Several National Football League games and plays throughout its history have been given names by the media, football fans, and as part of an NFL team's lore as a result of a distinctive play associated with the game, as a result of a unique outcome of or circumstance behind the game, or for other reasons that make the game notable. [1]
The following is a list of games that have been given names that are widely used or recalled in reference to the game or as part of an NFL team's lore. This list does not include games named only after being an NFL/AFL Championship game or Super Bowl game unless they are referred to by a name besides their official yearly name (i.e. 28-3 for Super Bowl LI).
Name | Date | Away team | Score | Home team | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Sneakers Game | December 9, 1934 | Chicago Bears | 13–30 | New York Giants | 1934 NFL Championship Game. Notable for Giants players switching to basketball sneakers in the middle of the game and winning. [2] |
73–0 | December 8, 1940 | Chicago Bears | 73–0 | Washington Redskins | The Chicago Bears scored eleven touchdowns and won 73–0, the most one-sided victory in NFL history to date. [3] |
The Greatest Game Ever Played | December 28, 1958 | Baltimore Colts | 23–17 | New York Giants | First NFL playoff game to be decided in sudden death overtime. [9] Marked the beginning of the NFL's popularity surge and eventual rise to the top of the United States sports market. [10] |
Ice Bowl | December 31, 1967 | Dallas Cowboys | 17–21 | Green Bay Packers | 1967 NFL Championship Game. The coldest game played in NFL history, with a wind chill of −36 °F (−38 °C). [11] |
Heidi Game | November 17, 1968 | New York Jets | 32–43 | Oakland Raiders | Notable for game broadcaster NBC's choice to break coverage in the East Coast to broadcast the television film Heidi , causing many viewers to miss the Raiders' two-touchdown comeback. [12] [13] |
The Santa Claus Game | December 15, 1968 | Minnesota Vikings | 24–17 | Philadelphia Eagles | Notable for Eagles fans upset by their team's poor season pelted a halftime Christmas parade with a Santa Claus actor with snowballs. [14] [15] |
The Guarantee | January 12, 1969 | New York Jets | 16–7 | Baltimore Colts | Super Bowl III. 19 1⁄2-point underdog American Football League (AFL) champion New York Jets upset the National Football League (NFL) champion Baltimore Colts, following Jets quarterback Joe Nameth personally guaranteeing his team's victory. [16] [17] [18] |
Miracle at the Met | December 14, 1980 | Cleveland Browns | 23–28 | Minnesota Vikings | Minnesota Vikings comeback in the 4th quarter down 23–9 as a result of two touchdowns to wide receiver Ahmad Rashad in the last two minutes, including a 46-yard Hail Mary pass caught with one hand on the last play of the game. [19] [20] |
Announcerless Game | December 20, 1980 | New York Jets | 24–17 | Miami Dolphins | Experimental NBC game broadcast lacking any commentators to cover it. [21] |
Epic in Miami | January 2, 1982 | San Diego Chargers | 41–38 | Miami Dolphins | 1981-82 NFL playoff game notable for having 79 combined points with exceptional performances of players on both teams and having numerous NFL records set. [22] |
Freezer Bowl | January 10, 1982 | San Diego Chargers | 7–27 | Cincinnati Bengals | 1981 AFC Championship Game. Coldest game temperature in NFL history in terms of wind chill at −59 °F (−51 °C) under the calculation method then in use. [23] |
Snowplow Game | December 12, 1982 | Miami Dolphins | 0–3 | New England Patriots | Controversial game where a snowplow operator cleared snow in front of New England kicker John Smith by request of Patriots head coach Ron Meyer, allowing a game-winning field goal for the Patriots. [24] [25] |
Snowball Game (1985) | November 11, 1985 | San Francisco 49ers | 16–17 | Denver Broncos | Notable for spectators at Denver's Mile High Stadium disrupting a 49ers' field goal attempt by throwing snowballs from the stands, helping the Denver Broncos home team to win. [26] [27] |
Snow Bowl (1985) | December 1, 1985 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0–21 | Green Bay Packers | Played in the midst of an ongoing snowstorm dropping over 14 inches (36 cm) of snow before, during, and after the game. [28] [29] |
Fog Bowl | December 31, 1988 | Philadelphia Eagles | 12–20 | Chicago Bears | Played as dense fog rolled over Chicago's Soldier Field during the 2nd quarter, cutting visibility to about 15–20 yards for the rest of the game, preventing many players from seeing the sidelines or first-down markers. [30] [31] |
Instant Replay Game | November 5, 1989 | Chicago Bears | 13–14 | Green Bay Packers | Overturned penalty call by using instant replay, allowing a Green Bay Packers touchdown to stand to win them the game against their division rival Chicago Bears. [32] [33] |
Bounty Bowl | November 23, 1989 | Philadelphia Eagles | 27–0 | Dallas Cowboys | Notable for allegations that the Eagles put a $200 bounty on Cowboys kicker Luis Zendejas, who had been cut by Philadelphia earlier that season. [34] |
Bounty Bowl II | December 10, 1989 | Dallas Cowboys | 10–20 | Philadelphia Eagles | Rematch of Bounty Bowl I, where Eagles fans threw objects at Cowboys players and coaches, game officials, and game announcers. [35] |
Body Bag Game | November 12, 1990 | Washington Redskins | 14–28 | Philadelphia Eagles | Game where nine Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders) players left with injuries. [36] |
No Punt Game | September 13, 1992 | Buffalo Bills | 34–31 | San Francisco 49ers | First NFL game where no punts occurred for either team for the entire game, widely regarded as one of the NFL's best games with multiple future Hall of Famers. [37] |
The Comeback | January 3, 1993 | Houston Oilers | 38–41 | Buffalo Bills | 1992–93 playoff game where the Buffalo Bills overcame a 35–3 deficit to defeat the visiting Houston Oilers 41–38 in overtime, thus setting the record for largest comeback in NFL history until the 2022 NFL season. [38] [39] [40] |
Fake Spike Game | November 27, 1994 | Miami Dolphins | 28–24 | New York Jets | Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino ran a trick play, pretending to stop the game clock but instead threw a pass that scored the game-winning touchdown, ultimately giving Miami the 28–24 victory. [41] |
Snowball Game (1995) | December 23, 1995 | San Diego Chargers | 27–17 | New York Giants | Major snowstorm prior to the game prompted fans to throw snowballs in the stands and onto the field, resulting in the Giants being forced to forfeit the game. [42] [43] [44] |
The Catch II | January 3, 1999 | Green Bay Packers | 27–30 | San Francisco 49ers | Wild Card Playoff game notable for a 49ers game-winning pass with 8 seconds left in the 4th quarter. [45] [46] |
Pickle Juice Game | September 3, 2000 | Philadelphia Eagles | 41–14 | Dallas Cowboys | Notable for the Eagles' use of pickle juice for hydration due to field temperatures reaching 130 degrees F. [47] [48] |
Monday Night Miracle | October 23, 2000 | Miami Dolphins | 37–40 | New York Jets | Jets comeback game with 23 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 30, winning in overtime. [49] |
Bottlegate | December 16, 2001 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 15–10 | Cleveland Browns | Notable for Browns fans throwing objects such as beer bottles onto the field in response to referees going against the rules by overturning a Browns 4th down conversion made two plays prior, resulting in the game ending early. [50] [51] |
Tuck Rule Game | January 19, 2002 | Oakland Raiders | 13–16 | New England Patriots | 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game where a Patriots fumble was overturned by officials due to Patriots QB Tom Brady appearing to "tuck" the ball in, ruling it an incomplete pass and leading to a Patriots victory and Super Bowl XXXVI win. [52] [53] |
We want the ball and we're going to score! | January 4, 2004 | Seattle Seahawks | 27–33 | Green Bay Packers | 2003 NFC Wild-Card Playoff Game where Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck proclaimed "we want the ball and we're going to score!" after winning the overtime coin toss, before throwing a game-losing pick-six. [54] [55] |
4th and 26 | January 11, 2004 | Green Bay Packers | 17–20 | Philadelphia Eagles | 2003–04 playoff overtime victory for the Eagles due to Eagles' quarterback Donovan McNabb completing a 28-yard pass to wide receiver Freddie Mitchell for a first down while at 4th down, 26 yards from the first down marker in the 4th quarter. [56] [57] |
Fútbol Americano | October 2, 2005 | San Francisco 49ers | 14–31 | Arizona Cardinals | Marketing name for the first NFL game held outside the United States, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. [58] [59] |
They are who we thought they were! | October 16, 2006 | Chicago Bears | 24–23 | Arizona Cardinals | Comeback victory for the Bears after trailing by 20 points at halftime, which is notable for an angry post-game rant by Cardinals head coach Dennis Green. [60] [61] |
Miracle at the New Meadowlands | December 19, 2010 | Philadelphia Eagles | 38–31 | New York Giants | Comeback victory for the Eagles after being down by 21 points with eight minutes left in the 4th quarter, scoring four unanswered touchdowns and DeSean Jackson winning on a punt return as time expired for the first time in NFL history. [62] [63] |
3:16 game | January 8, 2012 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 23–29 | Denver Broncos | 2011–12 NFL playoff game with five statistics containing three digits in the order 3–1–6, exactly three years after Broncos QB Tim Tebow wore eye black with the John 3:16 Bible verse. [64] [65] [66] |
Mile High Miracle | January 12, 2013 | Baltimore Ravens | 38–35 | Denver Broncos | 2012 AFC Divisional playoff game with 28 points scored in the first eleven minutes and five lead changes decided by double overtime. Named after a game-tying 70-yard touchdown pass from Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco to receiver Jacoby Jones with under a minute left in regulation. [67] [68] |
Dez Caught It | January 11, 2015 | Dallas Cowboys | 21–26 | Green Bay Packers | 2014-2015 Divisional Playoff game notorious for a controversially overturned catch caught by Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant as he was lunging towards the end zone, allowing the Green Bay Packers to win. |
Miracle in Motown | December 3, 2015 | Green Bay Packers | 27–23 | Detroit Lions | Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw a 61-yard (56 m) Hail Mary pass into the end-zone that was caught by tight end Richard Rodgers II for the game-winning touchdown after trailing 20–0 in the second half. [69] [70] |
The Meltdown at Paul Brown | January 9, 2016 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 18–16 | Cincinnati Bengals | Game with multiple injuries and personal fouls by both teams, culminating in two game-losing penalties caused by a helmet strike by Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict against Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, followed by Adam "Pacman" Jones conflicting with Steelers linebackers coach Joey Porter. [71] [72] [73] |
28–3 | February 5, 2017 | New England Patriots | 34–28 | Atlanta Falcons | Super Bowl LI, featuring the Patriots coming back from a 28–3 score deficit midway through the third quarter to win the first Super Bowl won in overtime, despite an estimated 99.8% chance of a Falcons victory in the third quarter. Regarded by many media outlets as the best Super Bowl of all time. [74] [75] [76] [77] |
Snow Bowl (2017) | December 10, 2017 | Indianapolis Colts | 7–13 | Buffalo Bills | Game held in the midst of a heavy lake-effect snow storm that ultimately dumped 16.7 inches (42 cm) of snow in Orchard Park, with 8 to 9 inches (20 to 23 cm) falling during the game alone. [78] [79] |
Same Old Browns | January 10, 2021 | Cleveland Browns | 48–37 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 2020–21 NFL playoff game with the Browns leading against the Steelers 28–0 by the end of the first quarter, resulting in the Browns' first playoff win in 26 years. The victory followed derogatory comments made by Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster calling the Browns' roster "nameless gray faces" and saying "The Browns is the Browns". [80] [81] [82] |
The Return | October 3, 2021 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 19–17 | New England Patriots | Tom Brady's first game at the New England Patriots' Gillette Stadium after leaving the team and signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. [83] [84] [85] |
13 Seconds | January 23, 2022 | Buffalo Bills | 36–42 | Kansas City Chiefs | 2021 AFC Divisional playoff game featuring both the Bills' QB Josh Allen and the Chiefs' QB Patrick Mahomes throwing for 300 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and rushing for at least 50 yards, culminating in a Mahomes 44-yard drive with 13 seconds left to bring the game to overtime for the Chiefs to ultimately win. The game also resulted in changes to overtime rules to allow both teams to possess the ball. [86] [87] |
Minneapolis Miracle II | December 17, 2022 | Indianapolis Colts | 36–39 | Minnesota Vikings | The largest comeback in NFL history, with the Minnesota Vikings overcoming a 33–0 halftime deficit. [88] [89] |
The Pick at the Stick | December 23, 2013 | San Francisco 49ers | 34-24 | Atlanta Falcons | 49ers clinched a playoff spot when NaVorro Bowman intercepted Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and returned the interception for a 89-yard touchdown. This was the last 49ers home game played at Candlestick Park. [90] |
Name | Date | Away team | Score | Home team | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Hit | November 20, 1960 | Philadelphia Eagles | 17–10 | New York Giants | Eagles Chuck Bednarik tackled Giants player Frank Gifford, knocking him unconscious and delivering him a deep concussion requiring hospitalization. Considered to be among the most vicious defensive tackles in professional football history. [91] |
The Wrong Way Run | October 25, 1964 | Minnesota Vikings | 27–22 | San Francisco 49ers | Minnesota Vikings defensive end accidentally ran the wrong way into his own end zone after retrieving an offensive fumble, causing a safety. [92] [93] |
Immaculate Reception | December 23, 1972 | Oakland Raiders | 7–13 | Pittsburgh Steelers | From a 1972 AFC divisional playoff game where a Steelers pass bounced off of a Raider's helmet before being caught by Steelers fullback Franco Harris for a game-winning touchdown. [94] [95] |
The Sea of Hands | December 21, 1974 | Miami Dolphins | 26–28 | Oakland Raiders | From a 1974–75 NFL playoff game where Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler launched a touchdown pass to running back Clarence Davis, who wrestled the ball away from multiple Miami defenders to secure victory for the Raiders and ending Miami's historic run of Super Bowl appearances. [96] |
Hail Mary | December 28, 1975 | Dallas Cowboys | 17–14 | Minnesota Vikings | From a NFL playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings on December 28, 1975, when Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach threw a long last-ditch game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Drew Pearson, and later dubbed the name of the Hail Mary pass. [97] [98] |
Ghost to the Post | December 24, 1977 | Oakland Raiders | 37–31 | Baltimore Colts | 42-yard pass from Raiders QB Ken Stabler to Dave Casper, nicknamed "The Ghost" that set up a game-tying field goal in the final seconds of regulation in a double-overtime 1977-1978 AFC divisional playoff game. [99] [100] |
Holy Roller | September 10, 1978 | Oakland Raiders | 21–20 | San Diego Chargers | Controversial game-winning play where Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler fumbled the ball forward, followed by several other Raiders players pushing the ball towards the end zone for a touchdown that was ruled as a forward fumble instead of a forward pass. [101] |
Miracle at the Meadowlands | November 19, 1978 | Philadelphia Eagles | 19–17 | New York Giants | Botched attempt at a Giants handoff leading to a fumble recovered by Eagles defensive back Herm Edwards for a touchdown, despite the Giants just needing to run out the final seconds to win. Resulted in the universal adoption of the quarterback kneel to end games and the firing of Giants offensive coordinator Bob Gibson. [102] [103] [104] |
Red Right 88 | January 4, 1981 | Oakland Raiders | 14–12 | Cleveland Browns | 1980–81 NFL playoff game play where an interception of a "Red Slot Right, Halfback Stay, 88," pass play in the end zone by Raiders safety Mike Davis, despite the Browns being in range of a field goal, put an end to the Browns' season. [105] [106] [107] |
The Catch | January 10, 1982 | Dallas Cowboys | 27–28 | San Francisco 49ers | Play during the 1981 NFC Championship Game. Leaping grab in the back of the end zone to complete a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Montana, enabling the 49ers to defeat the Cowboys and eventually win Super Bowl XVI. [108] [109] |
The Drive | January 11, 1987 | Denver Broncos | 23–20 | Cleveland Browns | 98-yard offensive drive conducted in the 4th quarter of the 1986 AFC Championship Game by Broncos quarterback John Elway, in a span of 5 minutes and 2 seconds to tie the game and allow a game winning field goal in overtime against the Browns. [110] [111] |
The Fumble | January 17, 1988 | Cleveland Browns | 33–38 | Denver Broncos | Game-losing fumble by the Browns against the Broncos in the 1987 AFC Championship Game, a rematch of the game The Drive occurred in. [112] [113] |
Wide Right | January 27, 1991 | Buffalo Bills | 19–20 | New York Giants | Missed game-winning 47-yard field goal attempt by Bills kicker Scott Norwood at the end of Super Bowl XXV, resulting in the victory of the opposing New York Giants. [114] [115] |
Clock Play | November 27, 1994 | Miami Dolphins | 28–24 | New York Jets | See Fake Spike Game above. |
Immaculate Deflection | January 14, 1996 | Indianapolis Colts | 16–20 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Play in the 1995 AFC Championship Game where Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh threw a Hail Mary pass deflected by multiple players before being mistakingly ruled a dropped pass by officials once caught the end zone by the intended receiver, Aaron Bailey, causing the Steelers to advance to Super Bowl XXX. [116] [117] |
Music City Miracle | January 8, 2000 | Buffalo Bills | 16–22 | Tennessee Titans | Play during the 1999–2000 playoffs where Titans tight end Frank Wycheck threw a lateral pass across the field to Kevin Dyson, who then ran 75 yards to score the game-winning touchdown. [118] [119] |
One Yard Short | January 30, 2000 | St. Louis Rams | 23–16 | Tennessee Titans | Final play of Super Bowl XXXIV where Rams linebacker Mike Jones tackled Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson one yard short of the goal line to prevent a potential game-tying touchdown. [120] [121] |
River City Relay | December 21, 2003 | New Orleans Saints | 19–20 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Play where the Saints used three laterals to score a touchdown as time expired in regulation before New Orleans kicker John Carney missed the ensuing extra point that would have sent the game into overtime, and instead gave Jacksonville the 20–19 victory. [122] [123] |
The Immaculate Redemption | January 15, 2006 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 21–18 | Indianapolis Colts | 2005 AFC Divisional playoff game play where a late-game fumble by Steelers running back Jerome Bettis was recovered by Colts player Nick Harper and returned near midfield just as the Steelers appeared to have the game won, until Ben Roethlisberger made a shoestring tackle to prevent what would have likely been a game-winning touchdown for the Colts. [124] [125] |
Helmet Catch | February 3, 2008 | New York Giants | 17–14 | New England Patriots | Play made in the final two minutes of Super Bowl XLII where Giants QB Eli Manning escaped from three New England Patriots defensive players and throwing a forward pass, followed by David Tyree making a leaping catch by pressing the ball against his helmet, leading to a game-winning touchdown, and upset victory over the Patriots, who were on the verge of becoming the first National Football League (NFL) team to finish a season undefeated and untied since the 1972 Miami Dolphins. [126] [127] [128] |
The Dan Orlovsky | October 12, 2008 | Detroit Lions | 10–12 | Minnesota Vikings | Accidental running out of the back of the end zone resulting in a safety by Lions QB Dan Orlovsky in his first career NFL start, leading to a two-point deficit to ultimately lose the game in the Lions' eventual 0–16 season. [129] [130] Subsequent runs out of the back of the end zone by other QBs such as Jimmy Garoppolo or Gardner Minshew have been called "pulling a Dan Orlovsky" by media outlets. [131] [132] [133] |
Beast Quake | January 8, 2011 | New Orleans Saints | 36–41 | Seattle Seahawks | Touchdown by Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, nicknamed "Beast Mode", running 67 yards and breaking nine tackles, resulting in the subsequent celebration of Seahawks fans registering on a nearby seismograph. [134] [135] [136] |
Fail Mary | September 24, 2012 | Green Bay Packers | 12–14 | Seattle Seahawks | Final play resulting in a game-winning Hail Mary touchdown being ruled for the Seahawks despite an offensive pass interference penalty and a simultaneous possession catch. [137] [138] |
Butt Fumble | November 22, 2012 | New England Patriots | 49–19 | New York Jets | Infamous play occurring in front of the Jets home crowd of over 79,000 fans at MetLife Stadium and a primetime television audience of over 20 million, where Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez collided with the buttocks of his teammate, offensive lineman Brandon Moore, causing a fumble recovered by the Patriots' safety Steve Gregory to be returned for a touchdown. [139] [140] |
The Tip | January 19, 2014 | San Francisco 49ers | 17–23 | Seattle Seahawks | 2013 NFC Championship Game play where With 30 seconds left in regulation, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick threw a pass to Michael Crabtree in the right corner of the endzone that was deflected by cornerback Richard Sherman directly into linebacker Malcolm Smith's hands for an interception, effectively sealing the Seahawks victory and allowing them to win their first Super Bowl win at Super Bowl XLVIII. [141] |
Colts Catastrophe | October 18, 2015 | New England Patriots | 34–27 | Indianapolis Colts | Unsuccessful Colts fake punt trick play leading to only upback Colt Anderson set to receive the ball from gunner Griff Whalen with no protection, resulting in an immediate tackle for a loss after the ball was snapped and illegal formation penalty on the Colts, with New England taking over on downs. Broadly regarded as one of the worst plays in NFL history. [142] [143] [144] |
Immaculate Extension | December 25, 2016 | Baltimore Ravens | 27–31 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Catch by Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown at the Baltimore 1-yard line, which he extended over the goal line despite being tackled by two Baltimore defenders to take the lead and win the game. [145] |
Minneapolis Miracle | January 14, 2018 | New Orleans Saints | 24–29 | Minnesota Vikings | 2017–18 playoff game play where on the last play of the game, Vikings quarterback Case Keenum threw a pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs; Saints safety Marcus Williams missed a tackle, allowing Diggs to run to the end zone to complete the 61-yard touchdown pass. The game became the first in NFL playoff history to end in a touchdown as time expired. [146] [147] |
Philly Special | February 4, 2018 | Philadelphia Eagles | 41–33 | New England Patriots | Super Bowl LII trick play with the ball snapped by Eagles center Jason Kelce to running back Corey Clement, flipped to Trey Burton, and thrown to Eagles QB Nick Foles who ran for a touchdown, helping the Eagles win their first championship in 57 years. Nick Foles became the first player in Super Bowl history to both throw and catch a touchdown pass during a Super Bowl game. [148] [149] [150] |
Miracle in Miami | December 9, 2018 | New England Patriots | 33–34 | Miami Dolphins | The first walk-off game-winning touchdown in NFL history to involve multiple lateral passes. [151] [152] |
Double Doink | January 6, 2019 | Philadelphia Eagles | 16–15 | Chicago Bears | 2018 NFC Wild Card game-ending field goal attempt by Bears kicker Cody Parkey that was partially deflected by Eagles defensive lineman Treyvon Hester before the ball hit the left upright and then bounced off the crossbar away from the scoring goal, resulting in a Bears loss. [153] [154] |
NOLA No-Call | January 20, 2019 | Los Angeles Rams | 26–23 | New Orleans Saints | Missed pass interference call on the Rams during the 2018 NFC Championship Game, preventing a touchdown to effectively win the game that significantly contributed to the Saints' loss, resulting in significant backlash against NFL officiating. [155] [156] [157] |
Jet Chip Wasp | February 2, 2020 | San Francisco 49ers | 20–31 | Kansas City Chiefs | Super Bowl LIV play involving Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' largest 2019 season air-distance completion at 57.1 yards in the air to WR Tyreek Hill. [158] [159] |
Hail Murray | November 15, 2020 | Buffalo Bills | 30–32 | Arizona Cardinals | Play involving Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throwing a 43-yard Hail Mary pass into the end zone that wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught over three Bills defenders for the game-winning touchdown. [160] [161] |
The Butt Punt | September 25, 2022 | Buffalo Bills | 19–21 | Miami Dolphins | Infamous punt where Dolphins punter Thomas Morstead kicked the ball into the backside of Dolphins blocker Trent Sherfield due to him being lined up too close to Morstead, causing the ball to roll out of the end zone for a safety. [162] [163] [164] |
Lunatic Lateral | December 18, 2022 | New England Patriots | 24–30 | Las Vegas Raiders | Game-losing double lateral that ended up being thrown to Raiders defender Chandler Jones for a walk-off touchdown, occurring four years after the Miracle in Miami. [165] [166] |
Hell Mary / Fail Mary (2023) | November 24, 2023 | Miami Dolphins | 34–13 | New York Jets | Failed Hail Mary pass by Jets QB Tim Boyle while attempting to take the lead at the end of the first half, leading to a 99-yard pick-six returned from one end of the field to the other by Dolphins safety Jevon Holland. Compared to the Butt Fumble, as both occurred on Thanksgiving weekend. [167] [168] [169] [170] |
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James Richard Garoppolo, nicknamed "Jimmy G", is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Eastern Illinois Panthers, setting multiple school records for career passing yards and passing touchdowns and winning the Walter Payton Award as a senior. Garoppolo was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft by the New England Patriots, where he spent his first four seasons as Tom Brady's backup and was a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams.
The Tom Brady–Peyton Manning rivalry was a series of games that took place between 2001 and 2015 involving two quarterbacks in the National Football League (NFL): Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. It is considered by many to be the greatest individual NFL rivalry of all time, and has been compared to other legendary sports rivalries, such as Magic–Bird in basketball, Ali–Frazier in boxing, and Messi–Ronaldo in association football.
Jacoby JaJuan Brissett is an American professional football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Following a stint with the Florida Gators, he played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and was selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. Brissett was traded to the Indianapolis Colts after his rookie season, where he was their primary starter in 2017 and 2019. He spent his next three seasons alternating as the starter and backup with the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, and Washington Commanders, before rejoining the Patriots in 2024.
DeForest George Buckner is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. With the 49ers, Buckner made a Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2019. With the Colts, he was selected to the first-team All Pro in 2020 and made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2023.
Nathan Michael Sudfeld is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football at Indiana and was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round in the 2016 NFL draft. Sudfeld also spent four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles as a backup quarterback, seeing occasional playing time and was a part of their Super Bowl LII-winning team.
Marquez Reshard Valdes-Scantling, also known by his initials MVS, is an American professional football player who is currently a free agent. He played college football at NC State and South Florida, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, where he won Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII in his two seasons with the team.
Buffalo Bills-From 32 points behind to win
The Buffalo Bills overcame a 32-point third-quarter Houston lead
Of course, afterward in the locker room Stabler said he intentionally had fumbled the ball forward, which would have been an incompleted, forward pass under the rule.
There was the 1995 AFC championship game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, when the Colts trailed 20–16 in the final minutes