It’s the best NFL weekend of the year — four games over two days with spots in the conference championships on the line. Some of the most memorable moments in NFL history have come in the divisional playoff round. Here are the ones that stand out:
10. The Longest Day: Dec. 25, 1971
The Miami Dolphins outlasted the Kansas City Chiefs in double overtime, 27-24. Miami tied it late in the fourth quarter. Chiefs kicker Jan Stenerud missed two kicks — including a 39-yarder in final minute — and had one blocked in overtime. Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian nailed 37 yarder for win.
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It might be a while before the Redskins make it back into the NFL’s postseason. So why not take a look at the team’s most famous divisional playoff games? A memorable victory came in 1988 when Washington beat Chicago on the road, 21-17. Darrell Green’s 52-yard punt return turned the tide that afternoon. The infamous seat-cushion game — a 24-7 blowout of the Atlanta Falcons in 1992 where yellow cushions rained onto the RFK Stadium field — was a divisional playoff game, too. As was the heartbreaking 14-13 loss at Tampa Bay in 2000 where a bad snap cost a chance at a game-winning 52-yard field goal. In 2006, the Redskins dropped a 20-10 decision at Seattle. The Skins had the ball in the red zone and a chance to tie in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t score.
9. The Tackle: Jan. 15, 2006
The Pittsburgh Steelers almost blew the upset of the Indianapolis Colts when Jerome Bettis fumbled at the goal line with 1:20 left. The Colts’ Nick Harper was headed for a touchdown of his own when Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made an open-field tackle. Indianapolis missed a game-tying field goal in the 21-18 loss.
8. Ghost to the Post: Dec. 24, 1977
Oakland Raiders tight end Dave Casper — nicknamed “Ghost” — ran a deep post route to get behind the Baltimore Colts defense and somehow changed direction to get under a wounded duck throw from quarterback Kenny Stabler. The third-and-long play set up a game-tying field goal. Casper later caught a 10-yard touchdown in double overtime for a 37-31 win.
7. The Fog Bowl: Dec. 31, 1988
Not sure anyone even saw this game. Fog rolled into Soldier Field in dense blankets during the second quarter and never left. Neither the Chicago Bears’ nor Philadelphia Eagles’ players could see more than 10 yards down field. The Eagles moved the ball, but settled for four field goals in a 20-12 loss.
6. Fourth-and-Forever: Jan. 11, 2004
The game was all but over. But Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donavan McNabb — facing 4th down and 26 yards to go — somehow completed a 28-yard pass to receiver Freddie Mitchell with 1:12 to play. David Akers tied the game at 17 with a field goal and Brian Dawkins’ interception set up the Eagles’ 20-17 overtime victory.
5. Tuck Rule: Jan. 19, 2002
No Oakland Raiders fan will forget it. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a late fumble turned into an incomplete pass via instant replay when the referee ruled his arm was coming forward in a passing motion during the hit. Adam Vinatieri kicked the tying 45-yard field goal in the snow and a 23 yarder in overtime for the win, 16-13.
4. Sea of Hands: Dec. 21, 1974
That’s all Oakland Raiders quarterback Kenny Stabler saw when he fired a pass eight yards into end zone for running back Clarence Davis, who squeezed between three Miami Dolphins defenders and caught the game-winning touchdown with 24 seconds left in the 28-26 victory.
3. Hail Mary: Dec. 28, 1975
Ever wonder where the term came from? Thank Roger Staubach. The Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback coined it himself after a miraculous 50-yard touchdown pass to receiver Drew Pearson with 16 seconds left against the Minnesota Vikings. Pearson pinned the ball against his hip and waltzed into the end zone for 17-14 lead.
2. The Epic: Jan. 2, 1982
A game that tested endurance of every player in it. The Miami Dolphins roared back from a 24-0 first-quarter deficit to the San Diego Chargers and took a 38-31 lead. But a late Dan Fouts touchdown pass tied it and the Chargers kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime for the 41-38 victory. The defining image? An exhausted San Diego tight end Kellen Winslow being carried off field by two teammates.
1. Immaculate Reception: Dec. 23, 1972
Simply one of the greatest plays in sports history. Down 7-6 to the Oakland Raiders, the Pittsburgh Steelers faced 4th-and-10 at their own 40-yard line with 22 seconds left. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw launched the ball down field only to see halfback John Fuqua drilled by Raiders safety Jack Tatum. But the ball was deflected back toward the oncoming Franco Harris, who scooped it up before it hit the turf and raced 36 yards for a game-winning touchdown.
