5 greatest what-ifs in NFL history

The NFL could look completely different today.

A fumble is a perfect metaphor for how precarious the course of history can be in sports. One weird bounce off the turf or an outstretched hand, and an entire outcome can be decided. The NFL has been filled with what-if moments that could have forever changed the league today.

Here are five of the greatest what-ifs in NFL history.

5. Biggest NFL what-ifs: What if the Seahawks ran the ball?

Pete Carroll will be meme’d for all of eternity after taking the ball out of Marshawn Lynch‘s hands and deciding to throw the ball on the New England Patriots’ one-yard line.

It’s a play call that has lived in infamy, and any similar mistake will always be compared to the original. The Seahawks had benefited from a remarkable catch by wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, akin to David Tyree and Mario Manningham’s grabs against the Patriots in past Super Bowls. It seemed like fate was on Seattle’s side after Kearse’s catch.

Since it was second-and-goal, the Seahawks could have given the NFL’s premier power back, who led the league in rushing touchdowns both in that season and the previous year, multiple opportunities. Instead, they dialed up a slant to wide receiver Ricardo Lockette. He was ninth on the team with 11 receptions in the 2014 regular season.

Malcolm Butler read the play perfectly, jumped in, and intercepted the ball. Instead of a 31-28 victory and a second Super Bowl victory for a new dynasty, the Seahawks fell 28-24 to the old guard. And they had nobody but their head coach to blame.

The Seahawks have never returned to the Super Bowl since.