No. 10 on Belichick’s Greatest Hits: Beating the Same Postseason Co-MVPs

As we enter the postseason in this countdown, it’s safe to say that we won’t be exiting it. The 2003 season commenced with the upheaval of Lawyer Milloy’s release, leading to his landing in Buffalo, where the Patriots faced a challenging start with a 31-0 loss and a 2-2 record. However, the season concluded in a spectacular manner. The Patriots secured 12 consecutive wins, driven by a formidable defense that wrapped around opponents like a boa constrictor, stifling them and allowing less than 15 points per game. Their dominance, especially at home, was evident with three shutouts, including a symbolic 31-0 victory over Buffalo in the final week. Remarkably, they were a mere garbage time score by Jacksonville away from completing six straight home games without conceding a touchdown.

This marked the zenith of Bill Belichick’s defensive prowess, a crucial factor heading into the playoffs where formidable challenges awaited. The New England Patriots were set to face the NFL’s co-MVPs, Steve McNair of the Tennessee Titans, and Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts, who led the league’s second and fourth highest-scoring offenses, respectively. Fortunately, the Patriots’ 12-game winning streak ensured that both playoff games would be hosted at the now two-year-old Gillette Stadium, solidifying its reputation as “The Last Stadium on the Left” for the rest of the NFL.

In the Divisional Round, the Patriots emerged victorious with a 17-14 win over the Titans.

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I attended this game, primarily because being a state worker with a family to support made the tickets affordable. The frigid 4-degree night, with the wind chill plummeting to -10, ensured that tickets were available at a bargain. I can attest that my cousin purchased a bottle of water at halftime, and by the time he reached his seat, it had frozen solid. Attempting to drink beer proved virtually impossible; as soon as the cap came off, it erupted like a science fair baking soda volcano, trickling down the sides and freezing. The best option we had was enjoying the port wine someone brought because it paired well with cigars.

The harsh elements didn’t diminish the Patriots’ prospects. However, to the Titans’ credit, they didn’t back down. In fact, they demonstrated resilience. Responding to the Patriots’ opening touchdown, they matched it with one of their own. Then, in the third quarter with New England leading 14-7, they orchestrated a sustained, ball-control drive spanning 11 plays and keeping Tom Brady’s offense on the sideline for an impressive 7 minutes and 47 seconds.

The Patriots eventually secured the lead thanks to one of Adam Vinatieri’s many impressive kicks – a 46-yarder captured in the aforementioned video. I distinctly recall thinking that kicking a football in those temperatures must have felt akin to kicking a butternut squash with your bare foot.

Once again in a familiar position, playing with a lead and with 4 minutes left on the clock, Belichick adopted a defensive strategy, placing his team in a deep shell and challenging Steve McNair of the Titans to throw deep. However, McNair adeptly worked the intermediate routes, occasionally incorporating run plays. Despite the Titans executing four plays gaining between 11 and 13 yards – two of which underwent reviews, one initiated by a challenge flag and the other by an official review, both upheld – intentional grounding by McNair and an offensive holding penalty pushed Tennessee back to their side of midfield. 

A crucial completion advanced them to the New England 42, setting up a pivotal 4th & 12. It was at this moment that Belichick orchestrated a safety blitz, deploying Rodney Harrison. Under pressure, McNair launched a beautifully arcing pass intended for Drew Bennett, who skillfully maneuvered back to the ball, evading single coverage from Tyrone Poole. The trajectory of the throw allowed Asante Samuel and Antwan Harris the time to converge from centerfield and break up the play. Overall, the Patriots’ defense, with three sacks and an interception, demonstrated its prowess in containing a Top 5 NFL offense, limiting them to a mere 14 points.

In the AFC Championship game, the Patriots continued their defensive excellence, securing a 24-14 victory over the formidable Indianapolis Colts.

To truly grasp the magnificence of this moment, one must rewind a week to the Colts’ performances in the earlier playoff games:

• In the Wild Card round against Denver, Peyton Manning delivered an incredible performance, going 22-for-26 with 377 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs, and a perfect passer rating of 158.3. The Colts scored on each of their first seven possessions, tallying five touchdowns and two field goals without a single punt.
• During the Divisional game at Kansas City, Manning continued his impressive run, going 22-for-30 with 304 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, and a passer rating of 138.7. Once again, they scored on six of their eight possessions, registering five touchdowns and a field goal. Similar to the previous game, the Colts did not punt, and the only drives without points concluded with the clock running out in the halves. Manning was sacked only once in these two games combined.

However, the narrative took a sharp turn at Foxboro.

As depicted in the video, Manning experienced a complete breakdown under Belichick’s strategic guidance. He was intercepted four times – once by Rodney Harrison and three times by Ty Law. A memorable moment captured in the replay (not shown) featured Law gesturing with his hand while backpedaling, signaling the exact route being run. Notably, Law caught as many passes as Manning’s favored target, Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, and gained more yards on his returns (26) than Harrison had in receiving yards (19). To add to Manning’s woes, Harrison fumbled one of his receptions.

The Patriots’ defense also excelled, sacking Manning four times, with DT Jarvis Green contributing 2.5 of those sacks despite not being a starter. The Patriots’ secondary delivered numerous clean yet formidable hits, several of which are highlighted in the video by Harris.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this entire occasion was the Colts’ reaction afterward, displaying a remarkable lack of resilience. Manning’s attempt to entice Law with alcohol at the Pro Bowl to extract defensive secrets provided a light-hearted moment, emphasizing the notion that “in vino veritas” – in wine, there is truth. The Colts, in the aftermath, revealed a sense of vulnerability that contrasted with their on-field prowess.

The distinctive element that encapsulated the dynamics between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts during the early half of the decade was the strategic maneuvering of General Manager Bill Polian. Utilizing his influential position on the Rules Committee, Polian leveraged his authority to vocalize grievances and advocate for changes in the regulation and enforcement of defensive rules. His persistent complaints painted a narrative of perceived unfairness, setting the stage for a profound impact on the evolving landscape of the game.

The alteration of rules under Polian’s influence, ostensibly to favor the Colts’ offensive approach, became a defining factor in the ongoing rivalry. The question that looms large is whether these rule modifications truly worked in the Colts’ favor. The intricacies of this strategic shift and its repercussions on the Patriots-Colts rivalry will be explored in detail in the forthcoming segment of our countdown. So, stay tuned for a deeper dive into how these rule changes shaped the dynamics of one of the most intriguing rivalries in the NFL.