Now that the Wild Card Round is over, we now approach what some NFL fans consider the best week in the whole NFL season: the Divisional Round Weekend.
Just like for the Wild Card Round, I have compiled a list of what I think are the 50 Greatest Moments in NFL Divisional Playoff History, since it was introduced in 1970.
One notable omission is Bo Jackson’s career-ending injury in the Raiders’ 1990 Divisional Playoff game with the Bengals, because I wanted this list to be a celebratory list that features, the greatest games, finishes, plays, performances, and controversial calls that occurred during the round of eight.
So without further adieu, here are the 50 Greatest NFL Divisional Playoff Moments:
50. 2006 Bears-27 Seahawks-24(OT)
Robbie Gould kicks a 49-yard field goal 4:53 into overtime to give the Bears their postseason win since 1994 and first trip to the NFC Championship Game since 1988.
49. 2021 49ers-13 Packers-10
15 years after his game-winning field goal for the Bears, Gould hits another walk-off game-winning field goal, this time kicking a 45-yard field goal as time expires to San Francisco an upset win over the #1 seeded Green Bay Packers.
48. 2021 Bengals-19 Titans-16
Bengals kicker Eric McPherson drains a 52-yard field goal as time expires to give the Bengals its first ever road playoff win and send them to the AFC Championship Game for the first time in 33 years.
47. 2020 Chiefs-22 Browns-17
With 2:00 left in the game, the Browns were poised to get the ball back as the Chiefs faced a 3rd & 14 at their 35-yard-line when quarterback Chad Henne, filling in for an injured Patrick Mahomes, scrambled for 13 yards, nearly picking up a 1st down to set up 4th & 1.
The Chiefs lined up as if they were trying to get the Browns to jump offsides only to actually go for the 1st down as Henne threw a five-yard pass to Tyreek Hill to seal the victory and send Kansas City to the AFC Championship Game for the third year in a row.
46. 2002 Titans-34 Steelers-31 (OT)
Joe Nedney appears to make the game-winning 31-yard field goal, only to have nullified because the Steelers had called timeout just before the kick.
Nedney misses his second attempt from 31 yards, but gets another chance when the Steelers’ Dewayne Washington runs into him drawing a five-yard penalty.
Nedney misses his second attempt from 31 yards, but gets another chance when the Steelers’ Dewayne Washington runs into him drawing a five-yard penalty.
This time, Nedney makes the field goal from 26 yard out to give the Titans the win just 2:11 into overtime.
45. 2010 Steelers-31 Ravens-24
The Steelers overcome a 21-7 halftime deficit to knock off their division rival as Rashard Mendenhall puts Pittsburgh on top with a two-yard touchdown run with 1:33 left after quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown for a 58-yard completion on 3rd-and-19 from the Pittsburgh 38-yard-line.
44. 1994 Chargers-22 Dolphins-21
Thirteen years after their epic encounter in Miami, the Dolphins and Chargers stage another AFC Divisional Playoff classic with the Chargers coming out on top this time.
Down 21-6 at halftime, the Chargers score 16 straight points and take the lead with 35 seconds to go after John Carney’s extra point following quarterback Stan Humphries’ eight-yard touchdown pass to Mark Seay.
However, Dan Marino drives the Dolphins to the San Diego 30-yard-line for a potential game-winning field goal but Pete Stoyanovich’s 48-yard attempt is wide right.
The Chargers celebrate after Pete Stoyanovich's potential game-winning field goal sailed wide right.
43. 1993 Chiefs-28 Oilers-20
Joe Montana records the final postseason victory of his legendary career as he leads the Chiefs back from a 10-0 halftime deficit to throw three touchdown passes in the second half to lead the Chiefs to an upset win over the Houston Oilers in the Astrodome.
Joe Montana and Marcus Allen celebrate after Allen's 21-yard touchdown run put away the Oilers.
42. 1979 Rams-21 Cowboys-19
In his just his sixth career NFL start, Rams quarterback Vince Ferragamo leads Los Angeles to a shocking win over the top seeded Cowboys and ending the career of Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach.
Ferragamo throws the game-winning touchdown pass with 2:06 left in the game when he hits Billy Waddy on a crossing route at the Cowboys’ 28-yard-line, who then slices through the famed “Doomsday Defense” to the end zone for the touchdown.
41. 1989 Rams-19 Giants-13(OT)
After winning the overtime coin toss, it only takes 1:05 for the Rams to get into the end zone and win the game as quarterback Jim Everett hits Flipper Anderson for a 30-yard touchdown that sends the Rams to the NFC Title Game.
40. 1983 49ers-24 Lions-23
Following Billy Sims’ two-yard touchdown run to give the Lions a 23-17 lead with 4:44 to play, 49ers quarterback Joe Montana leads his team 70 yards in nine plays as he completes all six of his passes for 51 yards, the last one being a 14-yard touchdown pass to Freddie Soloman that with Ray Wersching’s extra point gives San Francisco a one-point lead with 1:23 to go.
The Lions drive 49 yards to set up a potential game-winning field goal from 43 yards out by Eddie Murray, but his kick inches wide right and the 49ers escape with the win.
Freddie Soloman(88) catches what would be the game-winning touchdown in the 49ers' 1983 Divisional Playoff win against the Lions.
39. 1995 Colts-10 Chiefs-7
Despite being a 11-point underdog and missing running back Marshall Faulk and defensive tackle Tony Siragusa, the 9-7 Colts go to Arrowhead Stadium and stun the top-seeded Chiefs as Kansas City kicker Lin Elliott misses three field goals in the game, his last one being from 42 yards out with 42 seconds left.
Lin Elliott(2) walks off in disgust after missing three field goals in the Chiefs' shocking loss to the Colts.
38. 2004 Steelers-20 Jets-17 (OT)
Jets kicker Doug Brien misses two field goals in the final two minutes of regulation that would have given New York an upset win over the Steelers.
Instead, the game goes into overtime where Pittsburgh wins when kicker Jeff Reed makes a 33-yard field goal 11 minutes into the extra period.
37. 2014 Patriots-35 Ravens-31
The Patriots come back not once, but twice from 14-point deficits to knock off the Ravens as Tom Brady throws the go-ahead touchdown pass, a 23-yarder to Brandon LaFell with 5:13 left in the game, then have to hold off Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco as he drives his team to the Patriots’ 36-yard-line until he throws an end zone interception to Patriots safety Devin McCourty with 1:37 left and then knock down a Hail Mary attempt on the final play of the game.
Brandon LaFell(19) makes what turns out to be the game-winning TD catch against the Ravens.
36. 1987 Redskins-21 Bears-17
Down 17-14 with 11:40 left in the third quarter, Redskins cornerback Darrell Green receives a Bears punt at his own 48-yard-line and proceeds to make a deep return into Chicago territory.
At the Chicago 34-yard-line, he leaps over the Bears’ Cap Boso and proceeds to run in the final 30 yards of his 52-yard touchdown holding his left side because he tore his rib cage.
Green only played one more snap in the game but he was not needed as Washington knocked off the Bears and ended the career of Chicago running back Walter Payton.
35. 2006 Patriots-24 Chargers-21
Down 21-13 with 6:25 left in the 4th quarter and facing a 4th-and-5 at the Chargers’ 41-yard-line, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is intercepted by Chargers cornerback free safety Marlin McCree.
As McCree begins to run, he is stripped of the ball by Patriots receiver Troy Brown, causing a fumble that is recovered his teammate Reche Caldwell, giving New England a 1st down at the San Diego 32.
This play changes the momentum of the game as the Patriots score the last 11 points and then secure the win when Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding misses a potential game-tying 54-yard field goal in the final seconds.
The loss costs Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer his job despite a 14-2 regular season.
Marlon McCree(20) has the ball stripped by Troy Brown causing a fumble that is recovered by the Patriots.
34. 1985 Rams-20 Cowboys-0
Rams running back Eric Dickerson rushes for a playoff record 248 yards on 34 carries and scores two touchdowns as the Rams defeat the Cowboys.
One year after setting the record for most rushing yards in a season, Eric Dickerson set the record for most rushing yards in a postseason game.
33. 1983 Seahawks-27 Dolphins-20
The 9-7 Seahawks, making their first playoff appearance in their eight-year history, stun the defending AFC Champion Dolphins as Seattle running back Curt Warner’s two-yard touchdown gives the Seahawks a 24-20 lead 1:48 left, which is followed by the Dolphins’ Fulton Walker fumbling the kickoff, leading to a 37-yard field goal by Norm Johnson, and then followed with another Walker fumble on a kickoff, which is recovered by the Seahawks and allows them to run out the clock.
Seahawks head coach Chuck Knox is carried off the field after leading Seattle to an upset win over the Miami Dolphins.
32. 1989 Browns-34 Bills-30
With nine seconds to go and at the Browns’ 11-yard-line, Bills quarterback Jim Kelly lofts a perfect pass for running back Ronnie Harmon in the end zone, who drops the sure touchdown.
On the very next play, Browns linebacker picks off Kelly at the one-yard-line to preserve the win and send Cleveland to its third AFC Championship in four years.
31. 2012 Falcons-30 Seahawks-28
It seemed the Seahawks had pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in NFL playoff history as they scored 21 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to overcome a 27-7 deficit and take a 28-27 lead with 31 seconds left on Marshawn Lynch’s two-yard touchdown run.
But Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan completes two passes for 41 yards to set up a 49-yard field goal by Matt Bryant that sails through the uprights with eight seconds to go to give Atlanta the win and earning Ryan his first playoff win after losing his first three playoff starts.
30. 2016 Packers-34 Cowboys-31
With the game tied at 28, Packers kicker Mason Crosby kicks a 56-yard field goal with 1:33 remaining to give Green Bay the lead only to have Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott leads his team 42 yards in five plays to set up Dan Bailey’s game-tying 52-yard field goal with 35 seconds left in regulation.
That’s still enough time for the Packers to get into field goal range, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers hits tight end Jared Cook for 35 yards on 3rd-and-20 to give Crosby a chance to win the game, which he does as his 51-yard field goal sails through the uprights as time expires giving Green Bay the victory.
29. 2021 Rams-30 Buccaneers-27
After giving up 24 unanswered points to see their 27-3 lead disappear, the Rams are able to drive down the field for the game-winning field goal as quarterback Matthew Stafford connects with Cooper Kupp on back-to-back completions totaling 64 yards to set up Matt Gay's game-winning 30-yard field goal as time expires to allow Los Angeles to escape with the victory.
28. 1991 Broncos-26 Oilers-24
It was deja vu all over again as the Broncos were at their own two-yard-line trailing 24-23 with 2:07 to play and no timeouts.
Elway drives the Broncos 87 yards in 11 plays, twice converting on 4th down(a 7-yard run on 4th-and-6 at the Denver 28 and then connecting with Vance Johnson on a 44-yard catch-and-run on 4th-and-10 from the Denver 35) to set up David Treadwell’s game-winning 28-yard-field goal with 16 seconds left to send the Broncos to their fourth AFC Title Game in six seasons.
27. 2019 Chiefs-51 Texans-31
Down 24-0 early in the second quarter, the Chiefs outscore the Texans 51-7 through the rest of the game behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes' five touchdown passes, three of them to tight end Travis Kelce, as the Chiefs come back from the fourth largest deficit in playoff history and become the first team in NFL playoff history to win a game by at least 20 points after trailing by at least 20 points.
26. 1987 Vikings-36 49ers-24
Down 24-0 early in the second quarter, the Chiefs outscore the Texans 51-7 through the rest of the game behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes' five touchdown passes, three of them to tight end Travis Kelce, as the Chiefs come back from the fourth largest deficit in playoff history and become the first team in NFL playoff history to win a game by at least 20 points after trailing by at least 20 points.
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| Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes became the first quarterback since Doug Williams in Super Bowl XXII to throw four touchdown passes in a quarter during the Chiefs' comeback against the Texans. |
The 8-7 Vikings upset the 13-2 49ers thanks to Anthony Carter’s 10 catches and then playoff record 227 receiving yards to advance to the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 10 years.(Note: There was a strike in 1987 that led to a cancelled week of the season and three weeks of replacement players, thus only 15 games rather 16).
Anthony Carter became the first receiver to have over 200 yards in a postseason game as he helped the Vikings knock off the heavily-favored 49ers.
25. 1985 Dolphins-24 Browns-21
Trailing 21-3 with 11:03 left in the third quarter, the Dolphins score 21 unanswered points to pull out the victory with running back Woody Bennett scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard run with 1:57 to play.
Ron Davenport only ran for 48 yards on six carries, but scored two touchdowns to lead the Dolphins back from a 18-point deficit.
24. 1980 Cowboys-30 Falcons-27
It wasn’t Roger Staubach who led them, but instead it was Danny White who led the Cowboys to an incredible 4th quarter comeback victory as the Cowboys score three touchdowns in the 4th quarter, the last one being a 23-yarder to Drew Pearson with 47 seconds left, as Dallas overcomes a 24-10 4th quarter deficit to knock off the Falcons.
23. 2003 Panthers-29 Rams-23 (2OT)
On the first play of the second overtime period, Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme hits Steve Smith on a slant pattern who outruns the Rams defense for a 69-yard walk-off touchdown to end the sixth longest game in NFL history and send Carolina to the NFC Championship Game.
22. 1976 Raiders-24 Patriots-21
Behind 21-17 and facing a 3rd-and-18 at the New England 36-yard-line, Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler throws an incomplete pass, but gets a 1st down when Patriots nose tackle Ray “Sugar Bear” Hamilton is called for roughing-the-passer, giving the Raiders a 1st down at the Patriots’ 13 with 57 seconds left.
The controversial call allows for the Raiders to pull out the win as Stabler scores the game-winning touchdown on a one-yard run with 14 seconds to go.
21. 1979 Oilers-17 Chargers-14
It seemed that the Oilers had no chance as they traveled to San Diego to face the Chargers without starting quarterback Dan Pastorini, running back Earl Campbell, and wide receiver Ken Burrough.
But the Oilers are able to shock the Chargers thanks to rookie safety Vernon Perry who set a playoff record with 4 interceptions and returned a blocked field goal 57 yards for a touchdown, plus Gifford Nielsen’s 47-yard touchdown pass to Mel Renfro late in the third quarter that put Houston in the lead for good.
20. 2014 Packers-26 Cowboys-21
Trailing 26-21 and facing a 4th-and-2 at the Green Bay 32-yard-line with 4:42 left in the game, Tony Romo lofts a deep pass for Dez Bryant, who appears to make the catch to give the Cowboys a 1st-and-goal at the Packers’ one-yard-line.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy challenges the play and gets it overturned because the referees ruled that Bryant did not complete the process of making a catch since the ball moved and Bryant hit the ground.
The Packers take possession and proceed to run out the clock.
19. 1972 Cowboys-30 49ers-28
Having missed most of the 1972 season with a separated shoulder, Roger Staubach replaces starter Craig Morton late in the third quarter with his team down 28-13.
Staubach leads the Cowboys to 17 unanswered points in the 4th quarter and throws the game-winning touchdown pass, a 10-yarder to Ron Sellers with 52 seconds left to eliminate the 49ers from the playoffs for the third year in a row and earning Staubach the nickname “Captain Comeback”.
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| Roger Staubach came off the bench and completed 12 of 20 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Cowboys to a 4th quarter comeback win over the 49ers. |
18. 2003 Eagles-20 Packers-17(OT)
The Eagles needed a miracle as they trailed 17-14 and faced 4th-and-26 at their own 26-yard-line with 1:12 left in the game and only one timeout.
That is when quarterback Donovan McNabb finds Freddie Mitchell for a 28-yard completion to give the Eagles a 1st down at the Packers 46-yard-line.
McNabb leads the Eagles to the Green Bay 19-yard-line where David Akers ties the game with a 37-yard field goal, sending the game into overtime where Akers would kick the game-winning field goal from 31 yards out to clinch the Eagles their third straight trip to the NFC Championship Game.
17. 2015 Cardinals-26 Packers-20 (OT)
Down 20-13 with five seconds left in regulation, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a 41-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to Jeff Janis as time expires that along with Mason Crosby's extra point sends the game into overtime.
But on the first play of overtime, Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer connects with Larry Fitzgerald on a 75-yard catch-and-run to the Packers' five-yard-line that would set up the game-winning touchdown, a shovel pass from Palmer to Fitzgerald to give Arizona the win.
16. 1986 Browns-23 Jets-20 (2OT)
Right after Jets running back Freeman McNeil scores on a 25-yard touchdown run with 4:14 to play to increase the New York lead to 20-10, Jets radio announcer and future ESPN anchor Charley Steiner says “The Jets are gonna win this football game!The Jets are going to the AFC Championship Game!”.
But Bernie Kosar, leads to the Browns to 10 points in the final four minutes of regulation to send the game into overtime where kicker Mark Moseley hits the game-winning field goal from 27 yards out, 2:17 into the second overtime period to give the Browns an improbable victory.
Bernie Kosar threw for 489 yards on 33-of-64 passing to lead the Browns to a double overtime win over the Jets.
15. 1996 Jaguars-30 Broncos-27
The Jacksonville Jaguars, in just their second year of existence, come back from an early 12-0 deficit to shock the two-touchdown favorite Denver Broncos as they score on their last six possessions to knock off the AFC’s #1 seed.
Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell threw for 245 yards and ran for 44 yards in leading Jacksonville to a shocking upset over the Denver Broncos.
14. 1980 Raiders-14 Browns-12
Even though they trailed 14-12, the Browns were in prime position to win the game as they were at the Raiders’ 13-yard-line with 49 seconds to go, needing only a field goal.
But after kicker Don Crockroft had missed two field goals and an extra point, Browns head coach Sam Rutigliano decided to take a shot at the end zone by calling “Red Slot Right, Halfback Stay, 88” or Red Right 88.
Browns quarterback Brian Sipe took the snap, dropped back, and fired a pass to the end zone intended for tight end Ozzie Newsome, only to have Raiders safety Mike Davis step in front of the pass to make the game-saving interception and end the “Kardiac Kids” season.
13. 2005 Steelers-21 Colts-18
It seemed that the Steelers had the game all wrapped up after forcing the Colts to turn the ball over on downs and taking over at the Colts’ two-yard-line with 1:20 left and holding a 21-18 lead.
However, the Colts had all three timeouts so the Steelers still had to run the ball, but at such close distance and Jerome Bettis, a touchdown would put the game away.
That is when the unthinkable happened as Colts linebacker Gary Brackett got his helmet on the football on a Bettis run, forcing a fumble that was recovered by defensive back Nick Harper, who had a chance to run for a touchdown only to be tackled by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the Colts’ 42-yard-line.
Peyton Manning is able to lead the Colts offense to the Steelers’ 28-yard line until the Pittsburgh defense forces the Colts to settle for a game-tying 46-yard field goal by Mike Vanderjagt.
But Vanderjagt hooks it wide right and the Steelers escape Indianapolis with the win to become the first #6 seed to advance to a conference championship game.
12. 1977 Raiders-37 Colts-31 (2OT)
Down 31-28 with two minutes to play and facing 2nd-and-10 at the Colts’ 44-yard-line, Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler launches a deep pass for tight end Dave Casper, who is running a deep post pattern.
But Stabler’s pass is overthrown and behind Casper, causing the tight end to change direction and tilt his head to see the ball, which came down into his hands for a spectacular 42-yard catch that set up Errol Mann’s game-tying 22-yard field goal, sending the game into overtime.
The play became “Ghost to the Post” since Casper’s nickname was “Ghost” and it was his only catch of the game that was not a touchdown as he caught four passes for 70 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner, a 10-yard pass from Stabler 43 seconds into the second overtime to send the Raiders to fifth consecutive AFC Championship Game.
11. 2011 49ers-36 Saints-32
In the last 4 minutes and 2 seconds, the lead changes four times with the last lead change coming with nine seconds left when 49ers quarterback Alex Smith hits tight end Vernon Davis for a 14-yard touchdown pass to give San Francisco and send them to the NFC Title Game.
10. 2012 Ravens-38 Broncos-35 (2OT)
Down 35-28 and facing 3rd-and-3 at his own 30-yard-line with time running out, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco launches a bomb that goes over the hand of a jumping Rahim Moore and into the hands of Ravens receiver Jacoby Jones, who makes the catch at the Denver 20 and then runs in untouched to complete the shocking 70-yard touchdown that with Justin Tucker’s extra point tied the game at 35 with 31 seconds left in regulation.
The game goes into overtime where Ravens cornerback intercepted a Peyton Manning pass to set up Tucker’s game-winning 47-yard field goal 1:31 into the second overtime period, ending the 4th longest game in NFL history and earning the nickname the “Mile High Miracle”.
9. 2021 Chiefs-42 Bills-36(OT)
The Bills and the Chiefs engage in a remarkable final two minutes of regulation that sees 25 points scored and three lead changes before the game ultimately is decided in overtime.
First, Bills quarterback Josh Allen throws a 27-yard touchdown pass to Gabriel Davis on 4th & 13 that with Allen's two-point pass to Stefon Diggs gives Buffalo a 29-26 lead with 1:54 to go.
Just 52 seconds later, the Chiefs retake the lead when Patrick Mahomes connects with Tyreek Hill on a 64-yard catch-and-run to give Kansas City a 33-29 lead.
Back came the Bills as they drove 75 yards in six plays, culminating with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Davis to give Buffalo a 36-33 lead with just 13 seconds left.
However, Mahomes would complete two passes for 44 yards to set up Harrison Butker's 49-yard field goal as time expired in regulation to tie the game at 36 and send into overtime where the Chiefs would win it on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Travis Kelce.
8. 1988 Bears-20 Eagles-12
Right after Bears kicker Kevin Butler kicked a 46-yard field goal to increase the Chicago lead to 17-6 late in the second quarter, a dense fog starts to descend over Soldier Field.
The fog does not lift and making visibility almost impossible for both teams and for broadcasters who are calling the game.
The Bears are able to win the game in a game that becomes to be known as the “Fog Bowl”.
Refrees try to look for the football during a field goal attempt in the infamous "Fog Bowl".
7. 1971 Dolphins-27 Chiefs-24 (2OT)
Garo Yepremian ends the longest game in NFL history as his 37-yard field goal 7:40 into the second overtime period gives the Dolphins their first ever playoff victory.
Miami wins despite an incredible performance from Chiefs running back Ed Podolak, who sets the record for most all-purpose yards in a postseason game with 350 yards of total offense(17 carries of 85 yards, 8 catches for 110 yards, 3 kickoff returns for 154 yards, and 2 punt returns for 3 yards).
Don Shula and the Dolphins celebrate after Garo Yepremian's game-winning field goal ended the longest game in NFL history.
6. 1975 Cowboys-17 Vikings-14
With 32 seconds left and at the 50-yard-line, Roger Staubach launches a bomb for Drew Pearson, who is able to make catch the underthrown ball at the five-yard-line after Vikings cornerback Nate Wright fell down because of contact with Pearson, which Vikings still think to this day should have been offensive pass interference, and waltzes into the end zone to give the Cowboys a shocking 17-14 win.
In the postgame interviews, Staubach said “I closed my eyes and said a Hail Mary” earning this play the nickname the “Hail Mary” and all last-second desperation passes being called “Hail Marys” from that point on.
5. 1974 Raiders-28 Dolphins-26
With 35 seconds to go and with a 1st-and-goal at the eight-yard-line, Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler looks for his favorite target, wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff, but he is tightly covered, so the quarterback tries to scramble, only to be dragged down by Dolphins defensive end Vern Der Herder.
Just before his knee touches the ground, Stabler lofts a pass toward the left corner of the end zone toward three Miami defenders, only to have Raiders running back Clarence Davis, outfight everybody to make the touchdown catch and give Oakland a 28-26 win, ending the Dolphins’ quest for a third straight Super Bowl title.
The touchdown garners the nickname the “Sea of Hands”.
4. 2001 Patriots-16 Raiders-13 (OT)
The Raiders seem to secure their trip to the AFC Championship Game when cornerback Charles Woodson hits quarterback Tom Brady as he is pumping the football, forcing a fumble that is recovered by linebacker Greg Biekert with 1:47 left in the game and Oakland holding a 13-10 lead.
But the play was reviewed by instant replay and overturned into an incomplete pass because Brady had not tucked the ball back into his body, making it an incomplete pass.
Four plays later, Adam Vinatieri come onto to attempt a game-tying 45-yard field goal into a driving snowstorm.
Vinatieri’s kick just barely sailed over the crossbar tying the game at 13 with 27 seconds left and sending the game into overtime where Vinatieri would kick the game-winner from 23-yards out to give New England the victory in the final game played at Foxboro Stadium.
3. 1981 Chargers-41 Dolphins-38 (OT)
The Chargers and the Dolphins play a game for the ages that became to be known as the “Epic in Miami”.
It certainly did not appear that the game was going to an epic as the Chargers jumped out to a 24-0 lead, thanks to converting two Miami turnovers into touchdowns and Wes Chandler’s 56-yard punt return for a touchdown.
But after Dolphins head coach inserted quarterback Don Strock into the game to replace a struggling David Woodley, Miami outscored the Chargers 38-7 over the next two-and-a half quarters, which included a “hook and lateral” play that went for a touchdown on the final play of the 1st half.
The Dolphins held a 38-31 lead and had a chance to put the game when running back Audra Franklin fumbled the football, which was recovered by Chargers safety Pete Shaw at the Miami’ 18-yard-line with 4:39 left in regulation.
Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts leads the Chargers down the field for the game-tying touchdown, a nine-yard pass to James Brooks with 58 seconds left, but the Dolphins, thanks to a squib kick, get a chance to win the game in regulation with a 43-yard field goal attempt by Uwe von Schamann, only to have Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow block the kick and send the game into overtime.
Both kickers have a chance to win the game, but cannot convert their field goal attempts as the Chargers’ Rolf Benirschke misses from 27 yards out, while von Schamann has his 35-yarder blocked by Chargers defensive lineman Leroy Jones.
Finally, the game ends 13:52 into the overtime period when Benirschke hits from 29 yards out to give the Chargers the win.
It looked like the Vikings were on the verge of another heartbreaking loss in the playoffs as the Saints took a 24-23 lead on Will Lutz's 43-yard field goal with 25 seconds left in regulation after the Saints had been down 17-0 at halftime.
But with 10 seconds left and the ball at the Minnesota 39-yard-line, Vikings quarterback Case Keenum dropped back and fired a pass for Stefon Diggs, who makes the catch around the Saints' 35-yard-line, then gets around Saints safety Marcus Williams, who whiffs on the tackle, and runs in untouched to complete the shocking 61-yard touchdown as time expires to give the Vikings the win.
The touchdown became known as the "Minneapolis Miracle" and marked the first time that a walk-off touchdown had occurred on the final play of regulation in NFL playoff history.
1. 1972 Steelers-13 Raiders-7
It is perhaps the most famous play in NFL history: The Immaculate Reception.
Down 7-6 and facing 4th-and-10 at his own 40-yard-line with 22 seconds left, Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw drops back to pass but faces heavy pressure from Raider defensive lineman Tony Jones and Horace Cline.
Bradshaw fires a desperate pass toward running back John “Frenchy” Fuqua who is leveled by Raiders safety at the Oakland 35-yard-line at the same time the ball gets to him.
The collision causes the ball to float backwards several yards where is caught by Steelers running back Franco Harris just before it touches the ground.
Harris manages to outrun the rest of the Raiders defense for the shocking touchdown to give the Steelers the win, though Raiders players and coaches argue that the play should not count, believing that Fuqua touched the ball before Harris caught it since it was illegal for two offensive players to touch a ball consecutively in 1972.
However, the officials ruled it a touchdown and the “Immaculate Reception” is born as well as the birth of the 1970s Steelers dynasty.
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