Instant Classic

Wow. Just wow.

 

The Patriots came back from 14 point deficits twice; from 14-0 and 28-14. They finally took the lead on an absolutely sublime throw and catch from Brady to Brandon LaFell. Just an amazing play. Good protection, good throw, good catch, touchdown. Sweet, sweet play. A great game from Brady beyond the game-winning throw to JoJo. Brady was 33 of 50 for 367 yards, 3 TD and 1 crazy inexplicable indefensible INT. Ugh. Anyway, Brady was pretty freakin’ good in the second half. His 3 TD passes in the game gave him the record for most TD passes in the playoffs with 46.

It was a game of huge momentum shifts (obviously) and it was chock-a-block with big plays. Trickeration on the flanker pass from Brady to Edelman to Amendola, Brady’s 4-yard run for a TD, Amendola’s first TD on a catch and run where he shook off a tackle and slipped up the sideline, reaching the ball just inside the pylon, Devin McCourty’s interception, Duron Harmon’s interception. And that game-winning pass and catch from Brady to LaFell.

Seriously, that was a pretty pass.

It wasn’t always pretty. It was hard to keep the faith at times. It was bleak when Brady threw the interception just before the half that led to a 21-14 deficit at the break. I probably set a new personal best for number of times saying, “There’s still plenty of time.” Ultimately it was a deeply satisfying football game, at least for those of us in New England. Have to think the good people who root for the Steelers, Browns and Bengals may have enjoyed this one, too. A hard fought game. Worthy opponents.

An instant classic.

The kind of game teams win on their way to a Super Bowl.