Fansided

10 worst plays in NFL history

By John Buhler

Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Griff Whalen (17) is tackled by New England Patriots defensive back Brandon King (36) during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Griff Whalen (17) is tackled by New England Patriots defensive back Brandon King (36) during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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FLUSHING, NY - CIRCA 1970's: Running back Larry Csonka
FLUSHING, NY – CIRCA 1970’s: Running back Larry Csonka /

4. Miracle at the Meadowlands

The New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles have one of the most historic rivalries in the NFL. They play each other twice annually in the NFC East, yet there is one play that comes to mind in this rivalry: the Miracle at the Meadowlands.

New York was up 17-12 with seconds left against Philadelphia at home in Giants Stadium. The Eagles didn’t have any timeouts left and New York was poised to run out the clock en route to victory. Then something really stupid happened for New York.

Rather than take a knee to seal the deal, Giants quarterback Joe Pisarcik opted to hand the football off to the aging tailback Larry Csonka. The exchange between Pisarcik and Csonka was all kinds of awful.

This allowed Eagles cornerback Herman Edwards to pick up the fumble and return it for a 26-yard touchdown. Philadelphia would win the game 19-17 and reach the NFC Playoffs at 7-5. New York stumbled to 5-7 and failed to qualify for the postseason.

Edwards played to win the game. This was one of those plays that changed way the NFL saw how to ice the game with a lead. Taking knees weren’t generally accepted at that time and victory formation didn’t really exist. Teams will now have a safety valve behind the other 10 offensive players to avoid a Miracle at the Meadowlands type of late-game catastrophe.

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