The Ten Historic NFL YouTube Games That I'm Most Excited to Watch
By Jason Lisk
The NFL is uploading 96 archived games in their entirety to YouTube in August, 3 for each franchise after voting from fans. The complete list of the winning selections is here.
My list is going to skew older–and less Super Bowl driven–than the voting in general. Only a handful of games before 1980 made the cut. Most fans wanted to see the old Super Bowl win for the favorite teams (for those that have won). Those games, particularly the recent ones, are fresh. I want to see things that aren’t quite as recent, for the most part, and I didn’t include any Super Bowls in my wish list since highlights and breakdowns are prevalent.
These are the games I am most likely to geek out and watch:
#10 1997 Detroit vs. New York Jets, week 17
Who can pass up up a Scott Mitchell and Neil O’Donnell duel? Oh, and Barry Sanders goes over 2,000 yards with a big game. Detroit makes playoffs, Jets do not.
#9 1992 Buffalo vs San Francisco, week 2
I’ve seen plenty of breakdowns and stories on the Bills comeback against Houston in the playoffs the same year. This regular season gem featured two of the best teams in the game, combining for over 1,000 yards of total offense. Kelly, Reed, Thurman Thomas versus Young, Watters, Rice, and Taylor? Yes.
#8 2001 New England vs. Oakland, AFC Playoffs, Tuck Rule Game
The legend begins. It will be fascinating to see how these teams are discussed before the pivotal moment. Jon Gruden, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick.
#7 1998 Minnesota at Dallas, Thanksgiving Day Game
Randy Moss explodes on a national stage as a rookie.
#6 1994 Kansas City at Denver, week 6
Joe Montana leads late dramatic comeback against Denver in a duel with John Elway, breaking long streak of losses for Chiefs at Mile High.
#5 2006 Indianapolis vs. New England, AFC Champ Game
Peyton Manning finally reverses the narrative against the New England Patriots.
#4 1986 Denver at Cleveland, AFC Championship Game
The Drive.
#3 1981 San Francisco vs. Dallas, NFC Champ Game
The Catch. You’ve seen that over and over, but here’s a chance to watch a great historic game, called by none other than Vin Scully in his prime.
#2 1985 Miami vs. Chicago, week 13
Miami ends the Chicago Bears perfect season on Monday Night. The 46 Defense looks human for once going against Marino. Remember begging to stay up on Monday night for this one, but it’s been over 30 years.
#1 1981 San Diego at Miami, AFC Playoffs
A truly wild game, featuring the hook-and-ladder to Tony Nathan to end the first half, Kellen Winslow having 13 catches and then blocking a kick in OT.