The NFL has witnessed numerous unforgettable games throughout its storied history. Here are 25 of the most notable ones, each leaving a lasting legacy on the sport.
Iconic Super Bowl Games
- Super Bowl XXIII: San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals (January 22, 1989)
- A dramatic game-winning drive by Joe Montana.
- Super Bowl XIII: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys (January 21, 1979)
- A high-scoring showdown featuring Hall of Famers.
- Super Bowl III: New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts (January 12, 1969)
- Joe Namath’s famous guarantee and the Jets’ stunning upset.
- Super Bowl XXV: New York Giants vs. Buffalo Bills (January 27, 1991)
- Known for “Wide Right,” where the Bills’ missed field goal secured the Giants’ victory.
- Super Bowl XXXIV: Tennessee Titans vs. St. Louis Rams (January 30, 2000)
- The game ended just one yard short for the Titans.
- Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots (February 3, 2008)
- The Giants’ incredible upset ended the Patriots’ perfect season.
- Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals (February 1, 2009)
- Santonio Holmes’ toe-tap touchdown catch in the final moments.
- Super Bowl XLIX: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks (February 1, 2015)
- Malcolm Butler’s game-saving interception at the goal line.
- Super Bowl LI: Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots (February 5, 2017)
- The Patriots’ historic comeback from a 28-3 deficit.
- Super Bowl LII: Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots (February 4, 2018)
- The “Philly Special” trick play that helped the Eagles secure their first Super Bowl win.
Classic Regular Season and Playoff Games
- The Tuck Rule: New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders (January 19, 2002)
- A controversial call that changed the game’s outcome.
- The Drive: Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos (January 11, 1987)
- John Elway’s legendary 98-yard drive to tie the game.
- The Ice Bowl: Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys (December 31, 1967)
- Played in sub-zero temperatures, Bart Starr’s quarterback sneak won the game.
- The Immaculate Reception: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Oakland Raiders (December 23, 1972)
- Franco Harris’ miraculous catch that changed Steelers’ history.
- Miami Miracle: Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots (December 9, 2018)
- A series of laterals led to a game-winning touchdown.
- Music City Miracle: Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills (January 8, 2000)
- A last-second kickoff return for a touchdown.
- 1971 AFC Divisional Round: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins (December 25, 1971)
- The longest game in NFL history.
- 1981 NFC Championship: San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys (January 10, 1982)
- “The Catch” by Dwight Clark.
- 1993 AFC Wild Card Game: Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Oilers (January 3, 1993)
- The Bills’ incredible comeback from a 32-point deficit.
- 1982 AFC Divisional Round: San Diego Chargers vs. Miami Dolphins (January 2, 1982)
- Known as the “Epic in Miami” for its thrilling back-and-forth action.
Recent Thrilling Matches
- Week 8, 2015: New Orleans Saints vs. New York Giants (November 1, 2015)
- A high-scoring game with a combined 101 points.
- Week 11, 2018: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Rams (November 19, 2018)
- A Monday Night Football classic with 105 total points.
- Week 15, 2022: Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts (December 17, 2022)
- Another high-scoring, nail-biting finish.
- 2022 AFC Divisional Round: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills (January 23, 2022)
- It was an intense game with multiple lead changes in the final minutes.
- Philly Special: Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots (February 4, 2018)
- Highlighted by a trick play touchdown pass to Nick Foles.
Most Frequent Matchups in Memorable Games
| Team | Number of Appearances |
|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 6 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 5 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 3 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 3 |
| Miami Dolphins | 3 |
Key Factors of Memorable Games
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Last-minute heroics | Games decided in the final moments |
| Controversial calls | Games impacted by debatable referee decisions |
| Record-breaking feats | Individual or team records set or broken |
| Unexpected comebacks | Teams overcoming large deficits to win |
| Iconic plays | Memorable single plays that defined the game’s outcome |
Summary
The NFL has provided countless memorable moments, with games often decided by last-minute heroics, controversial calls, and record-breaking feats. These 25 American football games highlight the drama and excitement that make football a beloved sport.
FAQs
- What is the most memorable NFL game?
- This is subjective, but many consider Super Bowl LI (Patriots vs. Falcons) with its historic comeback as one of the most memorable.
- Which team appears most frequently in memorable games?
- The New England Patriots appear most frequently in our list of memorable games.
- What makes an NFL game memorable?
- Factors include last-minute heroics, controversial calls, record-breaking performances, unexpected comebacks, and iconic plays.
- Has there ever been an NFL game that ended in a tie?
- Yes, NFL games can end in a tie during the regular season if no team scores during the overtime period.
- What was the longest game in NFL history?
- The longest game was the 1971 AFC Divisional Round between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins, lasting 82 minutes and 40 seconds.