Any football "fan" who could call any of the games boring from 2007 to now (except maybe last years) I truly don't know what to say. It's been a streak, maybe beginning and ending with Manning's first to his most recent appearance.
2007-David vs Goliath. This was a game of legendary proportions. Who knows if a game like this will ever be repeated? The best representation of underdog ever, in the NY Giants. Peyton's little bro. Snuck into the playoffs, huge road wins leading up to the game. Vs the monolith of the Patriot empire at its highest glory. 18-0 and going for perfection. Brady trying to become the undisputed GOAT. I'll always remember this but I think Steve Young minutes before the game started predicted a 55-7 Patriots victory.
This was a low scoring defensive battle. Brady gives the Pats the lead on 3rd and goal with another TD to Moss. The game then comes to it's climax. The Tyree catch with Manning escaping near defeat. This is a play you'll brag to your grandkids and own kids about seeing live on national television. This is a play that will never be forgotten. A play made by a guy who apparently dropped every pass in practice that week. Who knows where he is even now. Then a Burress TD with 30s left. It's a beautiful shot by NFL films with Manning lobbing it high up in the air over Hobbs (fuck you). To this day, I've always had to respect Buck for his call on this TD. Perfect call and one of his best- "TOUCHDOWN NEW YOORK". Just an amazing game, and I was proud to have seen it, although a loss that will stick with me for the rest of my life.
2008-Steelers vs Cardinals. What more can be said about this game? A crazy postseason run by the Cardinals where they literally shocked the world. Warner having another great postseason of excellent play while Fitz had a run for the ages. Steelers playing excellent on both sides of the ball going into this game. This was an up and down game and a game that featured and int pic 6 at the goaline as the first half expired, causing a 7 point swing. But the Cardinals rallied back in a huge way with two huge Fitz TDs in the second half, and eventually taking a 3 point lead. But Big Ben had a huge drive, carving out huge chunks of yardage in the games final minutes. All of this culminating in another absolutely incredible play, and to this day the best catch I have ever seen with my own eyes. One of the greatest feats of body control and concentration I have ever seen by Santonio Holmes. This is another beautiful shot by NFL films, with Holmes triple covered in the back of the Endzone keeping his feet in bounds and catching a beautifully thrown ball by Big Ben.
2009- Featured two number one seeds, who dominated their seasons. The Saints had never been to a superbowl at that point and the horrors of Katrina were still on everybody's minds. The game features an onside kick to start the 2nd half and a huge int return for a TD to put the game out of the reach. A misleading final score. A great game with the Saints overcoming a 10 point deficit to win the game.
2010- Was a classic Steelers-Packers match up. The Packers were the 6th seed in the NFC but had made it through some incredible playoff performances by Rodgers. They jumped up to a huge multi touchdown lead, but the Steelers came roaring back bringing the deficit down to 3 with 4ish minutes to go. Big Ben had a chance to drive them down the field for a TD to win it but ultimately couldn't do it this time around, failing on 4th down. The Lombardi back in title town and Rodgers wins his first Superbowl
2011-Giants Pats take 2. This was huge rematch. Will the Giants beat the Pats again? Or will the Pats strike down the Giants and win in the house Peyton built? Eli Manning driving late (with a perfect throw and catch to Manningham) and Bill ultimately letting them score, giving the ball back in Brady's hands. The highlight of the game and a tough decision. Brady faces a 4th and 16 but under heavy pressure rolls out and finds Branch open on the sideline to keep the game going. It comes down to a final Hail Mary, with Gronk a step away from actually catching it. A great game and came down to the final play.
2012- The Harbaughs Bowl. This was the game that I really didn't want to see but as it got closer I got more and more excited. Ray and Ed on their last run, the Ravens road warrior playoff run beating Brady, Manning back to back...it was just an incredible effort to get there. The 49ers riding a huge postseason from Keap made this an intriguing matchup. The Ravens jumping out to a huge lead, the power outage and the 49ers resurgence with 4 downs to win the game and eventually failing will always make this a memorable game. A lot of points, a lot of scoring, just a fun game.
2013-I'll skip. The Denver Mannings get embarrassed in front of the world yay! But really it was a matchup of the unstoppable force and the immovable object. We know who won.
2014-Enough said.