20 Moments That Prove Tom Brady’s GOAT Status
From clutch comebacks to record-breaking milestones, these 20 unforgettable moments reveal exactly why Tom Brady isn’t just great — he’s the greatest to ever play the game.
- Alyana Aguja
- 6 min read
Tom Brady’s legacy isn’t built on hype — it’s built on moments that defy logic, pressure, and time itself. From jaw-dropping comebacks to record-shattering feats, each highlight tells the story of a quarterback who turned doubt into dominance. This list dives into 20 iconic instances that prove why Brady isn’t just part of NFL history — he is NFL history.
1. Super Bowl XXXVI – The Birth of a Legend (2002)
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With 1:30 left and no timeouts, a 24-year-old Tom Brady led a calm, surgical drive to set up the game-winning field goal against the “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams. Nobody expected the sixth-rounder to outduel Kurt Warner on the biggest stage. That night, a dynasty — and a legend — was born.
2. The 28-3 Comeback – Super Bowl LI (2017)
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Down 28-3 in the third quarter to the Falcons, Brady didn’t flinch. He threw for 466 yards and engineered five straight scoring drives to force overtime and win. It was the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, and the moment “never count Brady out” became gospel.
3. Setting the Tone in Orchard Park (2002)
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On November 3, 2002, a young Tom Brady led the Patriots to a commanding 38-7 victory over the Bills. This game was an early glimpse of the precision and leadership that would later cement his legacy as the GOAT.
4. Quiet Confidence Before the Game (2009)
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On August 13, 2009, Tom Brady stepped onto the field at Lincoln Financial Field with the calm focus that defines his career. Even in preseason, his presence set the tone for the Patriots’ approach to the game.
5. Breaking Peyton’s Single-Season TD Record (2007)
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Brady’s 50th touchdown pass in 2007, a deep shot to Randy Moss, sealed a perfect 16-0 regular season and eclipsed Peyton Manning’s previous record. The chemistry with Moss felt otherworldly, like two geniuses syncing in real time. That team made dominance look easy, and Brady was the conductor.
6. The “On to Cincinnati” Game (2014)
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After a brutal loss to Kansas City and widespread talk that Brady was “washed,” he came out against the Bengals and scorched them. With a vengeance-fueled grin, he threw darts and waved his arms to fire up Gillette. The win kicked off a 10-2 run and another Super Bowl season.
7. Brady’s Routine Before Facing the Bengals (2009)
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On August 20, 2009, Tom Brady’s pre-game warmup at Gillette Stadium reflected the discipline that underpins his success.
8. Super Bowl XLIX – Malcolm Butler’s Moment, Brady’s Drive (2015)
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Everyone remembers the Butler interception, but it was Brady who threw two fourth-quarter TDs to erase a 10-point Seahawks lead. Against the Legion of Boom, he dropped back 50 times and stood tall every time. That comeback was as much mental toughness as physical grit.
9. The 500-TD Club (2018)
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Only a handful of quarterbacks have reached 500 touchdown passes, and Brady’s came on a vintage 34-yard laser to Josh Gordon. The throw was effortless, the moment historic. He simply jogged to the sideline, helmet in hand, like it was just another Tuesday.
10. AFC Title Game vs. Chiefs – The Overtime Masterclass (2019)
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With Arrowhead Stadium shaking, Brady faced three separate 3rd-and-10s in overtime — and converted every single one. Ice in his veins, he marched down and set up the game-winning score without ever letting Mahomes touch the ball. That drive was a passing clinic in pressure control.
11. Super Bowl LV – Winning With the Bucs (2021)
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At 43 years old, with a new team, new system, and a pandemic-altered offseason, Brady marched Tampa Bay to a title and blew out Mahomes’ Chiefs. The game wasn’t even close. He made greatness look inevitable in a league built for parity.
12. 21-Point Comeback vs. Broncos (2013)
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Brady and the Patriots trailed 24-0 at halftime in a freezing Foxborough night against Peyton Manning’s Broncos. By the fourth quarter, the comeback was complete — Brady finishing with 344 yards and 3 TDs. It was another chapter in the Brady–Manning chess match, and Tom owned the board.
13. Outdueling Mahomes in Their First Meeting (2018)
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In a 43-40 classic, Brady went toe-to-toe with the young phenom Patrick Mahomes and led a final drive capped by a game-winning field goal. He looked at the future of the league and said, “Not yet.” The performance was a timeless reminder of experience over flash.
14. Clutch Passing in a Tight Win (2009)
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In 2009, Tom Brady connected on a key downfield throw that helped secure a narrow 27-24 victory over Washington. His ability to execute under pressure was a vital part of the Patriots’ late-game success.
15. 24 Straight Wins (2003–04)
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Brady led the Patriots to 24 consecutive wins, a record that still stands. Every week, different weather, different opponent, but the same result. It was relentless excellence, the stuff of machines — but driven by a very human hunger to prove he belonged.
16. Super Bowl XXXVIII – Shootout vs. Panthers (2004)
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In one of the most underrated Super Bowls ever, Brady threw for 354 yards and 3 TDs in a back-and-forth shootout. With just over a minute left, he calmly set up Adam Vinatieri for the win. Big moment, big throws — classic Brady.
17. Playing Through a Torn MCL (2020)
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We didn’t know it until after he lifted the Lombardi, but Brady played the entire 2020 season on a torn MCL. No complaints, no excuses — just wins. That quiet toughness defines the difference between talented and legendary.
18. The 4-TD Return vs. Cleveland After Deflategate Suspension (2016)
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After a four-game suspension, Brady came back like a man possessed — 406 yards, 4 touchdowns, and a storm of vengeance. He didn’t say much, but every throw was a middle finger to the league. The GOAT doesn’t bark; he bites.
19. 2022 Comeback vs. Saints – 44th Career Game-Winning Drive
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Even at 45, trailing the Saints with three minutes left, Brady dialed it back to the vintage days and threw two late touchdowns. It marked his 44th career game-winning drive, the most of all time. He didn’t smile after, just said, “That was awesome,” like he’d just won a backyard game.
20. Becoming the All-Time Passing Yards Leader (2021)
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In a full-circle moment, Brady returned to Foxborough and passed Drew Brees for the all-time passing yardage crown. The rain was falling, the crowd torn, but history was being made. He hugged Belichick afterward in a brief, heavy moment that said everything.