It’s often said that NFL games are decided by three or four plays. Those game-changing sequences forever etch themselves in our memories, for better or worse. Long touchdowns, big-time interceptions, or maybe even some special teams blunders all contribute to making the matches we watch every Sunday that much more exhilarating. No matter how terrible a year a team is having, every franchise sees at least one play that they can look back on fondly. Now, let’s revisit each team’s best play from last season!
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray’s Touchdown Run Against the 49ers
Kyler Murray knew he was gone the moment he had even the smallest bit of space in front of him. He ripped off a 50-yard touchdown to give his team the lead, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Murray hit a top speed of 21.27 mph, the fastest by a quarterback since he entered the league in 2019.
Atlanta Falcons: KhaDarel Hodge’s Overtime Touchdown Against the Buccaneers
Capping off Kirk Cousins‘ incredible 500-yard game was a strike to KhaDarel Hodge in overtime. Hodge turned on the jets, outracing every Tampa Bay defender in front of him. His catch-and-run sealed the victory for Atlanta, putting an end to a thrilling divisional prime-time game.
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson’s Stiff Arm and Touchdown Against the Bengals
Sequences like these demonstrate just how much the Ravens depend on Lamar Jackson. For a lot of quarterbacks, this play would have ended the second the snap was botched. After picking up the fumbled ball, Jackson was immediately flushed to his right by Sam Hubbard. He proceeded to stiff-arm the 265-pound Hubbard, then threw a perfect pass to the end zone for the touchdown.
Buffalo Bills: Amari Cooper’s Lateral to Josh Allen Against the 49ers
Improvisation is one of Josh Allen‘s strong suits. However, this play goes beyond the typical escapes Allen makes out of the pocket. It looked like a sure stop for the Niners. That was until Amari Cooper lateraled the ball to his quarterback, who then dove towards the endzone for a touchdown. While this was at a point where the contest was already won for Buffalo, it’s a play that deserves the spot here because of its uniqueness.
Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young’s Escape and Conversion on Third and Long
Bryce Young transformed into a poised and collected playmaker following his benching in Week 3. No game represents the evolution of the former first overall pick’s prowess than this one. This play specifically highlighted how special he could be for Carolina. With third and long at his own one-yard line against one of the league’s best pass-rushing units upon him, Young stepped up. He escaped Jalen Carter and brushed off Josh Sweat before delivering a dot to his rookie wideout.
Chicago Bears: Misdirection Punt Return Against the Packers
Caleb Williams made some dazzling throws, which were worthy of the pick here. However, the fact that this misdirection punt return helped Chicago end their losing streak against Green Bay gives this play the edge. The fake was enacted perfectly, with D.J. Moore acting like he was the returner, which diverted attention away from Josh Blackwell. After Blackwell caught the punt, he and his entourage easily made their way to the endzone.
Cincinnati Bengals: Tee Higgins’ 31-Yard Toe Drag Catch Against the Broncos
In order to remain alive in the playoff race, the Bengals needed to give their home crowd a win. After plenty of back and forth, Joe Burrow threw a 31-yard dime to Tee Higgins to put them 3 yards shy of the endzone. The reception was just as marvelous as the pass, with Higgins displaying elite concentration and managing to keep both feet in bounds. He then caught a three-yard strike for six to secure the win.
Cleveland Browns: Cedric Tillman’s Touchdown Against the Ravens
Amid their terrible season, Cleveland managed to beat two of their fierce opponents in the AFC North. Following Kyle Hamilton dropping a game-winning interception, Jameis Winston made sure to punish the Ravens for their gaffe. He launched a 38-yard pass to Cedric Tillman with just a minute left on the clock. The Browns’ defense didn’t allow any score, completing the upset against Baltimore.
Dallas Cowboys: KaVontae Turpin’s Kickoff Return for a Touchdown Against the Commanders
What initially looked like a disaster waiting to happen quickly turned into a source of jubilation for Dallas. Austin Seibert‘s kickoff rolled through KaVontae Turpin‘s legs. He remained unshaken and quickly recovered the ball. Now, from the one-yard line, the hope was that he’d not condemn his offense to terrible field position. He did that and more. With a quick spin move, he turned on the jets and went all the way for the score.
Denver Broncos: Bo Nix’s Dart to Marvin Mims Against the Browns
Despite being touted as a checkdown merchant coming out of college, Bo Nix had some of the best throws of any signal-caller in the game during his rookie campaign. Marvin Mims seemed to be on the receiving end of those dimes, and he was here. From his own endzone, Nix threaded the needle and delivered a flawless ball to his wideout, who then went the full length of the field for six.
Detroit Lions: Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Touchdown Pass to Jared Goff Against the Seahawks
Detroit and Ben Johnson had multiple plays that would be deserving of the selection here. As such, it’s really difficult to pick one sequence above others. Ultimately, the pick here is Jared Goff‘s touchdown reception, which coincided with a perfect game passing for him. St. Brown’s perfect lob to his QB, coupled with the fact that this was executed against a tough Seattle defense, makes this the cream of the crop among the highlight plays we’re accustomed to with Detroit.
Green Bay Packers: Blocked Field Goal Against the Bears
Green Bay grasped victory from the jaws of defeat and extended its winning streak against Chicago in week 10. Karl Brooks split the double team and got a finger on Cairo Santos‘ kick, denying the Bears of their three points. The block allowed the Packers to jump to 7-3, and secured them their 11th victory in a row vs their rivals in the windy city.
Houston Texans: Derek Stingley’s Game-Winning Interception Against the Dolphins
Leaving Tyreek Hill in one-on-one coverage is usually a recipe for disaster. Houston proved that is far from the case when you have Derek Stingley. Stingley stayed with Hill on the go route all the way through. After the pass came towards him and Tyreek, he ripped the ball away from Hill’s hands, winning the game for his team at home.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson’s Deep Shot to Alec Pierce Against the Texans
This single deep shot ignited hope within the Colts organization and fanbase for Anthony Richardson‘s future. With the pocket collapsing around him, Richardson slipped, and it looked like he would be taken down for a loss. Instead, off his back foot, he threw a perfectly placed ball to Alec Pierce, who took it in for the touchdown. According to Next Gen Stats, this pass travelled a staggering 65 yards through the air.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr’s 85-Yard Touchdown Against the Colts
One of Jacksonville’s only bright spots from 2024 was Brian Thomas Jr, their rookie receiver out of LSU. Thomas helped continue the tradition of the Colts losing in Jacksonville and hauled in a throw from Trevor Lawrence. He raced to the endzone, leaving Colts DB Dallis Flowers in the dust.
Kansas City Chiefs: Blocked Field Goal Against the Broncos
The Chiefs made multiple clutch plays during their 2024 campaign. None of them match the exhilarating feeling following their field goal block against Denver. Leo Chenal saved Kansas City from being on the losing column after he took advantage of the Broncos’ below-average kicking protection unit.
Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers’ Catch and Run Against the Broncos
Against Denver’s elite defense, rookie tight end Brock Bowers displayed what makes him truly special. When Gardner Minshew‘s pass came his way, he used his size and caught the ball over P.J. Locke‘s head. Following that, he accelerated past midfield, recording a top speed of 19.58 miles per hour to score the first points of the match.
Los Angeles Chargers: J.K. Dobbins’ Game-Winning Touchdown Run Against the Broncos
J.K. Dobbins refused to go down on this run. With 20 seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter, Dobbins took matters into his own hands. He turned on the boosters for a 29-yard score, outrunning nearly the entire defense, unable to be taken down.
Los Angeles Rams: Puka Nacua’s Catch and Run Touchdown Against the Bills
Puka Nacua finished LA’s match against the Bills with a bang after taking a screen pass to the house. Nacua’s touchdown extended their already formidable lead by six points, making the score 35-44. What makes this play shine is the blocking Nacua gets up front. Every player contributed to getting their wideout into the endzone, which eventually resulted in the win for the Rams.
Miami Dolphins: Jonnu Smith’s Overtime Touchdown Catch Against the Jets
Jonnu Smith had no catches during regulation in Miami’s week 14 matchup against the Jets. When the game went into overtime, that stat line changed. He caught the ball three times for 44 yards, including the game-winner. The touchdown pass he caught from Tagovailoa was immaculate, perfectly placed between two defenders.
Minnesota Vikings: Sam Darnold’s 97-yard Touchdown Pass Against the 49ers
This throw set the stage for the season Sam Darnold would have in Minneapolis. Off of play action from his own endzone, Darnold shuffled in the pocket to avoid pressure. before heaving it to Justin Jefferson. After Jefferson made the catch around the 45-yard line, he left the Niners’ defenders in the dust and accelerated for the score. A great throw and a great run after the catch earn this spot for the Vikings.
New England Patriots: Drake Maye’s Game-Tying Touchdown Against the Titans
All the Patriots wanted from Drake Maye in his rookie year were flashes that showed he could be the franchise’s man under center. He delivered those flashes and more. An example being perhaps the best play of his rookie year, which came in the final seconds of a game against Tennessee. After scanning the field and evading pressure from the pocket, Maye barely got the ball out of his hands as he was being brought down. Just as the time ran out, Rhamondre Stevenson caught the pass, taking the game to overtime.
New Orleans Saints: Rashid Shaheed’s Deep Touchdown Against the Cowboys
The Saints looked unstoppable those first two weeks. A big part of their offensive firepower was Rashid Shaheed, who hauled in three touchdowns in just three games. One of those touchdowns came against the Cowboys in week 2. Shaheed ran between two defenders and got open with pure speed before catching the ball and taking it in.
New York Giants: Blocked Field Goal Against the Seahawks
Seattle was three points away from equalizing the score and taking this contest to overtime. It looked like a sure kick for Jason Myers from 47 yards. That was until Isaiah Simmons leaped over Myers’ protection, blocking the kick just in time. The block was then recovered by Bryce Ford-Wheaten and taken back for six, serving as the final nail in the coffin for the Seahawks.
New York Jets: Garret Wilson’s One-Handed Grab Against the Texans
On third and 19 in a game against the Texans, Garret Wilson made perhaps the best catch of the entire season. Despite good, tight coverage, Wilson snagged the ball with just one hand, imitating Michael Jordan in the air. Afterwards, he somehow kept both feet in bounds, completing the catch and score for New York.
Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean’s Pick-Six Against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl
Saquon Barkley‘s jaw-dropping hurdle was a very close contender for this spot. However, this play gave the Eagles all the momentum they needed to secure their second ring. DeJean’s interception touchdown set the stage for what was going to be a rough time for Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes and the offense struggled to get things going all night, and the pick-six was a huge hit to KC’s morale.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Payton Wilson’s Interception Against the Ravens
On first and 15, Lamar Jackson threw a dot to his RB Justice Hill, who made it past the sticks. What no one expected was an interception after his catch, which Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson managed to pull off. As he went down with Hill on the tackle, he ripped the ball away from the RB’s hands and logged his first career interception.
San Francisco 49ers: Brock Purdy’s Touchdown Pass to George Kittle Against the Buccaneers
With 347-pound Vita Vea rumbling towards him, it looked like Brock Purdy needed to throw the ball away and live to play another down. Instead, he found George Kittle and threw a perfect ball to the back corner of the end zone for his tight end to secure. Kittle kept his feet in bounds and held on, putting six on the board.
Seattle Seahawks: Leonard Williams’ Pick-Six Against the Jets
A lot is going on in this play. For starters, it broke the record for longest interception return for a touchdown by a defensive lineman. Additionally, it came at a perfect time and shifted the momentum to Seattle’s favor. The 310-pound DT’s touchdown prevented New York from adding onto their lead, putting pressure on their offense and ultimately being a major factor in the win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield Stiff-Arms Nick Bosa and Moves the Chains Against the 49ers
Baker Mayfield was a man possessed on fourth down. With the game on the line, he evaded the pressure in the pocket but was then flushed to his right by star edge rusher Nick Bosa. Bosa took hold of Mayfield and attempted to bring him down, but the former Sooner just pushed him back until he found an open man. With one arm occupied by Bosa and having to throw on the move, Mayfield still managed to get the pass off to Rachaad White for the first down.
Tennessee Titans: T’Vondre Sweat’s Fumble Recovery and Run
Following a forced fumble on Joe Burrow, 366-pound T’Vondre Sweat grabbed the loose ball and started running. He broke one tackle and rumbled on before stiff-arming Bengals guard Alex Cappa. His 30-yard run gave Tennessee optimal field position and displayed his elite athleticism.
Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels’ Hail Mary Against the Bears
An obvious selection. One of the best plays of the entire year took place in Washington. Jayden Daniels escaped his pocket and bought himself just enough time to uncork a ball towards the endzone. Tyrique Stevenson tipped it into Noah Brown‘s hands, and the Commanders celebrated their improbable win.
If you enjoyed this article, please follow us here on MSN! Thank you for reading, and have a great day!
