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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Hail Mary passes in football are as miraculous as clutch shots in basketball. A Hail Mary is described as a long forward pass that is highly unlikely to be completed, which is usually made as a last resort toward the end of a game. The NFL has no shortage of incredible Hail Marys that set the stadium cheering and shouting whenever they happen. What are the five best such passes in NFL history?

Starting the list is Aaron Rodgers’ Hail Mary when he was playing for the Green Bay Packers. He made the pass on December 3, eight years ago, against the Detroit Lions.

1. Miracle in Motown

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In the first half, the Packers were trailing 20-0. Then, they managed to climb up to 20-23. In a Rodgers-to-Rodgers pass, the 4x NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers threw a 61-yard Hail Mary on an untimed down with the Packers lagging behind the Lions. Richard Rodgers, who was in the end zone, was guarded by six DBs. However, A-Rod saw a gap and threw the ball, and Richard made the catch to seal the win for the Cheeshead.

2. Hail Murray

With mere seconds remaining on the clock for the game to end, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins outmaneuvered three Buffalo Bills defenders and caught a 43-yard pass from QB Kyler Murray on November 15, 2020. Looking at the Cardinals’ performance this season, it seems unlikely they were the same team that beat the Bills 32-30 in that game. That victory put the Cardinals on top of the NFC West in the 2020 season.

USA Today via Reuters

3. Mile High Miracle

The Baltimore Ravens were trailing 35-28 behind the Denver Broncos at the Broncos’ home stadium. With 40 seconds left for the game to end, Ravens QB Joe Flacco connected with Jacoby James on a stunning 70-yard Hail Mary. The two teams were now tied at 35. The game entered overtime, and the Ravens clinched the victory by scoring a field goal in the second overtime.

4. Bengal’s AJ Green’s 51-yard Hail Mary

November 11, 2013, was a tough day for the Cincinnati Bengals, who were facing their archenemies, the Ravens. QB Andy Dalton had been sacked just two downs before the Hail Mary. But he lobbed the ball toward the end zone on the fourth down. It bounced off a few players before finally landing in the hands of AJ Green for a 51-yard touchdown, which tied the game with the Ravens.

USA Today via Reuters

5. Jags beat Texans with ‘Hail Mary’

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The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans both were at 24. It looked like the game was going to enter overtime. However, in the last few seconds of regulation time, QB David Gorran threw a Hail Mary that Mike Thomas caught after bounding off Texans DB Glover Quin. The Jaguars then ended up winning the game 31-24.

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So far this season, fans haven’t had the fortune of witnessing a Hail Mary (though Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempted one against the Packers). With just a few more weeks to go for the Super Bowl, will we see one soon?

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