The top 25 most memorable plays in NFL history

10. The Tackle

At least that’s what they called Mike Jones’ last-gasp tackle of Kevin Dyson in St. Louis. Everywhere else, and particularly in Tennessee, that final play of Super Bowl XXXIV is known better as “one yard short.” It has to be the most dramatic final play in Super Bowl history, as Dyson was tackled a yard short of tying the game and forcing the first overtime in the history of the big game.

9. The Helicopter

Tie game late in the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXII and 37-year-old John Elway makes the gutsiest play of his career, taking a three-person hit and going airborne for an eight-yard gain on third-and-seven. Two plays later, the Broncos would get into the end zone. They’d win by seven points.

8. Miracle at the Meadowlands

All the Giants had to do was keep the ball in their possession. Hell, they had taken a knee on first down but opted to give it to Larry Csonka on the next two plays. That proved fatal. Holding a 17-12 lead with the clock running out, New York quarterback Joe Pisarcik bobbled the snap, knocking the ball right to Herman Edwards of the Eagles, who took it the distance to win a crucial divisional game.

7. Leon Lett’s fumble

Another one that speaks for itself. Good thing Dallas still won the game — Super Bowl XXVII — by 35 points.

6. The Catch

In a game that is basically about throwing and catching, it takes on hell of a memorable play in order to earn the moniker “The Catch.” It marked the beginning of the 49ers dynasty as Joe Montana hit Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone on a third down with less than a minute to play in the 1981 NFC championship game, slaying the Goliath Cowboys.

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com (covering Super Bowls XLIV, XLV and XLVI), a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Bloguin, but his day gig has him covering all things NFC East for Bleacher Report.

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