Top 10 Plays of the First Quarter of the 2012 NFL Season

The first quarter of the 2012 NFL season is already over. As always it has been filled with many exciting plays. From trick plays to Hail Mary passes to insane catches, we have seen it all in the first four weeks. Today we would like honor the ten best plays of the season so far. So without much further ado, here are the top ten plays of the first quarter of the NFL Season.

10. David Akers Record Tying 63 Yard FG

Tying an NFL record isn't a bad way to start your 14th season. And as if a 63-yard field goal was not enough, Akers had to make it in the most dramatic way as he possibly could, bouncing the ball off the crossbar and into the uprights. Akers is just proving why he should be considered one of the best place kickers of all time.

9. Brent Celek Jumps over Ed Reed

When asked to list the best tight ends in the league, most people would not even consider Brent Celek. But in fact, Celek is quite underrated. He is reliable. He starting all 16 games last season and has evolved into one of Michael Vick's favorite targets, finishing last year with 811 yards.

But he has been overshadowed by flashier offensive counterparts, such as LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson. However, Celek broke out of his usual outspokenness and into the spotlight with this flashy display of athleticism.

8. Green Bay Packers Fake FG

There are many trick plays to choose from this season, but this one is probably the best executed. Not only did it completely fool the Bears, but the blocking was so good that Tom Crabtree was able to take the ball past the first down marker and into the end zone. All credit goes to the Packers and their special teams coach for calling this genius play.

7. Reggie Bush Staying on His Feet and Scoring a TD

Isn't it nice to see Reggie Bush breaking some tackles once in a while. Well he did just that on this spectacular 23-yard touchdown run.

Ever since he took his talents to South Beach, Bush has become a changed man as he ran for his first 1,000-yard season last year. He already has had a great start to the 2012 season, running for 369 yards through the first four weeks. It is safe to say on behalf of all football fans that we want more of this new Reggie Bush.

6. Eric Wright Interception Returned for a TD

Eric Wright, the new signing for the Buccaneers proved to be quite an asset in Week 2, intercepting an Eli Manning pass at the line of scrimmage, juking a few offensive linemen for good measure and then taking it all the way to the house.

5. Trent Richardson Takes a Check Down Pass All the Way

Coming off a lackluster performance in Week 1, Trent Richardson bounced back in Week 2, scoring a couple of touchdowns, including this check down pass, which he takes all the way. As usual Trent Richardson powers his way through the defense and into the top 10 plays list.

4. Andrew Hawkins Putting the Moves on the Browns

Not satisfied with humiliating just one person, Andrew Hawkins shared the love with the entire Browns defense on this play. He catches the underneath pass and makes sure to break the ankles of everyone standing in his way to the end zone.

3. Nate Washington's Riduculous Catch

This is probably the best catch of the season so far. Nate Washington does his best impersonation of Randy Moss, who was also known for inventing new ways of embarrassing defensive backs. In this play, Washington jumps over Jacob Lacy and catches the ball on the other side of his helmet. He then proceeds to run another 45 yards until he reaches the end zone.

2. Lions Hail Mary vs. Titans to Send the Game into Overtime

In what is probably the most exciting game of the season so far, the Lions had 18 seconds to recover an onside kick and score. With 7 second left, Shaun Hill throws up a last ditch effort, which is tipped but eventually caught by Titus Young. The play tied the game at 41 and gave the Lions a chance to win the game in overtime. Unfortunately for the Lions, the Titans had the last laugh, winning 44-41.

1. Bringing Back the Real Referees

Okay. okay. I know that bringing back the real referees is not an actual play, but the importance of it makes it the number one "play" on the list.

Notorious for their knack for making bad calls (including the debacle shown in the video), the replacement referees are universally hated by all NFL fans. We are all glad that they are gone.