NFL
Top 10 Moments of the 2007 NFL Season: 1-5.
We revealed moments 6-10 of our Top 10 yesterday, and because we don’t want to make you wait too long, here’s moments 5-1.
5) The infamous “4 MORE YEARS!” chant just got changed to “442!” Another year, another record that Brett Favre completes with tenacity, passion and a well trained medical staff while wearing a smile.
Just when everyone thought he was ready to hang it up, he had one of the best years of his career in leading the Packers to the NFC North title, 13 wins, and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game. In a resurgent year for the ageless Favre, he broke the NFL career records for passing touchdowns, completions, and yards, and had a number of great moments this season, from his record-setting completions to the game-winning, 82-yard touchdown hurl on the first snap of overtime to Greg Jennings in a Monday nighter at Denver.
4) Super Bowl XLII was scheduled for February 3, 2008. But for viewers who witnessed the winless Miami Dolphins defeat the Baltimore Ravens 22-16 in overtime in Week 15 would have thought otherwise.
A team that knows what it is like to be down but never out, erased a 10-point, third-quarter deficit to reach overtime and snap a 16 game losing streak in Miami. Some accredit the loss to the conservative calls from the Ravens staff; truth seekers call the victory a product of perseverance from a group of men that never conceded.
3) Friends and family are silenced in Port Arthur, Texas on the first weekend of the season, watching helplessly as local hero Kevin Everett lie just as helpless on the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Both teams knelt in prayer and watched in disbelief after seeing a routine collision turn into one of the worst and rarest injuries possible. With some muscles still firing after a severe spinal cord injury, a medical team, who 11 days earlier ran a 1 ½ hour spinal injury drill, rushed to his aid and had him x-rayed within 35 minutes. Thereafter, it was up to head trainer Bud Cappuccino to make a crucial decision on which course of action they were to take.
He elected to administer what is called induced hypothermia, where the body temperature is forced to lower temperatures to keep from damage caused by swelling. Often criticized for making a controversial call, Cappuccino and staff members, along with other doctors and professionals are thanked by Everett’s family and teammates everyday.
The 6’4” tight end was told he was never going to walk again. But thanks to timely order, decisive judgment, and the medical industry taking strides in spinal cord injuries, Kevin Everett can too.
2) Finishing 18-1 is remarkably difficult, especially when you also have to endure scandal and criticism. But, through Spygate, supposedly running up the score, and everyone waiting for them to fall, the New England Patriots picked up win after win, until they were finally toppled at the final hurdle.
The Patriots blew several teams away early in the season, but in coming from behind against Indianapolis, Baltimore, and New York, the Patriots did what great teams do - find ways to win.
Despite the Super Bowl loss, they are definitely one of the greatest teams to play the game, thanks in large part to the record-setting duo of Tom Brady and Randy Moss (top-10 worthy themselves), who spearheaded one of the best offenses in NFL history. But Don Shula and the rest of his ’72 Dolphins can finally rest assured their perfect season will remain the one and only…for now.
1) Is it too cliché, too trite to put the Super Bowl champs at #1? I don’t think so.
Let’s face it, the Giants were the “moped” leading up to the Super Bowl, we all liked them until we were called out on it. I’m going to be honest, I would have loved to been alive for an undefeated team, it would have been great, but for some strange reason I was rooting for the “G” men all the way. Undaunted and prepared beyond comprehension is how New York went into the Super Bowl. From the beginning whistle to the final seconds of the game, they were to be felt. Chewing up most of the first quarter on a 16-play, 63-yard drive, the Patriots knew they were in for a dog fight.
There was effort spilling on the field from both sides. But when it came time for big plays to be made, the Giants followed through. With older brother Peyton watching from a sky box, Eli Manning stepped up, going 19 of 34 for 255 yards and two touchdowns.
But it was on the final drive that lifted me and the rest of America out of our seats. With 3rd and 5 and the pocket collapsing, Eli managed to escape the New England defense and heave a pass downfield to David Tyree, who made a tremendous catch.
The final score was a 17-14, a fist fight between the men in the trenches, as they held the top-scoring team in NFL history to seven points for nearly an hour. The Giants‘ defensive line was superb, allowing Tom Brady to slip by a few times, but hitting him more than they missed. Coming from all angles, they never let up. Justin Tuck, Michael Strahan and even rookie Jay Alford got acquainted with Mr. Brady.
In between plays the defense looked exhausted, and worn, but they didn’t show it. Ultimately it was their effort that earned them the first spot - and the Lombardi Trophy.
Are there any moments that we left out? What do you think should have been higher or lower on the list? There were many great moments in 2007 - and the early part of 2008 - and many more await us when the 2008 season opens in seven months.
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