From Miracle Catches to Game-Winning Interceptions: Rich Eisen Reveals His Definitive Top 10 NFL Plays of the Modern Era

In the electrifying world of professional football, moments of sheer brilliance and heart-stopping drama are what define the sport. They are the plays that are replayed endlessly, debated passionately, and etched into the collective memory of fans for generations. Renowned sportscaster Rich Eisen, a voice that has narrated the NFL’s modern era, has recently taken on the monumental task of distilling this history into a definitive list: his personal top 10 NFL plays since his final day at SportsCenter. This isn’t just a countdown; it’s a narrative journey through the plays that have defined careers, decided championships, and left an indelible mark on the soul of the game.

The list is a masterclass in football’s capacity for the extraordinary. It’s a collection of moments where human athleticism, split-second decision-making, and sheer willpower converged to create magic on the gridiron. From impossible catches that seemed to defy the laws of physics to game-sealing defensive stands that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, Eisen’s list is a tribute to the moments that make the NFL the most captivating sports league in the world.

Kicking off the countdown at number 10 is a play that announced the arrival of a supernova talent: Odell Beckham Jr.’s one-handed catch. It was a Sunday night game, and the rookie receiver elevated himself into the national consciousness with a gravity-defying, three-fingered grab that was so spectacular, it felt like something out of a video game. As Eisen recalls, this wasn’t just a catch; it was “the birth of a star,” a moment that instantly transformed Beckham from a promising rookie into a household name.

At number nine, we have a play that set the tone for a Super Bowl in the most electrifying way possible. Devin Hester’s opening kickoff return in Super Bowl XLI was a masterstroke of speed and audacity. For the first time in the history of the big game, the opening kickoff was returned for a touchdown. It was a bold, brilliant statement from one of the greatest return specialists of all time, a moment of pure, unadulterated excitement that had the entire world watching in awe.

The eighth spot is reserved for a display of raw power and determination that literally shook the ground. Marshawn Lynch’s “Beast Quake” run against the New Orleans Saints was a force of nature. Breaking tackles, shedding defenders, and carrying the weight of an entire franchise on his back, Lynch’s run was so powerful that it registered on a seismograph at the University of Washington. It was a play that perfectly encapsulated his “Beast Mode” persona, a testament to his unstoppable will to win.

Coming in at number seven is a moment of sheer, unadulterated disbelief: the “Minnesota Miracle.” With time expiring in the NFC Divisional Playoff game, Case Keenum heaved a prayer to Stefon Diggs, who not only made the catch but managed to stay on his feet and race to the end zone for a walk-off touchdown. The play was a gut-wrenching, soul-crushing blow to the New Orleans Saints and a moment of pure ecstasy for the Minnesota Vikings and their fans. It was a reminder that in the NFL, it truly isn’t over until it’s over.

The sixth spot belongs to a catch that was as crucial as it was incredible. In the midst of the New England Patriots’ historic 28-3 comeback in Super Bowl LI, Julian Edelman’s shoestring grab was a pivotal moment. The ball, tipped and bobbling, seemed destined to hit the turf, but Edelman, with unparalleled concentration and effort, managed to secure it just inches from the ground. It was a play that kept the Patriots’ impossible dream alive and ultimately helped secure the first-ever overtime victory in Super Bowl history.

At number five, we have a play so clever and so audacious that it has been immortalized in bronze. The “Philly Special,” a trick play that saw running back Corey Clement toss the ball to tight end Trey Burton, who then threw a touchdown pass to quarterback Nick Foles, was a moment of pure coaching genius and player execution. It was a play that defined the Philadelphia Eagles’ underdog run to their first-ever Super Bowl title, a moment of fearless creativity on the grandest stage.

The fourth spot on Eisen’s list is reserved for a play that is simply known as “The Helmet Catch.” In Super Bowl XLII, with the Patriots’ perfect season on the line, David Tyree’s miraculous catch was a moment of sheer desperation and brilliance. Eli Manning, escaping the grasp of multiple defenders, launched a deep pass that Tyree pinned against his helmet to secure the catch. It was a play that defied logic, a moment of improbable heroism that led to one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

Entering the top three, we have a play that was about more than just football. Steve Gleason’s blocked punt in the New Orleans Saints’ first game back in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina was a moment of catharsis and rebirth for an entire city. As Eisen recalls, the roar of the crowd was unlike anything he had ever heard. It was a play that symbolized the resilience and spirit of New Orleans, a moment of pure joy and hope in the wake of tragedy.

The runner-up on Eisen’s list is a play of incredible athleticism and endurance. James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII was a marathon of a play. The veteran linebacker, rumbling down the sideline, weaving through traffic, and barely making it to the end zone as time expired in the first half, delivered one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history. It was a testament to his strength, his will, and his refusal to be denied.

And finally, at number one, we have a play that represents the ultimate emotional swing in sports. Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception in Super Bowl XLIX was a moment of pure, unadulterated shock and awe. With the Seattle Seahawks just one yard away from a game-winning touchdown, the undrafted rookie cornerback jumped the route and made the interception that sealed the championship for the New England Patriots. As Eisen describes it, the instantaneous shift in emotion in the stadium, from impending Seattle joy to stunning New England victory, was unlike anything he had ever witnessed. It was a play that was as brilliant as it was heartbreaking, a moment that will forever be remembered as one of the greatest plays in the history of the National Football League.