5 most heartbreaking last-second losses in NFL playoff history
NFL teams spend months and months training, devising offensive and defensive gameplans and everything in between for one goal, a Super Bowl win.
For some, just making the playoffs is tough enough, while for others, making the NFL's penultimate game is the bare minimum. Once in the playoffs anything can happen, and sometimes it comes down to the last second. In that moment, legends are made for the winners, but for the loser, dreams are snatched away and broken.
Here are 5 of the most heartbreaking last-second losses in NFL playoff history.
#5 - Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots - Super Bowl XLIX
It's still one of the most baffling coaching decisions in recent memory. After taking a 10-point lead in the second half, the Seattle Seahawks allowed Tom Brady to make an incredible comeback.
The New England Patriots hit the lead, 28-24 late in the fourth quarter. Russell Wilson then drove the Seahawks down to the five-yard line. With running back Marshawn Lynch having a 100-yard rushing game, everyone thought Seattle would simply rush for a touchdown.
Five years ago today, rookie Malcolm Butler sealed the Patriots' fourth Super Bowl with this incredible goal-line interception 🤯
(via @nflthrowback)
https://t.co/BNT0hoLyec
With 27 seconds on the clock, Wilson stepped back and fired a pass that Patriots defender Malcolm Butler intercepted, ending the Seahawks' drive and giving Brady another Super Bowl.
#4 - Tennessee Titans vs. Los Angeles Rams - Super Bowl XXXIV
One yard. That's how close the Tennessee Titans were to tying the Super Bowl. After going 16-0 down to Kurt Warner's Los Angeles Rams, the Titans levelled matters in the fourth quarter.
Let’s drop my favorite plays in #SuperBowl history, keeping it in my conscious sports fan life.
My clear #1: Mike Jones tackles Kevin Dyson to win XXXIV.
https://t.co/UBefYmjuqa
The Rams took the lead at 23-16 and Steve McNair went to work. He marched the Titans down to the six-yard line and came agonizingly short. Mike Jones of the Rams produced his best ever moment, tackling Kevin Dyson just one yard short after he caught a slant pass and was making a run to the endzone.
One-yard. That's how close the Titans came to extending the game.