Rookie PK Adam Vinatieri converted five of six field goal attempts, including a 40-yarder in overtime, to give the Patriots a 28-25 victory over Jacksonville in what will long be remembered as one of the most bizarre games in Patriots franchise history. The Patriots dominated play early in the game, building a 22-0 lead just before th e half. With :05 remaining in the second quarter, the jaguars had totaled just 79 yards of offense. Jaguar QB Mark Brunell let loose a 51-yard throw into the end zone. The pass was batted down by a host of Patriots defenders but off the foot of Willie Clay and back up into the arms of WR Jimmy Smith for a Hail Mary touchdown. It was the first of two Hail Mary completions of the day and the first of three long touchdown passes. The second Hail Mary, a 58-yard completion fell just inches shy of the goal line at the end of regulation and sent the game into overtime. In overtime the Patriots took the opening possession and drove 49 yards on six plays and nearly scored from 21-yards out hen Bledsoe connected with Terry Glenn in the end zone, but Glenn with ruled out of bounds on the play. As a result, Vinatieri was given his sixth opportunity of the day. His five field goals were the second most in franchise history. Brunell set a Jaguars passing record with 432 yards, the third highest opponent total in Patriots franchise history, and connected on touchdown passes of 61, 51, and 41 yards, respectively. Those four completions accounted for 48 percent of the Jaguars total net offense (211 of 442 yards) and overshadowed an otherwise dominant defensive stand. The Jaguars were limited to just 29 yards on 11 carries and passed for just 211 yards, excluding the four long passes.
Patriots win by 3 in game to remember
Rookie PK Adam Vinatieri converted five of six field goal attempts, including a 40-yarder in overtime, to give the Patriots a 28-25 victory over Jacksonville in what will long be remembered as one of the most bizarre games in Patriots franchise history.
Sep 22, 1996 at 11:00 AM
This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.
