The National Football League looks more like a brutal game of strength and resilience. But every time you see your favorite player grab the ball you get this massive adrenaline rush.
Are you a die-hard NFL fan then we have penned down some of the most iconic moments of the NFL game for you that became memorable to date.
1. The Immaculate Reception (Steelers vs Raiders – 1972)
If you think that 30 seconds aren’t enough to change your life then you are wrong. This miracle of a game shows you the importance of time and luck.
The Immaculate Reception is a 1972 NFL game that featured the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders. The Raiders were up by the barest of margins, 7-6, over the Steelers and only 30 seconds of play was left.
A fateful moment changed the scenario of the game when Terry Bradshaw flung a pass downfield, and the ball ricocheted and went into the hands of Franco Harris.
The Steelers ended up winning the game 13-7 as Harris scored just 5 seconds before the end of the game.
2. Music City Miracle (Buffalo Bills vs Houston Oilers – 2000)
The last-minute NFL games are always fun to watch and when the Buffalo Bills and Houston Oilers (Tennessee Titans) come face to face nobody can leave their seats until the game is over.
The Wild Card AFC Playoff game between the two teams in the year 2000 was also a nail-biting finish. Buffalo Bills’ Steve Christie scored a 41-yard field goal and took his team to a 16-15 lead with only 16 seconds remaining in the game.
It was then that the Titans did something crazy and played a trick. Titans’ Frank Wycheck passed the ball to Kevin Dyson across the field, who ran 75 yards toward the end zone with the ball and the team won with the buzzer.
However, there is a controversy about whether Wycheck’s pass was forward or lateral. But after that, the Bills have never been to the playoffs ever again. Do you think it’s karma?
3. The Catch (Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers – 1982)
You might have seen many splendid catches in the NFL but did you see Dwight Clark’s grab in Super Bowl XXIII which is well-known as “The Catch”?
The 1982 NFC Championship Game between Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers became memorable because of that catch.
Just before the catch, the game was in the favor of the Cowboys as they had a 27-21 lead. But Montana threw a splendid pass to Dwight Clark just 58 seconds before the end of the game.
Clark pulled a jump as high as he could and miraculously caught the ball in time to make the winning touchdown. This boosted the morale of the 49ers as they also won the next game of the Super Bowl.
4. The Undefeated Champions (Miami Dolphins vs San Diego Chargers – 1972)
To sweep through a full-fledged NFL season is not everyone’s cup of tea. Miami Dolphins is the only team that not only swept through the whole regular season but also the playoffs and Super Bowl.
They became the only team that went undefeated for one complete year. This was the year 1972 when Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese became injured in a game against San Diego Chargers in Week 5.
However, instead of losing confidence, the team gelled more in the presence of the backup Earl Morrall. The Miami Dolphins players continued to give unmatched performances until they won all 14 games of the regular season and more.
5. Super Bowl XXV (New York Giants vs Buffalo Bills – 1991)
Super Bowl XXV holds a special place in the hearts of NFL fans and is the closest game in the history of the NFL, as no Super Bowl game has ever been won by a single point.
This was a battle of two different strategies as the Bills were trying all offensive moves that they had, while their counterparts were following a strong defensive game plan.
In the end, the New York Giants managed to defeat the Buffalo Bills 20-19.
The whole stadium was on its feet to see the last kick of Scott Norwood in the closing moments of the game sailed towards the right.
For Giants fans, it was ecstasy when the kick missed but for Bills supporters, it was agony of the highest order.
6. The Tackle (Tennessee Titans vs St. Louis Rams – 2000)
The final playing moment of Super Bowl XXXIV between the Tennessee Titans and the St. Louis Rams is also a memorable one.
The game was completely in Rams control as they were having a seven-point lead, 23-16, over the Titans in the last few minutes of the game.
However, one bold kick by the Titans quarterback Steve McNair brought the Titans back in the game as they came close to the Ram’s 10-yard line.
But only six seconds were left in the game. It was a do-or-die situation for the Titans so McNair hit the ball towards wide receiver Kevin Dyson. The linebacker Mike Jones tackled Dyson before he could throw the ball over the line.
Dyson remained one yard short, and the time ticked off. The game is famous because both teams tried their best to fight till the last second but in the end Rams won fair and square.
7. The Heidi Game (New York Jets vs Oakland Raiders – 1968)
Football fans can go crazy for the game. This was proved in 1968 when an NFL game was going on between the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders.
The Jets were having a lead over the Raiders by 32-29 and just when 1:30 minutes were left in the game, NBC suddenly started broadcasting the movie “Heidi.”
It didn’t go well with the furious Football fans as they flooded NBC with thousands of phone calls. And rightly so, they did miss a great ending as the Raiders made a huge comeback in the last 90 seconds, and ended up winning the game.
This game later on became famous by the name of Heidi and there was a clear message in it by the football fans for the networks that games are important till the last minute.
8. The Comeback (Buffalo Bills vs Houston Oilers – 1993)
You can easily call the 1993 Buffalo Bills vs Houston Oilers game one of the best come-back games in NFL history and most of the credit goes to one man, Frank Reich.
At one stage of the game, the Bills had a 32-point deficit, but Reich marched his team and led them to a 38-35 lead in the fourth quarter.
However, the Oilers also made a comeback in the game and tied it before the end. Bills ended up winning the game 41-38 in overtime. This game reminds football fans that luck favors those who never quit.
