Any Given Sunday football: The NFL’s Epic 100-Year History in 20 Games

“Any Given Sunday” is a phrase often used to describe the unpredictable nature of the NFL. Over the course of its 100-year history, the league has seen countless memorable moments and games. Here are 20 games that stand out as some of the most epic in NFL history:

1. 1958 NFL Championship Game – Baltimore Colts vs. New York Giants
   This game, often referred to as “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” saw the Colts defeat the Giants 23-17 in the first-ever NFL championship game to go into sudden death overtime.
2. Super Bowl III – New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts
   In one of the biggest upsets in NFL history, Joe Namath and the New York Jets defeated the heavily favored Baltimore Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III.
3. Super Bowl XIII – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys
   The Steelers defeated the Cowboys 35-31 in a high-scoring shootout that featured several memorable plays, including Lynn Swann’s acrobatic touchdown catch.
4. The Immaculate Reception – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Oakland Raiders
   In the closing seconds of a 1972 playoff game, Franco Harris of the Steelers caught a deflected pass and ran it in for a game-winning touchdown that is still considered one of the most miraculous plays in NFL history.
5. The Catch – San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys
   In the 1981 NFC Championship Game, Joe Montana threw a touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone to give the 49ers a 28-27 victory over the Cowboys.
6. Super Bowl XXIII – San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
   In one of the most iconic drives in NFL history, Joe Montana led the 49ers on a 92-yard drive in the final minutes of Super Bowl XXIII to defeat the Bengals 20-16.
7. Super Bowl XXV – New York Giants vs. Buffalo Bills
   The Giants defeated the Bills 20-19 in a nail-biting finish that saw Buffalo kicker Scott Norwood miss a potential game-winning field goal in the closing seconds.
8. Super Bowl XXXIV – St. Louis Rams vs. Tennessee Titans
   In a game that came down to the final play, the Rams held off a late charge from the Titans to win 23-16 and claim their first Super Bowl title.
9. The Tuck Rule Game – New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders
   In a 2002 playoff game, a controversial call known as the “Tuck Rule” allowed the Patriots to tie the game and eventually win in overtime, starting a dynasty that would dominate the NFL for years to come.
10. Super Bowl XXXVI – New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams
    In one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, the underdog Patriots defeated the high-powered Rams 20-17 in a game that featured several key plays from quarterback Tom Brady.
11. The Music City Miracle – Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills
    In a 2000 playoff game, the Titans pulled off an improbable last-second kickoff return for a touchdown to defeat the Bills 22-16.
12. Super Bowl XLII – New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
    In one of the most stunning upsets in Super Bowl history, the Giants defeated the undefeated Patriots 17-14, thanks in large part to a miraculous catch by David Tyree.
13. Super Bowl XLIII – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals
    In a game that featured several big plays and lead changes, the Steelers held off a late charge from the Cardinals to win 27-23 and claim their sixth Super Bowl title.
14. The Minneapolis Miracle – Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints
    In a 2018 playoff game, the Vikings
15. Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons
    In a game that saw the Patriots overcome a 25-point deficit, Tom Brady led the team on a historic comeback to defeat the Falcons 34-28 in overtime.
16. The Philly Special – Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots
    In Super Bowl LII, the Eagles pulled off a trick play known as the “Philly Special,” in which quarterback Nick Foles caught a touchdown pass, helping the Eagles defeat the Patriots 41-33.
17. The “Fail Mary” – Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks
    In a 2012 game, a controversial call on a last-second Hail Mary pass gave the Seahawks a victory over the Packers, sparking a debate about the use of replacement referees in the NFL.
18. Super Bowl XLVII – Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers
    In a game that featured a power outage and a dramatic comeback attempt by the 49ers, the Ravens held on to win 34-31 and claim their second Super Bowl title.
19. The Ice Bowl – Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys
    In the 1967 NFL Championship Game, played in frigid temperatures that dipped to -15°F, the Packers defeated the Cowboys 21-17 in a game that has become a part of NFL lore.
20. Super Bowl LIII – New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams
    In a low-scoring defensive battle, the Patriots defeated the Rams 13-3 to claim their sixth Super Bowl title, tying them with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most championships in NFL history.