NFL Quarter Century: Top 25 games, from Super Bowls and resurgences to legendary plays and also Tim Tebow

The NFL is entering its 2025 period, which suggests we’re a quarter of the method with this century of football. All week long, Yahoo Sports Elder NFL Writer Frank Schwab will dive into the past 25 years in the organization.

More: All-Quarter Century Group | 25 best draft picks | Top 25 teams

For a long stretch of the 1970 s and 1980 s and also a lot of the 1990 s, there weren’t several great Very Bowls. That has actually changed.

A checklist of the best 25 video games of the past 25 years needs to include an inordinate quantity of Super Bowls. Throughout this century, the ultimate video game each period has constantly provided. When the most significant audiences have actually tuned in, the groups have brought their game up.

Right here’s our leading 25 games since the beginning of the 2000 season.

25 Tebowmania: Broncos walk off Steelers

The elevation of Tebowmania. The 2011 Broncos was just one of the most entertaining groups you’ll ever before see, and this was their final astounding win. Tim Tebow, that threw for 316 lawns against the Steelers in this wild-card video game, struck Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime for an 80 -yard walk-off goal. Tebow would certainly start only one more game at quarterback in the NFL, when the Broncos were eliminated the complying with week.

24 Miracle at the New Meadowlands

When you look through this listing, it’s very tough for a regular-season video game to make it. This set was unique. Everyone remembers DeSean Jackson’s punt return touchdown with time ended to complete the Eagles’ comeback gain the Giants late in the 2010 period, yet what is shed is that Michael Vick went nuclear in the 2nd fifty percent to drag Philly back in the game. This was as remarkable as a regular-season video game can get.

23 Andrew Good luck leads comeback over the Chiefs

The Colts fell behind the Chiefs early in a 2013 wild-card video game, and it was 38 – 10 not long right into the third quarter. That set the stage for a wild comeback from the Colts, who won 45 – 44 on a fourth-quarter bomb from Andrew Luck to T.Y. Hilton. It’s the highlight of Luck’s short NFL job.

22 49 ers come back to stun Giants

The very first championship game on Jan. 5, 2003, was a 36-33 Steelers comeback sway the Browns, after Cleveland took a 24 – 7 lead. That video game barely missed this listing. The 2nd playoff game of the day, which had an also better comeback, made the cut. The 49 ers routed 38 – 14 late in the third quarter of their wild-card video game against the Giants when the return began. It ended when New york city had a poor snap on a field-goal effort that would have won the game. Pass interference must have been contacted the despair heave downfield after the poor snap, yet it wasn’t and the 49 ers held on for a 39 – 38 win. What a day of playoff football.

21 Patriots and Panthers light it up in 4 th

Super Dish XXXVIII had a scoreless initial quarter and a scoreless third quarter. It didn’t resemble a classic going into the fourth quarter. Then the Patriots and Panthers emerged for 37 combined factors. The final 3 factors were from Adam Vinatieri, who hit his second Super Bowl-winning basket as time ran out.

20 Mile High Wonder

The 2012 Broncos may have been the very best of the 4 teams Peyton Manning led in Denver. It didn’t win a playoff game because the Ravens carried out a dramatic trouble. This video game had a number of huge plays, none larger than Joe Flacco hitting Jacoby Jones on a desperate deep masquerade a 70 -backyard goal with 31 secs left in guideline. In dual overtime, the Ravens kicked a basket to win 38 – 35 They would certainly go on to win the Super Dish that season.

19 Chiefs defeat 49 ers once more in Super Bowl LVIII

The Chiefs’ return win over the 49 ers in Super Bowl LIV might have made the listing. Instead, the Chiefs’ return gain the 49 ers in Super Dish LVIII was consisted of. The 49 ers took a lead with much less than 2 mins left, but that’s excessive time for Patrick Mahomes. He led a game-tying drive. In overtime, Kyle Shanahan took the sphere initially, the 49 ers kicked a field goal, and after that Mahomes reduced San Francisco’s hearts out. A walk-off goal from Mahomes to Mecole Hardman secured Kansas City’s 3rd champion of their dynasty.

18 ‘We are all Patriots’

It’s hard to bear in mind, but there was a time when the Patriots were a lovable underdog with Costs Belichick and Tom Brady. The Rams were a huge favored in Super Bowl XXXVI, but a great defensive plan from Belichick kept them in the video game. After that, at the end, a young Brady drove New England right into placement for Adam Vinatieri to strike a game-winning field goal as time ran out.

17 Helmet Catch

In a vacuum cleaner, Super Bowl XLII wasn’t a great video game. There were simply 10 factors racked up via 3 quarters as both offenses battled. But it was historical. The Giants were able to defeat the 18 -0 Patriots with the help of David Tyree’s renowned catch pinned versus his headgear. The Patriots took a lead prior to the two-minute caution on a Randy Moss goal. Then Eli Manning after that led a go-ahead drive stressed by Tyree’s catch and capped by Plaxico Burress’ touchdown with 35 secs left. It’s one of one of the most considerable upsets in NFL background.

16 Steve Smith strolls it off

The Rams came close to a few more Super Dish titles early in the century. They were upset in the 2003 local round video game in the house when Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme struck Steve Smith for a 69 -backyard goal in double overtime. The Rams won a wild-card game the following postseason, after that didn’t win another playoff game for 14 years.

15 Seahawks’ wonder comeback vs. Packers

The Packers placed on a clinic in just how to blow a video game In this NFC national championship in 2015, Eco-friendly Bay seemed to seal a win when Morgan Burnett obstructed Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter. That’s why Julius Peppers told Burnett to slide down , and he did. Yet the Seahawks, down 19 – 7 at the time, weren’t dead. They scored with just over two minutes left, got an unlikely onside kick, and racked up once again. The Packers rallied to force overtime, after that Wilson struck Jermaine Kearse for a game-ending 35 -lawn goal to send out Seattle to the Super Bowl.

14 Cardinals last longer than Packers 51 – 45

Kurt Detector and Aaron Rodgers threw haymakers in this wild-card match at the end of the 2009 period in between Hall of Fame quarterbacks (Warner is in and Rodgers will certainly be one day quickly). They combined for greater than 800 yards and 9 touchdown passes. In overtime, the Cardinals reached Rodgers, hitting him and rough the round loose. Rodgers accidentally kicked the ball, and it landed in Karlos Dansby’s hands for a game-ending return.

13 Seahawks out-slug 49 ers for NFC title

The Seahawks and 49 ers played some difficult, extreme, affordable video games versus each other very early in the 2010 s. The 2013 season NFC national championship was the apex of that competition. The Seahawks outscored the 49 ers 10 -0 in the 4th quarter, and Richard Sherman’s idea in the end area that caused Malcolm Smith’s interception secured a 23 – 17 win and sent out Seattle to the Super Dish.

12 49 ers topple Saints in a Candle holder thriller

Drew Brees led an excellent Saints group right into Candle holder Park for this 2011 period divisional round video game, tossed for 462 lawns and four touchdowns, and still lost to the 49 ers. There were 34 points in the 4th quarter and 4 lead adjustments in the last 4: 02 Vernon Davis’ touchdown catch with nine seconds left decided this thriller 36 – 32 for San Francisco.

11 Patrick Mahomes conquers Eagles

The Chiefs were in difficulty at halftime of Super Bowl LVII, tracking 24 – 14 and with Patrick Mahomes hindering about on a poor ankle. However Mahomes tossed for two fourth-quarter goals and led a drive in the final mins for Harrison Butker’s field goal as time expired to win one more champion. The Eagles would end up getting some Super Dish revenge 2 years later on.

10 Eagles win very first Super Dish in Patriots shootout

It’s quite fantastic to take into consideration that nearly 18, 000 NFL games have been played, yet the one that saw the most consolidated lawns happened in a Super Bowl. The Patriots and Eagles combined for a document 1, 151 backyards in a fun up-and-down video game. The most unforgettable backyard came on the “Philly Special,” one of the most famous trick play in Super Bowl history. Philadelphia’s first ever Super Bowl title was available in a wonderful video game.

9 Put Policy

This had not been the most beautiful video game, in terms of execution. But the snow in New England provided an unforgettable setup, and it ended up being a game that changed NFL history. It looked like the Raiders would certainly win this 2001 period local game when Charles Woodson hit Tom Brady, still in his first period as a starter, compeling what appeared like a fumble. That’s when we all got aware of the tuck guideline. It was called insufficient, Adam Vinatieri would certainly hit one of the greatest starts NFL background to send the video game to overtime and the Patriots won. New England ended up winning the Super Bowl that season and an empire was born.

8 Rams 54, Chiefs 51

There has actually been one video game in NFL history in which a group racked up more than 50 factors and shed. This was it. It wasn’t just an arbitrary high-scoring video game; this was a Monday night showcase in between 2 9 – 1 Super Dish competitors late in the 2018 period. It had not been just a protective ordeal either. There allowed scoring plays from each defense in the game. It’s just that the offenses were that good. The Rams held on in a game that delighted us.

7 Minneapolis Wonder

Some games are remembered as being excellent for an unforgettable play at the end, also if the very first 59 mins weren’t all that intriguing. The “Minneapolis Miracle” was a heck of a divisional round video game even if it simply finished with the Saints tackling Stefon Diggs. However we know that Diggs inexplicably supported the Saints defense for a 61 -yard goal as time ran out, the Vikings progressed to the NFC championship game and a standard was made.

6 Patriots hold-up Chiefs empire in OT

This 2018 period AFC championship game will certainly age as a time capsule video game. On one side was 41 -year-old Tom Brady attempting to get his 6th Super Dish ring. On the various other was 23 -year-old Patrick Mahomes, at the end of his very first year as a starter and his very first MVP period. It was two empires coming on the night. Extremely, there were 44 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. The Patriots won 37 – 31 in OT, and 2 weeks later won their final Super Dish of the Brady/Bill Belichick empire. The Chiefs would certainly need to wait their turn for their initial title of their dynasty.

5 Steelers over Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII

This game had two of the best plays in Super Bowl history, which doesn’t count Larry Fitzgerald’s majestic touchdown to provide the Cardinals a lead with 2: 37 left. The Cardinals had actually appeared to overcome James Harrison’s absurd 100 -yard interception return goal to end the very first half, and they were closing in on the franchise’s initial Super Dish title after Fitzgerald split the protection and scored. However Ben Roethlisberger led a game-winning drive, covered by Santonio Holmes’ amazing catch in the rear of completion area to assist the Steelers become the very first franchise to win six Super Bowls.

4 Peyton Manning and Colts come back vs. Patriots

The 2006 season AFC champion may be one of the most underrated terrific video game in NFL history. The Patriots took a 21 – 3 lead and it looked like another disappointment for Peyton Manning. However Manning led a great resurgence, the Colts obtained a game-sealing interception off Tom Brady late and finally Manning was heading to his initial Super Bowl. There were many fantastic Manning-Brady duels, however this was the most effective of the bunch.

3 28 – 3: Patriots’ return crushes Falcons

It’s hard to rank any kind of game that had not been especially intriguing deep into the 3rd quarter. The Falcons were blowing out the Patriots, notoriously leading 28 – 3 The resurgence is what we keep in mind, with every point that the Patriots required to go right– 16 different plays throughout the comeback, in fact — exercising in their favor. It’s not the largest return in NFL history, in terms of points, however it’s the most renowned resurgence ever.

2 13 secs: Chiefs somehow defeat Expenses

Josh Allen was absolutely incredible in this game, gave the Costs a lead with 13 secs left in policy, and somehow Buffalo shed. The” 13 secs” game will reside in Costs infamy, as Patrick Mahomes led a fast drive for a game-tying field goal, then the Chiefs won it in overtime. There was amazing quarterback play from both sides, extraordinary drama late in the video game, with five scores can be found in the final 2 minutes of regulation and overtime, and an astonishing expansion of the Chiefs’ dynasty. It is one of the greatest games of all time Simply not the very best among the previous 25 periods.

1 Super Dish XLIX: Malcolm Butler stuns Seahawks

My choice for the best game in NFL background. This was Ali-Frazier I of the NFL, with 2 prime heavyweights ultimately fulfilling for supremacy. The video game had practically whatever, consisting of a remarkable return led by Tom Brady versus an excellent Seahawks defense. Jermaine Kearse had among the terrific circus catches of perpetuity to set the Seahawks as much as win. And after that most of us remember what happened at the end, with a regrettable play-call and Malcolm Butler’s interception, probably the single most impactful play in NFL history (name one more one that singularly altered that won a Super Dish). This game, between two of the best groups of the age, had everything.