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Top 3 Unforgettable Super Bowl Plays of All Time

Top 3 Unforgettable Super Bowl Plays of All Time
01 Dec
2023
Not in Hall of Fame

These moments define the game, showcasing the extraordinary skill, extreme pressure, and unpredictability that make the Super Bowl the pinnacle of American Football.

Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit the top 3 unforgettable Super Bowl plays of all time.

 

The Magic of David Tyree's Helmet Catch

The magic of David Tyree's helmet catch in Super Bowl XLII is a moment forever etched in the annals of football history.

With just over a minute left, the Giants' hopes hung by a thread on third-and-5. Eli Manning, the Giants' quarterback, found himself swarmed by Patriots pass rushers. In a move that seemed to defy gravity and expectation, Manning spun out of what looked like a sure sack and heaved the ball downfield, where David Tyree, the Giants' fourth receiver, made an improbable leap for the catch. What happened next has since been immortalized as 'The Helmet Catch.' Tyree secured the ball against his helmet with his left hand, maintaining control even as Patriots safety Rodney Harrison tried to knock it loose during their descent to the turf.

This remarkable play was the launching pad for the Giants' game-winning drive and set the stage for one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history - a victory over the undefeated New England Patriots.

 

Santonio Holmes' Astounding Toe-Tap Touchdown

Super Bowl XLIII was a heart-throbbing, nail-biting affair that witnessed one of the most iconic plays of all time - Santonio Holmes' touchdown toe-tap. The Steelers were trailing and needed a touchdown to leap into the lead. As the clock ticked down, every second counted, every play mattered. Enter Santonio Holmes.

Now, if you're a Steelers fan, you probably remember it like it was yesterday. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger dropped back from the Cardinals' 6-yard line, his eyes scanning the field before locking onto Holmes. Despite three Cardinals defenders hovering in the same area, Roethlisberger launched the ball anyway.

What happened next was nothing short of pure magic. Holmes, stretching every inch of his 5-foot-11 frame, leaped towards the pass. The ball sailed over the outstretched hand of the Cardinals' cornerback, Ralph Brown, and landed in Holmes' waiting hands. Against all odds, Holmes managed to stay inbounds. His left foot rooted about 10 inches from the sidelines, his right foot swiftly tapping down inbounds before he tumbled out of bounds.

After a few suspenseful moments, the referees confirmed it - touchdown, Steelers. With just 35 seconds left on the clock, that play clinched a 27-23 victory for the Steelers.

 

The Game-Changing Tackle by Mike Jones

Super Bowl XXXIV will forever be remembered for "The Tackle" by the Rams' Mike Jones. The Tennessee Titans, having made an unprecedented comeback, were poised to score in the last seconds of the game. With the Rams leading 23-16, the Titans had marched up to the Rams' 10-yard line and planned a quick slant to Kevin Dyson. The play seemed to go as planned, with quarterback Steve McNair hitting Dyson at the 4-yard line and Dyson surging toward the end zone.

But football, like life, is unpredictable and can hinge on a split-second decision or a desperate lunge. As Dyson charged toward the end zone, Mike Jones of the Rams lunged and grabbed Dyson's legs, pulling him down. As he fell, Dyson stretched out as far as he could towards the end zone, but he fell just one yard short.

This game-changing tackle by Mike Jones preserved the Rams' 23-16 lead and won them their first-ever Super Bowl. The moment encapsulated the nerve-racking tension and the spontaneous resolution that made the Super Bowl an unpredictable and riveting spectacle.

 

Final Thoughts

These top 3 unforgettable Super Bowl plays are just a glimpse into the rich history of this iconic event. With each passing year, we witness new moments that leave us in awe and disbelief.

The next Super Bowl may bring about even more unforgettable plays that will be etched in our memories forever. And if you want to get in on the action and make your predictions, be sure to check out FanDuel Super Bowl odds. Who knows, maybe one of your prop bets will become the next unforgettable Super Bowl play.

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