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2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game
DateJanuary 19, 2002
StadiumFoxboro Stadium
Foxborough, Massachusetts
FavoritePatriots by 3[1]
RefereeWalt Coleman
Attendance60,292[2]
TV in the United States
NetworkCBS
AnnouncersGreg Gumbel and Phil Simms

The 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game, also known as the Tuck Rule Game or the Snow Bowl,[3][4] and sometimes referred to as Snow Bowl 2, was a National Football League (NFL) playoff game between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders. Part of the second round of the 2001–02 NFL playoffs, the game was played on January 19, 2002 at Foxboro Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, at the time the Patriots' home stadium, and was the last game ever played at the stadium. There was a heavy snowfall during the game.

The name Tuck Rule Game originates from the controversial play that changed the course of the game. In the fourth quarter, Raiders' cornerback Charles Woodson tackled Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady, causing what game officials initially ruled to be a fumble that was recovered by Raiders' linebacker Greg Biekert. However, upon review of the play, officials eventually determined that even though Brady had seemingly halted his passing motion and was attempting to "tuck" the ball back into his body, it was an incomplete pass and not a fumble under the then-effective NFL rules. As a result, the original call was overturned; had it stood, the play would have sealed a victory for the Raiders. The ball was instead given back to the Patriots, who subsequently moved it into field goal range. With under a minute remaining in regulation time, Patriots' placekicker Adam Vinatieri kicked a 45-yard field goal to tie the game at 13, sending the game into overtime. In the overtime, Vinatieri kicked a 23-yard field goal to win the game for the Patriots. New England went on to win Super Bowl XXXVI, beginning a run of championships with Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, appearing in nine Super Bowls and winning six.[5][6] Due to the game's controversial call, dramatic overtime finish, and significance in kickstarting the Patriots' dynasty, it is regarded as one of the most famous and consequential games in league history and as an important part of NFL lore.

Background

[edit]

The Tuck Rule Game was played as part of the 2001–02 NFL playoffs, which would crown the NFL champion for the 2001 season. Under the playoff structure in place at the time, six teams from each of the NFL's two conferences – the AFC and NFC – qualified for the playoffs. These six teams would consist of the champions of each of the three divisions of each conference (the East, Central, and West), plus three wild card teams, which were the three teams who finished with the best win–loss record in each conference who were not division champions. These six teams would be seeded 1–6 based on win–loss record for purposes of playoff bracketing, with the three division champions seeded 1–3 and the three wild card qualifiers seeded 4–6.

The playoff system stipulated that the top two division winners in each conference would receive a first-round bye into the second round of the playoffs (the divisional playoff), while the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth-ranked teams would play in the first round of the playoffs (the wild card playoff), with the #3 seed playing the #6 seed and the #4 seed squaring off against the #5 seed. The victors of the wild card playoff games would then face the top two seeds in the divisional playoff, with the #1 seed facing the lowest-surviving seed from the wild card playoff and the #2 seed pairing off against the other wild card playoff winner.

The AFC East champion Patriots were the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs, having posted an 11–5 win–loss record during the 2001 season. Although the Miami Dolphins had also compiled an 11–5 record during the regular season, New England was awarded the division title and first-round bye as the #2 seed due to having a better division record than Miami (6–2 compared to the Dolphins' 5–3); the Dolphins instead qualified for the playoffs as a wild card team and the #4 seed. The season had been wild for the Patriots, who began the year 0–2 after veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe suffered a sheared blood vessel in his chest[7] in the Week 2 game against the New York Jets. Backup quarterback Tom Brady then led the offense to a playoff berth. As the #2 seed, the Patriots earned a bye into the divisional playoff.

The Raiders had clinched the AFC West division title with a 10–6 regular-season record and qualified as the #3 seed in the AFC playoffs. As such, they played the Jets (a #6 seeded wild-card team) in an AFC wild-card playoff game on January 12 at Network Associates Coliseum, in which they emerged victorious, 38–24. With the Jets eliminated, the Patriots would face the Raiders in the one divisional playoff game and the Pittsburgh Steelers would face the winner of Baltimore Ravens, the #5 seed, and the #4 seeded Miami Dolphins as the lowest-remaining seed. The Ravens beat the Dolphins 20–3 in the other wild-card playoff game.

The game

[edit]

Both teams struggled in the heavy snowstorm during the first half, combining for the same number of punts as first downs (11) and converting only one of 13 third downs. Nonetheless, Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon completed 10 of 14 passes for 87 yards. With 1:12 left in the first quarter, a 15-yard fair-catch interference penalty against Patriots defensive back Je'Rod Cherry at the end of Ken Walter's 39-yard punt gave Oakland a first down at midfield, where they drove to a 7–0 lead on Gannon's 13-yard touchdown pass to James Jett. A few plays later, Raiders defensive back Johnnie Harris intercepted a pass from Brady on the Patriots 41-yard line, but New England's defense managed to force a punt, which would be the final result of every following drive from either team until the end of the half.

In the second half, New England almost completely abandoned its running game and relied on Brady's passing. On the opening drive of the third quarter, he connected with David Patten for gains of 25 and 19 yards as he led the Patriots 62 yards in 12 plays to the Raiders' 5-yard line, where Adam Vinatieri made a 23-yard field goal to make it 7–3. Terry Kirby returned the ensuing kickoff 22 yards to the Oakland 37-yard line and the Raiders produced a 10-play, 43-yard drive to score on a 38-yard field goal from Sebastian Janikowski. Then, after a 33-yard punt by Walter gave the Raiders a first down on their own 49, a 22-yard reception by receiver Jerry Rice set up Janikowski's second field goal, from 45 yards, giving the Raiders a 13–3 lead with two minutes left in the third quarter.

The Raiders appeared to be dominating to this point of the game. However, in the fourth quarter, Brady led the Patriots on a 10-play, 67-yard drive, completing nine consecutive passes for 61 yards and finishing it with a 6-yard touchdown run with 7:57 left that made the score 13–10. Later in the quarter, Patriots receiver Troy Brown returned Shane Lechler's 37-yard punt 27 yards to the Patriots 46-yard line. Brown fumbled the ball at the end of the return, but Pats linebacker Larry Izzo recovered it with 2:06 left on the clock. Brady then completed a seven-yard pass to Kevin Faulk before scrambling for five yards and running out of bounds to the Patriots' sideline, picking up a first down at the Oakland 42. New England had no timeouts left, but with the clock stopped, Brady here had a short conversation with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.

The "tuck rule" play and call

[edit]

With 1:50 left, Raiders cornerback Eric Allen, lurking at the Patriots' sideline, heard Brady's talk with Weis. Allen stated that he heard the Patriots' play call; he then rushed to his sideline and told his team what he had heard. While the Patriots were slightly out of field-goal range, Brady dropped back to pass, with no open receivers. While pumping the football, Brady was hit on his right side by blitzing Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson (his former college teammate at Michigan). While it appeared that Brady had tucked the ball back towards his body, the officials were not sure and ruled it a fumble so they could review the play.

In 1999, a new rule had been introduced, which eventually became known as the tuck rule:

NFL Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Note 2. When [an offensive] player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his arm starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body. Also, if the player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble.[8]

The tackle that generated controversy

After a video-replay review, referee Walt Coleman reversed the call, declaring the play an incomplete forward-pass and giving possession back to the Patriots.[9] Coleman's announcement stated that the ball was moving forward at the time at which it was dropped. Thus, the original call was overturned, and the Patriots maintained possession.

Because the play was initially ruled a fumble, instant-replay rules required the referee to see "incontrovertible visual evidence" on the replay that Brady had not "tucked the ball into his body and then {lost} possession" of it before reversing the original call on the field. In 2012, on the ten-year anniversary of the game, Coleman told ESPN that he did not see Brady lose the ball, and, as NFL referees were trained to do in this situation, ruled it a fumble because that call could be reviewed while an incomplete pass could not. Once he saw a replay, Coleman quickly reversed his previous ruling, telling ESPN it was an "easy" call.[10]

This was not the first time the Patriots had seen the tuck rule invoked in the 2001 NFL season.[11] On September 23, Patriots defensive end Anthony Pleasant apparently forced Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde to fumble,[12] but the call was overturned upon review and ruled an incomplete pass. In the aftermath of the Tuck Rule Game, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick explained, "I knew what the ruling should have been because we had dealt with that play a little bit earlier in the year on the other side of it."[13]

The Raiders complained extensively that the call was wrong, and that it was made against them because the league had a vendetta against the team, an attitude Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon said was "totally nonsense."[14] Several Raiders players and observers also said that the Tuck Rule led to head coach Jon Gruden's departure from the team, as owner Al Davis was apparently angry that Gruden did not protest the call vehemently enough. Gruden was dismissive of Davis' views on the matter, and the subsequent breakdown in relations between owner and coach led to Gruden being traded to Tampa Bay and becoming their head coach in 2002. (Gruden would return to the Raiders in 2018 after spending a stint as a broadcaster with ESPN.)

The tuck rule was abolished on March 20, 2013, by a 29–1 vote of current teams.[15] The Pittsburgh Steelers voted against abolition, while two teams, the Patriots and Washington Commanders, abstained from the vote.[16] Patriots owner Robert Kraft noted, "I know Al Davis, may he rest in peace, is probably smiling."[17]

Conclusion of game after the ruling

[edit]

After the Patriots maintained possession, Brady completed a 13-yard pass to David Patten to the Raiders' 29. After two incomplete passes and a Brady scramble, Vinatieri came on to hit a game-tying 45-yard field goal through the snow with just 27 seconds left, a kick considered to have been one of the most difficult kicks in NFL history,[18] or the most "clutch-kick ever."[19] With seconds left on the clock after the ensuing kickoff, the Raiders decided not to attempt to advance the ball, instead letting it go to overtime.

The Patriots won the toss and took the ball to start overtime. They drove 61 yards in 15 plays, with Brady completing all eight of his pass attempts, for a total of 45 yards. On fourth down and 4 from the Raiders' 28, Brady hit Patten for a six-yard completion. Three plays later, Antowain Smith picked up eight yards for a first down at the Oakland 9 and the Patriots, now going against the wind, fought to set up the game-winning kick. After Brady dove to the 5 and centered the ball, Vinatieri kicked a 23-yard field goal, giving the Patriots a 16–13 victory and advancing them to the AFC Championship Game. Brady ended up completing 26 of 39 passes for 238 yards in the second half.

Statistics

[edit]
2001 AFC Divisional Round: Oakland Raiders at New England Patriots
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Raiders 0 7 60013
Patriots 0 0 310316

at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

Aftermath

[edit]

The Patriots went on to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24–17, in the AFC Championship Game, and then defeated the NFC champion St. Louis Rams, 20–17, in Super Bowl XXXVI on a last-second field goal by Vinatieri. The Super Bowl championship was the first in Patriots' history and began a period of dominance for the team in the 2000s and 2010s that included eight additional Super Bowl appearances with five more titles, in Super Bowls XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, and LIII.

The Tuck Rule Game was Gruden's last contest of his first stint as Raider head coach; he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the following season. The Raiders went to the Super Bowl the next year, but were beaten by Gruden's Buccaneers, 48–21, and did not make the playoffs again until 2016. In 2018, Gruden returned to coach the Raiders after a nine-year stint as a television analyst. He made reference to the Tuck Rule Game in his introductory press conference upon his return to the Raiders, turning to former Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson and saying, "Brady fumbled that ball."[20] Brady himself has also suggested that the play "might have been a fumble."[21]

Up to his retirement at the end of the 2018 season, Coleman officiated 265 more NFL games, including 21 more involving the Patriots, but none involving the Raiders. As it happened, his last game involved the Patriots.[22]

As for Tom Brady, he went on to have a massive career-winning seven Super Bowls: Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII, and LV. After his retirement, he went on to become an NFL analyst with Fox, as well as a minority stakeholder in the Raiders franchise – the team he beat in the Tuck Rule game.

Starting lineups

[edit]

Hall of Fame‡

Oakland Position New England
Offense
Tim Brown‡ WR Troy Brown
Barry Sims LT Matt Light
Steve Wisniewski LG Mike Compton
Adam Treu C Damien Woody
Frank Middleton RG Joe Andruzzi
Lincoln Kennedy RT Greg Robinson-Randall
Roland Williams TE Rod Rutledge
Jerry Rice‡ WR David Patten
Rich Gannon QB Tom Brady
Charlie Garner RB Antowain Smith
Jon Ritchie FB Marc Edwards
Defense
Regan Upshaw LE Bobby Hamilton
Rod Coleman LDT Brandon Mitchell
Grady Jackson RDT Riddick Parker
Tony Bryant RE Anthony Pleasant
William Thomas LOLB Mike Vrabel
Greg Biekert MLB Tedy Bruschi
Elijah Alexander ROLB Roman Phifer
Charles Woodson‡ LCB Ty Law‡
Eric Allen‡ RCB Otis Smith
Johnnie Harris SS Lawyer Milloy
Anthony Dorsett FS Tebucky Jones

Officials

[edit]
  • Referee: Walt Coleman (#65)
  • Umpire: Undrey Wash (#96)
  • Head linesman: Dale Williams (#8)
  • Line judge: Gary Arthur (#108)
  • Field judge: Scott Edwards (#3)
  • Side judge: Dean Look (#49)
  • Back judge: Phil Luckett (#59)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tuck Rule Game

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Tuck Rule Game was an (AFC) Divisional Round playoff contest between the and the , held on January 19, 2002, at Foxborough Stadium (now ) in . Played amid heavy snowfall that accumulated about 4 inches during the game, with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 20s°F and winds gusting up to 20 mph from the north, the matchup ended with the Patriots defeating the Raiders 16–13 in after a controversial application of the NFL's tuck rule. This ruling, which deemed a fourth-quarter by Patriots as an incomplete forward pass, preserved New England's possession and enabled them to tie the game with a before securing the victory on another kick in , marking Brady's first playoff win and launching the Patriots' dynasty under . The tuck rule, outlined in NFL Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Note 2, stipulated that if a quarterback's arm was moving forward in a passing motion—even if the ball was subsequently tucked toward the body—any subsequent loss of possession was treated as an rather than a , provided the ball had not crossed the . In the game's pivotal moment, with 1:50 remaining and the Raiders leading 13–10, sacked Brady on a third-and-13 play from the Patriots' 45-yard line, forcing the ball loose; Raiders linebacker Greg Biekert recovered it, seemingly sealing Oakland's upset victory as 3-point underdogs. However, upon instant replay review by referee , the call was overturned under the tuck rule, returning possession to and sparking widespread debate over the rule's interpretation and fairness, with Raiders coach later calling it "bulls---" in postgame frustration. The Patriots' comeback featured a 6-yard run by Brady earlier in the fourth quarter to narrow the deficit to 13–10, followed by Adam Vinatieri's 45-yard to force and a 23-yard game-winner 6:31 into the extra period, despite Brady completing 32 of 52 passes for 312 yards and Raiders quarterback going 17 of 31 for 159 yards and one in the sloppy, snow-affected conditions. Dubbed the "Snow Bowl" for the blizzard-like weather that began around 8 p.m. and hampered visibility and footing, the game drew 60,292 fans and remains one of the most polarizing in history due to its role in shifting the balance of power: advanced to defeat the and then the in for their first championship, while the Raiders' loss contributed to internal turmoil, including Gruden's eventual trade to . The tuck rule itself was abolished prior to the 2013 season amid ongoing criticism, solidifying the game's legacy as a flashpoint for officiating and rulebook ambiguities.

Background and Context

2001 NFL Season Overview

The 2001 NFL season featured a 16-game regular season for each of its 31 teams, organized into the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC), with three divisions per conference. The playoff format included six teams from each conference: the three division winners automatically qualified, joined by three wild-card teams selected based on the best records among non-winners, with seeding determined by overall regular-season performance and tiebreakers such as conference record. This structure ensured a postseason tournament culminating in the Super Bowl. In the AFC final standings, the secured the top seed with a 13–3 record as Central Division champions, the earned the No. 2 seed at 11–5 as East Division winners, and the claimed the No. 3 seed with a 10–6 mark as West Division victors. The wild-card qualifiers were the (No. 4, 11–5), (No. 5, 10–6), and (No. 6, 10–6). The Patriots and Raiders both posted strong regular-season records, with New England at 11–5 and Oakland at 10–6. The season was profoundly impacted by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which prompted the to postpone its entire Week 2 schedule (September 16–17) out of respect for the national tragedy and safety concerns; these games were rescheduled as Week 17 at the end of the , resulting in a 16-game schedule spanning 17 weeks, with the and shifted one week later to accommodate the adjustment. In the AFC wild-card round on January 12–13, 2002, the Raiders routed the Jets 38–24, while the Ravens edged the Dolphins 20–3, advancing the No. 3 Raiders to face the No. 2 Patriots in the divisional . This divisional matchup took place on January 19, 2002, at in .

Team Performances and Playoff Path

The entered the 2001 playoffs with an 11–5 regular-season record, securing the title and the No. 2 seed in the conference. Under second-year head coach , the team overcame early inconsistencies following starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe's severe injury in Week 3 against the , where Bledsoe suffered from a hit by linebacker . Sixth-round draft pick stepped in as starter, leading the Patriots to a pivotal 44–13 victory over the in Week 9 and reeling off six consecutive wins to close the season, establishing his emergence as a poised leader capable of managing games effectively. As the No. 2 seed, the Patriots earned a first-round bye in the wild-card round. The finished the regular season at 10–6, claiming the crown and the No. 3 seed despite a midseason slump that included six losses by a combined 24 points. In his fourth season as head coach, guided a squad anchored by a tenacious defense. The Raiders advanced past the wild-card round with a decisive 38–24 home win over the No. 6 , setting up a divisional-round matchup in . The victor of the divisional playoff between the Patriots and Raiders would advance to the against the No. 1 , who had earned a first-round bye with a league-best 13–3 record.

Game Summary

First Half Action

The game commenced at with the kicking off to the , who started from their own 23-yard line following a 20-yard return by . The Raiders advanced 80 yards over 12 plays, culminating in a 13-yard pass from to at the 12:14 mark of the second quarter, followed by a successful extra-point kick from , giving Oakland a 7-0 lead. Later in the second quarter, with 12:02 on the clock, Patriots safety Johnnie Harris intercepted a Gannon pass, but could not capitalize on the turnover. The Raiders sustained a drive but did not score, and the half ended with Oakland leading 7-0. The Raiders' defense pressured Brady, including a sack, contributing to 's scoreless first half.

Snowstorm Conditions and Momentum Shift

The Tuck Rule Game, played on January 19, 2002, at , unfolded amid deteriorating winter that significantly influenced the contest's dynamics. The match began with light falling as kickoff approached at 8:18 p.m. EST, under temperatures in the mid-20s°F and northerly winds averaging 10 mph with occasional gusts reaching 20 mph. By the second half, the precipitation escalated into heavy snowfall—peaking between 8 and 10 p.m.—blanketing the field with several inches of accumulation and transforming the turf into a slick, unpredictable surface. This progression reduced visibility for players and officials, obscured yard markers despite intermittent use of snowblowers, and compromised footing, particularly within the hash marks where the grass turned muddy and inconsistent. These conditions forced tactical adjustments from both teams, shifting emphasis toward conservative strategies to navigate the hazards. The Patriots and Raiders alike leaned on shorter passing routes and ground-based plays to minimize errors from slips or obscured sightlines, with long-range attempts becoming riskier due to the ball's tendency to wobble in the wind and snow. Field position became paramount, as sustained drives proved challenging; kickers like and capitalized on opportunities within manageable distances, underscoring how the blizzard favored possession battles over explosive scoring. Players reported struggling with cleat selection for traction, contributing to fumbles and stalled momentum in key moments. The second half's early action encapsulated this environmental toll while igniting a pivotal momentum swing. Trailing 7-0 at , the Patriots opened the third quarter with a 12-play, 62-yard drive, capped by Vinatieri's 23-yard at the 8:39 mark to trim the deficit to 7-3. The Raiders quickly countered, marching 43 yards in 10 plays for Janikowski's 38-yard at 4:14, increasing their lead to 10-3, before adding a 45-yard kick at 1:41 following a seven-play, 24-yard possession, extending the advantage to 13-3. These field-goal exchanges reflected the snow's stifling effect on offensive fluidity, limiting to modest gains amid slipping ball carriers and defensive stands bolstered by the weather. The tide turned decisively early in the fourth quarter, as responded to the 13-3 hole with a gritty 10-play, 67-yard march that showcased their resilience in the blizzard. Quarterback , leveraging quick handoffs and short throws to counter the slippery conditions, scrambled for the game's lone —a 6-yard run at 7:52—followed by Vinatieri's extra point to close the gap to 13-10. This sequence not only marked the Patriots' first points of the second half but also injected urgency into their comeback, exploiting Raider defensive lapses amid the chaos of swirling snow and fatigued footing. The scoreline shift highlighted 's superior adaptation, setting an intense tone for the game's closing stages as the storm raged on.

The Tuck Rule Play

With 1:50 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Raiders leading 13-10, the Patriots faced third-and-13 from their own 45-yard line during a drive starting from their 20-yard line. dropped back to pass, scanning for an open receiver amid the intensifying snowstorm, when his arm was struck by Raiders as he began to tuck the ball back toward his body while attempting to throw forward. The ball popped loose and was immediately recovered by Raiders linebacker Greg Biekert at the Patriots' 42-yard line, an on-field ruling of that appeared to hand Oakland possession near midfield for what would have been a potential game-sealing drive. The initial call sparked immediate , as the Raiders' recovery positioned them to run out the clock or attempt a . Referee , however, initiated a video review from the booth to examine the play under passing rules. After a five-minute delay for officials to scrutinize multiple angles of the replay, Coleman overturned the fumble ruling, declaring it an incomplete . The decision hinged on the NFL's "tuck rule," codified in the 2001 rulebook as Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Note 2, which specified: "When [an offensive] player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his hand starts a , even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body." This interpretation treated the ball's release as part of a passing motion because Brady's arm was still moving forward at the moment of contact, rendering the play an rather than a regardless of his subsequent tuck attempt. The reversal returned possession to the Patriots at the original (their 45-yard line), but facing fourth-and-13, they punted, fueling ongoing debate about the rule's application in real-time scenarios.

Drive to Victory

Following the controversial tuck rule ruling with 1:50 remaining, the Patriots punted on fourth-and-13 from their 45-yard line. The took possession at their own 35-yard line, leading 13-10, with the Patriots out of timeouts. Over the next 1:28, the Raiders ran three plays for a net gain of 9 yards—a 7-yard run by , a 2-yard run by Garner, and no gain by —forcing them to punt from their 44-yard line at the 1:13 mark. Shane Lechler's 37-yard punt was fielded by Patriots returner , who advanced it 27 yards to the 46 before fumbling; the ball was recovered by teammate at the 46, providing excellent starting field position near midfield. With 1:13 left and no timeouts remaining, quarterback Tom Brady orchestrated a rapid drive to tie the game. The drive featured short passes and scrambles to manage the clock and snow conditions: a completion to running back J.R. Redmond for 8 yards, a scramble by Brady for 6 yards to gain a first down at the Oakland 42, followed by two incomplete passes, then a 13-yard completion to wide receiver David Patten to the Oakland 29. Facing further resistance, Brady scrambled for 1 yard on third down, setting up fourth-and-9 at the Raiders' 45-yard line with 0:32 on the clock. The incomplete passes stopped the clock, allowing the Patriots to maintain tempo without needing to spike the ball, while the quick runs by Brady helped manage the limited time effectively under head coach Bill Belichick's guidance. The Raiders used their timeouts in last-gasp efforts to disrupt the rhythm and ice Vinatieri, but their defensive stands limited the Patriots to a field goal rather than a potential game-winning touchdown. Adam Vinatieri then attempted and made a 45-yard field goal through heavy snow as time expired, tying the score at 13-13 and forcing overtime, where the Patriots would ultimately prevail 16-13. This sequence highlighted the Raiders' aggressive defense but could not prevent the tie.

Statistics and Records

Scoring and Possession Breakdown

The Tuck Rule Game concluded with the New England Patriots defeating the Oakland Raiders 16-13 in overtime, a low-scoring affair marked by defensive struggles and the harsh snowstorm conditions that limited offensive efficiency. The Patriots mounted a comeback from a 13-3 deficit, tying the game late in regulation and securing the win with a field goal in overtime, highlighting their resilience despite fewer explosive plays early on.

Scoring Summary

QuarterTimeScoring PlayScore (Raiders-Patriots)
2nd12:14Raiders: James Jett 13 yd. pass from Rich Gannon (Sebastian Janikowski kick)7-0
3rd8:39Patriots: Adam Vinatieri 23 yd. field goal7-3
3rd4:14Raiders: Sebastian Janikowski 38 yd. field goal10-3
3rd1:41Raiders: Sebastian Janikowski 45 yd. field goal13-3
4th7:52Patriots: Tom Brady 6 yd. run (Adam Vinatieri kick)13-10
4th0:27Patriots: Adam Vinatieri 45 yd. field goal13-13
OT6:31Patriots: Adam Vinatieri 23 yd. field goal13-16
The Patriots controlled the ball for 40:05 compared to the Raiders' 28:24, reflecting their ability to sustain drives in the second half and despite the weather hindering both teams' passing games. recorded 22 first downs to Oakland's 14, converting 4 of 16 third-down attempts while the Raiders managed 4 of 15, underscoring the Patriots' edge in maintaining possession amid slippery conditions. Turnovers were minimal, with the Patriots committing one —thrown by their to Raiders in the second quarter—while the Raiders had none officially recorded. A pivotal moment came late in the fourth quarter when Patriots appeared to after being stripped by Woodson on a critical drive, but officials ruled it an incomplete under the tuck rule, preserving possession and preventing a turnover that could have sealed the game for Oakland. Penalties totaled five for 35 yards combined, with the Raiders penalized four times for 20 yards and the Patriots once for 15 yards. These infractions, though not excessive, influenced key sequences by altering field position in a tightly contested matchup.

Key Player Performances

Tom Brady delivered a resilient performance in his first playoff start, completing 32 of 52 passes for 312 yards with no passes and one , while adding 16 rushing yards on five carries, including a crucial 6-yard run that narrowed the score to 13-10 in the fourth quarter. He was sacked twice for a loss of 15 yards, but his ability to distribute the ball effectively under pressure, despite the returned for a , allowed the Patriots to accumulate 312 total passing yards and maintain possession in key moments, contributing to their victory. Rich Gannon, the Raiders' MVP-caliber quarterback, completed 17 of 31 passes for 159 yards and one —a 13-yard strike to —but was held without interceptions while taking one sack for a loss of 6 yards. Gannon's modest output, combined with the sack that disrupted rhythm, limited Oakland to 230 total yards on 62 plays and prevented them from capitalizing on their early lead. On the ground, the game's rushing efforts were balanced but inefficient due to the slippery snow conditions, with neither team breaking 70 yards from a single back. Antowain Smith paced the Patriots with 20 carries for 65 yards, providing steady short-yardage gains that controlled the clock and set up field goal opportunities. Charlie Garner led the Raiders with 17 carries for 64 yards, offering bursts of speed early but unable to sustain momentum as Oakland's rushing attack totaled just 84 yards on 28 attempts. In the passing game, emerged as Brady's primary target, hauling in 8 of 16 targets for 107 yards—more than a third of New England's passing production—which helped sustain drives during the comeback, including a key 13-yard reception after the tuck rule play. , in what would be one of his final playoff appearances, caught 4 of 8 targets for 48 yards, serving as Gannon's go-to option but unable to break big plays amid tight coverage. Defensively, anchored the Patriots' front seven with 9 tackles (8 solo) and 1 sack, playing a pivotal role in containing Garner's runs and pressuring Gannon to disrupt third-down conversions. His efforts contributed to New England's 1 sack, limiting the Raiders to 4-of-15 third-down conversions and forcing punts in critical situations.

Aftermath and Legacy

Immediate Reactions

Following the overturned fumble call on in the final minutes of regulation, Raiders players and coaches erupted in protest on the snowy field at . Oakland cornerback , who had stripped the ball from Brady, immediately confronted the officials during the replay review, arguing the initial ruling should stand. In his post-game interview, Woodson vented his anger, declaring, "It's some , it's some ... That's exactly how I feel, I feel like it was a call. It never should have been overturned." Raiders head coach , known for his fiery sideline demeanor, labeled the decision a "bullshit call" immediately after the game, underscoring the frustration within the Oakland locker room over what he viewed as an unjust reversal that swung momentum. In contrast, Patriots downplayed his role in the controversy post-game, deflecting attention from the play by crediting his teammates' resilience and expressing relief at the ruling without dwelling on its merits. Referee stood firm in defending the call during his post-game explanation to reporters, stating that the replay clearly showed Brady's arm moving forward when the ball came loose, making it an under the tuck rule provisions in the rulebook; he offered no apology or suggestion of error. The CBS broadcast captured the confusion and debate in real time, with play-by-play announcer Greg Gumbel questioning on air, "Ooh. The question is, did he pull it down? His arm was going forward, but was he throwing the football?" Color analyst Boomer Esiason echoed the skepticism, asserting, "I don’t think there’s much doubt [that it’s a fumble]," and later critiquing the tuck rule's fairness during the post-whistle analysis, which fueled immediate viewer backlash through calls to the network questioning the obscure regulation. As Adam Vinatieri's overtime sealed the 16-13 Patriots victory—the final game at the aging —ecstatic supporters celebrated the win amid the blizzard conditions.

Rule Evolution and Repeal

The tuck rule originated in the 1999 NFL rulebook as a clarification under Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Note 2, to distinguish between a forward pass and a fumble during a quarterback's throwing motion. It specified that "when [an offensive] player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his arm starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body." This provision aimed to protect the integrity of passing plays by treating the initial forward arm motion as the start of an if possession was lost during the tuck, rather than a recoverable by the defense. The controversial application of the tuck rule in the 2001 AFC Divisional playoff game between the and intensified scrutiny, though the core provision remained intact until its repeal. The rule endured for over a , applied in several high-profile instances, but faced growing for creating inconsistent officiating and favoring offensive plays. In March 2013, during the Annual Meeting in Phoenix, owners voted overwhelmingly to repeal the tuck rule by a margin of 29-1, with the casting the lone dissenting vote and the and Washington Redskins abstaining. The repeal simplified the rulebook by eliminating the distinction, stipulating that if a quarterback loses possession while attempting to tuck the ball back to his body or after tucking it, the play is now treated as a . This change addressed long-standing complaints about ambiguity, ensuring that such plays are reviewable as potential turnovers rather than incomplete passes. Post-repeal, similar plays have been ruled as fumbles, altering game outcomes in ways that would not have occurred under the old rule. For instance, in in 2017, quarterback Matt Ryan lost possession on a strip-sack by linebacker ; the play, which nearly invoked tuck rule considerations, was upheld as a after review, shifting momentum decisively. The tuck rule's application in the 2001 playoff game also spotlighted head coach , whose visible frustration during the on-field review and post-game —delivered in his signature cut-sleeve —became an iconic symbol of defiance and intensity. This moment, often replayed in lore, underscored Belichick's unyielding style and contributed to the narrative of his coaching dynasty, which the rule inadvertently helped launch by preserving a critical drive leading to victory. The eventual repeal marked a regulatory closure to that chapter, affirming the rule's role in shaping Belichick's early success while prioritizing clearer, more equitable officiating.

Cultural Impact

The Tuck Rule Game is widely regarded as the pivotal moment that launched the ' dynasty under quarterback and head coach , propelling them to three victories between the 2001 and 2004 seasons. The controversial call preserved a drive that ended in a game-winning , allowing the Patriots to advance and ultimately defeat the in , marking the beginning of an era defined by resilience and strategic innovation. Even Brady himself later acknowledged the ruling's dubious nature while crediting it with igniting the franchise's dominance. The game significantly intensified the rivalry between the Patriots and , embedding lasting resentment among Raiders fans who view it as the theft of a potential championship run. This tension persisted into the following season, when the Raiders reached but suffered a decisive 48-21 loss to the , an outcome often retrospectively tied to the motivational and psychological fallout from the Tuck Rule defeat. In media portrayals, the game has achieved enduring prominence through documentaries, books, and podcasts that dissect its dramatic and divisive elements. ESPN's short film The Tuck Rule, directed by Ken Rodgers and Nick Mascolo, premiered in 2022 and features reflections from Brady and Raiders safety on the play's immediate chaos and long-term ripple effects. Books such as former Raiders tackle Lincoln Kennedy's collaboration with Paul Gutierrez explore the event from the Oakland perspective, framing it as a symbol of institutional bias against the franchise. In the , anniversary episodes on podcasts like Rise and Schein and The ESPN Daily have revisited the game, often during milestone years such as the 20th in 2022, to analyze its role in NFL officiating debates. Among fans, the "Tuck Rule" has evolved into a cultural for egregious referee controversies, synonymous with perceived favoritism toward powerhouse teams. Raiders supporters continue to express bitterness through merchandise like "It Was a " apparel and online chants, while platforms see surges in discussions and memes around anniversaries, amplifying the game's status in folklore. This fan-driven narrative underscores how the event transcends sports, embodying themes of injustice and alternate histories in popular discourse.

Personnel Details

Starting Lineups

The lineups for the 2001 AFC Divisional playoff game between the and featured established veterans and emerging talents on both sides, with the Patriots relying on second-year quarterback due to injuries on the depth chart. , the Patriots' regular starting quarterback, was sidelined for the postseason after suffering from a hit in Week 2 of the regular season against the , paving the way for Brady to lead the offense.

New England Patriots

Offense

PositionPlayers
QB
RB
WR,
TE, Rod Rutledge
The offensive line consisted of left tackle , left guard , center Marc Edwards, right guard Joe Andruzzi, and right tackle Brandon Gorin, providing protection for the skill position group.

Defense

PositionPlayers
DEAnthony Pleasant,
LB,
CB, Otis Smith
The full defensive unit included nose tackle Brandon Mitchell, inside linebacker , safety , and safety in a 3-4 base alignment.

Oakland Raiders

Offense

PositionPlayers
QB
RB
WR, Tim Brown
TE,
The Raiders' offensive line featured left tackle Barry Sims, left guard , center Adam Treu, right guard Ron Stone, and right tackle , supporting their high-powered attack.

Defense

PositionPlayers
DERoderick Coleman, Regan Upshaw
LB, William Thomas
CB, Tory James
Additional defensive starters included defensive tackles Josh Williams and Grady Jackson, safety Johnnie Harris, and cornerback in their 4-3 scheme. Substitutions throughout the game were influenced by the snowy conditions and tactical adjustments, but no major in-game injuries altered the core rotations significantly beyond the pre-game absences like Bledsoe.

Game Officials

The game was officiated by a seven-person crew led by referee , who served as crew chief in his 13th season. Coleman, who joined as a line judge in 1989 and was promoted to referee in 1995, made the pivotal call on the fourth-quarter tuck rule play by initiating the replay review after an initial ruling on the field. The umpire was Undrey Wash, positioned behind the defensive line to rule on short-yardage plays and protect the long snapper. The head linesman, Dale Williams, operated the sideline chain crew on one side of the field to mark first downs and out-of-bounds spots. The line judge, Gary Arthur, monitored substitutions, downfield blocking, and pass coverage on the opposite sideline from the head linesman. The field judge, Scott Edwards, covered action from behind the offensive line, focusing on catches and fair catches. The side judge, Dean Look, patrolled the sideline opposite the line judge, ruling on sideline plays and illegal contact. The back judge, Phil Luckett, observed deep coverage behind the defense to call pass interference and safety plays. Coleman's crew brought collective experience from multiple seasons, with Coleman himself having handled replay reviews in prior regular-season and playoff games since the system's expansion in 1999; however, no previous controversies involving the tuck rule were recorded for the crew prior to this matchup. The ruling process for the tuck play involved Coleman signaling for review after the on-field call, consulting with the replay booth to examine angles showing Tom Brady's arm moving forward before the ball was tucked, resulting in the determination.

References

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