NFL Power Rankings: The Greatest Plays Of All-Time
By Erik Lambert
#28: Namath To Maynard
#Jets Never win #SuperBowl 3 if #NFL had current #Catch rule - Don Maynard didn't complete the catch #footballlife pic.twitter.com/4SlbLGVuIu
— Brian Sapp RVT, RPhS (@BrianSappRVT) January 31, 2015
Video of this play is difficult to come by since it took place back in 1968. That doesn’t decrease its impact though. In a hotly contested game during the AFL championship, the New York Jets trailed the Oakland Raiders in 4th quarter 23-20.
With just over eight minutes to play, quarterback Joe Namath realized his team couldn’t afford to play it safe. They needed to get the lead back fast. So when Oakland presented an opportunity lining up in press coverage, he took advantage by going deep to his favorite target in wide receiver Don Maynard.
Keep in mind this was in Shea stadium in December when it was cold and the wind was swirling in every direction. So naturally the ball got pushed around a bit going through the air, forcing Maynard to go from looking over his left shoulder to over his right in order to make that catch. He did so without the help of gloves too.
The 52-yard completion led to a Namath touchdown pass on the next play, sending the Jets to their first Super Bowl and eventually their epic upset of the Baltimore Colts.
Next: #27