Top five NFL games of 2009

Written by Jacob Martella, Staff Writer

1. NFC Championship Game – Saints 31, Vikings 28

This one was another classic conference championship game that ended in spectacular fashion. Brett Favre was looking to get back to the Super Bowl, but was not to be as he was picked off with seven seconds left in regulation as the Vikings were driving to win the game. Favre never touched the ball again as the Saints moved the ball down to the Vikings 22 yard-line in the first possession in overtime and kicked a game-winning field goal to send the Saints to their first-ever Super Bowl.

2. Week One – Patriots 25, Bills 24

After trailing 24-10 with the 5:32 left in the fourth quarter, Tom Brady worked his magic and led the Patriots to 15 unanswered points for the 25-24 win. Brady hooked up with tight end Benjamin Watson for an 18 yard touchdown pass and then on the ensuing kickoff, Buffalo return man Leodis McKlevin fumbled the ball at the Bills 31. Three plays later, Brady and Watson hooked up again for a 16 yard touchdown pass that proved to be the game winner.

3. Week Thirteen – Saints 33, Redskins 30

4. Week Ten – Colts 35, Patriots 34

In one of the most riskiest, and probably the most criticized call, Bill Belicheck went for it on fourth-and-two at his own 28 yard-line with 2:06 left in the game. Tom Brady’s pass to Kevin Faulk came up a half-yard short of the first down. Riding the momentum, 2009 MVP Payton Manning led the Colts on a short drive that resulted in a one-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne to give the Colts the win.

5. Week Fifteen – Steelers 37,  Packers 36

In a game which saw both teams nearly double their scores in the fourth quarter alone, somebody had to win it. Steelers quarterback Ben Rothlisberger threw towards the corner of the end zone on the last play of the game, only to have receiver Mike Wallace catch the ball and get two feet inbounds for the game winning touchdown. Green Bay had scored with 2:06 left in the game, but was unable to stop the Steelers offense as they marched down the field.