Football games are some of the most thrilling and heart-stopping events in sports history. From incredible comebacks to miraculous plays, each football game has its own unique story to tell.
This blog post takes a look at 10 of the most incredible football games in history, showcasing some of the most memorable and exciting moments of the game.
So sit back, relax, and get ready to take a journey through some of the greatest football games of all time!
Table of Contents
1) Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys,
1967 NFL Championship
The 1967 NFL Championship between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys remains one of the greatest football games of all time.
The game was the first ever NFL Championship game to be played outdoors in cold weather.
The temperature at kick-off was an icy -13°F, and the wind chill was -48°F.
In a remarkable upset, the Packers prevailed 34-27 in what has been dubbed the “Ice Bowl.”
Despite the frigid temperatures, the Packers showed grit and determination throughout, making big plays when it mattered most.
Quarterback Bart Starr scored the game-winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak with only 16 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Ice Bowl would go down in history as one of the most legendary games in NFL history.
It is a testament to the resilience and tenacity of the Green Bay Packers, and serves as an example of just how far teams can go when they push through adversity.
2) New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts, 1969 Super Bowl
In one of the most iconic football games in history, the New York Jets and Baltimore Colts squared off in the 1969 Super Bowl. The Jets had been massive underdogs, entering the game with an 18-1 record while the Colts boasted a 12-2 record.
But the Jets, led by quarterback Joe Namath and a team of determined players, managed to shock the world with a 16-7 victory over the Colts.
The Jets’ defense was nothing short of spectacular throughout the entire game, holding the Colts to just seven points.
They also managed to force two fumbles and intercept four passes from future Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas.
As for Namath, he threw for 206 yards and a touchdown, and his performance earned him the MVP title for the game.
The 1969 Super Bowl marked the first win for an AFL team in the championship game.
To this day, it remains one of the most memorable Super Bowls in history, and its outcome will always be remembered as one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Oakland Raiders.
1972 AFC Divisional Playoff
The 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders is one of the most incredible football games in history.
The game was tied at seven going into the fourth quarter, when Steelers’ QB Terry Bradshaw threw a touchdown pass to receiver John Fuqua to give Pittsburgh a 13-7 lead.
But the Raiders fought back and tied the score with just under two minutes to go in the game.
The Steelers then got the ball back and marched down the field, culminating in Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception” touchdown catch, which sealed the victory for Pittsburgh and sent them to their first Super Bowl appearance.
The game has been dubbed “the greatest game ever played” by some and is considered an all-time classic among NFL fans.
The Steelers went on to win Super Bowl IX that year, setting the stage for their legendary dynasty of the 1970s.
4) Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns,
1974 AFC Divisional Playoff
The 1974 AFC Divisional Playoff between the Miami Dolphins and the Cleveland Browns was an epic contest that ended up as one of the most incredible football games in history.
On December 21, 1974, the Dolphins and the Browns faced off in a thrilling game that included nine lead changes and multiple fourth-quarter comebacks.
The Dolphins started the game off with a bang, scoring on the first possession with a touchdown from quarterback Bob Griese.
However, the Browns quickly responded with two unanswered touchdowns to take a 14-7 lead. The Dolphins came back and eventually took the lead 21-20 in the fourth quarter.
With less than four minutes left, Cleveland’s Brian Sipe threw a touchdown pass to tight end Ozzie Newsome to give the Browns a 27-21 advantage.
The game seemed to be over, but Griese had other plans. With just 37 seconds left on the clock,
he led Miami on an improbable drive that included two long passes and ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Paul Warfield. This gave the Dolphins the 28-27 victory and earned them a spot in the AFC Championship game against Oakland.
The 1974 AFC Divisional Playoff between the Dolphins and Browns is undoubtedly one of the greatest football games in history.
Despite having their backs against the wall multiple times, the Dolphins managed to pull off a miraculous win in the final minutes.
This incredible game will live on in the hearts and minds of NFL fans forever.
5) New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1987 NFC Championship
The New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers faced off in the 1987 NFC Championship game in what would become one of the most memorable games in NFL history.
The Giants, who had finished the regular season with a 10-6 record, were heavy underdogs against the 14-2 49ers.
The game was an epic battle that went down to the wire.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Giants opened the scoring with a field goal from kicker Raul Allegre in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, the Giants increased their lead to 6-0 when Phil Simms threw a touchdown pass to Mark Bavaro.
The 49ers then took the lead on a Joe Montana touchdown pass to John Taylor late in the third quarter.
The Giants responded quickly with a touchdown of their own in the fourth quarter when Simms connected with Bavaro again.
The game came down to the final minute and the 49ers drove deep into Giants territory looking for a game-winning score.
However, the Giants defense held strong and forced the 49ers to settle for a field goal attempt.
Unfortunately for San Francisco, kicker Ray Wersching missed wide right and the Giants held on for a 15-13 victory.
The victory sent the Giants to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1963, where they would go on to defeat the Denver Broncos 39-20 for their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.
The Giants-49ers matchup remains one of the most iconic games in NFL history and is a testament to how exciting football can be.
6) Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Oilers, 1992 AFC Wild Card Playoff.
The Buffalo Bills and Houston Oilers met in a thrilling 1992 AFC Wild Card Playoff game.
This is arguably one of the greatest football games in history and is remembered for its dramatic conclusion.
The game was a back-and-forth battle between two highly competitive teams. The Oilers had the advantage early on, taking a 28-3 lead at halftime.
But the Bills came back in the second half, led by backup quarterback Frank Reich. He threw four touchdown passes to bring the Bills to within a field goal of tying the game.
With 16 seconds left in regulation, the Bills had the ball on the Oilers’ 32-yard line.
Reich threw a pass to wide receiver Don Beebe, who ran it into the end zone for a touchdown.
The score was now 32-31 and it was up to kicker Scott Norwood to make the extra point and tie the game.
Unfortunately, Norwood’s kick sailed wide right, ending the game in an Oilers victory.
The “Comeback Kids” moniker was given to the Bills after this game, which remains one of the most exciting and memorable games in NFL history.
7) Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers, 1997 Super Bowl
The 1997 Super Bowl was one of the most exciting football games in history, as the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers clashed for the title.
The Broncos were led by legendary quarterback John Elway and running back Terrell Davis, while the Packers had Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre at the helm.
The game was close throughout, with neither team able to gain a significant lead.
In the fourth quarter, the Broncos had possession and the score was tied 24-24. Elway then executed a memorable drive that included several key passes and culminated in a touchdown.
With less than a minute left, the Broncos held a 31-24 lead and the Packers had no chance of coming back.
The Broncos went on to win Super Bowl XXXI and set the stage for their successful run in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
It was an amazing game between two legendary teams, one that will never be forgotten by NFL fans.
8) New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams,
2001 Super Bowl One of the most incredible football games in history is the 2001 Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the St.
Louis Rams. It was a matchup between two dynasties and one of the most exciting Super Bowls ever.
The Rams had won the previous year’s Super Bowl and were heavily favored to win again.
The Patriots, however, shocked the world and upset the Rams. Led by quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots defense came up with big plays all game and held the Rams offense to just 17 points.
The game was close throughout, but it came down to the final minutes when the Patriots had the ball and a chance to win.
Brady led an impressive drive down the field and set up kicker Adam Vinatieri for a last-minute field goal to take the lead.
Vinatieri would make the kick and cement his place in NFL lore as one of the greatest kickers ever.
The Patriots would win their first Super Bowl in franchise history and set off a dynasty that would go on to win four more titles over the next decade.
The 2001 Super Bowl will be remembered as one of the greatest games in NFL history, and it will always have a special place in the hearts of Patriots fans.
9) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks,
2005 Super Bowl
The 2005 Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks is one of the most incredible football games in history.
The Steelers had the number one ranked offense in the NFL, and the Seahawks had the number one ranked defense.
The Steelers led throughout the game, but the Seahawks stayed close, forcing the game into overtime.
In overtime, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger connected with wide receiver Antwaan Randle El for a 43-yard touchdown to seal the victory for the Steelers.
It was an amazing game that included two of the best defenses in NFL history, and two dynamic offenses.
The Steelers ended up winning the game 21-10, and with it, their fifth Super Bowl championship. This Super Bowl matchup will forever be remembered as one of the most exciting games in football history.
10) New York Giants vs. New England Patriots.
2007 Super Bowl, The 2007 Super Bowl is remembered as one of the most thrilling football games in history.
This contest featured two of the most successful franchises in the NFL at the time; the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.
The Giants were led by a strong passing attack, while the Patriots relied on their top-ranked defense to shut down opposing teams.
The game began with the Patriots taking an early lead due to quarterback Tom Brady’s accuracy. However, the Giants were able to slowly chip away at the lead and eventually took it late in the fourth quarter.
Despite a last-ditch effort from the Patriots, the Giants were able to hold on and win 17-14, making them Super Bowl champions for the first time since 1990.
The dramatic conclusion of this game, combined with the impact of both teams made it an instant classic.
It remains one of the most thrilling football games in history and is remembered fondly by fans of both teams.
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