10 Most Iconic Moments in NFL History
The NFL has produced countless unforgettable moments, but some plays stand out as truly iconic, forever etched in the annals of football history. These plays capture the essence of the game – its unpredictability, the drama, and the sheer athletic brilliance of its players.
From last-second heroics to game-altering miracles, these moments have not only defined careers but also changed the trajectory of entire franchises. While lists like these are always up for debate, here are our top 10 most iconic plays in the NFL.
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Table of Contents
Top 10 Most Iconic Plays in NFL HistoryThe Best NFL Defensive Plays of All Time
Why You Need a VPN to Stream Live Sports
FAQ
Top 10 Most Iconic Plays in NFL History
1. The Immaculate Reception (1972)
The Game: AFC Divisional Playoff, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Oakland Raiders
The Play: The Steelers were down 7-6 and facing 4th and long with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Terry Bradshaw threw a desperate pass toward running back John Fuqua, needing a first down to extend the drive and keep the Steelers playoff hopes alive. The Raiders Jack Tatum knocked the ball away for what seemed like the winning play. But, just before the hit the ground, Franco Harris somehow caught the ball and ran into the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown.
The play gave the Steelers their first-ever playoff win and is seen as the turning point for the franchise. ‘The Immaculate Reception’ is widely regarded as one of the greatest moments in NFL history.
2. The Catch (1982)
The Game: NFC Championship, San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Play: With under a minute left, the 49ers trailed 27-21 and were at the Cowboys’ 6-yard line. Joe Montana rolled right and, under heavy pressure, lofted a high pass toward the back of the end zone. Dwight Clark leapt and made a fingertip catch over Cowboys’ defensive back Everson Walls to tie the game, and the ensuing extra point gave the 49ers the lead.
‘The Catch’ not only secured the 49ers’ trip to Super Bowl XVI, but also signaled the start of their dynasty, which would dominate the NFL for the next decade. With the combination of the precision pass, excellent catch, and the situations, it’s considered one of the best NFL plays of all time.
3. The Helmet Catch (2008)
The Game: Super Bowl XLII, New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
The Play: Down 14-10 with 1:15 left in the game, David Tyree provided one of the greatest football moments ever for the NY Giants. On 3rd-and-5 from their own 44-yard line, Eli Manning dropped back under tremendous pressure from the Patriots defensive line. He somehow escaped the sack and heaved a deep pass to David Tyree. The ball seemed to stay in the air for a long time before Tyree made a leaping catch and secured the ball against his helmet as he fell to the ground, all while being tightly covered by Patriots safety Rodney Harrison.
This improbable 32-yard catch extended the drive and led to a game-winning touchdown. The Giants’ victory ended the Patriots’ bid for a perfect 19-0 season and became one of the most memorable upsets in Super Bowl history.
4. The Music City Miracle (2000)
The Game: AFC Wild Card Playoff, Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills
The Play: The Bills scored a FG to take a 16-15 lead with just 16 seconds left in the fourth quarter. For the ensuing kickoff, they opted for a high short kick, to force the Titans to return it, which would burn the clock, and keep it out of the hands of their primary return man. But what happened was the best NFL lateral play in playoff history.
Titans running back Lorenzo Neal caught the ball and immediately turned around and handed it off to tight end Frank Wycheck. Wycheck took a few steps to his right and then threw a lateral across the field to wide receiver Kevin Dyson, who then sprinted 75 yards untouched for a touchdown. The controversial play, which was ruled a legal lateral after much debate, gave the Titans a stunning 22-16 victory.
5. The Philly Special (2018)
The Game: Super Bowl LII, Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots
The Play: With 38 seconds left in the first half and facing fourth-and-goal, Eagles coach Doug Pederson called for the ‘Philly Special.’ Quarterback Nick Foles lined up as a receiver, and the ball was snapped directly to running back Corey Clement, who handed it off to tight end Trey Burton. Burton then threw a perfect pass to Foles in the end zone, giving the Eagles a 22-12 lead.
This trick play became iconic as the underdog Eagles went on to win their first Super Bowl, defeating the favored Patriots 41-33.
6. The Hail Mary (1975)
The Game: NFC Divisional Playoff, Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Play: Roger Staubach knew he needed a prayer to beat the Vikings in the NFC playoff game, The Cowboys were down 14-10 with just 24 seconds left in the game when Staubach threw a desperation pass to wide receiver Drew Pearson. Pearson managed to catch the ball at the 5-yard line despite being closely defended, then walked into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
Staubach famously said he “closed his eyes and said a Hail Mary,” coining the term for future last-second desperation passes.
7. The Tuck Rule Play (2002)
The Game: AFC Divisional Playoff, New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders
The Play: The Patriots and Raiders were playing in a snowstorm in Foxborough, and the Patriots trailing 13-10 late in the fourth quarter. The Patriots had the ball, when the Raiders sent in Charles Woodson on a corner blitz. He sacked Tom Brady and appeared to knock the ball out of his hands, causing the fumble. The Raiders recovered the ball, seemingly sealing the victory.
However, after an instant replay review, officials ruled that Brady’s arm was moving forward when the ball was knocked loose, invoking the obscure ‘tuck rule’ and changing the fumble into an incomplete pass. The Patriots offense stayed on the field and tied the game with a field goal, and won in overtime, marking the beginning of the Brady-Belichick dynasty.
8. The Minneapolis Miracle (2018)
The Game: NFC Divisional Playoff, Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints
The Play: Time was ticking away on the Vikings season. Down 24-23 at their own 39 and no timeouts, they had one last play to hope for a miracle. Quarterback Case Keenum threw a deep pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs near the right sideline.
Diggs leapt into the air to catch the ball, as Saints safety Marcus Williams completely missed the tackle. Diggs turned upfield and went 61 yards into the end zone as time expired, giving the Vikings a 29-24 victory. The play sent the crowd into a frenzy and secured the Vikings’ spot in the NFC Championship game.
9. The Ice Bowl QB Sneak (1967)
The Game: NFL Championship Game, Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Play: Played in -13°F conditions, the Ice Bowl was the coldest NFL game ever recorded. With just 16 seconds remaining and the Packers trailing 17-14 on the Cowboys’ 1-yard line, quarterback Bart Starr executed a quarterback sneak behind Jerry Kramer’s block, plunging into the end zone for the winning touchdown.
The Packers won 21-17, securing their third straight NFL Championship and cementing their status as one of the greatest teams in NFL history.
10. Beast Quake (2011)
The Game: NFC Wild Card Playoff, Seattle Seahawks vs. New Orleans Saints
The Play: Leading 34-30 with 3:22 left, the Seahawks needed a first down to seal the game. Running back Marshawn Lynch made one of the best plays in NFL history when he took the handoff, broke nine tackles, and rumbled 67 yards for a touchdown. At one point during the run, he unleashed his signature stiff arm on Saints cornerback Tracy Porter, tossing him aside like a rag doll.
The play caused such an eruption of noise at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field that it registered on a nearby seismograph, giving the play its nickname ‘Beast Quake.’ The Seahawks’ upset victory, as a 7-9 team, remains one of the most shocking playoff moments in NFL history.
The Best NFL Defensive Plays of All Time
Defensive plays might not be as iconic as offensive ones, but they can completely change the course of a game.
One of the most memorable is Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception in Super Bowl XLIX. With the Seahawks just a yard away from a game-winning touchdown, Butler’s incredible read and interception secured the victory for the Patriots in one of the most dramatic finishes ever.
Another iconic moment is Lawrence Taylor’s strip-sack of Joe Theismann in 1985, a play that not only highlighted Taylor’s dominance but also ended Theismann’s career.
James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII is yet another unforgettable defensive play. With the Cardinals about to score before halftime, Harrison picked off Kurt Warner and returned it all the way for a touchdown, giving the Steelers the momentum they needed to win.
Similarly, the St. Louis Rams’ goal-line stand against Kevin Dyson in Super Bowl XXXIV is legendary. In the final seconds, Rams linebacker Mike Jones tackled Dyson just inches short of the end zone, preserving the Rams’ 23-16 victory.
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FAQ
‘The Immaculate Reception’ in 1972 is one of the legendary and iconic plays in the NFL. It had everything: it was a Hail Mary pass thrown in the final seconds of a playoff game that appeared to be stopped by a great defensive play. Instead, Franco Harris somehow managed to catch it with his fingertips and score the game winning touchdown. The play was so unexpected and dramatic that it’s still talked about today, and it’s considered by many to be the greatest moment in NFL history.
This can vary by fan base, but most unbiased fans will agree that it’s ‘The Catch’ during the 1982 NFC Championship game. It helped create the legend of “Joe Cool,” as Montana led the 49ers down the field, before finishing the drive with a game-winning touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone with less than a minute left. This moment launched the 49ers’ dynasty and is remembered as one of the greatest clutch performances in NFL history.
David Tyree’s ‘Helmet Catch’ during Super Bowl XLII in 2008 will go down as the best catch in NFL history. In a critical moment, with the New York Giants losing to the undefeated New England Patriots, Tyree made an impossible catch by pinning the football against his helmet while falling to the ground. This play was pivotal in the Giants’ upset victory, ending the Patriots’ perfect season and solidifying its place in NFL lore.
The Super Bowl is more than just a game to determine the NFL champion. It’s grown bigger than the game, with marketers and performers doing everything they can to be included in the festivities. Companies spend millions of dollars for a 0:30 ad spot, the halftime is a concert with top performers, and the stands are filled with celebrities.
The 1958 NFL Championship Game, famously known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” probably had the biggest impact of the NFL as we know it today. The Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants 23-17 in the first-ever sudden-death overtime in NFL history. This game is credited with significantly boosting the popularity of the NFL, helping to establish it as America’s premier sports league.
The rarest play in NFL history is the ‘Fair Catch Kick,’ a little-known rule that allows a team to attempt a free kick for a field goal after making a fair catch. This play is extremely rare because it requires specific circumstances, including a fair catch close to the opponent’s end zone. While legal, it is seldom seen in games, making it one of the most unusual and infrequent plays in NFL history.
One of the most famous football passes is Ben Roethlisberger’s game-winning throw to Santonio Holmes in Super Bowl XLIII. With just 35 seconds left, Roethlisberger delivered a precise pass to the corner of the end zone, where Holmes made a stunning toe-tapping catch to secure the Pittsburgh Steelers’ victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
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