By Richard D. Harroch and Dominique A. Harroch
The National Football League (NFL) has been the stage for countless unforgettable moments. From breathtaking game-winning touchdowns to improbable comebacks, the NFL showcases the very essence of athleticism, strategy, and drama. Over the decades, fans have been treated to extraordinary plays that have left lasting marks on the league’s history and elevated the sport to new heights.
What makes a play truly great? It’s not just about athletic prowess—it’s the context, stakes, and the sheer improbability of what unfolds on the field. Some of the most iconic plays have occurred during the playoffs or during Super Bowls, when the pressure is at its peak. Others have become memorable because they represent moments of innovation, resilience, or pure magic.
This article recounts the 10 greatest plays in NFL history, with research assistance from ChatGPT. Each play embodies the spirit of football, combining skill, determination, and heart-stopping excitement. Let’s relive these legendary moments and celebrate the athletes who made them possible.
1. The Immaculate Reception (1972)
Franco Harris’s miraculous catch in the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders is one of the most iconic plays in NFL history. With 22 seconds left on the clock, quarterback Terry Bradshaw launched a desperate pass that ricocheted off a defender before Harris scooped it up inches from the turf and ran it into the end zone for a game-winning touchdown.
- Game: AFC
- Divisional Playoff, Steelers vs. Raiders
- Date: December 23, 1972
- Players Involved: Franco Harris, Terry Bradshaw
- Impact: Gave the Steelers their first playoff win and launched their dynasty
- Controversy: Debate over whether the ball touched the ground or another player
- Legacy: Often ranked as the greatest play in NFL history
2. The Helmet Catch (2008)
In Super Bowl XLII, Quarterback Eli Manning avoided a sack and threw a 32-yard pass to David Tyree, who made an improbable catch by pinning the ball against his helmet. This play set up the New York Giants’ game-winning touchdown, ending the New England Patriots’ quest for an undefeated season.
- Game: Super Bowl XLII, Giants vs. Patriots
- Date: February 3, 2008
- Players Involved: Eli Manning, David Tyree
- Impact: Helped secure the Giants’ stunning 17-14 victory
- Drive Outcome: Led to a touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress
- Legacy: A defining moment in Super Bowl history
3. The Music City Miracle (2000)
In the final seconds of the 2000 AFC Wild Card Game, the Tennessee Titans executed a perfectly timed lateral-filled kickoff return that culminated in Kevin Dyson sprinting to the end zone for a game-winning touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.
- Game: AFC Wild Card Game, Titans vs. Bills
- Date: January 8, 2000
- Players Involved: Kevin Dyson, Frank Wycheck
- Impact: Propelled the Titans to the Super Bowl
- Controversy: Debate over whether the lateral pass was an illegal forward pass
- Legacy: Known as one of the most dramatic finishes in NFL playoff history
4. The Catch (1982)
Joe Montana’s game-winning touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the NFC Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys is one of the most iconic moments in NFL history. “The Catch” sent the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl XVI and marked the beginning of their dynasty.
- Game: NFC Championship, 49ers vs. Cowboys
- Date: January 10, 1982
- Players Involved: Joe Montana, Dwight Clark
- Impact: Secured the 49ers’ first Super Bowl appearance
- Legacy: Immortalized Montana and Clark as legends of the game
5. Tony Dorsett’s 99-Yard Run (1983)
Tony Dorsett made history with a 99-yard touchdown run for the Dallas Cowboys against the Minnesota Vikings, a feat that has never been surpassed in NFL history.
- Game: Regular season, Cowboys vs. Vikings
- Date: January 3, 1983
- Players Involved: Tony Dorsett
- Impact: Remains the longest run from scrimmage in NFL history
- Stat Line: Finished the game with 153 rushing yards
6. The Philly Special (2018)
In Super Bowl LII, quarterback Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles executed a daring trick play where Foles caught a touchdown pass from Trey Burton, helping the Eagles secure their first Super Bowl victory.
- Game: Super Bowl LII, Eagles vs. Patriots
- Date: February 4, 2018
- Players Involved: Nick Foles, Trey Burton
- Impact: Shifted momentum and became a symbol of the Eagles’ creativity
- Legacy: One of the gutsiest calls in Super Bowl history
7. John Elway’s Helicopter Play (1998)
In Super Bowl XXXII, Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway scrambled for a first down, spinning in mid-air after being hit by multiple defenders. The play epitomized Elway’s determination to win his first Super Bowl.
- Game: Super Bowl XXXII, Broncos vs. Packers
- Date: January 25, 1998
- Players Involved: John Elway
- Impact: Key play in securing the Broncos’ first Super Bowl win
- Legacy: Defined Elway’s grit and leadership
8. Desmond Howard’s Kickoff Return (1997)
In Super Bowl XXXI, Desmond Howard returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, sealing the Green Bay Packers’ victory over the New England Patriots.
- Game: Super Bowl XXXI, Packers vs. Patriots
- Date: January 26, 1997
- Players Involved: Desmond Howard
- Impact: Earned Howard Super Bowl MVP honors
- Legacy: One of the greatest special teams plays in Super Bowl history
9. The Miracle at the Meadowlands (1978)
In a shocking finish, the Philadelphia Eagles recovered a botched handoff by the New York Giants and returned it for a game-winning touchdown.
- Game: Regular season, Eagles vs. Giants
- Date: November 19, 1978
- Players Involved: Herman Edwards
- Impact: Led to the creation of the “victory formation” strategy
- Legacy: Known as one of the biggest blunders in NFL history
10. The Beast Quake (2011)
In a playoff game against the New Orleans Saints, Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks broke nine tackles on a stunning 67-yard touchdown run, causing seismic activity at the stadium.
- Game: NFC Wild Card Game, Seahawks vs. Saints
- Date: January 8, 2011
- Players Involved: Marshawn Lynch
- Impact: Secured an improbable playoff victory for the Seahawks
- Legacy: One of the most electrifying runs in NFL history
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About the Authors
Richard D. Harroch is a Senior Advisor to CEOs, management teams, and Boards of Directors. He is an expert on M&A, venture capital, startups, and business contracts. He was the Managing Director and Global Head of M&A at VantagePoint Capital Partners, a venture capital fund in the San Francisco area. His focus is on internet, digital media, AI and technology companies. He was the founder of several Internet companies. His articles have appeared online in Forbes, Fortune, MSN, Yahoo, Fox Business and AllBusiness.com. Richard is the author of several books on startups and entrepreneurship as well as the co-author of Poker for Dummies and a Wall Street Journal-bestselling book on small business. He is the co-author of a 1,500-page book published by Bloomberg on mergers and acquisitions of privately held companies. He was also a corporate and M&A partner at the international law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. He has been involved in over 200 M&A transactions and 250 startup financings. He can be reached through LinkedIn.
Dominique Harroch is the Chief of Staff at AllBusiness.com. She has acted as a Chief of Staff or Operations Leader for multiple companies where she leveraged her extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and team leadership to drive organizational success. With a background that spans over two decades in operations leadership, event planning at her own start-up and marketing at various financial and retail companies, Dominique is known for her ability to optimize processes, manage complex projects and lead high-performing teams. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. She can be reached via LinkedIn.
Copyright (c) by Richard D. Harroch. All Rights Reserved.