Image via Complex Original
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The old saying goes, if you’re not cheating then you’re not trying. A better saying would be that if you’re not trickin’ on these pros then you’re not scoring. Getting in the end zone in the NFL has never been easy. In a game of size, speed, and strength, sometimes the team with the most “smarts” wins. Here are The 10 Best Trick Plays in NFL History.
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10.The Rams’ Fake Field Goal
Date: September 30, 2012
Matchup: Seahawks at Rams
If you’re a Seattle Seahawks fan, then you might not want to read this list. Your team is on here more than they should be. It’s okay though, since you’ve got a Super Bowl ring to keep you warm, right? Fair enough. Well, a year before they were Super Bowl champs, the Seahawks were suckered in September. We know Danny Amendola is only 5-8, and isn’t a household NFL name, so of course you might not recognize him out on the town, but you should always know where he’s at on the football field. The Seahawks didn’t.
9.The Bills' Hidden Lineman
Date: September 7, 2008
Matchup: Seahawks at Bills
Now this was before Pete Carroll came in and gave the Seahawks their first Super Bowl victory, but about six years ago, the Buffalo Bills executed one of the best trick plays in NFL history. Defensive lineman Ryan Denney sauntered into the game several yards, and seconds, behind the rest of the Bills’ field goal unit. We have no clue how the Seahawks players or coaches didn’t notice a 6-7, 264-pound defensive lineman split out wide like a svelte wide receiver, but they didn’t, and of course he scored a touchdown.
8.The Chargers’ Bumarooski
Date: December 10, 2006
Matchup: Broncos at Chargers
Lorenzo Neal played in the NFL for 16 seasons as a fullback. He only scored six touchdowns in his career, so of course you don’t expect him to get the ball. To make matters worse, Neal only scored one touchdown in 2006, and it was the oldest trick play in the book against the Broncos—the Bumarooski. Playing in San Diego, sometimes you just have to do whatever it takes to get across the line and score. If only it was this easy all the time.
7.The Steelers’ Reverse Pass Touchdown
Date: February 5, 2006
Matchup: Seahawks at Steelers
No team makes it to the Super Bowl playing passive. So why not take a risk in the biggest game of your life? Well, that’s exactly what the boys from the Steel City did. If you see Antwaan Randle El running a reverse, just expect a bomb to be thrown and Hines Ward to be the recipient. This wasn’t the first time the former college QBs threw touchdowns to each other. But this strike meant the most because it sealed the deal in Super Bowl XL.
6.The Patriots’ Flea Flicker
Date: December 9, 2007
Matchup: Steelers at Patriots
Don’t talk trash if you’re not going to back it up. This rule is learned quickly as a youth when you play sports. Unfortunately, however, this lesson is not retained by all. Despite Tom Brady’s clean-cut image, Captain America will do whatever it takes to win. Leading up to their 2007 matchup against Pittsburgh, the Patriots were challenged by Steelers safety Antonio Smith, who said that his team would beat the undefeated Patriots. How did Brady respond? With this lovely play that you see here, right over Smith’s bewildered head.
5.The Dolphins’ Fake Spike
Date: November 27, 1994
Matchup: Dolphins at Jets
The greatest form of flattery is imitation. Everyone had done the fake spike play by now. It’s no longer original because Matthew Stafford and plenty of other players and teams have used it to fool their opponents. But the originator was none other than Dan Marino. The Dolphins were down 24-6 at one point in the third quarter facing the New York Jets on the road. Marino did what any Hall of Famer does when found in that position—he led his team back. And then he added to his résumé this great trick play.
4.The Patriots’ Fake Statue of Liberty
Date: January 12, 2008
Matchup: Jaguars at Patriots
Tom Brady will get all of the credit for this play, but we have to show love to his offensive line. Brady had enough time to fake a reverse handoff, jump up in the air, and then to fake the Statue of Liberty and throw the ball into the end zone for a score.
3.The Saints' River City Relay
Date: December 21, 2003
Matchup: Saints at Jaguars
Pop quiz: How does one go 75 yards down the field with three laterals? Easy—by being a member of the New Orleans Saints. We’re not going to say that it was voodoo or anything like that, but it was definitely one of the most thrilling moments in Saints history (TD), followed by a typical moment in Saints history (L). After all of the hard work of desperately playing lateral ball 75 yards to pay dirt, the Saints missed the extra point that would have tied the game and wound up losing.
2.The Bears’ Misdirection Punt
Date: September 25, 2011
Matchup: Packers at Bears
The only reason that this play isn’t No. 1 is because it didn’t count, but it’s the single greatest trick play we’ve ever seen. As a fan it makes no sense, but when you look at it from the players’ perspective it makes perfect sense. Your first job on the punt team is to make sure that the punt doesn’t get blocked, and then you have to race down the field to make sure that it isn’t returned for a touchdown. You don’t have time to look up in the air while you’re running down the field to see where the ball is going because the returner is going to tell you that. Unless, of course, the team decides to use Devin Hester (the best return man in the history of the game) as a decoy.
1.The Titans’ Music City Miracle
Date: January 8, 2000
Matchup: Bills at Titans
The Buffalo Bills have to be the most cursed team in NFL Playoff history. They lost four Super Bowls in the ’90s, and then this play (which is technically a part of the 1999 season) broke their hearts yet again. This is the G.O.A.T. of NFL trick plays. Not only was it an amazing play that happened in overtime, but keep in mind that it was also the playoffs.