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The Top 10 NFL season finale games of the past decade

By Erik Lambert

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 30: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints is almost grabbed by Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 30: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints is almost grabbed by Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Tyler Boyd #83 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Tyler Boyd #83 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

01. Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (2017)

The implications for this game were somewhat crazy. The Ravens had a straightforward objective. If they took care of business they’d finish 10-6 and make the playoffs for the first time since 2014. It seemed like a somewhat routine situation. The Bengals were already out of the playoff picture by that point and basically playing out the string. They didn’t have much motivation to show up.

At least that might be what the Ravens were hoping. Cincinnati gave them a rude shock when they opened up a 17-3 lead in the first half. Baltimore was stunned but swiftly recovered and climbed back to take the lead in the 4th quarter 27-24 with just over eight minutes left. The two teams settled into a battle of defensive stops for the next few minutes.

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Cincinnati got the ball back with just under three to go. They managed to drive just inside Ravens territory but faced a do-or-die 4th and 12 from the 49-yard line. It was there Andy Dalton found Tyler Boyd for a touchdown, not only shattering Baltimore’s playoff hopes but also putting the Buffalo Bills in for the first time since 1999.

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