Image by Wikimedia Commons CC0 1.0 Universal
The NFL tends to produce jaw-dropping moments most weeks, however, sometimes things happen in the melee that hit different and feel like transcendental sporting miracles.
These iconic plays have carved out their own spaces in NFL folklore and are referenced as “I was there” moments by those who were lucky enough to bear witness.
To honour these flashes of individual brilliance, we’ve compiled our own list of the top 10 greatest plays in NFL history in descending order, starting with Bart Starr’s sneaky manoeuvre in 1967.
10. Bart Starr’s Sneak in the Ice Bowl (1967 NFL Championship)
It’s a long time ago now, but memories of Bart Starr’s ingenuity have lived on. We have to wind the clocks back to December 31, 1967, to discuss this one.
Picture the scene, it’s -13°F amid the cutting wind chill at Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers trail the Dallas Cowboys 17-14 with just 16 seconds left on the clock.
Timeouts have been used up and coach Vince Lombardi calls for a “31 Wedge” in a bid to get his players moving over the frozen ground.
Quarterback Bart Starr takes the snap, follows his blockers and plunges into the end zone from the 1-yard line for the game-winning touchdown. The Packers win 21-17, securing their third straight title, confirming Starr’s legendary status in the process.
9. The Philly Special (Super Bowl LII, 2018)
Just a few years ago, during Super Bowl LII in 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles found themselves 22-12 down against the New England Patriots and in need of some inspiration.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson conjured some up on the 4th-and-goal from the 1 when quarterback Nick Foles shifted to his left, took the direct snap from centre Jason Kelce and flipped a touchdown pass to tight end Trey Burton.
Burton then threw the ball back to Foles in the end zone, completely bamboozling the New England defence and driving Philly on to claim their first-ever Super Bowl title.
8. James Harrison’s 100-Yard Interception Return (Super Bowl XLIII, 2009)
With halftime on the horizon at Super Bowl XLIII, Arizona’s Kurt Warner threw a short pass that James Harrison anticipated and stepped on to.
Seizing his chance, the Steelers linebacker galloped 100 yards down the field for a touchdown, which ranked as the longest play in Super Bowl history at the time.
Harrison’s sprint gave Pittsburgh a 17-7 lead that they would hold on to, while his unique defensive game-changing play, which was later called “The Immaculate Interception”, earned him a spot in the NFL annals for it’s audacity.
7. Santonio Holmes’ Toe-Tap TD (Super Bowl XLIII, 2009)
Remarkably, Super Bowl XLIII delivered not one, but two all-timer plays on the same occasion, and this one had an even bigger impact than Harrison’s burst.
With only 35 seconds left to run and the Steelers, who were priced as underdogs in the live markets behind 23-20, Ben Roethlisberger found Santonio Holmes in the back corner of the end zone.
Holmes had mere inches to play with and made an acrobatic catch, somehow keeping both feet just inside the boundary to and give Pittsburgh a 27-23 victory.
The toe-tap remains one of the most technically perfect receptions ever seen in a Super Bowl and allowed Pittsburgh to turn markets on the best NFL betting sites on their head.
6. Malcolm Butler’s Goal-Line Interception (Super Bowl XLIX, 2015)
Considered one of the biggest “sliding doors” moments in NFL history, this incredible display of defensive nous from Malcom Butler was an incredible feat and the defining moment of Super Bowl XLIX.
The Seahawks had received considerable backing on sportsbooks in the lead-up to the big game in 2015 and they were just one yard from securing a repeat championship when quarterback Russell Wilson threw a slant pass to Ricardo Lockette.
However, rookie cornerback Malcom Butler saw it coming, stepped in front and sealed a 28-24 dramatic Patriots victory.
5. The Minneapolis Miracle (2017 NFC Divisional Round)
Trailing by just a point (24-23) in the 2017 NFC Divisional Round playoffs, the Vikings turned the game on its head with a stunning piece of football.
Quarterback Case Keenum heaved a pass toward the sideline, where Stefon Diggs was there to make the catch. Diggs watched two Saints defenders slip on the turf and gleefully dashed untouched into the end zone for a 29-24 walk-off victory in front of a rapturous crowd.
The “Minneapolis Miracle” remains the only game-winning touchdown on the final play of regulation in NFL playoff history.
4. The Music City Miracle (2000 AFC Wild Card)
This one proves that sometimes you need to go sideways to go forward. With only 16 seconds of action left, the Titans, who were trailing 16-15 against the Buffalo Bills, took the kickoff and sparked something really special in Nashville.
Lorenzo Nealo handed the ball off to Frank Wycheck, who lateraled across the field to Kevin Dyson in a millimetre-perfect play. Dyson carried at max speed for 75 yards to complete the touchdown for Titans, who won 22-16 and reached the Super Bowl.
3. David Tyree’s Helmet Catch (Super Bowl XLII, 2008)
Facing a blitz on 3rd-and 5 with 1:15 on the clock, the New York Giants were behind against the formidable and undefeated Patriots (14-10), and optimism was draining fast.
The Giants’ Elim Manning wiggled free from pressure and lofted a prayer. Davie Tyree pinned the ball against his helmet and successfully fought off attention from Rodney Harrison. The catch gave New York control, subsequently setting up the game-winning drive. The New York Giants’ 17-14 win was one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl betting history.
2. The Catch (1981 NFC Championship)
Simply known as “The Catch”, this one, which took place back in 1981, was produced by Dwight Clark. Down 27-21 with 58 seconds left, legendary 49ers quarterback Joe Montana rolled eight, evaded three Cowboys players and threw a high pass right to the back of the end zone.
Rookie Dwight Clark exploded vertically, captured the ball with his fingertips and gave San Francisco a narrow 28-27 win over Dallas. The Catch was the springboard for the 49ers’ dynasty. It also reaffirmed “Joe Cool’s” unparalleled talents as a quarterback.
1. The Immaculate Reception (1972 AFC Divisional Playoff)
With 22 seconds left in the dying embers of the AFC Division Playoff in 1972, the Steelers were down 7-6 against Oakland and were staring down the barrel of a disappointing defeat.
Steelers’ quarterback threw a pass in desperation that somehow ricocheted off an Oakland defender and to within reach of rookie Pittsburgh running back Franco Harris. Harris scooped the ball up millimetres from the turf and pumped his legs 60 yards down the field to reach the end zone. The Steelers went on to win the game 13-7 and Harris’s move, both controversial and improbable in equal measure, is still seen by many as the single greatest play in NFL history.
