Classic NFL games on YouTube offer social distancing reprieveDate: 4/14/2020 Just about every year around this time after the NFL free agency wraps up I always start to miss NFL football and with no other live sports ongoing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that hole feels a little bigger.
But what if there was a way to relive some of the greatest moments in NFL history for free, with limited ads from the comfort of your couch?
Since the beginning of this pandemic, the NFL has been slowly adding to its online library of games on its YouTube channel by posting classic matchups completely for free to watch on any smart device YouTube is available. They are constantly adding new games to the lineup with live premieres every week day.
Today I’m taking a look at some of the most exciting games to watch if you’re missing sports and hopefully help alleviate your boredom during this quarantine.
Patriots vs. Falcons
Super Bowl 51
First overtime Super Bowl, largest comeback in Super Bowl history, this game was one of the most iconic victories of the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick led Patriots. After falling behind 28-3 with 8:31 left to play in the third quarter, the Patriots scored 31 unanswered points to give the team its fifth Super Bowl title.
Between Dont’a Hightower’s strip-sack of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, Julian Edelman’s incredible circus catch, or even Julio Jones’ insane sideline grab, this game’s second half is full of amazing moments.
49ers vs Saints
Week 14, 2019 Regular Season
With the number one seed on the line in the NFC last season, the 49ers and Saints met in a shootout last season to determine who would have home field advantage in the playoffs. The matchup did not disappoint in a 48-46 marathon that saw Jimmy Garoppolo march the Niners’ offense down the field for kicker Robbie Gould to kick the game-winning field goal as time expired.
Both Garoppolo and Drew Brees passed for 349 yards with Garoppolo throwing 4 touchdowns to Brees’ five. The game also included a 35 yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to running back Raheem Mostert and plenty more highlight reel plays in one of the most exciting matchups from last year.
Chiefs vs. Rams
Week 11, 2018 Regular Season
Rams versus Chiefs, Goff versus Mahomes, a matchup hyped up as one of the best games of the season and potential Super Bowl preview did not disappoint, becoming the highest scoring affair in Monday Night Football history.
The Rams quickly jumped out to a 13-0 lead but the Chiefs quickly got their act together and the teams traded the lead six times times before the dust settled. Both quarterbacks went over 400 yards passing with Mahomes throwing 6 touchdowns to Goff’s 4.
While the Rams got gashed in terms of yardage, they forced five Mahomes turnovers, including three interceptions on their way to a 54-51 victory.
Giants vs. Eagles
Week 15, 2010 Regular Season
“Jackson bobbles it, and now has to try and recover. Desean Jackson… gets a block! Are you kidding? Desean Jackson is in for the touchdown with no flags, unbelievable! No time left, Eagles win,” Joe Buck said as Eagles’ wide receiver Desean Jackson returned a punt 65 yards with no time remaining in the fourth quarter. With the NFC East tied between the Eagles and the Giants, the two teams met late in the 2010 regular season in the second game to be dubbed the “Miracle at the Meadowlands.”
After falling behind 31-10 with just eight minutes left to play in the fourth quarter, the Eagles finally came to life with a 65 yard Michael Vick touchdown pass Brent Celek. Between onside kicks, defensive stops and Vick taking over the game with his legs, the Eagles scored 28 unanswered points, culminating in a 38-31 after Jackson’s last second punt return for a touchdown.
Broncos vs Cowboys
Week 5, 2013 Regular Season
The last meeting between Tony Romo and Peyton Manning was an absolute barn burner with Manning’s Broncos eventually coming out on top in a 51-48 classic. Both quarterbacks played outstanding games with Manning throwing for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns and Romo with 506 yards and 5 touchdowns.
This matchup is full of highlight reel passing plays but one of the best plays of the game came in the second quarter with Manning showing his mobility after faking a hand-off to Knowshon Moreno and running a bootleg into the end zone.
But at the end of the day, Romo was going to make a Romo mistake and threw an interception with 2 minutes to play and the game tied at 48 to seal the victory for the Broncos, already well within field goal range.
Next week we’ll be taking a look at some of the best NHL games available on YouTube as we sports fans try to find a cope without any live games during this pandemic.
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