The history of the NFL is filled with memorable moments, from the highs of monumental comebacks to the lows of last-minute defeats. These moments define every generation of football, and some of them will remain in the hearts and minds of football fans forever.
If you’re interested in Online Sports Betting, you already know how unpredictable 60 minutes of football can be. As proof of that fact, here are 10 moments that represent the true pinnacle of NFL entertainment.
Super Bowl I
What better way is there to kick off our list than with the game that started it all. The first Super Bowl was held all the way back in 1966, and its success would eventually lead to the merger of the National Football League and the American Football League.
The Kansas City Chiefs had to take on the Green Day Pacers, but the teams weren’t exactly evenly matched. Despite a valiant effort by the Chiefs team, the Packers walked away with a 35-10 win.
Miracle at the Meadowlands
On November 19th, 1978, the New York Giants faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants were set to win as the end of the 4th quarter approached, but an unwise decision to run the ball ended up being the lifeline that the Eagles needed.
The Giants fumbled a last-minute play, and the Eagles took full advantage to run in a 26-yard touchdown. Ultimately, the Eagles’ clutch victory became an important reminder of the fact that the game isn’t over until the final whistle blows.
4th and 26
4th and 26 is easily one of the most well-known plays ever made. As the name implies, it refers to the 4th quarter ‘Hail Mary’ that allowed the Eagles to make a 26-yard gain, snatching a victory from the jaws of defeat.
Up against the Packers, the Eagles were 3 points behind with less than two minutes left on the clock. After three failed plays, the Eagles pulled off the 4th and 26 and forced the game into overtime. One field goal later, the Eagles won and avoided an early season exit.
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Failure to launch
NFL kickers have one job, but the pressure that comes with it can be unbearable for some players. Such was the case for Buffalo Bills veteran Scott Norwood, who failed to convert a 47-yard field goal that would have led the Bills to a critical victory in Super Bowl XXV.
The Bills were trailing the Giants 20-19 when the perfect opportunity for Norwood arose. However, instead of hitting his target, the veteran’s attempt sailed wide. The Giants ran out the clock to secure a win in what could have been Norwood’s history book moment.
The Music City Miracle
Over 20 years later, NFL fans still regard the Music City Miracle as one of the most famous plays ever made. It allowed the Tennessee Titans to beat the Bills, despite the Bills having a one-point lead with 16 seconds to go.
A cross-field lateral pass right after kickoff gave the Titans the space they needed to run the ball all the way to the goal line. WR Kevin Dyson made an incredible 75-yard run that set the crowd alight, and the Titans went on to win the playoff with an astounding finish.
Beckham’s one-handed catch
Odell Beckham Jr. is one of the best receivers in the NFL. His consistent successes provide more than enough evidence of his talent, but it was his rookie season that led to one of the most astonishing catches NFL fans have ever seen.
In his 12th week playing for the New York Giants, Beckham caught a pass in the endzone with one hand. Not only had the pass come all the way from midfield, but there were two defenders to deal with as well. Beckham managed to beat them both to the punch.
One yard
Few defeats are as heartbreaking as the one suffered by the Titans at Super Bowl XXXIV. Facing the St. Louis Rams, the Titans needed a touchdown to push the game into overtime, and they came so close that it’s agonizing to even think about it.
With 10 yards to go and only six seconds remaining, the Titans managed to find a gap and break the Rams’ defense. However, thanks to a superb last-minute tackle by Mike Jones, Kevin Dyson just couldn’t reach the end zone in time, and the Rams won by seven points.
Photo by Fredrick Lee on Unsplash
The Immaculate Reception
In 1972, during an AFL divisional playoff game, the Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off one of the greatest and most controversial plays the world has ever seen. NFL Films voted it the greatest play of all time, and it was also the greatest play in the NFL Network’s 100 series.
During the last 30 seconds of their game against the Oakland Raiders, the Steelers went for a pass attempt that brought sheer luck into the equation. The ball ricocheted off the initial pass, but FB Franco Harris was there to scoop up the rebound, ending the game with a game-winning touchdown.
AFL vs NFL
After AFL teams lost two consecutive Super Bowl titles to their NFL counterparts, many football fans assumed that the AFL couldn’t match up to the NFL. That perception changed during the 60s when the New York Jets took on the Baltimore Colts at Super Bowl III.
The Jets had a secret weapon – Joe Namath, a charismatic athlete if ever there was one. Prior to the game, a heckler poked fun at the Jets, but Namath responded with a guarantee that his team would take the title. The Jets won 16-7, and the AFL gained the respect of every NFL fan.
The undefeated Dolphins
With a 16-0 winning streak and victory at Super Bowl VII, there’s no doubt that the 1972 NFL season belonged to the Miami Dolphins. The team was simply unstoppable that year, and they remain the only undefeated team to this day.
The championship game saw them facing the Washington Redskins. Oddly enough, despite an unprecedented run of form, the Dolphins were considered the underdogs. Sports bettors who backed them had the last laugh though, as the team went on to win 14-7.