Debates over the best NFL games ignite fervently in bars across the nation whenever someone proclaims, “That was the best game we have ever seen.” There’s no denying that the NFL always has exciting games. Each week, there are at least one or two games that keep fans on the edge of their seats, making them cheer and scream and captivate viewers at home.
Bleacher Report carefully ranked the top 50 NFL games based on how exciting they were and how long they stayed in fans’ minds. Many of these amazing games happened during the playoffs, when the stakes are at an all-time high. Playoff games have a special way of creating unforgettable moments that fans will talk about and remember for years to come. Below we have mentioned the best NFL games.
Best NFL Games Comparison Table
| Game Title | Genre | Mode | Price | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth And 26 | Sports | Single Player | $19.99 | Download |
| Red Right 88 | Sports | Single Player | $14.99 | Download |
| 1945 NFL Championship Game | Sports | Single Player | $9.99 | Download |
| Super Bowl XXXVIII | Sports | Multiplayer | $29.99 | Download |
| The Saints Return To The Superdome | Sports | Single Player | $24.99 | Download |
| Garo’s Gaffe | Sports | Single Player | $12.99 | Download |
Fourth And 26
Features
- during the NFL playoffs in 2004.
- Refers to a key play in a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers.
- When the Eagles were on 4th and 26, they needed to pick up 26 yards to keep going.
- Donovan McNabb threw a 28-yard pass to Freddie Mitchell, which gave the Eagles a first down and helped them win the game.
During all four quarters of this NFC divisional playoff game, both teams fought hard. Even before the last play, everyone thought the game between Brett Favre and Donovan McNabb, who were both at the top of their games, lived up to the hype. Currently, this is one of the best NFL games you can install now.
With 1:12 left in the game, McNabb threw a slant pass of 25 yards to Freddie Mitchell. The Packers’ Cover 2 scheme fell apart, giving the Eagles a first down that led to a field goal that tied the game. In overtime, the Eagles would win and move on to the NFC championship game.
Pros
- Play in NFL history that is known for how dramatic and important it was.
- showed how skilled and good the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense is when it counts.
- Led to a field goal that tied the game and helped the Eagles win a very important playoff game.
Cons
- Green Bay Packers fans remember it well because it led to a heartbreaking loss.
- The Packers’ defense had some problems and missed some chances, which were brought up.
- It reminds Packers fans of a chance to move on in the playoffs that they didn’t take.
Red Right 88
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- Happened during the playoffs for the NFL in 1981.
- Having to do with a game between the Cleveland Browns and the Oakland Raiders.
- Browns were behind 14–12, but they could have won the game with a field goal.
- The Raiders won the game because quarterback Brian Sipe threw an interception in the end zone. This play is called “Red Right 88,” and it led to the Raiders winning the game.
This is the first of many losses by the Cleveland Browns in the playoffs that will be on this list. The Browns don’t just lose playoff games, they lose them in way that everyone will remember. With less than a minute left, the Raiders were ahead 14–12 in the coldest game since the Ice Bowl. When the Browns’ Brian Sipe was close enough to make a field goal, he called a timeout.
Don Cockroft’s back was very hurt, so head coach Sam Rutigliano told Sipe to “throw it into Lake Erie” if no one was open. Cockroft had missed two kicks, and the weather made it even more dangerous to kick than usual. Sipe misread the Raiders’ defense and missed a wide-open Dave Logan. He then threw the ball to Ozzie Newsome, but it got caught by Mike Davis in the middle of a crowd of people.
Pros
- The Cleveland Browns made a historic play that showed how competitive they are.
- Showed that the Browns had faith in their quarterback to make a play that would win the game.
- In a playoff game against the Oakland Raiders, it led to an exciting finish.
Cons
- Because the play ended in an interception, Browns fans remember it as a very sad time.
- The Browns were not given a chance to win the game and move on in the playoffs.
- Shows a choice that is often criticized after the fact.
1945 NFL Championship Game
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- Took place on December 16, 1945.
- It is thought to be one of the biggest surprises in NFL history.
- Set up a game between the Cleveland Rams and the Washington Redskins.
- The Rams won 15-14, giving them their first and only NFL title before they moved to Los Angeles.
In the days when football games were really rough, the Redskins and the Rams were down to the last minute with the Redskins ahead 14-13. Then, Redskins quarterback Sammy Baugh threw a pass from the end zone that hit the uprights of the goal posts, which were at the front of the end zones back then.
This led to a safety, and the Rams won 15–14. It also led to a change in the rules that made that kind of pass not count. Since the goal posts have been moved back to the back of the end zones, the rule is no longer important. Currently, this is one of the best NFL games you can install now.
Pros
- The end of World War II and the return of professional football were both marked by this game.
- Showcased the Cleveland Rams’ skill and determination, which helped them win their first NFL title.
- During an important time in history, it stood for the unity and spirit of the country.
Cons
- Due to its age, there isn’t much footage or information about it available.
- Fans of the NFL today might not know as much about or be as familiar with the game.
- Compared to more recent championship games, there wasn’t enough background or analysis.
Super Bowl XXXVIII
Features
- The New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers were both on the show.
- Known for having a fourth quarter with a lot of points and an exciting end.
- Adam Vinatieri kicked a field goal as time ran out to give the Patriots a 32–29 victory.
The Panthers went from 1-15 to the Super Bowl that year. This was the year that Janet Jackson and the halftime show stole the show from the game. The Patriots won their second Super Bowl in three years, making this one of the most competitive Super Bowls ever. The quarterback was a guy named Tom Brady. For now, this is one of the best NFL games you can install now.
Pros
- With a total of 61 points scored, this game is known for being exciting and high-scoring.
- Key players like Tom Brady and Deion Branch gave performances that people will remember.
- The halftime show where Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake were the main acts had a big effect on culture.
Cons
- Due to the “wardrobe malfunction” during the halftime show, the game caused a lot of trouble.
- A power outage stopped the game for a while, which messed up the flow.
- Criticized for not being good at defense and making a lot of mistakes.
The Saints Return To The Superdome
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- The Louisiana Superdome reopened after Hurricane Katrina had damaged it.
- The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in their first home game of the season.
- The Saints won the game 23–3, which was a big deal for the city of New Orleans and an emotional moment.
Even though the game was between teams from the same division, it was the first game in the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina. It was on Monday Night Football, and there was so much excitement around the game. The game’s story was bigger than just sports, and New Orleans used it to bring attention back to the city and its recovery efforts. Currently, this is one of the best NFL games you can install now.
Pros
- After Hurricane Katrina, this was a big deal for the city of New Orleans.
- showed how strong the community and team are and how they can bounce back.
- During a hard time, it brought people together and gave them hope.
Cons
- The New Orleans Saints lost the game itself, so they lost.
- Some people said that the event took the attention away from the ongoing work to rebuild after the hurricane.
Garo’s Gaffe
Features
- Refers to a well-known play that happened in Super Bowl VII in 1973.
- The Miami Dolphins and the Washington Football Team were both involved.
- After the Dolphins missed a field goal, kicker Garo Yepremian tried to pass, but Washington’s Mike Bass picked it off and ran it back for a touchdown.
- Even though they made a mistake, the Dolphins were still able to win the game 14-7 and finish the season with a perfect record.
The Miami Dolphins’ perfect season almost came to an end when kicker Garo Yepremian made a terrible mistake. The Dolphins were winning 14-0 over the Redskins when Yepremian’s 42-yard field goal was blocked. Yepremian didn’t just fall on the ball he tried to throw it forward, but it slipped out of his hands. Since Yepremian hadn’t started moving forward, the play was called a fumble, and Mike Bass, a cornerback for the Redskins, took it back for a touchdown. Currently, this is one of the best NFL games you can install now.
Pros
- A famous play that has become part of NFL lore and popular culture.
- showed how football can be surprising and unpredictable.
- The Miami Dolphins still won the Super Bowl, showing that they are strong and can get back on their feet.
Cons
- Garo Yepremian, the kicker for the Miami Dolphins, made a big mistake that was pointed out.
- The mistake might be remembered more than how well the Dolphins did in the Super Bowl as a whole.
FAQs
There are a few games that people often talk about as the best NFL game ever. The 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants is one of the most well-known. It is often called “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” Another game that is often talked about is Super Bowl LI in 2017, when the New England Patriots beat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime after being down 28-3.
People often say that Super Bowl XIII, which was played between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys in 1979, was one of the best Super Bowls. It was a close game with a lot of points scored, and the Steelers won 35-31. People often say that Super Bowl XLIX (2015), which was between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, and Super Bowl XLIII (2009), which was between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals, were also the best Super Bowls.
The Washington Redskins and the New York Giants played the game with the most points in NFL history on November 27, 1966. The Redskins won the game with a score of 72–41, giving a total of 113 points to both teams.
