Calling the NFL a “game of inches” is definitely cliche, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some truth to it.
NFL games often come down to a handful of plays, and when the season is complete, those select few plays may not only define a game but also an entire season. Spectacular individual efforts, bonehead mistakes and plays resulting in injuries can all fall under this umbrella.
For our list, keep in mind that we didn’t choose the best highlight reel plays. Rather, our 15 plays will be viewed as the top turning points of the year.
When thinking down the road about the 2018 season, these are the plays that will come to mind.
Patrick Mahomes left-handed throw
The Chiefs quarterback has made so many fantastic plays in his first season as a starter, but this one has been the most important through 13 weeks. On third down near midfield while down three points late in the fourth quarter, Mahomes avoided a sack and converted with a left-handed throw.
That drive turned into the game-winning touchdown, as the Chiefs beat the Broncos, 27-23, to stay undefeated in Week 4. Kansas City remained unbeaten until Week 6 and holds a narrow lead for home-field advantage in the AFC.
LEFT-HANDED THROW@PatrickMahomes5 pic.twitter.com/rObfTV8I0M
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 2, 2018
Drew Brees' spin move to send Falcons game into overtime
2018 has featured so many great plays from Brees, who could be on his way to his first regular-season MVP award. But surprisingly, this run from the 39-year-old may best define the Saints' season.
New Orleans lost at home in Week 1 to Tampa Bay and needed overtime to beat Cleveland the following Sunday. To avoid falling to 1-2, Brees outdueled Matt Ryan in a classic Saints-Falcons shootout.
This run from Brees helped send the game into overtime:
You falcon bishes better not bring up another mistackle again this year! Anytime you sorry POS let my old quarterback Super Drew put a spin cycle move on two of y’all players BY HIMSELF‼️ #NOvsATL #WhoDat #NewOrleansSaints #AtlantaFalcons #NFL #DrewBrees #GOAT pic.twitter.com/RKi3FM7pKl
— Re5peck_My_504 (@TruckBeats) September 24, 2018
Aaron Rodgers touchdown pass to complete comeback against Bears
The 2018 season isn’t going to be one Packers fans will want to remember. But when they do, Week 1 will be their favorite memory.
Rodgers appeared to have sustained a major knee injury, but not only did he return, but he also led Green Bay back from a 17-point deficit to win. This touchdown to Randall Cobb completed the comeback:
Aaron Rodgers has done it again! Rodgers comes back from an injury and throws a late game 75 yard TD pass to Randall Cobb to put the Green Bay Packers up over the Chicago Bears 24-23. #NFL #Packers #Bears #CHIvsGB pic.twitter.com/UfymMfTZ4c
— Swapty Sports (@SwaptySports) September 10, 2018
Michael Thomas touchdown catch to beat Rams
The Saints-Rams Week 9 matchup could end up deciding home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. Los Angeles rallied from a 21-point deficit to tie the game at 35.
But the Saints kicked a field goal to retake the lead, and then on their next possession, Michael Thomas sealed the victory with a 72-yard touchdown.
His celebration after the score ensured fans would remember this play for a long time:
Michael Thomas absolutely torched the Rams and then channeled his inner Joe Horn with the celebration. pic.twitter.com/4726Jcne5P
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 5, 2018
Clay Matthews gives Vikings new life with controversial penalty
In the first three weeks of the season, this is all anyone wanted to discuss. The new roughing the passer body-weight rule gave everyone headaches in September but especially Matthews and the Packers.
Officials called him multiple times for this foul, but this one was the most costly. On this play, Kirk Cousins threw an interception, but with Matthews’ penalty, the Vikings had new life and used it to rally back for a tie at Lambeau Field.
Here's the play from the #Vikings game.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 16, 2018
Clay Matthews for roughing the passer again to give the opponent new life on a game ending play.pic.twitter.com/GIaTrkC65O
Jared Goff touchdown pass to beat Chiefs
Through three quarters of the regular season, the Chiefs-Rams Monday Night showdown has been the game of the year. Realistically, there were about 10 plays that night that could have made our list.
But the game-winner is the most obvious choice. Jared Goff found tight end Gerald Everett for the go-ahead score with under two minutes in regulation. That touchdown held up, as the Rams won, 54-51:
Jared Goff with a DIME to Gerald Everett and the Rams have the lead! pic.twitter.com/NLzXdKvyek
— The Sports Quotient (@SportsQuotient) November 20, 2018
Drew Brees yardage record
As far as individual milestones go, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Brees surpassed Peyton Manning for the most passing yards in NFL history on this pass against Washington Week 5 on Monday night:
HISTORY!!!! DREW BREES BECOMES THE ALL TIME NFL LEADER IN PASSING YARDS!!!
— TITANIC TD (@TitanicTD) October 9, 2018
THE RECORD BREAKING PASS IS EVEN BETTER WITH TITANIC MUSIC!!! CONGRATULATIONS TO DREW BREES AND THE @SAINTS!!!
pic.twitter.com/JypxoacUBF
Chicago Bears Special
Since the Philly Special played an intricate role in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl victory in February, every team seems to have tried some variation of this play.
The Bears ran their version to perfection during the final seconds of regulation in Week 13 against the Giants. Although they lost in overtime, Tarik Cohen’s touchdown pass helped force the extra session.
THE CHICAGO SPECIAL.
— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2018
We're all tied up.
: FOX #DaBears pic.twitter.com/yzbZhN19Lh
Graham Gano 63-yard field goal to beat Giants
With Carolina on a four-game losing streak, this play is dropping in importance. But still, it was a turning point for both of these squads.
The Giants were clinging to a one-point lead and appeared about to claim a key early-season road victory. Instead, the Panthers moved into fringe field-goal range, and Gano handed New York a devastating loss after nailing a 63-yard field goal.
This field goal helped Carolina start 6-2, and at this point, if not for this kick, the Panthers would be under .500. The Giants have only four wins this year, but their season would have felt much differently early had this kick not gone through the uprights.
GRAHAM GANO 63 YARD GAME WINNING FIELD GOAL! IS GOOD#KeepPounding #Panthers #Giants pic.twitter.com/E28nh9jEXj
— Carolina Panthers (@panthersglobal) October 7, 2018
Chargers return punt for touchdown in comeback against Steelers
This matchup could prove to be a playoff preview. If these teams meet again in Pittsburgh, the Chargers will have a ton of confidence at Heinz Field, and Los Angeles can credit its comeback Sunday night in large part to the third-quarter punt return for a touchdown.
The Steelers dominated the first half, building a 16-point lead, but that evaporated quickly with a Philip Rivers touchdown pass, this punt return and two two-point conversions.
Los Angeles came back to win, 33-30. The Chargers victory keeps two teams in both the AFC North and West divisions within a game or less of each other heading into Week 14.
Desmond King (@blaqbadger14) showed off his lightning speed with a 73-yard punt return against the Steelers! ⚡️@insidetheNFL | #ShotOfTheWeek@Chargers | #FightForEachOther pic.twitter.com/og4ChJQJEa
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) December 3, 2018
DeAndre Hopkins sets up game-winning field goal vs. Cowboys
Houston started the season 0-3, and while the Texans did beat the Indianapolis Colts a week before their showdown with the Dallas Cowboys, losing to Dallas and falling to 1-4 would have put Houston in a big hole at the beginning of October.
Instead, thanks to this incredible play from Hopkins, the Texans beat the Cowboys in overtime and own the longest winning streak in the league (nine):
DeAndre Hopkins SPIN CYCLE on da Cowboys defense makes THREE defenders miss #DALvsHOU pic.twitter.com/kY7vK1o7GB
— BLACK SPORTSCENTER (@VersaceBoyEnt) October 8, 2018
Russell Wilson throws touchdown to keep Seahawks alive against Panthers
Again, Carolina has lost four straight, but this play could still prove to be huge. On fourth down and trailing by seven late in the fourth quarter, Wilson completed this touchdown to David Moore to tie the game.
Seattle won on a Sebastian Janikowski field goal at the end of regulation. The loss is the only one Carolina has sustained at home, and the result could prove to be extremely important as both teams battle for an NFC wild-card spot.
DeAndre Hopkins SPIN CYCLE on da Cowboys defense makes THREE defenders miss #DALvsHOU pic.twitter.com/kY7vK1o7GB
— BLACK SPORTSCENTER (@VersaceBoyEnt) October 8, 2018
Antonio Brown scores to beat Bengals
Similar to the Gano field goal, the Steelers’ two-game losing streak has the importance of this play that has kept them from dropping.
Even still, this one marked an early-season turning point for both teams. Brown’s touchdown gave Pittsburgh its second victory in what would turn into a six-game winning streak.
Cincinnati started 4-1, but since this loss, the Bengals are 1-6.
Antonio Brown breaks the Bengals hearts with this last second touchdown to win 28-21 pic.twitter.com/Mei6Az24t8
— JNS (@JustNowSports) October 14, 2018
Khalil Mack returns interception for touchdown vs. Packers
Aaron Donald will probably win Defensive Player of the Year, but Mack practically took home the trophy at the end of September. That was in large part because of his incredible first half at Green Bay in Week 1.
In that half, Mack recovered a fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown. Although the Bears lost, his play set the tone for what was to come this year for Chicago’s defense.
The Raiders better hit home runs on their two first round picks because right now, that trade has backfired. Khalil Mack with the pick six. It's a nightmare first half for Green Bay. pic.twitter.com/LjubGM4YjU
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) September 10, 2018
Alex Smith breaks leg
Ugly plays can define a season too, and this one certainly does. Washington was already dealing with multiple injuries on offense before this play, and then in Week 11, the Redskins lost their quarterback for the season.
Including that game, Washington is 0-3 since Smith left. After an injury to Colt McCoy in Week 13, the Redskins’ playoff chances are now in the hands of Mark Sanchez.
Not the best advert choice immediately after Alex Smith breaks his leg... pic.twitter.com/g4jUxP4wWC
— Paul Knott (@P_Knott) November 18, 2018
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