Top 10 Worst Plays in NFL History

Super Bowl XLIX is in the books, and it was one of the most exciting Championship games in NFL history. Still, the conversation around the game has nothing to do with the first 59 minutes of action, but rather the last minute, which featured a very controversial call.

After Jermaine Kearse hauled in likely the most ridiculous catch in Super Bowl history and Marshawn Lynch pushed the ball to the Patriots 1-yard line, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and his offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell made a call that will live in infamy for decades to come. The choice to throw the ball (and the resulting interception), rather than give it to their stud running back, has sparked outrage across the country, with many dubbing it the worst plays in NFL history.

And yet…it gets so much worse. For your viewing pleasure, we’ve compiled the worst plays in NFL history below and, boy oh boy, they don’t disappoint. Read on for the most odious plays in the league’s history, and while you’re at it catch our early predictions for the 2015-2016 NFL season.

Worst Plays in NFL History – The Top Ten

10. Mark Sanchez’s Butt Fumble (2012)

Former Jet quarterback Mark Sanchez effectively sealed his fate – not to mention his legacy as a New York laughing stock – with his infamous “Butt Fumble” against the New England Patriots.

Already down 14-0 in a nationally-televised Thanksgiving Day game against a fierce division foe, “The Sanchize” fumbled the football in perhaps the most humiliating manner possible – by running straight into the backside of one of his own linemen. The Patriots recovered the football to score another easy six points.

It’s worth another look. At 0:03, where does Mark think he’s headed? There is exactly zero hole to aim for. Even if there was, and we can’t quite see what Mark could see, why does he run where he does? Whew. Incomprehensible.

9. AND 8. Leon Lett (1993)

It takes some doing to have not one but two entries on a list of worst plays in NFL history, but Leon Lett most certainly earned his places with two of the most uniquely terrible plays ever seen on a football field.

Lett’s first entry came none other than during Super Bowl XXVII in 1993. Lett, a defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, recovered a Buffalo Bill fumble and looked well on his way toward returning it for a touchdown. But in an ultimate display of arrogance, Lett tried to replicate his teammate, Michael Irvin, by bringing the ball down and oh so slightly sending the ball across the goal line.

But much to Lett’s surprise, Buffalo’s Don Beebe hadn’t given up on the play. He managed to catch up to Lett, close enough to knock the ball right off his hand to force a touchback.

Lett’s gaffe had no impact on the game – Dallas trounced Buffalo 52-17. But it could have been six points more had Lett not been so careless.

Lett’s next big boo-boo, however, was more damaging to the Cowboys. Dallas was taking part in a Thanksgiving game against the Miami Dolphins in 1993. The Cowboys were up one with 15 seconds left. The Dolphins have their potential game-winning field goal blocked, which should’ve resulted in a Dallas win.

But poor Leon inexplicably tries to smother the football. He slipped on the ice and failed to hang onto the ball, which resulted in the Dolphins gaining possession on the Cowboys’ one-yard line. Miami kicked a field goal and won the game.

Had Leon simply let the ball go, the Cowboys would’ve won. We’re sure Lett’s teammates let him know about it a lot afterwards.

7. Broncos Safety (2014)

Fresh off setting multiple offensive records during the regular season, perhaps Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos probably thought they could spot the Seattle Seahawks a couple of points in Super Bowl XLVIII.

They thought wrong.

After Broncos center Manny Ramirez airmailed the very first snap of the game toward the end zone to hand the Seahawks the fastest points ever scored in Super Bowl history. Seattle proceeded to rout Denver, 43-8.

6. Jim Marshall’s Wrong Turn (1964)

Head injuries weren’t as hot a topic in 1964 as they are today, which is a little unfortunate for Jim Marshall since he couldn’t chalk his monumental brain fart up to a concussion or CTE.

Marshall, a defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings, committed one of the most egregious mistakes in pro football history against the San Francisco 49ers. After recovering a 49er fumble, Marshall unwittingly returned the football 66 yards toward his own end zone, which resulted in a safety.

Thankfully for Marshall, he would save some of his blushes by providing a key sack to give his team the win.

5. River City Relay (2003)

The New Orleans Saints needed a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars to keep their hopes of a playoff spot alive back in 2003. Down seven with no time left on the clock, the Saints produced one of the most spectacular plays in NFL history – an incredible sequence which featured three laterals and culminated in a Jerome Pathon touchdown.

You’d think pulling off that one-in-a-million play would be enough to get the win, but unfortunately for the Saints, John Carney had to go and pull off a million-in-a-million point-after. His miss condemned the Saints to defeat, effectively wasting one of the most miraculous plays in NFL history.

4. Brett Favre’s Interception (2010)

Even New Orleans Saints fans will be quick to concede that their 2010 Super Bowl championship might not have been possible without Brett Favre’s absolutely boneheaded interception.

With the score tied in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game, Favre, who was then playing for the Minnesota Vikings, had led his team down the Saints’ 40 yard-line, which would’ve meant a 50+ yard field goal. Not great, but makeable.

But at 3rd down and with the clock at less than 20 seconds, Favre tried to get closer. To the delight of Green Bay Packer fans, his patented across-the-body pass found the waiting arms of Saints cornerback Tracy Porter. New Orleans eventually won in overtime, and went on to win the Super Bowl.

Extra points here to the FOX commentators who absolutely roast Favre for the error.

3. Dwayne Rudd’s Helmet Gaffe (2002)

Linebacker Dwyane Rudd played a relatively nondescript six-year NFL career, and his most memorable moment isn’t a particularly flattering one.

In 2002, Rudd and his team, the Cleveland Browns, were up by two points on the Kansas City Chiefs with less than 10 seconds remaining. After believing that he had sacked Green to end the game, Rudd took off his helmet in celebration.

As it turned out, Rudd didn’t sack Green, and his premature helmet removal resulted in a defensive penalty, putting the Chiefs within field goal range with a chance to win the game. Chiefs kicker Morton Anderson converted the field goal as the sorry Browns found another creative way to lose.

2. DeSean Jackson’s Premature TD Spike (2008)

The video above should’ve been DeSean Jackson’s first-ever NFL touchdown. Donovan McNabb found the rookie receiver with a strike downfield and gave a glimpse of his electric speed on Monday Night Football, against the rival Dallas Cowboys, no less.

But as some of the Eagles veterans must’ve mentioned to the rookie, it’s important to make sure you’ve crossed the goal line first before throwing the ball away in celebration. Jackson’s premature posturing didn’t cost the Eagles any points, as they still scored on the next play, but DeSean Jackson’s general insanity made its first career appearance nonetheless.

1. Miracle at the Meadowlands (1978)

The New York Giants were literally one snap away from defeating their fierce NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, at home back in 1978. All Giants quarterback Joe Pisarcik had to do was take a knee. But instead of doing so, Pisarcik decided to hand the ball off to fullback Larry Csonka. Twice.

99 out of 100 times, those handoffs go off without a hitch. The first time to Csonka went for 11 (unnecessary) yards. Unfortunately for the Giants, this was the one time they muck it up. The Giants duo botched the handoff, which allowed Eagles corner Herm Edwards to recover the fumble and score one of the defining touchdowns in the historic Giants-Eagles rivalry.

Offensive Coordinator Bob Gibson called the two plays and was fired immediately after the game. He’s not spoken about it since, and why would he? His ridiculous playcalling caused our pick for the worst play in NFL history.
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