Best NFL Games of All Time: Classics You Should Watch

Introduction

The National Football League (NFL) has a rich history filled with countless games that have captivated audiences and left a lasting mark on the sport. From historic upsets to incredible comebacks and iconic plays, these contests are more than just a scoreboard—they are moments that define eras and solidify the legacies of players and teams. The following is a look at some of the greatest NFL games of all time, ranked based on their significance, drama, and overall impact on football history.

The Classics: 10 to 1

10. Super Bowl XXV: Giants vs. Bills (1991) Known as the “Wide Right” game, this Super Bowl was a nail-biter from start to finish. The underdog New York Giants, with their ball-control offense and stifling defense, battled the high-powered Buffalo Bills offense. The game came down to the final seconds, with Bills kicker Scott Norwood’s potential game-winning 47-yard field goal attempt sailing wide right, securing the Giants’ 20-19 victory. It’s a game remembered for its strategic brilliance and one of the most agonizing misses in sports history.

9. Super Bowl LI: Patriots vs. Falcons (2017) This Super Bowl is defined by one word: “28-3.” The Atlanta Falcons held a seemingly insurmountable 28-3 lead over the New England Patriots in the third quarter. What followed was the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, led by quarterback Tom Brady. The Patriots scored 31 unanswered points, including a dramatic game-tying touchdown in the final minute, to force the first-ever Super Bowl overtime. They won the coin toss and marched down the field for a 34-28 victory, a comeback that cemented Brady’s and Bill Belichick’s legendary status.

8. Super Bowl XLIX: Patriots vs. Seahawks (2015) This Super Bowl had a thrilling final act. The Seattle Seahawks, with a chance to win the game from the Patriots’ 1-yard line, decided to pass instead of giving the ball to their star running back, Marshawn Lynch. The decision proved to be disastrous, as Patriots rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler intercepted quarterback Russell Wilson’s pass in the end zone with just 20 seconds remaining. The Patriots held on for a 28-24 win, a moment of clutch defense that will be forever replayed.

7. “The Comeback”: Bills vs. Oilers (1993 AFC Wild Card) In what is arguably the greatest comeback in NFL history, the Buffalo Bills erased a 32-point deficit against the Houston Oilers. Down 35-3 early in the third quarter, the Bills, playing without their injured starting quarterback, scored 35 consecutive points to take a 38-35 lead. The Oilers forced overtime, but the Bills ultimately won 41-38, completing an unbelievable rally that showcased a team’s resilience and determination.

6. Super Bowl III: Jets vs. Colts (1969) This game may not have been the most competitive, but its historical significance is unmatched. The Baltimore Colts, from the established NFL, were overwhelming favorites against the upstart AFL’s New York Jets. However, Jets quarterback Joe Namath famously “guaranteed” a victory. He delivered on his promise, leading the Jets to a 16-7 upset. The win validated the AFL-NFL merger and proved that the two leagues were on equal footing, changing the landscape of professional football forever.

5. Super Bowl XLII: Giants vs. Patriots (2008) The undefeated New England Patriots, on the verge of a perfect 19-0 season, were heavy favorites against the New York Giants. What ensued was a defensive battle, culminating in one of the most famous plays in NFL history: “The Helmet Catch.” On a late fourth-quarter drive, Giants quarterback Eli Manning escaped a sure sack and heaved a pass downfield that wide receiver David Tyree pinned against his helmet for a miraculous catch. The play led to a game-winning touchdown and a stunning 17-14 upset that preserved the 1972 Miami Dolphins’ legacy as the only undefeated team in NFL history.

4. “The Epic in Miami”: Chargers vs. Dolphins (1982 AFC Divisional Playoff) This playoff game was a seesaw battle filled with big plays and incredible drama. The San Diego Chargers jumped out to a 24-0 lead, but the Miami Dolphins stormed back to take the lead in the fourth quarter. The game featured multiple lead changes, a hook-and-lateral play for a touchdown, and a game-tying field goal by the Dolphins as time expired. The Chargers eventually won 41-38 in overtime, a game so grueling that Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow had to be helped off the field by his teammates.

3. “The Ice Bowl”: Packers vs. Cowboys (1967 NFL Championship) Played in -15°F temperatures with a wind chill of -48°F, this game is legendary for its brutal conditions. The Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys fought through a frozen tundra for the right to play in Super Bowl II. The game’s final play is etched in NFL lore: with seconds remaining and no timeouts, Packers quarterback Bart Starr scored the game-winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line, securing a 21-17 victory and a spot in the Super Bowl.

2. “The Catch”: 49ers vs. Cowboys (1982 NFC Championship) This game marked a changing of the guard in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys, a dynasty of the 1970s, faced the emerging San Francisco 49ers. With the 49ers trailing in the final minute, quarterback Joe Montana led a heroic drive, culminating in a third-and-three pass to a leaping Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone. “The Catch” gave the 49ers a 28-27 lead and propelled them to their first of five Super Bowl victories, ushering in the era of the Montana-led dynasty.

1. “The Greatest Game Ever Played”: Colts vs. Giants (1958 NFL Championship) The game that put the NFL on the map. This championship was the first to be nationally televised and the first to go into sudden-death overtime. The Baltimore Colts, led by quarterback Johnny Unitas, drove down the field in the final two minutes to set up a game-tying field goal. In overtime, Unitas again led the offense on a winning drive, culminating in a touchdown run by Alan Ameche. The Colts’ 23-17 victory was a thrilling, back-and-forth contest that captivated a national audience and is widely credited with kickstarting the NFL’s popularity.

Conclusion

These ten games represent the very best of what the NFL has to offer: high-stakes drama, incredible athletic feats, and unforgettable moments that have shaped the league’s history. From the “Greatest Game Ever Played” to recent classics, each contest tells a unique story of triumph and heartbreak. For any football fan, new or old, watching these games is a journey through the essence of the sport and a reminder of why we love it.