Dissecting Top Game-Changing Plays of Critical Week 3 Games

The first two weeks of the 2012 NFL season were exciting, but Week 3 took things to a completely different level.

Statements were made, upsets were pulled and the replacement referees gave us the most obvious signs yet that they shouldn't be involved in any Sunday action, ever.

This Sunday's games gave spectators a handful of memorable plays to take home with them. A few of them are probably still on your mind.

Let's take a look at five game-changing plays from Week 3's most critical contests.

Golden Tate's Game-Winner

This is going to go down as the biggest travesty of the 2012 NFL season, at least I hope so. Tate "caught" the game-winning touchdown against the Green Bay Packers Monday night, but everyone watching knows how this one really went down.

This call was wrong in more than one way. Not only did Tate blatantly shove Sam Shields from behind to get open, but he didn't even catch the ball. Packers cornerback M.D. Jennings looked like he came down with the rock, despite the referees ruling that Tate had "mutual possession."

Monday night's outcome was a farce. The ruling on the field didn't make sense, and the replay failed to set the record straight.

People who witnessed this game won't forget this play. Green Bay and Seattle each played respectable games, but only one play will be remembered.

It's Good! Wait, Was It?

We all know Bill Belichick thought Justin Tucker's 27-yard, game-winning field goal was off the mark, but was it? Watch the video, and you be the judge:

Tucker's controversial kick concluded a flawless 70-yard drive led by Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco pitched the ball all over the field, enabling his team to erase a nine-point, fourth-quarter deficit.

It's hard to dissect the anatomy of a field goal, but the theme continues. NFL replacement officials are under scrutiny for this one, especially because it landed the Patriots at 1-2 on the season.

Personally, I think the ball looked wide right.

Miracle in the Motor City

The Detroit Lions wound up losing Sunday's game in overtime, but that doesn't take away from this play:

Titus Young's 46-yard touchdown catch was breathtaking. Shaun Hill lofted the ball toward the end zone as time expired, the ball was tipped and Young still managed to corral the game-tying score.

This was the second incredible score for the Lions in this game. They were losing by two scores with 18 seconds left, until Hill found Calvin Johnson for a three-yard touchdown. The Lions then recovered the onside kick, giving Young the chance to work his magic.

Giving up 44 points to the Titans is inexcusable, but it doesn't take away from this TD grab. Legitimate (Seattle doesn't count) Hail Mary scores don't happen every day, making Young's touchdown that much more exciting.

Cardinals Sack Michael Vick to End First Half

This play couldn't have unfolded more perfectly:

Not only did Kerry Rhodes absolutely pummel Vick, but the ball bounced directly into James Sanders' hands.

Philadelphia was already losing 17-0 before this play went down. This just added insult to injury. Vick had his team poised to score, but this 3rd-and-goal play with six seconds left wound up being a horrific turnover going the other way.

The Eagles have a major reputation for giving the ball away so far this year, and this one takes the cake. Arizona's defense was able to sack Vick five times on Sunday, but none were more important than Rhodes' shot to end the half.

Dolphins Debacle

The Dolphins had two chances to defeat the New York Jets in overtime on Sunday, but they capitalized on neither and eventually lost the game.

Dan Carpenter pushed a 48-yard field goal wide left on Miami's first overtime possession, handing the ball back to the Jets.

That set up this travesty:

Miami blocked the kick, but then wound up kicking themselves. This added insult to injury, considering that Carpenter had already missed a potential game-winning try.

This was an ugly game, but this is just sad. The Dolphins couldn't get out of their own way, eventually resulting in Nick Folk's 33-yard, game-clinching field goal.