NFL Year in Review: 50 Most Memorable Moments of 2010
Big plays, hard hits, spectacular catches, Hail Mary's, amazing runs, overtime thrillers, and so much more.
The NFL season is winding down, and with only a few weeks left in the NFL year and the calendar year, it's time to take a look at some of the plays that have defined the 2010 NFL season. This is only a list for the current season, so no plays from last January's postseason are included.
The list is only 50 plays long and there are so many more that could have been included on the list, so if your favorite play is missing, throw it in the comments section.
Now, we present to you 50 of the most memorable plays of the 2010 NFL season.
Jacksonville's 50-Yard Hail Mary vs. Houston
1 of 50
In Week 10, the Jaguars and Texans played a nail-biter of a game. It was going to go into overtime.
But the Jaguars got the ball to the 50-yard line with a couple seconds to play, so why not take a shot? The play known as "rebound" was the call.
Jags QB David Garrard took the snap, scrambled to buy a little time and heaved the ball toward the end zone. It was batted back by Texans DB Glover Quin, right into the waiting arms of Jags WR Mike Thomas, who cradled it and walked in for the score.
Touchdown. Jags win.
The only thing that made it better was Gus Johnson's call on CBS.
Clay Matthews KO's Kevin Kolb
2 of 50
Think how much differently the Eagles season might look if not for Clay Matthews' tackle of Kevin Kolb in Week 1.
With Kolb scrambling, Matthews caught him from behind and dragged him to the ground. Kolb's head smashed into the ground and he was diagnosed with a concussion.
Michael Vick took over and the rest is history.
Calvin Johnson's Touchdown That Wasn't
3 of 50
Everyone learned about "the process" in a Week 1 game featuring the Lions and Bears. Lions WR Calvin Johnson jumped, caught the ball, came down with it, then he put the ball on the ground to get up and it slipped out of his hand.
Touchdown...or not.
Since he didn't maintain possession "all the way through," he didn't complete the process of the catch. No touchdown and the Lions lose, 19-14.
Albert Haynesworth Takes a Break During a Play
4 of 50
It's easy to lose interest of a game where the final score is 59-28. A lot of the players on the losing team might crack jokes on the sidelines to make each other feel better. Redskins DT Albert Haynesworth took a unique approach to taking things easy.
He was on the field and the ball was snapped by Eagles QB Michael Vick. Haynesworth gets sandwiched in between two offensive linemen and decided that it's too hard to play so he wanted to take a little break.
He fell to the ground and with no one around him or trying to keep him on the ground, he stayed down for five seconds....untouched, no one around.
Hopefully he enjoys all that money because he will be looking for a job when the season ends.
Mark Sanchez to Santonio Holmes, Part I
5 of 50
Week 10, Jets-Browns. Late in overtime it looked like this game was going to end in a tie.
The Jets were putting together a drive and with about 30 seconds left Mark Sanchez connected with Santonio Holmes on a slant. Holmes broke a couple tackles and made a move and he was gone.
Touchdown, Jets win 26-20.
Mark Sanchez to Santonio Holmes, Part II
6 of 50
For the second consecutive week, the Jets won in dramatic fashion.
Week 11, this time against the Texans. Houston had taken a lead late in the game. Jets QB Mark Sanchez threw a beautiful 42-yard pass to Braylon Edwards to set up the game-winning score.
Sanchez took the snap and threw a perfect fade pass to Santonio Holmes. Jets win in dramatic fashion...again.
Michael Vick 80 Yards to DeSean Jackson
7 of 50
You could pick almost any play that the Eagles ran in their Monday night beatdown of the Redskins. This one was the one that got everything started.
First play from scrimmage, Vick winds and fires and hits DeSean Jackson in stride, he makes a move and the Eagles never looked back.
It was one of the best games for a QB in NFL history. Vick had six total TDs, over 300 yards passing, and 50 yards rushing.
Unbelievable performance.
Troy Polamalu Intercepts Matt Ryan at the End of Regulation
8 of 50
With the Falcons driving late in the game, Troy Polamalu took matters into his own hands, literally.
Falcons QB Matt Ryan was looking to make something happen and keep the drive going so the Falcons could steal a season-opening victory over the Steelers. Ryan looked to WR Roddy White, Polamalu saw him and made a beautiful read to intercept the pass.
The Steelers had a chance to win at the end of regulation, but Jeff Reed missed a field goal. The game went into overtime and set up this....
Rashard Mendenhall's 50-Yard Touchdown Run in OT
9 of 50
Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall had his moment in the first week of the season. The game was in overtime and he took the handoff at the 50-yard line. He made a cut and then burst through the line.
He stumbled a little bit near the end, but made it into the end zone, giving the Steelers a 15-9 victory.
Garrett Hartley Misses Chip Shot in OT vs. Falcons
10 of 50
Saints kicker Garrett Hartley has made a kick in overtime to send his team to the Super Bowl. So when he lined up against the Falcons in Week 3 for a 29-yard field goal to give the Saints the win, it seemed like a sure bet that the game was over.
He hooked the kick badly and the Falcons would go on to win the game, and it was the start of the run that the Dirty Birds have been on ever since.
Troy Polamalu's Interception of Ryan Fitzpatrick
11 of 50
Leading the Bills late in the fourth quarter, Steelers S Troy Polamalu knew that a play needed to be made. Usually when Pittsburgh needs a play, Polamalu is the one who will make it.
Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a pass up toward the end zone, it went off his receiver Stevie Johnson's hands, and Troy Polamalu dove and intercepted the pass.
Troy Polamalu Strips Joe Flaaco
12 of 50
The Steelers were trailing in Baltimore late. Enter Troy Polamalu.
Polamalu chased down Ravens QB Joe Flaaco, knocked him to the ground and knocked the ball out of his hands. The Steelers recovered and would go on to win the game 13-10.
Ben Roethlisberger's Broken Nose
13 of 50
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger already had a sprained foot. Then, Ravens DT Haloti Ngata broke through the Steelers O-line and swung his hand and it caught Roethlisberger on the nose.
Roethlisberger would walk to the sideline with blood dripping from his nose. He did stay in the game—he's tough, he's a football player.
Bills WR Stevie Johnson Calls Out God on Twitter
14 of 50
Buffalo Bills WR Stevie Johnson had the game in his hands. The Bills, who have suffered a number of tough defeats this year, were going to defeat the big, bad Pittsburgh Steelers.
He was wide open and the ball hit off his fingertips and fell to the ground. The Bills would lose the game and Johnson questioned the Main Man, wondering why He let him down.
Roddy White Strips Nate Clements
15 of 50
The San Francisco 49ers were going to turn things around. CB Nate Clements had intercepted Falcons QB Matt Ryan late in the fourth and the Niners would hang on to win.
But Clements wanted to make something more happen and tried to return the pick for a touchdown. He left the ball out there and WR Roddy White caught him from behind and took the ball back for Atlanta.
The Falcons would win in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.
Garrett Hartley's Blocked Kick Still Goes Through
16 of 50
A week before Saints kicker Garrett Hartley was the goat against the Falcons, he was the hero against San Francisco.
The 49ers tied the game late. The Saints put together a drive and needed a field goal to win.
Hartley stepped up and kicked it, and a 49er defender got a hand on it but it still went through. San Francisco would never recover and the Saints gathered a little momentum.
Michael Vick's TD Pass to Brent Celek vs. Bears
17 of 50
The biggest difference between Michael Vick now and Vick back in the Atlanta days is his accuracy as a passer. That was never more evident than on this beautiful TD pass to Brent Celek.
Vick dropped back and found his tight end running down the field. There were three defenders converging on the play but Vick dropped it into the tightest of windows and Celek scored.
Perfect throw.
Green Bay Penalty Costs Them Against Atlanta
18 of 50
Falcons QB Matt Ryan is dangerous enough in the last two minutes of a game without getting any extra help. On this day, Green Bay would provide that help.
The Packers had just tied the game at 17 with a great drive capped off by QB Aaron Rodgers scrambling for what seemed like forever before throwing a bullet touchdown to WR Jordy Nelson. On the ensuing kickoff, KR Eric Weems broke through a seam and returned the ball to the Falcons' 34-yard line.
However, he was dragged down by the facemask, adding an additional 15 yards to the play. Ryan made a few key passes and set up Matt Bryant for the winning field goal.
Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan Go All UFC
19 of 50
Titans DB Cortland Finnegan has a reputation as a dirty player and a big talker. Apparently he said something that Texans WR Andre Johnson didn't like, because Johnson started swinging at Finnegan.
It was a really intense, knockdown-dragout kind of brawl. One of the defining moments of the year in the NFL.
DeSean Jackson, Meet Dunta Robinson
20 of 50
When DeSean Jackson gets a little room he can make plays as well as anyone, because he is so fast. In the middle of the field, he is a tiny guy.
Eagles QB Kevin Kolb was scrambling to find something, he found Jackson over the middle. Jackson found Falcons CB Dunta Robinson waiting for him.
Robinson laid Jackson out and Jackson laid on the ground for a little bit to figure out where he was.
Eagles Fans Make Austin Collie Feel Like Santa Claus
21 of 50
Philly fans are brutal. They will boo anyone, no matter who you are. One time they even booed Santa Claus.
So it should come as no surprise that when Colts receiver Austin Collie got laid out, in one of the scariest-looking injuries in 2010, Philly fans were quick to greet that with cheers.
Fortunately, Collie was okay.
It Could Only Happen to The Bengals
22 of 50
If you were to name a team that would jump offsides on a fourth-down play that was designed specifically to draw you offsides and give your opponent a first down, what team would you pick?
Those lovable Bengals can't seem to get out of their own way.
They were leading the Saints late in the fourth quarter. It was fourth down and the Saints lined up like they were going to go for the score instead of taking the field goal to tie the game.
It became clear that the Saints weren't going to snap the ball, they just wanted to draw someone offside. Naturally, the Bengals obliged, giving the Saints the first down, and they would score on the next play and win the game 34-30.
White Men Can Jump
23 of 50
The Browns pulled off the best trade of the NFL season, acquiring RB Peyton Hillis for QB Brady Quinn. Hillis has become a fan favorite for his tough, hard-nosed style of running.
When the Browns played the Patriots, Hillis showed some hops to go along with his running skills. He took a handoff, broke through the line then reached the secondary, where he lept over a New England defender.
Adrian Peterson Schools Buffalo
24 of 50
If the Vikings had run their offense through Adrian Peterson, instead of that one QB, they might be better off than they are now.
Against the Bills, Peterson took the handoff, got to the second tier and saw that there was nothing there, so he cut right and then turned back upfield, then turned on the jets and ran by everyone.
No other back in football possesses his combination of power and speed.
Ray Lewis Makes Dustin Keller Pay for Jets Talking
25 of 50
In an ugly matchup between two heavyweight fighters, the Baltimore Ravens weren't very gracious guests in the Jets' new stadium. The first Monday night game of the year was a brutal defensive struggle that the Ravens won 10-9.
Late in the game with the Jets trying to put together a drive, QB Mark Sanchez dropped back and saw TE Dustin Keller down the middle. The throw was there and as soon as Keller touched it, Ray Lewis flew through the air and cleaned Keller's clock. A vicious hit from one of the great hitters in NFL history.
Sidney Rice Makes Tarvaris Jackson Look Good
26 of 50
Vikings fans found out just how important Sidney Rice is to their offense when he missed the first half of the season. He made his presence felt in the Vikes' game against Buffalo.
QB Tarvaris Jackson, replacing an injured Brett Favre, threw a bad pass directly into coverage that somehow Rice was able to snatch away from the Buffalo defender for the touchdown.
Either Donald Driver Is Really Elusive, or San Fran Forgot How to Tackle
27 of 50
At times, the Packers receiving corps doesn't get the credit that they deserve. They are a very good bunch that help make Aaron Rodgers look good.
On this day, Donald Driver's moves and San Francisco's lack of tackling ability made for a lethal combination. Driver caught a pass and then avoided five 49ers defenders on his way to a 61-yard touchdown.
Maurice Jones Drew Carves Up the Browns
28 of 50
When Maurice Jones-Drew is playing, you always pay attention. He has a special quality to him.
Take, for instance, his catch against the Browns. A simple screen play, Drew was able to bob and weave through four Browns defenders and gain 75 yards on the play.
He won't win, but he should be considered for the MVP award.
Leon Washington Returns 2 Kickoffs for Touchdowns
29 of 50
One kickoff return is impressive enough. But when Seahawks KR Leon Washington broke two returns for touchdowns against San Diego, he became the first and only Seahawks player to return two kicks for touchdowns.
It probably helped that he was playing San Diego, who has lost more games this year due to faulty special teams than anyone else.
Blount Qualifies for the Olympic Hurdle Team
30 of 50
LeGarrette Blount and Peyton Hillis are in a virtual deadlock for best jumping run this season.
Blount, against the Cardinals, took a handoff, ran through the line and made it to the second level. The defender was going low, so Blount figured that he would go high.
He jumped over the defender and broke a near-50-yard run.
Matty Ice Strikes Again
31 of 50
Having built his reputation on being so calm under pressure, Matt Ryan took that cool, calm nature against one of the best defenses in football.
His team had blown a fourth-quarter lead to the Ravens but he didn't care. He took the ball with 65 seconds left and led his team down the field before connecting with Roddy White on a 33-yard touchdown pass with about 20 seconds to go.
The legend continues to grow.
Ndamukong Suh...Kicker?
32 of 50
Ndamukong Suh can do a lot of things on a football field. He is as talented as any defensive tackle in football and he is well on his way to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
When Lions Kicker Jason Hanson got injured during the game with the Jets, the Lions called on Suh, a former soccer star. He hit the upright and missed, and the Lions lost the game in overtime 23-20.
Apparently, Suh can't do everything well.
Wes Welker Does His Best Ndamukong Suh Impression
33 of 50
Not to be outdone, Wes Welker tried his hand at the kicking game. Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski was out in the Pats game against the Browns and Welker wanted something else to do.
Unlike Ndamukong Suh, Welker was able to make his kick.
TJ Houshmandzadeh From Joe Flaaco to Beat Steelers
34 of 50
The Ravens were in danger of falling to 2-2 in Week 4 if they couldn't do something against the Steelers. No problem.
Joe Flaaco drove the team down the field and connected with TJ Houshmandzadeh on a gorgeous throw and catch with 30 seconds left to give the Ravens the 17-14 win.
Brandon Tate's KO Return vs. Bengals
35 of 50
You could tell it was going to be a long year for the Bengals with their performance versus New England to open the year. Fortunately for the Bengals, New England has been doing that to almost everyone else they play, too.
Brandon Tate put the nail in the Bengals' coffin when he returned the opening kickoff of the second half 101 yards for a touchdown.
Delanie Walker Spells Doom for 49ers' Season in Week 1
36 of 50
49ers fans only had to look to the first drive of the season to see how things would go for them. TE Delanie Walker was wide open in the end zone, no one close to him. Alex Smith floated a pass right into his hands and he...dropped it.
Seattle stole momentum and San Francisco has never looked the same after that opening drive.
Derek Anderson Has the Nerve to Smile While Losing
37 of 50
In one of the worst Monday night games ever, San Francisco dominated Arizona and won the game 27-6.
The story became the closing minutes of the game, when the cameras picked up Cardinals QB Derek Anderson doing the unthinkable: He was smiling on the sidelines. I don't know how he lives with himself doing that kind of thing.
Ben Roethlisberger Eludes the Rush and Finds the Open Man
38 of 50
Ben Roethlisberger has made a career of making something come from nothing. He did that again in the second Ravens-Steelers game this year.
He took the snap, eluded what seemed like the entire Ravens defense and was able to find Isaac Redman for the go-ahead score.
Dolphins Stuff Peterson on Goal Line
39 of 50
On the list of players that you would think could put the ball in the end zone from the 1-yard line, Adrian Peterson would be right at the top of the list. The Dolphins made sure that didn't happen this particular instance.
Clinging to a 14-10 lead, Miami needed to stop the Vikings' All-Pro running back. The handoff went to Peterson but Miami had sealed the holes, leaving him with nowhere to go but backward.
Miami wins 14-10.
Randy Moss' One-Hand Catch
40 of 50
Before Randy Moss was shipped to Minnesota (who subsequently shipped him to Tennessee) he was still catching passes from Tom Brady. In Week 2 against the Jets, Randy Moss made one of the plays that only Randy Moss can make.
It was a go route and Brady threw it up for Moss. With Darelle Revis trailing behind him, the outspoken receiver threw his hand up and caught the ball with one hand without ever bringing the ball into his body.
It was the last great moment in Moss' career.
Andre Johnson Owns the Redskins
41 of 50
Back in Week 2, when Houston was still showing signs of improvement and moving over that mental roadblock they always seem to have, their offense was dominating teams like Indianapolis and Washington.
Andre Johnson was the key, as he often is, when on a 4th-and-10 he jumped over a Redskins player and stole the ball out of the air for the game-tying touchdown.
Josh Scobee's 59-Yard Field Goal Against Indianapolis
42 of 50
Josh Scobee kicked himself into Jaguars history when he made a 59-yard field goal to give the Jaguars a much needed win over Indianapolis in Week 4.
He ran all over the field looking for something, similar to Jim Valvano after NC State won the NCAA basketball title.
Andre Johnson Strikes Again
43 of 50
Andre Johnson has quietly become the best receiver in the NFL. He has all the physical tools and the production to match it.
In a game against the Chiefs, Johnson once again came through for the Texans, who tend to have a flair for the dramatic. He caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Matt Schaub with less than 30 seconds to play, giving Houston another comeback victory.
The End of the Streak?
44 of 50
It seemed like Brett Favre was always tempting fate by coming back every year, a little bit older and more fragile. Against Buffalo he was knocked out of the game on the Vikings' first series with a sprained shoulder.
He goes into Week 14 as doubtful to play and possibly bringing an end to one of the greatest streaks in pro sports history at 297 consecutive starts.
Colts WR Blair White Plays DB
45 of 50
The Colts receiving corps has been so decimated this year that the guys they have now don't know what to do. For instance, in Week 14 against the Titans, WR Blair White ran a slant route in the end zone and the ball was headed his way so he dove to catch it. He dropped it and the Colts had to settle for a field goal.
The problem was that the pass was intended for Reggie Wayne, who was literally right behind White and would have made the catch easily.
That play was a microcosm of everything that has gone wrong with Indianapolis in 2010.
Alphonso Smith Is a Turkey on Thanksgiving
46 of 50
Lions DB Alphonso Smith had a Thanksgiving to forget in the game against New England.
He was picked on all day, including on an awful touchdown to Patriots WR Deion Branch. The wideout caught the ball then made two moves and completely spun Smith out of his shoes for a 79-yard touchdown pass.
San Diego LB Kevin Burnett's INT Return vs. Indy
47 of 50
San Diego was the beginning of Peyton Manning's four touchdown passes in two weeks to the opposing teams.
The first one was a great leaping interception by Kevin Burnett, who got up and scrambled nearly 30 yards to the end zone for the go-ahead score.
James Harrison vs. the NFL
48 of 50
To say that Steelers LB James Harrison is not a fan of the new NFL policy on hitting would be an understatement. Harrison loves to hit and hit hard. His style of play is tailor-made for the NFL to rack up a lot of fines.
For instance, when the Steelers played the Browns in Week 6, Harrison knocked two Browns players out with his ferocious style of hitting.
He has been fined $125,000 total so far this year.
Brad Smith's One-Shoe Kickoff Return
49 of 50
Brad Smith took the extraordinary, that would be returning a kickoff for a touchdown, and made it a little more difficult by accomplishing the feat with one shoe. He found a wedge to run through and when he did, a Bengals player dove and swiped the shoe right off his foot.
No problem, as he just kept running all the way to the end zone in the Jets' Thanksgiving night win over Cincinnati.
Roddy White's Juggling Act Touchdown
50 of 50
In Week 7, Falcons WR Roddy White had one of the best games of his career. He had 201 receiving yards with two touchdowns, including a juggling, falling-down touchdown that helped save the Falcons in their 39-32 victory over the Bengals.
He made a number of great catches in that game alone—that was just the tip of the iceberg.
.jpg?w=480 "49ers Eagles Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Shedeur not currently in line for Browns QB1")
