Orleans

While Tom Brady was solid for most of the 2001 campaign, he didn’t blow minds on the stat sheet until Week 10. Fans in New England really caught their first glimpse of the three-time MVP’s clutch gene in this one, as the team was in need of a win following a loss to St. Louis the previous week.

All Brady did was carve up the Saints defense, finishing 19-of-26 (73%) for 258 yards and four touchdowns compared to zero interceptions. He even added a season-high 14 rushing yards on four carries! Brady might have been in the prime of his career from an athletic standpoint in 2001, but he was never known to be a runner, as evidenced by his infamous performance in the 40-yard dash at the 2000 Combine.

The Patriots rolled to a 38-17 victory in this one, and they literally wouldn’t look back as they didn’t lose again for the rest of the season.

The Michigan product threw for more than two touchdowns just three times in 2001, and this was undoubtedly his best pre-playoff performance.

And speaking of the playoffs…

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