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The current NFL regular season is heating up, and the year has been one to remember for football fans across the world. We thought it would be fun to look at some memorable games in 2016, as we approach the holiday season and the New Year. Here, we take a look at the best games of 2016 including last season's playoff matches and this season's regular season games so far.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 35-30
November 13th, 2016
One of the most exciting games of this NFL season came recently when the Cowboys came face-to-face with the Steelers at the Heinz Field. The game will be remembered for the Cowboys over-turning a 12-3 deficit to go on and win the game 35-30. The result ensured that Cowboys equaled the franchise's record for eight consecutive wins.
Just as it seemed that the intensity could not be ramped up any further with 2 minutes remaining and the score at 24-23 to the Steelers, things went to a completely new level. Cowboys took a 29-24 lead with 1 minute and 55 seconds remaining through a 14 yard touchdown from Ezekiel Elliott. Steelers were quick to respond cancelling that touchdown out immediately with one of their own through Antonio Brown with just 42 seconds left on the clock. However, the Cowboys would not be denied and a stunning 32 yard run from Elliott ended in another touchdown to steal the win for the visitors with just 9 seconds left of play.
Washington Redskins vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 27-27
October 30th, 2016
It is always a spectacular occasion when the NFL visits Wembley Stadium in England for its annual trip across the pond to show the UK population what American football is all about. This year, the British public were treated to a real show with a uniquely atmospheric and striking game that will be remembered for years to come.
The scores between the Redskins and the Bengals had swayed back and forth all game with the Bengals looking set to win the game scoring a touchdown through Jeremy Hill with 7 minutes remaining to take a 27-24 lead. However, Dustin Hopkins converted a field goal for the Redskins late in the game to force overtime. Unfortunately, Hopkins transformed from hero to villain when his missed 34 yard field goal attempt denied his team victory in a compelling matchup that delivered one of the most unexpected results of the season.
San Diego Chargers vs. Atlanta Falcons, 33-30
October 23rd, 2016
In terms of ultimate comebacks, it does not come much better than San Diego Chargers pulling back a 17 point deficit against Atlanta Falcons to win 33-30 on the road. The game at the Georgia Dome appeared destined to end in a Falcons win as the home side cruised into a 27-10 lead as the third quarter drew to a close. The Chargers were fortunate to pull the score back to 27-17 just before the halftime interval and this score would prove to be crucial.
The second half was one-way traffic. A 37 yard field goal from Chargers kicker Josh Lambo reduced the score further to 27-20 in the third quarter setting up an evenly balanced final quarter. A Matt Bryant field goal in the midway through the final quarter extended the Falcons lead to 30-20 and looked to have put the game beyond the reach of the Chargers. Clearly, the Chargers had no read the script. Chargers scored a touchdown with 5 minutes remaining on the clock when Melvin Gordon completed a 5 yard pass from Philip Rivers. This took the game into over-time after Lambo converted the kick. Lambo was then once again the hero as he scored a 42 yard field goal in over-time to seal the most unlikely of wins.
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos, 18-20
January 24th, 2016
Two of the bookmakers' favorites to win Super Bowl 50 clashed in an epic encounter in the 2016 NFL Playoffs when New England Patriots suffered an on-the-road 20-18 defeat to Denver Broncos. The game will go down in memory as one of the wildest finishes to a playoff game this century as both teams left nothing on the field in a bid to progress to the next round.
The New England Patriots were chasing the game from early on after being down 17-9 at half-time. By the end of the third quarter, Patriots had pulled it back to 17-12. The final quarter delivered some of the most intense football seen at the Sports Authority Field at Mile High as the Patriots launched attack after attack on the Broncos defense. Despite Broncos extending their lead to 20-12 early in the fourth quarter, Patriots then pulled the score back to 20-18 with just 17 seconds left on the clock when Rob Gronkowski somehow got free to snatch the touchdown.
This meant the Patriots needed a two-point conversion completion. However, the pass is tipped and intercepted by the Broncos at the death. The Broncos would go on to justify their tags as one of the bookmakers' favorites for the competition and would defeat Carolina Panthers 24-10 at Super Bowl 50. After the game it was confirmed that more money was spent on bets for Super Bowl 50 in Nevada than on any other Super Bowl in sports betting history. Well for some this can be quite surprising but with sports betting being available everywhere online and with the state of the art technology, regular fans from U.S and Canada turn into big match day NFL bettors. If you think you can win big money at Superbowl 51, be sure to do your research, gain free bets and welcome bonuses
Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals, 20-26
January 17th, 2016
The 2016 NFL Playoffs produced one of the games of the decade when the relentless Arizona Cardinals sealed a dramatic 26-20 over-time victory against an impressive Green Bay Packers. It was a game that pundits labelled as one that reminded us all why we first fell in love with American football. The drama behind the Cardinals seemingly throwing away what seemed like a certain victory to then snatch the win against the odds at the death.
It had looked like the Cardinals would be heading to an inevitable defeat. A miracle Hail Mary throw from Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to Jeff Janis allowed the Packers to deny the Cardinals victory at the death in regulation time. However, there was even more drama to follow as Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer launched a 75-yard pass to teammate Larry Fitzgerald to seal the win and a spot in the next round of the playoffs.
