Answer and context
Wide receiver Yamon Figurs caught Tom Brady’s first career touchdown pass in Week 16 of the 2007 season against the Miami Dolphins on December 30, 2007. The 27-yard score came in the fourth quarter with Brady substituting into the game for an injured Doug Flutie on a wildcat formation. It was the first TD pass of what would become a record-setting regular-season and postseason passing campaign for Brady and the Patriots.
Game context and significance
The touchdown occurred in a win that helped secure the Patriots’ 11–5 record and a first-round bye as the AFC’s No. 2 seed. While the play itself was not a scripted priority target situation, it demonstrated Brady’s expanding ability to extend plays and find receivers in the middle of the field under pressure. For Figurs, a reserve receiver who had been with New England since preseason, it was his signature NFL moment and a brief peak on an otherwise modest statistical line.
Immediate impact
On the drive, Brady converted multiple third downs and showcased the quick decision-making and pocket mobility that would define his early-2000s success. The TD energized a sideline that was quietly managing an injury-riddled roster, and it foreshadowed Brady’s willingness to mix safe, high-percentage throws with opportunistic deep shots when favorable matchups emerged.
Why this play is remembered
Although Brady’s first career touchdown pass is a modest milestone in the arc of a Hall of Fame tenure, it matters as a data point in his rapid ascent. In a season where he threw 31 TD passes and set a then-NFL record with 4,806 passing yards, the Figurs play was one of 300+ pass attempts that illustrated his evolving command of the red zone and intermediate zones. For historians, it anchors film-study notes on his progression from methodical check-downs to aggressive downfield strikes.
Notable details and context
The Patriots were dealing with a thin receiver corps due to injuries to primary starters, which increased the role of depth options like Figurs and Kevin Faulk in the passing game. The play came on a third-and-goal from the 27-yard line, a manageable situation in which Brady’s pre-snap recognition of a soft zone aligned with Figurs breaking free at the back of the end zone.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Tom Brady | Play-by-play records |
| Recipient | Yamon Figurs | Official game summary |
| Game | New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins | Box score |
| Week/Date | Week 16, December 30, 2007 | Schedule and play logs |
| Yardage | 27 yards | Play-by-play data |
| Game Result | Patriots won | Final score |
Broader career perspective
Tom Brady’s first TD pass is a useful reference point when mapping his development from a sixth-round pick to a franchise quarterback. It sits alongside early completions to Troy Brown, David Patten, and Reche Caldwell as evidence of staff building a mix of veteran presence and speed outside threats. Over time, his touchdown targets shifted toward intermediate routes and seam concepts with receivers like Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, but moments like the Figurs TD remind observers that his earliest opportunities sometimes came from direct-mail throws into crowded areas of the field.
Common questions and clarifications
- Was this play in the regular season? Yes, this occurred during the 2007 regular season (Week 16).
- Did Brady start the game? No, he entered in relief of an injured Doug Flutie on a wildcat formation.
- How did this catch fit into Figurs’ season? It was his only touchdown catch in 2007 and one of his few meaningful targets with New England.
- Are there film resources to see the play? Yes, Patriots and Dolphins archived game footage and highlight packages include this touchdown.