NFL: Top 20 Most Amazing Interceptions In Recent History

There are few plays more beautiful than when a quarterback lofts up a pass to a seemingly open receiver, only to have a DB leap out of nowhere and make a circus catch.  Interceptions are huge momentum-shifters, and can completely change the outlook of a game.

The following are what I think are the 20 best interceptions of the last five years or so, based mainly on how much concentration, athleticism and general skill they require.  I am not going to incorporate elements such as the run after the pick or the general significance of the interception. So picks like James Harrison or Tracey Porter don't qualify. 

Also, interceptions during preseason and exhibition games don't qualify. 

20) Devin McCourty vs. Chargers

Devin McCourty reads this ball all the way in and makes a beautiful play for his first career interception.

19) Troy Polamalu vs. Falcons

Troy Polamalu makes his first of many appearances on this list at No. 19 with a game-saving pick vs. the Falcons.  Matt Ryan tries to throw a comeback route on the sideline to a seemingly open receiver, but Polamalu reads it from his safety position and comes streaking across the field for the pick.

18) Darrelle Revis vs. Raiders

Darelle Revis is a shutdown corner, but he's made a few spectacular interceptions over his career.  In this one, he matches the receiver stride for stride downfield and leaps over him to pull in the interception.

17) Vontae Davis vs. Titans

Most of the Dolphins' secondary gets credit on this one, as the ball got tipped up and around at least three times before Davis pulls it in along the sideline.  And kudos to Vince Young for the hit on the return.

16) Troy Polamalu vs. Bills

Another amazing interception by Polamalu, this time in the red zone.  The ball bounces off the receiver's hands, and Polamalu dives in under him for the pick.

15) Sam Shields vs. Bears

The first of two pivotal interceptions made by Shields in the NFC Championship game.  He goes way airborne on a deep pass and makes a beautiful catch.

14) Darrelle Revis vs. Chargers

Great awareness by Revis.  He sees that the ball hasn't quite touched the ground yet and pulls it in.

13) Jermaine Phillips vs. Panthers

Not the best quality video, but a great interception by Phillips.

12) Brent Grimes vs. Tampa Bay

Brent Grimes makes a diving interception to win the game.  Sorry about the bad quality.

11) Vontae Davis vs. Dolphins

This one is much like Darrelle Revis', only much more epic.

10) Charles Woodson vs. Lions

The interception happens at 2:54

A beautiful play by Charles Woodson, diving under the route for the interception.

9) Brent Grimes vs. New Orleans

This is one of the best pure vertical jumps you will ever see.  Grimes just goes up...and up...and up.  A ridiculous interception.

8) Leigh Bodden vs. Ravens

In this play, Flacco has some sort of miscommunication with his receiver, resulting in a badly underthrown ball towards the sideline.  The receiver doesn't see it, but Bodden does, leaping in front of the receiver, catching the ball on the sideline and getting both feet down. 

7) DeAngelo Hall vs. Bears

The interception is at the :19 mark of the video.

On October 24th, 2010, DeAngelo Hall had one of the greatest days a cornerback has ever had in the history of the NFL.  He intercepted four passes, and took this one back 92 yards for the score.  The return was impressive, but the interception itself was even more impressive, as Hall undercuts a route and pulls it in with his left hand.

6) Polamalu vs. Eagles

Polamalu seems to have a knack for being close to the ball when it's tipped, and has the athleticism to go get it.  In this play Bryant McFadden collides with L.J. Smith, sending the ball flying.  Polamalu dives over top of McFadden and barely pulls in the ball with his fingertips.

5) Danieal Manning vs. Browns

The interception is at the :25 mark of the video

An incredibly athletic play by Daniel Manning to lunge into the path of the ball and pick it off.

4) Kroy Bierman vs. Browns

You can't help but love this play.  It's rare for a lineman to get an interception, and rarer still for them to take it in for six, but Bierman does them both on this play with one of the most athletic interceptions ever made by anyone, let alone a lineman.  He comes in cleanly off the edge, and manages to get his hands up to deflect the ball, which goes spinning up into the air.  Then he sprints after it and lays out for it, managing to barely pull it in.  After all that, he still has the presence of mind to get up and rumble in for six. 

3) Polamalu vs. Titans

Another amazing interception by Polamalu.  He is covering Kenny Britt deep downfield one on one.  The ball is thrown, and Polamalu turns and positions himself between Britt and the ball.  At the last second, as Polamalu is about to jump, Britt pushes him forward just enough to basically ruin his chances of intercepting it, but he gets his left hand up just in time to pull the ball in.

2) Jason Sehorn vs. Eagles

This interception is one of the most ridiculous you will ever see, and is nearly impossible to describe.  Just watch the video.

And yes, I realize this doesn't really qualify as "recent history" as it happened ten years ago.  But it's too awesome not to be included.

1) Troy Polamalu vs. Chargers

This is the definition of a hustle play.  Polamalu starts the play on the line of scrimmage and watches Rivers' eyes.  As soon as Rivers looks toward his receiver, Polamalu turns and starts sprinting as fast as he can toward the receiver, who is fifteen yards downfield.  The ball gets there before him, gets tipped around a bit, then falls toward the ground.  Polamalu just keeps running, and just before the ball hits the ground, lunges for the ball, getting the tips of his fingers just under it before it hits the ground. 

The interception is incredible in itself, but just about any other safety would have thought "Oh, the play is way over there, not my responsibility."  But Polamalu turns and sprints like crazy for the intended receiver in the off chance that the ball will bounce oddly or the receiver will bobble it, and his hustle is rewarded with the most amazing interception of the last decade.

Conclusion

Firstly my apologies to Ravens fans.  Ed Reed is one of the best safeties of his generation, and I know he's made some amazing interceptions.  However, I scoured Youtube, but all I could find are videos of him making average interceptions with incredible runbacks.  So I'm giving him honorable mention for his 108 yard return against the Eagles.

I'm sure there are many more great interceptions made in the past few years that I missed over the course of my research, and if you have any favorites that you think should be on this list, feel free to let me know in the comments.