The Tuck (NFL game)
Encyclopedia
The 2002 AFC divisional playoff game, known to some as the "Tuck Rule Game" (known by Patriots fans as the "Snow Bowl" and the "Snow Job" to Raiders fans,) was the playoff
game between the New England Patriots
and the Oakland Raiders
. It took place on January 19, 2002 at Foxboro Stadium
in Foxborough, Massachusetts
, then the home stadium of the Patriots. The name "Tuck Rule Game" originates from the controversial game-changing play. In the play, Raiders' cornerback
Charles Woodson
sacked
Patriots' quarterback
Tom Brady
, which in turn, seemingly caused a fumble
that was eventually recovered by Raiders' linebacker
Greg Biekert
. Official
s reviewed the play, and determined that Brady's arm was moving forward, thus making it an incomplete pass
. As a result, the original call was overturned, and the ball was given back to the Patriots, who subsequently moved the ball into field goal
range. With under a minute remaining in regulation, Patriots' placekicker
Adam Vinatieri
kicked a 45-yard field goal to tie the game at 13, which sent the game into overtime
. In overtime, Vinatieri kicked a 23-yard field goal to win the game for the Patriots. New England went on to win Super Bowl XXXVI
, starting the team's run of dominance in the 2000s.
dove on the ball, and was initially credited with a recovered fumble.
In 1999, though, a new rule had been introduced, which eventually became known as the tuck rule
:
After instant replay, referee Walt Coleman
reversed this call, declared the play an incomplete forward pass, and gave possession back to New England. In explaining the reversal to the stadium crowd and the television audience, the referee stated that the ball was moving forward at the time it was dropped. In later interviews, the referee stated that it was his explanation, not the reversal, that was in error; the ball was moving backwards when it was lost, but the tuck rule applied. Thus, the original call was overturned, and New England maintained possession.
that advanced the ball to the Raider 29. Shortly thereafter, Vinatieri came on to attempt a game-tying field goal. Kicking into the wind and snow, Vinatieri's line-drive kick was good from 45 yards away with 27 seconds left, and the game was tied. After the ensuing kickoff, the Raiders decided not to attempt to advance the ball and let the game 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 45 yards. On fourth down and 4 from the Raider 28, Brady hit Patten for a six-yard completion. A few plays later, Vinatieri kicked a 23-yard field goal and the Patriots won 16-13. It was the final game at Foxboro Stadium
, due to the Pittsburgh Steelers
winning their divisional playoff game (they had home-field advantage throughout the playoffs).
With the win, the Patriots advanced to the AFC Championship Game
against the Steelers, where they scored a 24-17 victory, and then defeated the NFC
champion St. Louis Rams
20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI
on a last-second field goal by Vinatieri to capture their first Super Bowl
championship.
NFL playoffs, 2001-02
The NFL playoffs following the 2001 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXVI.For the first time, the NFL scheduled prime time playoff games for the first two rounds in an attempt to attract more television viewers. Saturday wild card and divisional playoff games were moved from 12:30 p.m. and 4:00...
game between the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
and the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. It took place on January 19, 2002 at Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
in Foxborough, Massachusetts
Foxborough, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,246 people, 6,141 households, and 4,396 families residing in the town. The population density was 809.1 people per square mile . There were 6,299 housing units at an average density of 313.7 per square mile...
, then the home stadium of the Patriots. The name "Tuck Rule Game" originates from the controversial game-changing play. In the play, Raiders' cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson
Charles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship...
sacked
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
Patriots' quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
, which in turn, seemingly caused a fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
that was eventually recovered by Raiders' linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Greg Biekert
Greg Biekert
Greg Biekert is a former American football linebacker and current linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. Biekert attended Longs Peak Middle School and Longmont High School in Longmont, Colorado where he lettered in football. Biekert was a standout linebacker...
. Official
Referee
A referee is the person of authority, in a variety of sports, who is responsible for presiding over the game from a neutral point of view and making on the fly decisions that enforce the rules of the sport...
s reviewed the play, and determined that Brady's arm was moving forward, thus making it an incomplete pass
Incomplete pass
An incomplete pass is a term in American football which means that a legal forward pass hits the ground before a player on either team gains possession. For example, if the quarterback throws the ball to one of his wide receivers, and the receiver either does not touch it or tries to catch it...
. As a result, the original call was overturned, and the ball was given back to the Patriots, who subsequently moved the ball into field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
range. With under a minute remaining in regulation, Patriots' placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
kicked a 45-yard field goal to tie the game at 13, which sent the game into overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
. In overtime, Vinatieri kicked a 23-yard field goal to win the game for the Patriots. New England went on to win Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI was an American football game played on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 2001 regular season. The American Football Conference champion New England Patriots won their first Super...
, starting the team's run of dominance in the 2000s.
The "tuck rule" call
Playing in a heavy snow storm, Oakland led at halftime, 7–0, and then took a 13–3 lead into the fourth quarter after two field goals. Brady rushed in for a touchdown to cut the lead to 13–10. With less than two minutes left to play, the Patriots drove the ball down the field. While they were slightly out of field goal range, Brady dropped back to pass and dropped the ball after being hit by Woodson. Raiders linebacker Greg BiekertGreg Biekert
Greg Biekert is a former American football linebacker and current linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. Biekert attended Longs Peak Middle School and Longmont High School in Longmont, Colorado where he lettered in football. Biekert was a standout linebacker...
dove on the ball, and was initially credited with a recovered fumble.
In 1999, though, a new rule had been introduced, which eventually became known as the tuck rule
Tuck rule
The tuck rule is a rule in American football, currently used only by the National Football League .Introduced in 1999, it reads: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...
:
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.
After instant replay, referee Walt Coleman
Walt Coleman
Walt Coleman is an American football official in the National Football League since the 1989 NFL season. He wears uniform number 65.- Personal :Coleman resides in Little Rock, Arkansas and is a sixth-generation family operator of Coleman Dairy....
reversed this call, declared the play an incomplete forward pass, and gave possession back to New England. In explaining the reversal to the stadium crowd and the television audience, the referee stated that the ball was moving forward at the time it was dropped. In later interviews, the referee stated that it was his explanation, not the reversal, that was in error; the ball was moving backwards when it was lost, but the tuck rule applied. Thus, the original call was overturned, and New England maintained possession.
The outcome
With the Patriots given new life, Brady completed a 13-yard pass to David PattenDavid Patten
David Patten is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Albany Firebirds as a street free agent in 1996. He played college football at Western Carolina....
that advanced the ball to the Raider 29. Shortly thereafter, Vinatieri came on to attempt a game-tying field goal. Kicking into the wind and snow, Vinatieri's line-drive kick was good from 45 yards away with 27 seconds left, and the game was tied. After the ensuing kickoff, the Raiders decided not to attempt to advance the ball and let the game 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 45 yards. On fourth down and 4 from the Raider 28, Brady hit Patten for a six-yard completion. A few plays later, Vinatieri kicked a 23-yard field goal and the Patriots won 16-13. It was the final game at Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
, due to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
winning their divisional playoff game (they had home-field advantage throughout the playoffs).
With the win, the Patriots advanced to the AFC Championship Game
AFC Championship Game
The American Football Conference Championship Game is one of the two final playoff matches of the National Football League, the largest professional American football league in the United States. The game is played on the penultimate Sunday in January and determines the champion of the American...
against the Steelers, where they scored a 24-17 victory, and then defeated the NFC
National Football Conference
The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,...
champion St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI was an American football game played on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 2001 regular season. The American Football Conference champion New England Patriots won their first Super...
on a last-second field goal by Vinatieri to capture their first Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
championship.
Starting lineups
| Oakland | Position | New England |
|---|---|---|
| OFFENSE | ||
| Tim Brown | WR | Troy Brown Troy Brown Troy Fitzgerald Brown is a former NFL wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall... |
| Barry Sims Barry Sims Barry Sims is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Scottish Claymores in the 17th round of the NFL Europe Draft in 1999. He played college football at Utah... |
LT | Matt Light Matt Light Matthew Charles Light is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Light was born in Greenville, Ohio... |
| Steve Wisniewski Steve Wisniewski Steve Wisniewski nicknamed "The Wiz" is a former Offensive Lineman who played 13 seasons with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders and is now an assistant offensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1989 NFL Draft. His rights were traded... |
LG | Mike Compton |
| Adam Treu Adam Treu Adam Treu was a center in the NFL. He walked on to University of Nebraska-Lincoln after playing at Pius X High School in Lincoln. He won back-to-back National Championships with the Cornhuskers in 1994 and 1995 playing left tackle and performing all the long snapping duties... |
C | Damien Woody Damien Woody Damien Michael Woody is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets of the National Football League... |
| Frank Middleton Frank Middleton Frank Middleton is a former American football player who played Offensive guard for eight seasons in the NFL. Middleton was drafted in 1997 in the 3rd round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers... |
RG | Joe Andruzzi Joe Andruzzi Joseph Dominick Andruzzi is a former American football offensive guard. In May 2007 he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.-College career:... |
| Lincoln Kennedy Lincoln Kennedy Tamerlane Lincoln Kennedy Jr. is a former American football offensive tackle and currently is a broadcaster for Fox Sports and Premiere Radio Networks.-High school career:... |
RT | Greg Robinson-Randall Greg Robinson-Randall Greg Wayne Robinson-Randall is an arena football offensive lineman / defensive lineman for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League. He was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots... |
| Roland Williams Roland Williams Roland Lamar Williams , is a retired American football tight end from the Syracuse. An 8-year NFL veteran, Roland has enjoyed great success on the field and off. Roland was selected in the 1998 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. A multi-year starter, Roland went on to win Super Bowl XXXIV in the... |
TE | Rod Rutledge Rod Rutledge Rodrick Almar Rutledge is a former professional American football player who played tight end for five seasons for the New England Patriots and Houston Texans of the National Football League... |
| Jerry Rice Jerry Rice Jerry Lee Rice is a retired American football wide receiver. He is generally regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in National Football League history... |
WR | David Patten David Patten David Patten is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Albany Firebirds as a street free agent in 1996. He played college football at Western Carolina.... |
| Rich Gannon Rich Gannon Richard Joseph Gannon is a former football quarterback, who achieved most of his success late in his career with the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League... |
QB | Tom Brady Tom Brady Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,... |
| Charlie Garner Charlie Garner Charlie Garner III is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft... |
RB | Antowain Smith Antowain Smith Antowain Drurell Smith is a former American Football running back in the National Football League who played nine NFL seasons, most notably with the New England Patriots. At 6'2", , Smith's powerful running style made him an effective runner between the tackles... |
| Jon Ritchie Jon Ritchie Jon David Ritchie is a former professional American football fullback in the National Football League with the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders.-Early years:Ritchie attended Cumberland Valley High School from 1989 to 1993... |
FB | Marc Edwards |
| DEFENSE | ||
| Regan Upshaw Regan Upshaw Regan Charles Upshaw is a retired American football lineman who played in the National Football League between 1996 and 2004... |
LE | Bobby Hamilton Bobby Hamilton (football player) Bobby Hamilton is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1994... |
| Rod Coleman Rod Coleman Roderick Dwayne Coleman is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft... |
LDT | Brandon Mitchell |
| Grady Jackson Grady Jackson Grady O'Neal Jackson is an American football defensive tackle who most recently played for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the 1997 NFL Draft... |
RDT | Riddick Parker Riddick Parker Riddick Parker is a former professional American football defensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League.... |
| Tony Bryant Tony Bryant Tony Bryant is a former American football defensive end who played for the Oakland Raiders and the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League.He was born and raised in Marathon, Florida.-High school:... |
RE | Anthony Pleasant Anthony Pleasant Anthony Devon Pleasant , is the defensive line coach for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs and a former professional American football player who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft. A 6'5", 280-lb... |
| William Thomas | LOLB | Mike Vrabel Mike Vrabel Michael George "Mike" Vrabel is an assistant coach at Ohio State. He is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League. Vrabel spent 14 seasons in the NFL, having played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and most recently, the Kansas City Chiefs... |
| Greg Biekert Greg Biekert Greg Biekert is a former American football linebacker and current linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. Biekert attended Longs Peak Middle School and Longmont High School in Longmont, Colorado where he lettered in football. Biekert was a standout linebacker... |
MLB | Tedy Bruschi Tedy Bruschi Tedy Lacap Bruschi is a former professional American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft... |
| Elijah Alexander Elijah Alexander Elijah Alfred Alexander III was a linebacker who played ten seasons in the NFL. In 2005 Alexander was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. In 2006 he founded the , which raises funds to help find a cure and raise awareness about myeloma. Alexander died at the age of 39 on March 24, 2010.-References:... |
ROLB | Roman Phifer Roman Phifer Roman Zubinsky Phifer is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He is currently the assistant linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Phifer's documentary film Blood Equity was released in November, 2009.Phifer played for the New... |
| Charles Woodson Charles Woodson Charles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship... |
LCB | Ty Law Ty Law Tajuan "Ty" Law is a retired football cornerback of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan.... |
| Eric Allen Eric Allen Eric Andre Allen is a former professional American football cornerback who played in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders from 1988 to 2001.... |
RCB | Otis Smith |
| Johnnie Harris Johnnie Harris Johnnie Harris is an Arena Football League defensive specialist with the Philadelphia Soul. He has previously played for the Tampa Bay Storm , the Orlando Predators , and the Grand Rapids Rampage... |
SS | Lawyer Milloy Lawyer Milloy Lawyer Marzell Milloy is an American football safety. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Washington.... |
| Anthony Dorsett Anthony Dorsett Anthony Drew Dorsett, Jr. is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the sixth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh.... |
FS | Tebucky Jones Tebucky Jones Tebucky Shermain Jones is a former American football safety in the National Football League. His career began when he was drafted out of Syracuse University in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He is best known for his role on the 2001 Patriots team that won... |
External links
- Referee criticism
- ESPN recap of the game
- CNNSI recap of the game