Brady to Thompkins pass with 5 seconds remaining lifts Patriots over Saints, 30-27

Photo Credit: Elsa/Getty Images

Coming into week 6, the Patriots were looking to get back to the "W" side of the W-L column. Could they?

In the much anticipated match-up, Brady started off with the ball and drove New England down the field to get a field goal. An unusual 3 and out for the Saints led to New England getting the ball back rather quickly, but nothing was done and the Saints would eventually score to take a 3-7 lead. The Patriots would recapture the lead however with a drive capped off with a Stevan Ridley touchdown run on the goal line.

Into the second quarter, the developing story was Jimmy Graham being held with no catches. This remained true as it will throughout the remainder of the half as the Saints offense knocked, but was not allowed too far to score. The Patriots however did drive down the field and another Stevan Ridley run plowed New England ahead 17-7. Which would be the halftime score.

The Saints would get the ball to begin the 2nd half and would drive down and get a field goal and shortly after, they would get a touchdown. The thing all Patriot fans didn't want to see, happened. Talib got injured. The Patriots however survived the blitz from the Saints and have converted two field goals since then to take the lead 23-17 in the fourth quarter. Jimmy Graham also went down to an injury.

With no Talib and no Graham, it seemed to actually be even. But with no Talib, the pass defense has to adjust and because of this Kenny Stills makes an insane grab in the end zone to take the lead for New Orleans. Great coverage on the field, but you have to imagine how different it would have been had Talib been on the field. Moving on, the Patriots couldn't convert on a 4th and 6 and the game seemed nearly over if the Saints got a first down (already up by one point) but boy that WASN'T the case.

After a field goal to put the Saints up by four, the Patriots threw an interception late and it really seemed bleak. But not so fast, the Patriots defense again withstood the test of time and held the offense short of a first down and the spotlight was once again on Tom Brady and the Patriots offense to deliver.


DID THEY EVER. With no timeouts and 70 yards to go, Tom Brady drove them down the field. Overcoming a 3rd and 4th down late in the drive before facing 10 seconds left inside the red zone. What happened next is a play that'll be remembered in the minds of Patriots fans all season.

A 17 yard touchdown pass to Kenbrell Thompkins to take the lead and a Patriots victory, 30-27.

Photo Credit: Stephan Savoia