Dylan Goldman's Top 10 NFL Games of 2015

10. Week 12: Seahawks 39, Steelers 30

(photo credit: bleacherreport.com)

This game had all of the qualities of a tense, high-intensity game. Two great coaches, two fantastic quarterbacks and two great defenses going head to head. The fourth quarter of this game couldn’t have been any more exciting. Both defenses didn’t give an inch but at the same time both offenses were having field days. Russell Wilson had five touchdowns and Ben Roethlisberger threw for 436 yards. Markus Wheaton had nine catches for 201 yards and Doug Baldwin caught three touchdowns.

The game was back and forth until the Seahawks took control late in the fourth quarter. There were four touchdowns in the fourth, two by each team. This game featured two playoff teams and two teams that plan to make a Super Bowl run in the 2016 season.

9. Week 7: Redskins 31, Buccaneers 30

(photo credit: riggosrag.com)

Originally, this game had very little intrigue. Tampa Bay came in with a 2-3 record and Washington came in with a 2-4 record. To make the game even less intriguing, Washington was down 24-7 at the half. The second half of the game is what puts this game on the list. The Redskins outscored the Bucs 24-6 the rest of the game to complete the thrilling comeback victory. Kirk Cousins threw three touchdowns, all in the second half including one with 28 seconds left to give the Skins a crucial win. After the comeback, Cousins yelled “You like that” in the hallway.

8. Week 15: Panthers 38, Giants 35

(photo credit: nj.com)

The Panthers came into the game with a 14-0 record, and at first it seemed there perfect record was safe. Carolina led 35-7 in the third quarter, and this led Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. to launch his helmet at Panthers CB Josh Norman. Cam Newton had five touchdowns in the game. The Giants scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter which tied the game at 35. Newton then led the Panthers down the field to set up a Graham Gano field goal. Gano who had missed a field goal previously, sent the ball through the uprights to give the Panthers a 38-35 win.

7. Week 8: Saints 52, Giants 49

(photo credit: nola.com)

For fans of old school, tough nose defenses this was not your type of game. Both teams went back and forth, and two future hall of fame quarterbacks went at it. Drew Brees went 39-50 for 505 yards and seven touchdowns. Eli Manning went 30-41 for 350 yards and six touchdowns. The Saints stopped the Giants just once, while New York failed to stop New Orleans on any drive. New Orleans won the game on a field goal. Despite the lack of defense, the back and forth action made this game one of the season’s best.

6. Week 6: Panthers 27, Seahawks 23

(photo credit: seattletimes.com)

This game featured a team on the rise on Carolina and a team in Seattle who was off to some early season struggles. In just five games, Seattle had already blown three fourth quarter leads. The Seahawks held a 20-14 lead in the fourth quarter, but again they blew a lead in the fourth. Cam Newton led a final drive that ended in a touchdown pass to Greg Olsen that won the game for Carolina. Both teams ended up meeting in the playoffs where Carolina beat Seattle again.

5. Week 10: Patriots 27, Giants 26

(photo credit: newsday.com)

This game featured two of the league’s greatest quarterbacks, and we got to see another Brady-Manning matchup. No, not Peyton but Eli got to take on Tom Brady. The Giants needed the win in order to stay in the playoff race, and it looked like they would get there wish. The Giants led 23-17 in the third and they led 26-24 with the Patriots on their final drive. Landon Collins nearly picked off Brady, but he set up Stephen Gostkowski with a 54 yard field goal. With one second left Gostkowski nailed the field goal and he broke the Giants hearts.

4. Wild Card: Steelers 18, Bengals 16

(photo credit: cincyjungle.com)

These two teams absolutely hate each other. There really is no other way to put it. These two bitter rivals met in the Wild Card and it was perhaps one of the uglier games of the year. The Steelers dominated a rain filled first half, they led 6-0 at halftime. Pittsburgh tacked on nine more points, including a ridiculous catch by Martavis Bryant. The Steelers led 15-0 heading into the fourth quarter, when all hell broke loose. The Bengals took a 16-15 lead, on the next Steeler drive Ben Roethlisberger was viciously brought down by Vontaze Burfict.

Roethlisberger was carted off to the locker room, as he was carted off fans booed him and threw objects at him. Landry Jones was forced to come in and he immediately threw an interception that drained the hopes of the Steelers. Then, Cincinnati running back Jeremy Hill fumbled the ball and he gave it right back to Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger came back but he couldn’t throw the ball deep. He attempted a throw to Antonio Brown who didn’t catch it, because Burfict used helmet to helmet contact to bring Brown down. Brown was down on the field for a couple of minutes and Burfict was flagged 15 yards.

Then Adam Jones argued with a referee that got the Bengals flagged 15 more yards. The Steelers went from their 35 to the Bengals 35. The Steelers then sent out kicker Chris Boswell who nailed a field goal to keep the Steelers playoff hopes alive. The Bengals again seemed to have “imploded”.

3. Week 13: Packers 27, Lions 23

(photo credit: freep.com)

The Packers were desperate for a victory, Green Bay had lost 3 of 4 after starting 6-0. On national television the Pack trailed 17-0 at halftime. The Packers still trailed after three quarters but they had cut the deficit to 20-14. Green Bay trailed 23-20 with one second left on the clock. Rodgers dropped back, slipped a sack, rolled to his left and he heaved a Hail Mary that landed in the arms of Richard Rodgers. Green Bay somehow won the game at a time when they desperately needed a win.

2. AFC Championship: Broncos 20, Patriots 18

This game featured the 18th and final edition of Brady vs Manning and the game had a special feel. The Patriots barely ran the ball mainly because the depth chart had been shortened due to injuries. Denver held a 17-9 lead at the half. The Broncos led the Pats 17-12 heading into the all-important fourth quarter.  Denver then kicked a field to give them the 20-12 advantage.

Despite the sweltering Broncos defense, Brady led a drive down the field and it ended in a Rob Gronkowski touchdown that cut the lead to 20-18. The Pats obviously had to attempt the two point conversion. Everyone knew that Brady would target Gronkowski and Brady lofted a pass for the tall Gronkowski to grab but it was knocked down and the Broncos edged the Pats.

1. Divisional Round: Cardinals 26, Packers 20 (OT)

(photo credit: packersnews.com)

These two teams met in week 16, and Arizona absolutely dominated the Packers, 38-8, but this matchup was much closer. Green Bay held a 13-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Cardinals scored 10 unanswered points to give Arizona a 20-13 lead. A turnover by the Packers gave the Cardinals a chance to end the game. But a turnover by the Cardinals gave the Packers one last chance. After a penalty and three poor plays, the Packers were left with fourth and long at their own 40. Aaron Rodgers used his rocket of an arm, to launch the ball to Jeff Janis who was brought down at about the 50. Rodgers had one play to work his magic. He rolled to his right and as he was unbalanced, Jeff Janis had a little bit of space to grab what was another Hail Mary for Rodgers.
Green Bay had tied the game at 20 and once again sent shock waves to the other opponent.

After a failed coin flip, the Cardinals found themselves down at the Packers' four yard line thanks to a 75-yard catch and run from Larry Fitzgerald. Carson Palmer flipped the ball to Fitzgerald who landed in the promise land. That made for one of the craziest, quickest changes of momentum we have ever seen.