The 5 Biggest Butterfinger Moments in NFL History

The bigger the game, the bigger the flop and unfortunately for New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker, that's how he'll be remembered in Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants.

And with that drop, Welker becomes part of a select group whose butter-finger blunders have played a major role in the game's outcome.

But why butter-fingers?

Well, in an article by Adam Rank of NFL.com, the candy bar made an appearance in Boston:

"

On Tuesday, 900 pounds of Butterfingers (8,000 bars) were delivered to Copley Square in Boston -- no doubt mocking Wes Welker's critical drop late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLVI.

"

So, here's Welker with other butter-finger moments in NFL history.

Note: Moments are listed in reverse chronological order

Wes Welker, Super Bowl XLVI

Up 17-15 with roughly four minutes to play in Super Bowl XLVI, the Patriots simply needed to keep the rock as the Giants had just one timeout left.

A touchdown would end the game, but at least a field goal would force New York to have to score six. That being said, the Pats got nothing, as Welker dropped a pass despite being wide open.

It wasn't the single play that cost New England the game, however it certainly will be remembered as such.

Tony Romo, 2006 NFC Wild Card

Down 21-20 with less than two minutes left against the Seattle Seahawks, Tony Romo set up to hold for a field goal that would give the Dallas Cowboys the lead. While many field goals aren't exactly "gimmes," this one was a chip-shot as the ball was spotted for a mere 19-yard field goal.

After getting the snap, the ball slipped out of Romo''s hands as he was putting the snap down and the kick never happened. Romo then tried to make a break for it but he never got to the end zone.

Big D lost, and their playoff woes continued.

Roger Craig, 1990 NFC Championship

Arguably the best running back of his generation, San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig was a guy who in 1985, compiled over 1,000 rushing and receiving yards.

He changed the running back position in terms of becoming a dual-threat back and he rarely fumbled. 1990 however, wasn't the best of seasons as Craig only played in 11 regular season games, the least of any one season throughout his career.

And in the 1990 NFC Championship game with under three minutes to play but an injured Joe Montana on the bench, Craig simply lost the ball and the Giants recovered.

It was Craig's final carry as a 49er, as he returned the next season to play for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1991, then the Minnesota Vikings in '92 and '93.

Earnest Byner, 1987 AFC Championship

This slip was not entirely Ernest Byner's fault.

After getting the draw hand-off from quarterback Bernie Kosar, Byner had a clear shot at the end zone.

Cleveland Browns receiver Webster Slaughter however, didn't do his job on the play and the corner covering him, Jeremiah Castille, was left unblocked and free to make a play.

Castille then forced a fumble and the Browns came one yard shy of potentially tying up the game. The Denver Broncos won 38-33 and their second straight AFC title over Cleveland.

Jackie Smith, Super Bowl XIII

With a chance to tie the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII, the Dallas Cowboys came up one dropped pass short.

Tight end Jackie Smith couldn't have been more open in the end zone and quarterback Roger Staubach put the rock on target.

In a shootout that ended 35-31 in favor of Pittsburgh (looking back), this play would have changed the complexion of Super Bowl XIII. Not that the Cowboys would have won, but it certainly would have increased their odds.

John Rozum on Twitter.