After beating the Jets yesterday by the score of 22-17 a Tom Brady led Patriot team picked up a victory for the 200th time. A crazy number to think about. 200 times Tom Brady started and won an NFL game. Also eclipsed 60,000 career passing yards during the game. Brady has more wins than the entire franchise history of the Baltimore Ravens and they've been in existence for 4 more seasons than Brady has been playing and didn't miss an entire season to injury.
200 is the exact same amount of wins as Peyton Manning had in his entire career. They're tied for the most of all time. Brady did it in basically two full seasons less of playing time, 31 less games to be exact. Including the playoffs Brady is 200-61 as a starter while Peyton retired with W/L record of 200-92. Tom Brady is the greatest to ever play. You play to win the game. I'm sick and tired of people trying to discredit wins by quarterbacks as a stat. Similarly how many baseball analysts completely take discredit wins for determining how good a pitcher is. Obviously it's not 100% on them win or loss but the quarterback has the biggest impact on whether or not a team wins (usually). More often than not Tom Brady was the reason the Patriots won or lost games. Their job is to lead the offense and score points. While there are many different styles of quarterback play at the end of the day it's their job to win. Just ask Bill Belichick.
Brady has won games in the NFL playing many different styles of QB. Early in his career he was more of a "game-manager" relying on a run-game and great defense to win in the early 2000's. Brady detractors love to say that but also forget that in his 2nd season as a "game-manger" in 2002 he lead the NFL in passing TDs. Then when Brady finally got elite weapons in 2007 he manages to have an undefeated regular season and breaks the single-season touchdown record. Despite losing the Super Bowl the 2007 Patriots are one of the greatest teams of all time. He's won by throwing touchdowns to linebackers. Anything that can be accomplished by a QB has probably been done by Tom Brady. He's won 4 Super Bowls, been to 2 more. He's had to adapt a ton over his 17 year career. Ultimate team guy. Does whatever it takes to win.
With 200 wins (and counting) to his credit, Brady has provided Patriot fans with a lifetime of a great memories on the gridiron. In honor of TB12 picking up career win #200 here are my personal 5 favorite Brady regular season wins. These are wins where it all about TB12. If we we're talking playoffs and Super Bowls that would be pretty obvious that 1 through 4 are all Super Bowl wins. Any ways here they are:
5. Week 6 2009. Patriots beat Tennessee Titans 59-0.
Brady missed nearly the entire 2008 season after tearing his ACL week one against the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2009 Brady had a textbook comeback against the Bills week one in his first game back, but overall the team disappointed the first 5 weeks of the season as they were 3-2 before this match-up against the winless Titans.
While the 2009 season is one of the more forgettable seasons of Brady's career, Pats went only 10-6 and were blown out at home in their playoff game, it did provide one of his best statistical performances in a snowy game in Foxboro. Tom Brady and the Patriots offense exploded for a 59-0 win that included and NFL record 5 touchdown passes in one quarter. Brady threw 6 in the game. Finished the game going 29-34 for 380 yards and 6 touchdowns. Wes Welker had 10 catches for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ready Moss had 8 grabs for 129 yards and 3 touchdowns. For one day in 2009 the Patriots were clicking like it was 2007 again. Oh and I was at this game so it holds an extra special place in my heart. Also love the throwbacks, wish they were allowed to wear them again. 4. Week 17 2007. Patriots beat New York Giants 38-35.
2007 was nearly the greatest year in Boston sports history. The Red Sox won the World Series, the Celtics were on their way to a 2007-08 NBA championship and the Patriots went 16-0. First undefeated season since the schedule was expanded to 16 games. We all know the Patriots would end up being upset in the Super Bowl by the same Giants team they beat in week 17. That obviously ruined how history will remember this team. People will say 18-1 but what Tom Brady and the Patriots accomplished in this game should not be taken away by 1 lucky drive by Eli Manning.
In a comeback win for the Patriots Tom Brady notably broke the single-season passing touchdown record by tossing his 50th TD of the season to Randy Moss. The reception also helped Randy Moss score his 23rd TD of the season, breaking Jerry Rice's single-season receiving TD record in the process. That play alone has to be remembered and deserves a spot in the top 5. If the Patriots won that Super Bowl this game is much higher.
3. Week 9 2007. Patriots beat Indianapolis Colts 24-20.
The Patriots had two huge road wins against undefeated teams in 2007 on their way to a 16-0 record. I almost went with week 6 against the then 5-0 Cowboys because Brady lit the Cowboys up for 388 yards and 5 touchdowns. But personally those games aren't as sweet as the hard fought rivalry games.
People may forget because it was nearly a decade ago but this game was build up as "Super Bowl 41.5" as the Patriots and Colts were both undefeated going in. Pats were 8-0 Colts were 7-0. This game was essentially for home field in the playoffs. The Patriots also had just blown a 21-3 lead against the Colts in the previous season's AFC Championship Game, the Colts ended up winning the Super Bowl. The rivalry was as hot as ever. This game was the toughest test for the Pats and Brady in 07 at the time. It was Brady's one of only two multiple interception games in 2007. They trailed in the 4th quarter for the first time all season as Indy's D had kept the league MVP in check for most of the game. The Patriots trailed 20-17 late in the 4th quarter before Brady found Kevin Faulk in what ended up being the game winning touchdown. The Patriots won, and kept on winning in that magical 2007 season. Brady finished the game with 3 touchdowns and 2 picks but did enough to beat a very good defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts on the road.
2. Week 12 2013. Patriots beat Denver Broncos 34-31. (Trailed 24-0 at halftime)
2013 to me will be one of the biggest what ifs in Brady's career. Statically it was one of his worst seasons as a starter but this team was decimated by injuries and Brady still somehow lead them to a 12-4 record and appearance in the AFCCG. In a season full of comeback victories, this Sunday Night Football classic from 2013 was one of the greatest comebacks in Brady's HOF career.
After a horrible start, aided by 3 turnovers on their first 3 drives the Broncos jumped out to a 24-0 halftime lead against the Patriots. Then in the 2nd half Tom Brady helped lead the Patriots to 31 straight points before the Broncos tied the game. In overtime, coach Belichick famously took the wind which ended up being the reason the team pulled out the victory late in overtime. Brady threw for 344 yards and 3 touchdowns, it was also the game where America were truly introduced to Julian Edelman has an elite slot receiver as he scored twice and had 110 receiving yards. 1. Week 5 2014. Patriots beat Cincinnati Bengals 43-17. In 2014 the Patriots were 2-1 before a Monday Night Football game against the Kansas City Chiefs week 4. The Patriots were blown out on national TV 41-14 to fall to 2-2. The Patriots looked awful, Brady looked over-matched and finished at 37 years old. Many in the media questioned if Tom Brady's time in New England was coming to a close. Many believed he could be benched or even moved after the season. The Patriots were simply onto Cincinnati. The Patriots and Tom Brady were facing off against the 3-0 Cincinnati Bengals. "The hottest team in the NFL" who were poised to put the nail in the Patriots coffin in week 5 on Sunday Night Football. That did not happen. This did. The Patriots would destroy the Bengals 43-17 on their way to 7 straight wins, a 12-4 season overall and 4th Super Bowl championship. At this time the Patriots were on a decade long Super Bowl drought and many were beginning to wonder if Brady would ever hoist the Lombardi Trophy again. He did and the turnaround for the 2014 Patriots began with this week 5 ass kicking. What do you think? What are your favorite Tom Brady regular season games? Here is to you Tom and this great team and individual accomplishment. Now find a way to win ring #5.
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