“Most forgotten” plays

[74_75_78_79_]

Watched NFL Network’s Top 10 ‘Most Forgotten Plays’ last night - plays that are forever overshadowed by either a Classic play or at least a play made in vain in a losing effort.

Here’s what their list was...

10 - Bettis endzone fumble in ’05 divisional at Indy
9 - Benny Malone’s TD before the ‘Sea of Hands’
8 - Dan Reeves’ TD in ‘Ice Bowl’
7 - Ricky Proehl’s two seperate SB TDs vs Pats, one as a Ram the other as a Panther
6 - Cowher’s onside kick in SBXXX
5 - Stabler’s long TD run before the ‘Immaculate Reception’
4 - Brian Brennan’s TD before ‘The Drive’
3 - Plaxico’s game-winning TD after Tyree’s helmet-catch
2 - Larry Fitzgerald’s 2 TDs late in SBXLIII
1 - Not just Kearse’s catch, but Malcolm Butler not being ‘surprised’, still alertly making the tackle

Ones mentioned but making the cut were Rob Johnson’s shoe-less pass-play leading to a FG in ‘Music City Miracle’, the big lateral play by Saints in ’03 finale, and Julio Jones’ catch (before Edelman’s) in SBLI. Not sure what others were mentioned if any more were.

Thoughts/comments?

[Bryan]

I liked Bob Lilly blocking Don Chandler's XP attempt in the 4th period of the 1966 NFL Championship. A successful XP would have put the Packers up 35-20 and the game essentially out of reach, but Lilly's block kept the margin at 14 points. The Cowboys ended up losing 34-27 after a questionable series of goal-line plays. I think had Dallas won that game in OT, then Lilly's XP block would have been the turning point of the game.

It's not really forgotten, but Ed Podolak's long kick return in the 1971 AFC Divisional playoff should have given the Chiefs the win over Miami.

Steve Myhra converting the FG at the end of regulation in the 1958 NFL Championship has been glossed over as perfunctory, but Myhra had made only 4 FGs on 10 attempts all season and definitely wasn't a sure bet to make the kick.

[ChrisBabcock]

When I first saw the title of this thread, I thought it meant great plays that were great on their own but just lost to history. Not necessarily overshadowed by another play in the same game. Anyway, if that were the case, what immediately came to mind was the game winning TD in the 1933 championship game. Not that I’ve seen it (has anyone? is it even on film?) but from what I read about it I understand the 4th quarter of this game was quite memorable.

Copied from wikipedia....

New York responded with a drive in which a 30 yard run ball to Newman who then passed it back to Strong for a touchdown. Strong kicked the extra point making the game 21–16 Giants. Chicago drove to the New York 36-yard line on the ensuing drive, and Nagurski again attempted a jump pass. This time the Giants were ready for the play but were fooled when the receiver, Bill Hewitt, who they were prepared to tackle, lateraled the ball to Karr, who ran 31 yards for the touchdown with under two minutes remaining.[16] Their successful extra point attempt gave them a 23–21 lead.[13][16]

[Rupert Patrick]

I was recently watching one of those Top 10 shows about the 10 things that most changed pro football, and he was an honorable mention but should have been in the top two, right behind television, should have been Pete Rozelle.

[7DnBrnc53]

For me, I would have the pass that Eli Manning missed to Plaxico around mid-field in SB 42 (on third down) with about eight minutes left (the Giants were up 10-7 at the time). If he hits that, Tyree's helmet catch may never have happened.

Also, in the 1980 AFC Title Game, the Raiders had a 3rd and 6 around mid-field with about six minutes left when DT Wilbur Young jumped offsides.

[L.C. Greenwood]

Watched NFL Network’s Top 10 ‘Most Forgotten Plays’ last night - plays that are forever overshadowed by either a Classic play or at least a play made in vain in a losing effort.

Here’s what their list was...

10 - Bettis endzone fumble in ’05 divisional at Indy
9 - Benny Malone’s TD before the ‘Sea of Hands’
8 - Dan Reeves’ TD in ‘Ice Bowl’
7 - Ricky Proehl’s two seperate SB TDs vs Pats, one as a Ram the other as a Panther
6 - Cowher’s onside kick in SBXXX
5 - Stabler’s long TD run before the ‘Immaculate Reception’
4 - Brian Brennan’s TD before ‘The Drive’
3 - Plaxico’s game-winning TD after Tyree’s helmet-catch
2 - Larry Fitzgerald’s 2 TDs late in SBXLIII
1 - Not just Kearse’s catch, but Malcolm Butler not being ‘surprised’, still alertly making the tackle


Watched that show too, was surprised they implied Proehl was some kind of journeyman receiver. Proehl enjoyed an excellent career, with 669 catches.

Ones mentioned but making the cut were Rob Johnson’s shoe-less pass-play leading to a FG in ‘Music City Miracle’, the big lateral play by Saints in ’03 finale, and Julio Jones’ catch (before Edelman’s) in SBLI. Not sure what others were mentioned if any more were.

Thoughts/comments?

[BD Sullivan]

1964, Week 2: Cardinals lead Browns, 30-26, with the Browns facing 4th-and-19 on the STL 45 with less than a minute to go. Gary Collins catches Frank Ryan's pass at the Cardinal 2, Jim Brown swept in to take the lead two plays later, though STL raced down the field to salvage a tie--thanks to the always-valuable Prevent D. Obviously, it was ridiculously early in the season, with plenty of things that might have subsequently changed. However, if Collins doesn't make that catch and everything stays nice and tidy, the Cardinals finish 9-3-1 and the Browns 10-4, which sends the Colts to St. Louis for the title game.

The 1981 NFC title game: the horse collar tackle after The Catch. Without it, Dallas might have pulled off a miracle.

[sheajets]

Asante Samuel's dropped INT in Super Bowl XLVI which would've sealed the game for New England

Gary Kubiak's brilliant job salvaging a botched snap in the 1991 Divisional Playoff vs Houston enabling Treadwell to nail the 28 yarder for the win. Completing The Drive II

Lamonica's costly backwards pass late in the 4th quarter of the 1968 AFL Championship game with the Raiders deep in Jets territory that led to a turnover

Al Dodd's brilliant sideline catch with 2 seconds left in 1970 to just give Dempsey a chance to attempt a hailmary field goal (and just listen to the sound when he kicks the ball...it's like a cannon going off https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjqiq4S9bqA

[CSKreager]

Bills/Oilers The Comeback

A surprise onside kick what was really started the avalanche. If Houston recovers the ball up 35-10 instead, maybe they go up 38-10 or 42-10 and the game really is over.

When Davis made it 35-10, it seemed like an oh BTW touchdown. The onside kick and ensuing TD is what made things interesting before history was made.

[Wendell02]

Week 11, Detroit at Baltimore, 12/4/1960. Lenny Moore makes a diving catch of a Unitas pass for the go-ahead TD with 14 seconds left. Colts fans swarm the field in jubilation. On the first play after the KO, Detroit's Earl Morrall hits Jim Gibbons for the game-winning TD with no time left. Leading 15-13, Baltimore DB's are guarding the sidelines to keep the Lions out of FG range. With no time outs left, Morrall tells Gibbons, "If you go down the middle, you'll probably be open." Couple of Google articles:

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=V ... %2C2040594

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_ ... %2C6218309