What makes an all-time great catch? Is it the sheer technical and physical ability to do something only a handful of people in the world could pull off? Or is it the context and situation with which the catch was made?
Taking those criteria into account, here’s our list of the ten best NFL catches of all-time. Meanwhile, check out our list of the top 10 catches of the 2015-16 NFL season.
Top 10 Best NFL Catches of All Time
10. Randy Moss (Sept. 19, 2010 vs. Jets)
Three things about this Randy Moss touchdown catch in a random regular season game against the Jets merit its inclusion in this list:
- He makes a stunning one-handed grab running at full speed;
- He makes the aforementioned one-handed grab look so much easier than it actually is; and
- He absolutely burns Darrelle Revis, who was arguably the best defensive player in football at that time.
All in a day’s work for one of the best wideouts ever.
9. Jarvis Landry (Dec. 27, 2015 vs. Colts)
9. Martavis Bryant (2016 AFC Wild Card game vs. Bengals)
This may just be a bit of recency bias working, but you’ve got to admit that Martavis Bryant’s insane flip catch against Cincinnati in their 2016 AFC wild card game was a sight to behold.
It took some otherworldly dexterity and athleticism for Bryant to keep control of that ball by trapping it behind his legs, while simultaneously flipping over to complete the catch. The stunning difficulty and utterly unique quality of that catch makes it a worthy entry into the list.
7. Lynn Swann (Super Bowl X vs. Cowboys)
Lynn Swann had four catches for 161 yards and a touchdown to earn MVP honors in Super Bowl X, where his Steelers beat the Cowboys. Of his four catches, the one that stands out the most was his leaping, juggling, 53-yard bomb over Cowboys corner Mark Washington.
In terms of context, this catch pales in comparison with some others on this list. It wasn’t a key fourth quarter grab and didn’t even result in any points. But from an aesthetic standpoint, it remains to this day one of the best, most iconic grabs in history.
6. Franco Harris (1972 AFC Divisional Round vs. Raiders)
The name “Immaculate Reception” is much better than Franco Harris’s actual catch, but do you think you’ll ever see another playoff game decided by a walk-off touchdown off a broken-up pass? The right answer is “almost certainly not” (although the next catch on the list came pretty close) which earns that once-in-a-lifetime play a rightful spot as one of the best catches ever.
5. Jermaine Kearse (Super Bowl XLIX vs. Patriots)
Super Bowl XLIX’s ending was one of the wildest in history, but while everyone remembers the interception in the end, the catch that set up the Seahawks’ potential winning score was just as crazy.
Malcolm Butler, who would be immortalized by coming up with said pick, broke up a pass intended for Jermaine Kearse. But the ball never touched the ground! It miraculously hits Kearse’s legs, which kicks the ball up the air and allows Kearse to make one of the most incredible catches ever but in a losing effort.
4. Dwight Clark (1982 NFC Championship Game vs. Cowboys)
With all due respect to Dwight Clark, “The Catch” wasn’t really all that amazing as far as catches go. Sure, he got up pretty high to snag Joe Montana’s throw, but he wasn’t really pressured and it was a catch he should’ve made.
The significance of “The Catch” is undeniable, though. It gave the Niners a terrific last-second win over the Cowboys to book the first of many subsequent trips to the Super Bowl. The great Vin Scully’s call was also pretty awesome.
3. Odell Beckham Jr. (Nov. 29, 2014 vs. Cowboys)
In terms of pure physical ability and aesthetic appeal, Odell Beckham Jr.’s out-of-this- world, one-handed catch over the Cowboys in 2014 has to be the most impressive catch in NFL history. Not even a blatant pass interference penalty could stop him, as he had the strength and agility to still make the catch. It was almost balletic how he was able to fully extend his body to snag that ball in mid-air.
If it had just been in a game with a little more significance, it probably would’ve topped this list as the best catch ever. But it wasn’t, and OBJ will just have to settle for a spot in the podium.
2. Santonio Holmes (Super Bowl XLIII vs. Cardinals)
As far as great catches go, it doesn’t really get much better than Santonio Holmes’ grab in Super Bowl XLVIII. For one, it was as clutch as clutch can get. I mean, it capped off a last-gasp fourth quarter drive that won the Steelers the freaking Super Bowl!
Add the degree of difficulty to that catch, with Holmes famously going on his tippy-toes as he got knocked out of bounds at the very edge of the end zone, and that makes Holmes’ catch an all-timer.
1. David Tyree (Super Bowl XLII vs. Patriots)
David Tyree will forever live in infamy in New England as the man whose unbelievable catch helped end the Patriots’ perfect season in Super Bowl XLII.
From Eli Manning somehow managing to scramble his way from a sure sack to Tyree trapping the ball onto his helmet and hanging on with Rodney Harrison draped all over him, there’s definitely a bit of luck involved in this catch. Still, he made the catch, which, given the degree of difficulty and the context, is worthy of being called the best in NFL history.
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