ESPN.com compiled rankings of the top 25 individual playoff performances in all sports and the Patriots received some mentions in their NFL rankings. Unfortunately, only one of the three times the Patriots were recognized was positive ā Tom Brady's record-tying six touchdown performance in last year's divisional playoffs against Denver. Brady checked in at No. 21 on the list, which was compiled by senior writers John Clayton and Jeffri Chadiha as well as NFC West blogger Mike Sando.
Here's what the panel had to say about Brady's place at 21:
"The fascination with Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow was the dominant storyline heading into the 2011 divisional matchup with Brady and the Patriots, but Denver had no chance against a dialed-in Brady and his teammates in a 45-10 loss. Brady tied the postseason record with six touchdown passes to four players, including three to tight end Rob Gronkowski, and finished 26-of-34 for 363 yards. He even managed to contribute on special teams, getting off a 48-yard punt that pinned the Broncos at their 10-yard line midway through the fourth quarter."
The other two mentions came in games in which New England lost. Desmond Howard's MVP efforts as Green Bay's top return man in Super Bowl XXXI earned him the 25th spot while Keith Lincoln's 329 all-purpose yards led San Diego over the Patriots in the 1963 AFL title game.
Steve Young's six touchdown passes in the 49ers win over the Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX earned him top billing.
For me personally, it would have to be Marcus Allen's scintillating performance for the Raiders in their Super Bowl win over Washington. The "experts" ranked that at No. 4.
Which is your personal favorite individual performance in NFL postseason history?