NFL Power Rankings: The Greatest Plays Of All-Time
By Erik Lambert
#5: Music City Miracle
Luck played a major role in how the Tennessee Titans had reached the playoffs in 1999, but they’d taken advantage of their opportunities earned a game at home to face the seasoned Buffalo Bills. Another piece of good fortune arrived even before kickoff when news hit that Doug Flutie, the Bills starting quarterback for most of the season had been benched in favor of Rob Johnson, who had been signed to a big contract the previous year.
The decision proved costly for Buffalo, as the game evolved into a defensive affair. Johnson finished just 10-for-22 with 134 yards passing. He was almost completely ineffective. Only excellent running from Antowain Smith and timely special teams kept them in the game and got them a slim 16-15 lead with seconds left.
All the Bills had to do was cover the kickoff and they’d escape with the win. On the return, the ball was handed to tight end Frank Wycheck who ran out to his right. Then he suddenly twisted around and fired a long lateral pass to Kevin Dyson. The receiver took the ball with an escort up the sideline and went untouched into the end zone for a touchdown. No flags were thrown. The Bills cried that the pass from Wycheck had been a forward lateral, so the officials went to review.
After a long deliberation, the play stood as called. It was a touchdown. Buffalo went home and the Titans rode that “Music City Miracle” to the Super Bowl.
Next: #4