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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Field kicker Adam Vinatieri (L) of the New England Patriots celebrates after making a field goal in overtime against the Oakland Raiders in their AFC playoff game for a 16-13 win 19 January 2002 at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. AFP PHOTO/Don EMMERT /

8. Adam Vinatieri’s blizzard kick

So much happened in the 2001 AFC Divisional Round matchup between the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots.

After Charles Woodson sacked Tom Brady and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Oakland, the game was over, for all intents and purposes. That was until the play went to review, where it was ruled an incomplete pass. The game will forever be known for two words- “tuck rule.”

While the game deserves that moniker, what happened after the controversial call was absolute wizardry from Adam Vinatieri. The Patriots got the ball into field goal range, and the future Hall of Fame kicker delivered what is still the greatest kick of his career- a 45-yard field goal through the snow. The kick sent the game into overtime, where Vinatieri won the game on a 23-yard field goal. The game would live in infamy to both fan bases. The Patriots saw this as the first big win of their dynasty, and Raiders fans see it as just another example of their team getting absolutely screwed by the officials.

New England won the game and eventually their first Super Bowl with Brady and Bill Belichick. Oakland, on the other hand, eventually traded Jon Gruden to the Buccaneers before meeting Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl and losing to their former coach.

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