5 times Tom Brady benefitted from controversial refereeing decisions

#3. Super Bowl LI (Atlanta Falcons 29-34 New England Patriots)

Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons

During the most famous comeback of Tom Brady's career, there's an argument to be made that the referees helped him and the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.

In overtime, Brady threw a hopeful ball up to Martellus Bennett at the goalline, which fell incomplete. However, much to the Falcons' dismay, the officials called it pass interference, giving Brady a 1st-and-goal at the one-yard line.

They duly converted and won the Super Bowl, but there's an argument to be made that they couldn't have won the game without the intervention of the officials.

#4. Kansas City Chiefs 31-37 New England Patriots

AFC Championship - New England Patriots v Kansas City Chiefs

During the 2019 AFC Championship game, Brady got a very iffy call in his favor from the refs when Chris Jones was accused of roughing the passer on a crucial third-down.

In reality, Jones tapped Brady on the helmet, but this shocking call gave the Patriots an automatic first-down. The drive was kept alive, and New England got a touchdown out of it. They went on to win the game 37-31 to advance to the Super Bowl, which they also won.

#5. The Tuck Rule (Oakland Raiders 13-16 New England Patriots)

Tom Brady and the Tuck Rule

Easily the most famous refereeing decision to go in Tom Brady's favor was the 'Tuck Rule'. During a crucial AFC divisional matchup, Oakland Raiders defensive back Charles Woodson strip-sacked Brady and the Raiders recovered the football.

However, after reviewing the play, the officials decided Brady had attempted to 'tuck' the football into his body rather than throw it, which, according to NFL rules, made the play an incomplete pass.

The Raiders were left fuming as the fumble recovery would have put them in field goal range to clinch the playoff victory. However, Tom Brady subsequently led the Patriots into field goal range to win the game.