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) /

30 of 30

PITTSBURGH – OCTOBER 28: Running back Franco Harris #32 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Three Rivers Stadium on October 28, 1979 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Cowboys 14-3. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

1. The Immaculate Reception

This play single-handedly kickstarted a dynasty. In the 1972 AFC Divisional Round, Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler just ran for a touchdown and put the Raiders ahead of the Steelers 7-6. With 22 seconds left, the Steelers were down to their last breath on fourth down. Terry Bradshaw scurried around and launched a pass downfield intended for running back Frenchy Fuqua.

Fuqua and Raiders safety Jack Tatum, and the ball was sent sailing through the air where Franco Harris caught it in stride and ran it in for the touchdown. The Steelers went on to win the game 13-7 and advance to the AFC Championship Game.

The Steelers lost to the undefeated Dolphins, who would go on to win the Super Bowl. That said, this play is what many point to as being the beginning of the Steelers run of four Super Bowls throughout the decade.

The play will forever be embroiled in controversy. Did Fuqua touch it? Was the ball trapped by Harris? No one will ever truly know, which is why this play will forever have so much lure around it. Regardless of what side you fall on in the argument, there is one thing that is undeniable about those final 22 seconds at Three Rivers Stadium- it was truly immaculate.

Home/NFL