NFL Videos: Top 10 Plays of the 2010 Season

I know there are still two games to go, but with a couple weeks and the playoffs left, the 2010 NFL season has provided some spectacular plays. I've counted down my top-10 plays of the season so far. Except for two exceptional catches, each of these contributed to, or resulted in, a win for the team that made the play.

I've ranked them according to greatness, timeliness and impact on both the game and the season. Apologies to Brett Favre, who sucked too badly to make the top 10 this year. Enjoy the rankings and enjoy debating. 

10. Flacco to TJ To Win in Pittsburgh

This occurred in the first of the Ravens and Steelers' two nail-biting matchups this season.

Joe Flacco capped a last-minute Baltimore drive with a game-winning touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to TJ Houshmandzadeh. The Ravens trailed the Steelers and appeared headed for another loss in Pittsburgh, when Flacco made a perfect throw to TJ. Steelers fans left the game in low spirits saying, "these towels are stupid anyway."

9. Jacoby Ford Assists the Win

(start video at 1:02)

Rookie wide receiver Jacoby Ford broke onto the scene with a series of superb catches and a kick return touchdown against the division-leading Kansas City Chiefs. The former Clemson Tiger would end up making his final diving catch of the game in overtime to set up a game-winning score, but it was his even more incredible grab in regulation (1:02 into the video) that allowed Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski to send the game into overtime with a field goal.

In a later interview, Janikowski told reporters he could easily beat Ford in a foot race, but no one believes him.

8. Josh Wilson Silences Houston

Coming off of several heartbreaking, last-second losses, the hometown Texans appeared headed for a remarkable comeback win on Monday night against Baltimore. After erasing a 21-point deficit and orchestrating a flawless last-minute touchdown drive (and two-point conversion) to force overtime, Texans quarterback Matt Schaub threw a "gimme" to Ravens corner Josh Wilson at the Houston 10-yard line.

The self-proclaimed "Dirty Terp" waltzed in for for the game-winning pick, keeping the Ravens' playoff hopes alive. The silence was palpable. 

7. Moss' Right Hand

In an otherwise humbling season, future Hall-of-Famer Randy Moss turned in one of the sweetest plays of the year with this one-handed snag against the Jets. Moss bolted right past Revis Island toward the end zone, shot his hand up in the air to signal to Tom Brady that he was open, and then casually caught Brady's bomb with his right hand for six. Despite the incredible catch, the Jets went on to beat New England.

After the game, Tom Brady went home to Gisele, and Randy Moss retired. 

6. Hail Mary Answers Jaguars' Prayers

With the game tied and the ball at midfield, Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard launched a prayer toward the goal line, hoping to avoid overtime. Houston Texans cornerback Glover Quin was just doing his job when he batted down the pass in the end zone, but Jags receiver Mike Thomas scooped the ball out of mid-air and scored with no time left to win the game.

This was just the first game of the year in which the Texans improbably managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. 

5. Lance Moore's Miracle Catch

Yesterday featured a fantastic game between the defending Super Bowl champion Saints and the playoff-bound Baltimore Ravens. In the fourth quarter, Drew Brees threw a desperation heave into the crowded back corner of the end zone, where Marques Colston failed to catch the ball and two Ravens defenders failed to intercept it or bat it down. New Orleans receiver Lance Moore bobbled it, grabbed the tipped pass and somehow managed to get both feet in bounds for the score, although Baltimore went on to win.

Afterwards, the Saints players enjoyed a night in a city that doesn't smell like urine.  

4. Dan Connolly Rumbles Down the Field

Also yesterday, with the New England Patriots trailing the Aaron Rodgers-less Green Bay Packers at home, offensive lineman Dan Connolly fielded a short kickoff meant to avoid dangerous return man Brandon Tate. Green Bay had just scored the go-ahead touchdown and had the momentum late in the first half, when Connolly galloped swiftly through the middle of the field, along the sideline and through defenders as teammates sprung blocks. Connolly made it to the four-yard line before being tackled, leading to a Patriots score a few plays later.

Mike McCarthy before the play: "Hey Mason Crosby, don't kick it to Tate, just kick it to one of those fatties!" 

3. Roddy White Saves the Day

(start at 5:38)

(Start at 5:38) In Week 4, after Nate Clements' apparently game-sealing interception and near pick six, Atlanta wide receiver Roddy White chased down the Niners cornerback and stripped the ball away. The fumble was recovered by the Falcons deep in their own territory with about a minute left, giving Matty Ice enough time to march Atlanta back down the field for the game-winning score, preserving its first place spot in the NFC South.

The 49ers general managers confirmed later that when they made Nate Clements the highest paid corner in football three years ago, they had hoped that he would provide many more chokes as memorable as this one. 

2. Troy Polamalu Shakes the Ball Loose

Late in the season on a freezing Sunday night, the Baltimore faithful cheered proudly as it seemed the Ravens would beat the Steelers for the second time this year. Down by four, with three and a half minutes left, all-pro Steelers safety Troy Polamalu shot right past left tackle Michael Oher, and soared into Joe Flacco's "blind side," sending the ball flying.

Pittsburgh's Lamar Woodley recovered the fumble and made it to the Ravens 10, leading to an eventual Steelers win and AFC North division lead.

Said Flacco after the game: "Our left tackle stinks. I wish we could get a better one, like maybe that guy from the Disney movie with Sandra Bullock."

1. DeSean Jackson Closes the Door on the Giants

Was there any doubt? Tied for first place in the NFC East in Week 15, the Eagles capped a miraculous comeback to beat the Giants in their own house, with a breath-taking punt return touchdown by DeSean Jackson as time expired.

After muffing the punt, which was supposed to go out of bounds, Jackson bolted through New York's punt coverage like a slingshot, hoisting the ball in the air as he pranced toward the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, and a narrow first place lead in the division.

Matt Dodge told reporters he deliberately disobeyed Tom Coughlin's order to punt out of bounds because, "that No. 10 guy's not that good anyway."