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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CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 11: Quarterback John Elway #7 of the Denver Broncos passes as he warms up before the 1986 season AFC Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on January 11, 1987 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Broncos defeated the Browns 23-20. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

12. John Elway completes “The Drive” with TD to Mark Jackson

The 1986 AFC Championship Game was a game that the Browns absolutely had secured. All they needed to do was not let John Elway drive 98 yards down the field.

Unfortunately for Cleveland, that is exactly what Elway and the Broncos did. Starting at their own two yard-line, the Broncos drove 15 plays in just over five minutes to tie the game and force overtime.

The Browns had multiple opportunities to stop the Broncos. Dave Puzzuoli sacked Elway on second down to force a third down and 18 from the Cleveland 48 yard-line with 1:47 left on the clock. Instead of stopping Denver, the Browns allowed Elway to complete a 20-yard pass to Mark Jackson for a first down. Jackson caught the game-tying touchdown pass five plays later.

The game went into overtime, where Denver won on a field goal that was very clearly wide left. It should have never gotten to that point, though. The Browns allowed Denver to milk the clock all the way down while driving for five minutes to tie the game. It should have ended after third and 18, but alas, it did not.

The Browns playoff struggles against the Broncos were only beginning, as these two would meet once again the next season where Ernest Byner fumbled the game away for Cleveland.

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