Top 10 Greatest Moments in NFL Football History

National Football League

The National Football League (NFL) began its journey in 1920, originally formed as the American Professional Football Association (APFA). It was created to bring order and organization to professional football, which was then a loosely structured sport with teams scattered across small towns and cities. In 1922, the league was renamed the NFL, and from that point, it began its rise to prominence. The league grew rapidly in popularity through the 20th century, driven by key developments such as the creation of the forward pass, the establishment of the Super Bowl in 1967, and the merger with the American Football League (AFL) in 1970. Today, the NFL stands as the most popular sports league in the United States, known for its rich history, iconic teams, and legendary players, captivating millions of fans each season. Check out the top 10 Greatest moments in NFL history.

Greatest Moments in NFL Football History

1. The Immaculate Reception – 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff

On December 23, 1972, the Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Oakland Raiders in a tense AFC Divisional Playoff game. The Steelers were down 7-6 with only 22 seconds left on the clock.

Quarterback Terry Bradshaw launched a desperate pass, which deflected off a Raiders defender. Just as it seemed the game was over, Steelers fullback Franco Harris scooped the ball just inches from the ground and ran it into the end zone for a miraculous 60-yard touchdown, winning the game.

The Steelers won 13-7, marking their first playoff victory and propelling them toward a 1970s dynasty.

The Immaculate Reception remains one of the most debated and legendary plays in NFL history, solidifying Franco Harris’s place in the Hall of Fame and sparking a new era for the Steelers.

2. The Catch – 1981 NFC Championship Game

On January 10, 1982, the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys squared off in the NFC Championship. With less than a minute left, the 49ers were down 27-21, and their Super Bowl dreams were fading.

Quarterback Joe Montana, under immense pressure, scrambled to the right and lofted a pass toward the end zone. Dwight Clark leapt high to make an improbable fingertip catch, tying the game and setting up the extra point for a 28-27 victory.

Montana completed 22 of 35 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns, with Clark’s catch being the most iconic.

“The Catch” not only propelled the 49ers to their first Super Bowl but also marked the beginning of a dominant decade for the team, establishing Joe Montana as a legendary quarterback.

3. The Helmet Catch – Super Bowl XLII (2008)

February 3, 2008, saw the New York Giants take on the unbeaten New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. The Patriots were one win away from a perfect season, and the Giants were the heavy underdogs.

Late in the fourth quarter, on a 3rd-and-5, Eli Manning escaped what seemed like a sure sack, launched the ball downfield, and wide receiver David Tyree made an incredible catch by pinning the ball to his helmet as he fell to the ground. This play set up the Giants’ game-winning touchdown.

The Giants won 17-14, with Tyree’s catch being hailed as one of the greatest in Super Bowl history.

Tyree’s Helmet Catch ended the Patriots’ perfect season and gave the Giants one of the most stunning Super Bowl victories ever. It is still remembered as one of the most clutch plays in NFL history.

4. Super Bowl III – Joe Namath’s Guarantee (1969)

In 1969, the AFL’s New York Jets faced the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Jets quarterback Joe Namath boldly guaranteed a victory, despite the odds.

Namath led the Jets to an unexpected and dominant 16-7 victory, controlling the game with short, accurate passes and smart decision-making.

Namath didn’t throw a touchdown but finished with 206 passing yards, winning the game’s MVP award.

Namath’s guarantee and subsequent victory helped legitimize the AFL and paved the way for the merger with the NFL. This moment cemented Namath as a football legend.

5. The Music City Miracle – 1999 AFC Wild Card Game

On January 8, 2000, the Tennessee Titans played the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card game. The Bills led 16-15 with only 16 seconds remaining.

On the ensuing kickoff, Titans fullback Lorenzo Neal handed the ball to tight end Frank Wycheck, who then threw a lateral pass across the field to Kevin Dyson. Dyson ran 75 yards down the sideline for a game-winning touchdown.

The Titans won 22-16, completing one of the most improbable plays in NFL playoff history.

The “Music City Miracle” was a stunning finish that launched the Titans to the Super Bowl and remains one of the most thrilling last-second plays in NFL history.

6. Tom Brady’s Super Bowl Comeback – Super Bowl LI (2017)

On February 5, 2017, the New England Patriots faced the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. The Patriots trailed 28-3 midway through the third quarter, and a comeback seemed impossible.

Tom Brady led the Patriots on an incredible comeback, scoring 25 unanswered points to force the first-ever Super Bowl overtime. In OT, the Patriots scored the game-winning touchdown, securing a 34-28 victory.

Brady finished with 466 passing yards and two touchdowns, earning his fifth Super Bowl ring and the game’s MVP honors.

Brady’s comeback solidified his status as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, with this game often hailed as the greatest Super Bowl of all time.

7. Walter Payton Breaks the Rushing Record – 1984

On October 7, 1984, Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton broke Jim Brown’s all-time rushing record in a game against the New Orleans Saints.

Payton rushed for 154 yards during the game, surpassing Brown’s record of 12,312 career rushing yards.

Payton finished his career with 16,726 rushing yards, a record that stood for over a decade.

Known as one of the toughest and most complete running backs in NFL history, Payton’s record-breaking performance cemented his legacy as a football icon.

8. Beast Quake – 2011 NFC Wild Card Game

On January 8, 2011, the Seattle Seahawks, as heavy underdogs, faced the defending champion New Orleans Saints in an NFC Wild Card game.

In the fourth quarter, Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch broke nine tackles on a 67-yard touchdown run, sealing the Seahawks’ 41-36 upset victory. The crowd’s reaction was so intense it caused seismic activity, dubbed the “Beast Quake.”

Lynch rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown, with his epic run becoming the defining moment of the game.

The “Beast Quake” run is one of the most iconic plays in recent NFL history, symbolizing Lynch’s power and the unpredictability of the playoffs.

9. The Ice Bowl – 1967 NFL Championship Game

On December 31, 1967, the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys played in the NFL Championship Game at Lambeau Field in freezing temperatures, with a wind chill of −48°F.

Late in the game, trailing 17-14, Packers quarterback Bart Starr led an iconic drive, finishing with a game-winning quarterback sneak behind Jerry Kramer’s block, securing a 21-17 victory.

Starr threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Packers to their third consecutive NFL Championship.

The Ice Bowl is one of the most legendary games in NFL history, remembered for its brutal conditions and Starr’s game-winning heroics.

10. The Philly Special – Super Bowl LII (2018)

On February 4, 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. Leading 15-12 just before halftime, the Eagles made a gutsy play call.

On 4th-and-goal, quarterback Nick Foles lined up in the shotgun, but the ball was directly snapped to running back Corey Clement, who flipped it to tight end Trey Burton. Burton then threw a touchdown pass to a wide-open Foles in the end zone, a trick play that shocked everyone.

Foles became the first quarterback to catch a touchdown pass in Super Bowl history, and the Eagles won 41-33.

The “Philly Special” became an instant classic, helping the Eagles secure their first Super Bowl in franchise history and immortalizing Foles and the team’s creativity.

These moments represent the pinnacle of NFL football, filled with drama, skill, and legendary performances that define the sport’s history.