2012 NFL Playoffs: Ranking the 10 Most Exciting Highlights so Far

The Super Bowl has not yet been decided, but the 2012 NFL playoffs have already included tons of exciting plays.

There have been so many close games with lead-changing touchdowns that this list has to rule out some of the more impressive scores.

Those snubs include a touchdown to take the lead with four minutes remaining in a divisional round game, a great run to put away the first playoff win in Houston Texans history and even a 66-yard touchdown against the league's best team.

However, those that made the list will go down as some of the best plays in postseason history.

10. J.J. Watt Interception Returned for Touchdown

There were a few other good plays in this game, but the interception and touchdown by J.J. Watt became the deciding score in the first game in playoff history for the Houston Texans.

The league better be careful though, because this young defensive end is going to be scary good in a couple of years.

9. Rob Gronkowski Diving Touchdown Catch

After an entire week of hearing about Tim Tebow, Tom Brady decided he was going to remind everyone what a real quarterback looks like.

He threw six touchdown passes in a dominating 45-10 win over the Denver Broncos, including this pass to Rob Gronkowski.

The tight end shows some incredible athleticism on this play. If he is not healthy for the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots could be in trouble.

8. Alex Smith Touchdown Run

It is almost a shame that this game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints was so good.

This quarterback sweep by Alex Smith could have been the game-winning touchdown on the gutsiest play call I have seen in a long time.

I guess we will have to settle for a few more incredible plays later on this list.

7. Jimmy Smith Interception

This could be the most underrated play in the entire playoffs.

The athleticism on display between the original tip by Bernard "The Patriot Killer" Pollard and the interception by Jimmy Smith was outstanding.

Tom Brady tried to make one big pass to put the game away, but Smith kept the Baltimore Ravens in the game with another chance to win.

In a league with so little defense, it is important to remember when those men make big plays.

6. Tom Brady Sneak

Tom Brady has been known as a pretty boy for years.

He stands in his pocket, protected by Pro Bowl linemen and flag-ready referees, and makes his great throws.

However, he gave up his body with the game on the line in the fourth quarter and got crushed by Ray Lewis on the way down.

Brady earned that touchdown, and it looked like it hurt.

5. Lawrence Tynes Game-Winning Field Goal

I know this was only a short field goal, but apparently those chip shots are not that easy.

(Sorry, Baltimore.)

In reality, Lawrence Tynes has now twice sent his team to the Super Bowl with a game-winning kick in overtime of the NFC Championship Game.

At a position where confidence is everything, Tynes might be the next Adam Vinatieri.

4. Jimmy Graham Touchdown to Take Late Lead

After a go-ahead touchdown by Alex Smith, the New Orleans Saints were in danger of losing to the San Francisco 49ers.

Drew Brees wanted a comeback but did not feel like wasting time with a long drive. He found Jimmy Graham over the middle, who took it to the house for a 66-yard touchdown to take the lead with 1:37 remaining.

Fans of the 49ers thought the season was over, but the best was still yet to come.

3. Hakeem Nicks Hail Mary

If you are going to beat a 15-1 team on the road, a lot has to go right.

This Hakeem Nicks touchdown at the end of the half was a huge momentum swing for the New York Giants, who took a 20-10 lead into the locker room.

The Green Bay Packers never got the deficit closer than seven points for the rest of the game.

It seems when you are on a roll like the Giants are right now, everything works out.

2. Alex Smith to Vernon Davis to Beat Saints

In a game that featured four lead-changing touchdowns in the last 4:02 of playing time, it was only fitting that the game would end on a memorable play like this one.

Alex Smith found Vernon Davis in the end zone with nine seconds left on the clock to win the game with a play that is already being called "The Catch III."

The San Francisco 49ers have some amazing plays in their franchise history, but this one definitely deserves its place in the record books.

In any other year, this could have been the best play of the entire season. However, one man who stole the headlines all year long will top this list.

1. Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas for the Win

If you want excitement, there's nothing better than a game featuring a quarterback that EVERYONE has an opinion about.

People love him, and people hate him, but with this play, Tim Tebow won his first playoff game.

It was truly an incredible play by Demaryius Thomas. He caught the ball short of the 40-yard line, stiff-armed the defender, and then showed off his speed by running 60 yards into the end zone.

Any time you start off an overtime with a touchdown in the playoffs, it has to be at the top of the list of exciting plays.