The NFL is a game of inches, and sometimes, one play can change everything. A dropped pass, a missed call, or a miraculous catch can alter the course of a game, a season, or even a franchise’s history.
What if things had gone just a little differently? Would dynasties have been stopped? Would certain teams finally have their long-awaited Super Bowl ring? Let’s dive into the 10 craziest “what if” plays in NFL history and imagine an alternate reality.
10. The Tuck Rule (2001 AFC Divisional Round – Patriots vs. Raiders)
Late in a snowy playoff game, Tom Brady was hit and clearly fumbled. But thanks to the obscure “Tuck Rule,” the refs overturned it, calling it an incomplete pass instead. The Patriots kept possession, won the game, and went on to start their dynasty.
Had the call gone the other way, maybe the Raiders would have gone to the Super Bowl, maybe the Patriots would never have become the NFL’s biggest powerhouse, and maybe Brady would never have become Brady.
9. Dwayne Rudd’s Premature Helmet Celebration (2002 – Browns vs. Chiefs)
With the Browns winning in the final seconds, linebacker Dwayne Rudd sacked Chiefs QB Trent Green and thought the game was over. He ripped off his helmet in celebration… while Green had lateraled the ball away.
The play was still live, and the Chiefs gained more yards. Thanks to the penalty on Rudd, they got a game-winning field goal attempt. Cleveland found a new, painful way to lose, and Rudd went down in infamy.
8. Dez Caught It… or Did He? (2014 NFC Divisional Round – Cowboys vs. Packers)
Late in a tight playoff game, Dez Bryant made an insane grab that looked like a catch—until the replay review ruled it incomplete. Cowboys fans still haven’t recovered.
Had it stood, Dallas would have had the ball at the 1-yard line with a chance to take the lead and potentially move on to the NFC Championship. Instead, Green Bay advanced, and the “catch rule” became one of the most controversial debates in NFL history.
7. The Butt Fumble (2012 – Jets vs. Patriots)
Would the Jets have won the game? Absolutely not. But maybe Mark Sanchez wouldn’t have his career defined by one of the most ridiculous plays ever.
This disaster of a play—where Sanchez ran directly into his offensive lineman’s butt and fumbled—became the ultimate meme moment. If he had just thrown the ball away or, you know, not sprinted headfirst into a backside, maybe he wouldn’t be the face of NFL bloopers forever.
6. Scott Norwood’s Wide Right (Super Bowl XXV – Bills vs. Giants)
The Bills had a chance to win their first Super Bowl with a 47-yard field goal in the final seconds. Instead, Scott Norwood’s kick sailed wide right, and the Bills’ Super Bowl heartbreak began.
If he made that kick, Buffalo would win its first Super Bowl, possibly change their legacy, and maybe avoid losing four straight Super Bowls. Instead, they became the team that just couldn’t get it done.
5. The Fail Mary (2012 – Seahawks vs. Packers, Replacement Refs Edition)
With replacement refs botching calls left and right, the NFL had its biggest disaster in prime time. On the game’s final play, Seahawks QB Russell Wilson heaved a desperation pass into the end zone.
Packers safety M.D. Jennings clearly intercepted it, but one ref called it a touchdown, the other signaled an interception, and chaos ensued. The Seahawks got the win, and the NFL immediately scrambled to bring the real referees back.
4. Jerome Bettis’ Almost-Fatal Fumble (2005 AFC Divisional Round – Steelers vs. Colts)
With the Steelers about to clinch a win, future Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis shockingly fumbled at the goal line. Colts DB Nick Harper scooped it up and had nothing but green grass in front of him… until Ben Roethlisberger made one of the most clutch ankle tackles ever.
Had Harper taken it to the house, the Colts would have won, and the Steelers’ Super Bowl run would have been over. Instead, Pittsburgh survived and won it all, giving Bettis the perfect send-off.
3. Malcolm Butler’s Goal-Line Interception (Super Bowl XLIX – Seahawks vs. Patriots)
One yard away from a second straight Super Bowl, the Seahawks chose not to give the ball to Marshawn Lynch. Instead, Russell Wilson threw a slant, and Malcolm Butler jumped the route for an all-time clutch interception.
If the Seahawks had just run the ball, they would likely have won back-to-back titles, and maybe Wilson is viewed differently today. Instead, Pete Carroll and the Seahawks are still haunted by one of the worst play calls in history.
Read More: The Holy Roller: A Game-Changing Fumble
2. The Immaculate Reception (1972 AFC Divisional Round – Steelers vs. Raiders)
Franco Harris’ miraculous, last-second touchdown has been replayed a million times. But to this day, there’s still debate over whether the ball hit the ground before he caught it.
If it had been ruled incomplete, the Raiders would have won, and maybe the Steelers’ dynasty would never have taken off. Instead, Pittsburgh became a powerhouse, and the Immaculate Reception remains the greatest “Was it legal?” play ever.
Read More: Ranking the AFC NFL Coaches From Worst to Best This Season
1. The Music City Miracle (1999 AFC Wild Card – Titans vs. Bills)
With seconds left, the Titans pulled off a jaw-dropping kickoff return. Frank Wycheck threw a questionably legal lateral to Kevin Dyson, who sprinted down the sideline for a game-winning touchdown. To this day, Bills fans swear it was an illegal forward pass.
If the call had gone Buffalo’s way, maybe they would have won that game, and maybe their franchise’s playoff luck would have turned around. Instead, the Bills entered the Dark Ages, missing the playoffs for nearly two decades.
Read More: Every NFL Team’s Most Crushing Playoff Loss, Ranked
