If there’s one place where memorable moments abound, it’s the NFL. Rich history aside, its intense competition is one part of the league that keeps fans glued to the game. Among these moments are legendary plays that show athletic prowess, strategic genius, and sheer determination. Some of these plays are so mind-blowing that football enthusiasts will never forget. Here’s a look into 10 of them.
Hail Mary (1975)
Among the things that make this play between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings unforgettable are the conditions surrounding the game, the weather, and the stadium. A roofless place and cold weather weren’t the best environment late in the season for a warm-weather team. As the game moved to a close, Roger Staubach made a 50-yard touchdown pass to Drew Pearson, and they won the game 17-14. Staubach later revealed he closed his eyes and said a Hail Mary, and so it was named after it.
Immaculate Reception (1972)
Twenty-two seconds to the end of an AFC Divisional Playoff game, and the Pittsburgh Steelers were trailing the Oakland Raiders 7-6. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a desperate pass intended for John Fuqua from their own 40-yard line. The ball deflected off the helmet of Raiders safety Jack Tatum, and, in an extraordinary moment, Franco Harris caught the ball only inches away from the ground. Harris sprinted into the end zone, scoring the game-winning touchdown. This miraculous play, known as the “Immaculate Reception,” changed the scores to 7-13.
Beast Quake (2011)
It was about four minutes to the end of an NFC Wild Card game, and the Seattle Seahawks had done their best against the New Orleans Saints. However, they were still on the wrong side of the 34-30 scores. The game-changer was when running back Marshawn Lynch broke tackles on a spectacular 67-yard touchdown run. There was so much excitement over the electric run that the stadium shook enough to register on a nearby seismograph as a small tremor—a quake, literally!
The Catch (1982)
The San Francisco 49ers went head to head in the January 10 NFC Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys. They needed a touchdown to win, as they had less than a minute left and were down 27-21. After receiver Freddie Solomon slipped while running his route, Joe Montana made a high pass toward the back of the end zone. Dwight Clark made a leaping catch with his fingertips, scored the touchdown, and tied the game. In the end, the 49ers made it to their first Super Bowl.
Bart Starr’s Ice Bowl Sneak (1967)
On 1967 New Year’s Eve, at Lambeau Field, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys battled in the NFL Championship Game, also called the “Ice Bowl,” under frigid temperatures. Sixteen seconds to go, and the score was 17-14 in favor of the Cowboys. There were no timeouts left for the Packers. Starr took a snap. He crossed the goal line thanks to Ken Bowman and Jerry Kramer blocking Jethro Pugh. This game ended in a 21-17 victory for the Packers and an NFL Championship in the bag.
Helmet Catch (2008)
Super Bowl XLII had the New York Giants falling behind the New England Patriots 14-10. Jarvis Green attempted to pull Eli Manning down for a sack, but Manning survived it. Manning also escaped sack attempts by two linebackers and heaved a pass to David Tyree, who stopped the ball from being lost by pinning it against his helmet. Four plays after this 32-yard reception gain—which happened in the game’s last two minutes—Plaxico Burress scored the game-winning touchdown and ruined New England’s perfect winning record that season.
Music City Miracle (2000)
It was an AFC Wild Card game between the Tennessee Titans and the Buffalo Bills. The Bills were up 16-15 with only 16 seconds left. On the following kickoff, Titans tight end Frank Wycheck made a lateral pass across the field. Kevin Dyson got it and then raced 75 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. “Music City Miracle” gave the Titans an unexpected 22-16 victory.
The Minneapolis Miracle (2018)
Some call what happened in the NFC Divisional Playoff game when the Minnesota Vikings faced the New Orleans Saints the Minnesota Miracle. The Saints had just bounced from 0-17 to 24-23 and needed to hold their lead for 25 more seconds. But on the last play, quarterback Case Keenum launched a 27-yard pass to Stefon Diggs. Saints safety Marcus Williams missed his tackle attempt, and Diggs ran into the end zone for a 61-yard touchdown as time expired. That’s how the Vikings made it to the NFC Championship Game.
Butt Fumble (2012)
79,000 fans witnessed New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez run into the backside of his own teammate, Brandon Moore, causing a fumble. The New England Patriots recovered the ball and returned it for a touchdown. They made three fumbles in 52 seconds of game time, and the Butt Fumble was the second. It was a Thanksgiving game, and the New England Patriots definitely had something to be thankful for.
One-Handed Catch (2014)
Odell Beckham Jr.’s One-Handed Catch occurred Sunday night at MetLife Stadium in the second quarter of an NFL game when Eli Manning threw the ball for him. He was covered and fronted by cornerback Brandon Carr, but as Carr fell to the turf, Beckham Jr leaped and extended his right arm backward to grab the ball. The Giants lost the game, but no one would this highlight of their season.
