Top 30 plays in NFL history

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 30: Running back John Riggins #44 of the Washington Redskins runs 43 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter as tight end Clint Didier #86 of the Redskins and defensive back Glenn Blackwood #47 of the Miami Dolphins pursue the play during Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl on January 30, 1983 in Pasadena, California. The Redskins defeated the Dolphins 27-17. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FL- JANUARY 22: Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to throw a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The 49ers won the Super Bowl 20-16. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

18. Joe Montana to John Taylor in Super Bowl XXIII

If you want to find a game that defines Joe Montana, Super Bowl XXIII would be it. The Bengals offense had vastly outperformed the 49ers in the first three quarters. In the fourth quarter, though, the 49ers came to life.

Trailing 13-6, Montana hit Roger Craig for a 40 yard completion, and completed a pass to Jerry Rice two plays later for a touchdown to tie the game at 13. The Bengals didn’t do anything with their ensuing drive, and sent it back to the 49ers.

San Francisco drove into field goal range, but missed a long field goal, which kept the game tied. The Bengals took over and began driving. 10 plays later, they kicked a 40-yard field goal to take the lead. The only problem was that they gave Joe Cool over three minutes to work with.

The 49ers began the final drive of the game from the eight. Montana pointed to John Candy in the crowd, which sent a clear message to his teammates- we got this. The 49ers drove 92 yards in 11 plays. The 11th play of the drive resulted in Montana hitting John Taylor in the end zone for the go-ahead score. Taylor hadn’t had a catch all game prior to that, but the one ball he caught turned out to be the game-winner.

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