Belichick's Greatest Hits No. 20: The Goal Line Stand at Indy in 2003 (The First in a Series)

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There was no way I was going to let a momentous occasion like the end of the most successful run in the history of sports in North America the Milky Way Galaxy end without celebrating the greatest moments of the greatest coach to every put on the officially licensed merchandise. 

To that end, I've arbitrarily chosen the number 20, which signifies absolutely nothing. Other than if I didn't put a limit on this value function, it would become infinite and I'd never be able to run out of examples. I'm going to count these down roughly in order of significance, from "least" (a term I'm using very loosely) to most. Which means we begin with a regular season game from 20 years ago. 

This has been called by the kinds of YouTube videos I can't use without getting the doors of Stately Thornton Manor kicked in by Roger Goodell's Copyright Gestapo, "The Game That Started the Brady/Manning Rivalry." I would argue that's not entirely true. Brady's first start was against the Colts in 2001. And since both teams were in the AFC East (before the NFL went to the eight division alignment) he started against them again three weeks later. And the Patriots won both by a combined score of 82-30. But since this one had so much riding on it, it makes this list. 

I'm talking about the Week 13 game at Indianapolis. A sure sign the world didn't anticipate how big this would be is that CBS carried the game Sunday at 1pm, with games that included the likes of the Browns and Jaguars at 4:15. So clearly no one had yet figured out what they had on their hands. Both teams came into this one at 9-2. The Patriots were on an 8-game winning streak, and were 9-1 since opening the season getting vivisected at Buffalo in the Lawyer Milloy Game. That was the one where Tom Jackson went on the ESPN postgame and famously said, "Let's face it. They HATE their coach." 

Tony Dungy meanwhile, had no such concerns as he was firmly established as a revered media darling by that point. Despite the fact his Colts had been one-and-done in the playoffs each of the previous three years and were just 2-5 on his watch. 

It wasn't totally clear at this point the Pats and Colts were playing for the 1-seed in the AFC, because Dick Vermeil's Chiefs were 10-1. But that would end up being the stakes as Kansas City would go on to lose two games in December. And it was fitting that so much was riding on the game, because it was an instant classic. 

After Indy tied it at 31 with just over 10 minutes to play, a 67-yard kick return by Bethel Johnson set New England up deep in Indy territory. And three Tom Brady completions gave the Pats a touchdown lead. The Colts answered with a field goal to make it 38-34. The subsequent drive went nowhere. Then Ken Walter shanked his punt 18 yards, putting the ball in Peyton Manning's hands across midfield with just under 3 minutes left and one time out. 

Three Manning completions mixed in among runs by Edgerrin James and Dominic Rhodes set up a 1st & goal from the Patriots 2-yard line as asses all around New England puckered hard enough to turn charcoal briquets into diamonds. This was where Belichick and Romeo Crennel's defense, which produced three shutouts on the season, had their finest hour. 

--1st down: James off right tackle, stuffed by Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel.

--2nd down: James up the middle, stuffed by Bruschi and Rodney Harrison.

Here's how I described what followed in Six Rings:

The Patriots desperately needed to get their crap together but, being out of time-outs, caught a break instead. 

Or cheated, depending on whom you talk to. 

[Willie] McGinest pulled up lame, sitting on the ground clutching his leg. He said he'd hurt his knee when his cleat got stuck in the turn. Harrison leater called it a cramp, so I don't now. All I do know is that the clock was stopped for the injury time-out and, by rule, McGinest had to leave the field one one play.

--3rd down: A fade route intended for Aaron Moorehead lands out of bounds

--4th down, for all the marbles: 

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The final Indy attempt was a James dive right into the lower slopes of Ted "Mount" Washington, who was 365 pounds. If he'd been fasting, which he never did. And the tackle was made by McGinest, who made a miracle recovery in his one play on the sideline, and proceeded to do a 4.3 40 on his twisted knee/cramped leg.  

With no margin for error, Belichick's defense has the talent, the scheme, and the situational awareness to stop a prolific offense led by the league MVP (co-MVP along with Steve McNair) in their own building. McGinest had the presence of mind to figure out a way to stop the clock so they could regroup. Then he came off the edge to save the game and eventually, homefield advantage in the playoffs. Where they would end up facing the Colts in the AFC championship game, which I'm sure will make this list too. 

Thanks for joining me on this nostalgia trip. See you tomorrow with No. 19. Now buy a hoodie.