NFL Network completed its list of the top 100 plays in NFL history Friday night and the Patriots were prominently featured. Previously, the first 70 plays had been revealed but now we know the top 30 and three of New England's most memorable plays were included.
The highest-ranked play for the Patriots came in at No. 5, which was Malcolm Butler's dramatic interception to seal the team's victory over Seattle in Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona. Personally, I feel that's a little low considering it's the only play among the list that proved to be the singular difference between winning and losing a championship. There may have been others that were more impressive from a physical standpoint, but none that had as much significance.
Adam Vinatieri's 45-yard field goal to send the Snow Bowl against Oakland into overtime in the 2001 divisional round ranked 18th, and Julian Edelman's incredible juggling catch during the epic comeback over Atlanta to win Super Bowl LI was 22nd.
The rest of the top five included:
4. Music City Miracle
3. David Tyree's Helmet Catch
2. Dwight Clark The Catch
1. Immaculate Reception
Other plays involving the Patriots in one way or another included the Butt Fumble against the Jets (99), Ben Watson's tackle of Champ Bailey in Denver in the 2005 playoffs (85), Randy Moss' one-handed catch against the Jets in 2010 (84), Refrigerator Perry's touchdown against the Patriots in Super Bowl XX (79), Barry Sanders' scintillating TD run against the Patriots in 1994 (59), the Miami Miracle last year (42) and Eli Manning's long pass to Mario Manningham in Super Bowl XLVI (31).
Patriots Positive Plays
99. Butt Fumble
85. Watson Champ Bailey tackle
84. Moss one-handed over Revis
22. Edelman Super Bowl 51 catch
18. Vinatieri Snow Bowl kick
5. Malcolm Butler's Super Bowl 49 interception
Patriots Negative Plays 31-100
79. Fridge TD in Super Bowl 20
59. Barry Sanders TD run
42. Miami Miracle
31. Manning to Manningham
10. Philly Special
3. Helmet Catch
