Football, like all of the most compelling sports, is defined by specific moments.
These are the events that live long in fans’ memories. They’re often powerful because, had they been part of a scripted show, they wouldn’t be plausible. But our memories of certain amazing NFL moments are often what persuade us to keep watching.
With the help of the right VPN and the modern internet, it’s possible to relive many of these moments again and again securely, especially when you’re traveling.
So, which moments truly qualify as iconic? We narrowed it down to our best five that indisputably qualify.
The Helmet Catch – Super Bowl XLII (2008)
The Patriots entered this Super Bowl at 18-0, and were on course to enjoy a perfect season.
That was until David Tyree managed to catch the ball, in part, using his helmet. This was a crucial conversion, which the Giants capitalized on by scoring a touchdown soon afterward. It’s a story that underlines just how difficult it is to execute a perfect NFL season – only the 1972 Miami Dolphins have done it.
The Catch – 49ers vs. Cowboys (1981 NFCCG)
Late in the fourth quarter of this iconic NFC Championship game, the 49ers were down 27-21. That’s when quarterback Joe Montana rolled right and threw a high pass to the back of the end zone, where Dwight Clark was able to perform a fingertip catch at full extension.
It kick-started a new era of dominance for the San Francisco outfit, which would extend well into the ensuing decade.
The 28-3 Comeback – Super Bowl LI (2017)
The most memorable sporting moments are often those of dramatic reversals on big occasions. The Patriots managed to find themselves 28-3 down during the third quarter of Super Bowl LI, only to tie the game with a minute left, thanks in large part to Tom Brady’s energetic scoring offense and Bill Belichick’s masterful chess moves.
Brady went on to lead the team to victory in the first-ever overtime in a Super Bowl, cementing himself in the eyes of many fans as the best quarterback ever to play the game.
28-3 is now a legendary meme at the expense of the Atlanta Falcons, who allowed 31 unanswered points in the devastating loss.
The Philly Special – Super Bowl LII (2018)
On the adversarial side of Tom Brady’s long list of successes was an insane playcall by Eagles head coach Doug Pederson.
Philly reached the Super Bowl without starting quarterback Carson Wentz.
That left the keys to Nick Foles, who pulled off one of the craziest plays in NFL history— The Philly Special.
The Eagles went on to win 41-33, and Foles was named Super Bowl LII MVP. Had it not been for this play, who knows if Philly would have won.
The “Why TF Didn’t You Give It To Marshawn” Malcolm Butler Pick – Super Bowl XLIX (2015)
This remains one of the most head-scratching, bone-headed decisions that gifted Tom Brady another Super Bowl.
Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks were driving down the field to win Super Bowl XLIX when, at the one-yard line, disaster struck.
Patriots’ cornerback Malcolm Butler jumped a slant route at the goal line to end the Seahawks’ hopes of a ring. The world was absolutely baffled that Pete Carroll elected not to use powerhouse running back Marshawn Lynch at the goalline.
It remains the biggest ‘What if’ in NFL history, and an equally iconic moment.
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