Any Given Sunday football
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 03: David Tyree #85 of the New York Giants catches a 32-yard pass from Eli Manning #10 as Rodney Harrison #37 of the New England Patriots attempts to knock it out in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants defeated the Patriots 17-14. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Any Given Sunday football: The NFL’s Epic 100-Year History in 20 Games

“Any Given Sunday” is a phrase often used to describe the unpredictable nature of the NFL. Over the course of its 100-year history, the league has seen countless memorable moments and games. Here are 20 games that stand out as some of the most epic in NFL history:

  1. 1958 NFL Championship Game – Baltimore Colts vs. New York Giants
    This game, often referred to as “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” saw the Colts defeat the Giants 23-17 in the first-ever NFL championship game to go into sudden death overtime.
  2. Super Bowl III – New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts
    In one of the biggest upsets in NFL history, Joe Namath and the New York Jets defeated the heavily favored Baltimore Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III.
  3. Super Bowl XIII – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys
    The Steelers defeated the Cowboys 35-31 in a high-scoring shootout that featured several memorable plays, including Lynn Swann’s acrobatic touchdown catch.
  4. The Immaculate Reception – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Oakland Raiders
    In the closing seconds of a 1972 playoff game, Franco Harris of the Steelers caught a deflected pass and ran it in for a game-winning touchdown that is still considered one of the most miraculous plays in NFL history.
  5. The Catch – San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys
    In the 1981 NFC Championship Game, Joe Montana threw a touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone to give the 49ers a 28-27 victory over the Cowboys.
  6. Super Bowl XXIII – San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
    In one of the most iconic drives in NFL history, Joe Montana led the 49ers on a 92-yard drive in the final minutes of Super Bowl XXIII to defeat the Bengals 20-16.
  7. Super Bowl XXV – New York Giants vs. Buffalo Bills
    The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19 in a nail-biting finish that saw Buffalo kicker Scott Norwood miss a potential game-winning field goal in the closing seconds.
  8. Super Bowl XXXIV – St. Louis Rams vs. Tennessee Titans
    In a game that came down to the final play, the Rams held off a late charge from the Titans to win 23-16 and claim their first Super Bowl title.
  9. The Tuck Rule Game – New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders
    In a 2002 playoff game, a controversial call known as the “Tuck Rule” allowed the Patriots to tie the game and eventually win in overtime, starting a dynasty that would dominate the NFL for years to come.
  10. Super Bowl XXXVI – New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams
    In one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, the underdog Patriots defeated the high-powered Rams 20-17 in a game that featured several key plays from quarterback Tom Brady.
  11. The Music City Miracle – Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills
    In a 2000 playoff game, the Titans pulled off an improbable last-second kickoff return for a touchdown to defeat the Bills 22-16.
  12. Super Bowl XLII – New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
    In one of the most stunning upsets in Super Bowl history, the Giants defeated the undefeated Patriots 17-14, thanks in large part to a miraculous catch by David Tyree.
  13. Super Bowl XLIII – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals
    In a game that featured several big plays and lead changes, the Steelers held off a late charge from the Cardinals to win 27-23 and claim their sixth Super Bowl title.
  14. The Minneapolis Miracle – Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints
    In a 2018 playoff game, the Vikings
  15. Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons
    In a game that saw the Patriots overcome a 25-point deficit, Tom Brady led the team on a historic comeback to defeat the Falcons 34-28 in overtime.
  16. The Philly Special – Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots
    In Super Bowl LII, the Eagles pulled off a trick play known as the “Philly Special,” in which quarterback Nick Foles caught a touchdown pass, helping the Eagles defeat the Patriots 41-33.
  17. The “Fail Mary” – Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks
    In a 2012 game, a controversial call on a last-second Hail Mary pass gave the Seahawks a victory over the Packers, sparking a debate about the use of replacement referees in the NFL.
  18. Super Bowl XLVII – Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers
    In a game that featured a power outage and a dramatic comeback attempt by the 49ers, the Ravens held on to win 34-31 and claim their second Super Bowl title.
  19. The Ice Bowl – Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys
    In the 1967 NFL Championship Game, played in frigid temperatures that dipped to -15°F, the Packers defeated the Cowboys 21-17 in a game that has become a part of NFL lore.
  20. Super Bowl LIII – New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams
    In a low-scoring defensive battle, the Patriots defeated the Rams 13-3 to claim their sixth Super Bowl title, tying them with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most championships in NFL history.
FacebookTwitterRedditShare