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Six of the Longest NFL Games Ever
NFL games are physically demanding and necessitate a tough physical presence on the field. But matching that over an extended period of time is no easy task. Furthermore, it is physically and mentally taxing, taking the wind out of your sails.
Six of the Longest NFL Games Ever
The following list was constructed from different online sources, including Fox Sports and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Let’s take a quick look at the 6 Longest NFL Games Ever.
| Game among Different NFL teams | Official Game Time |
| 6. 2004 NFC Playoffs: Panthers vs. Rams | 75 minutes, 10 seconds |
| 5. 1977 AFC Playoffs: Raiders vs. Colts | 75 minutes, 43 seconds |
| 4. 2012 AFC Playoffs: Ravens vs. Broncos | 76 minutes, 42 seconds |
| 3. 1986 AFC Playoffs: Browns vs. Jets | 77 minutes, 2 seconds |
| 2. 1962 AFL Championship: Texans vs. Oilers | 77 minutes, 54 seconds |
| 1. 1971 AFC Playoffs: Dolphins vs. Chiefs | 82 minutes, 40 seconds |
6. Panthers vs. Rams in the 2004 NFC Playoffs
- Game Time: 75 minutes and 10 seconds
- Panthers defeated the Rams 29-23.
Despite losing an 11-point lead, the Carolina Panthers defeated the St. Louis Rams 29-23 in one of the most exciting NFC Playoffs.
The thrilling contest lasted 75 minutes and 10 seconds according to the official timer.
The Panthers blew an 11-point lead in the final 2 minutes and 39 seconds of the dramatic game.
However, they held firm throughout the double extra period to triumph.
Furthermore, the Panthers stunned the Rams following a brave effort to tie the game with Steve Smith’s crucial 69-yard score.
After falling behind by 11 points, St. Louis regained their inner strength and rallied to tie the game in regulation time.
Furthermore, the Rams nearly won on the opening drive of overtime after recovering an onside kick, which was followed by a spectacular 33-yard field goal by Jeff Wilkins.
However, the Panthers battled through the difficult period and kept their heads up.
Steve Smith took Delhomme’s throw on the first snap of the second overtime and ran into the end zone to win the sixth-longest game in NFL history.
As a result, the double-overtime victory was one of the most bizarre and nail-biting finishes in NFL history.
On the other hand, it stunned and stunned the sellout crowd at home as the Rams suffered their first playoff loss in their dome since 2004.
5. Raiders against. Colts in the 1977 AFC Playoffs
- Game Time: 75 minutes and 43 seconds
- The Raiders defeated the Colts 37-31.
In a thrilling contest in 1977, the Oakland Raiders defeated the then-Baltimore Colts 37-31.
The game, which became legendary for the “Ghost to the Post” move, lasted 75 minutes and 43 seconds.
Dave Casper was given the cheeky nickname “The Ghost,” named after Casper the Friendly Ghost when explaining the prologue to “Ghost to the Post.”
The “Ghost to the Post” play is a memorable one in NFL history.
Furthermore, it refers to a 42-yard pass from Ken Stabler to Dave Casper, which set up a game-tying field goal in the final seconds of regulation.
While the first quarter was dominated by defensive complexities, the second half opened with both teams on a scoring binge.
However, at the end of the game, the Raiders had won by a score of 21-17.
In the fourth quarter, the game came to life.
The Baltimore Colts led for most of the fourth quarter despite an astonishing back-and-forth between the two teams.
The “Ghost to the Post” play, in which Casper grabbed a long, arching pass from Stabler, knotted the game with 29 seconds remaining.
Casper was once again the guy with the golden touch, scoring the game-winning touchdown after collecting a spectacular 10-yard touchdown throw from Stabler in the 43rd second overtime.
The 1977 AFC Playoffs between the Raiders and the Colts was the fifth-longest game in NFL history as of 2022.
4. AFC Playoffs 2012: Ravens vs. Broncos
- Official game duration: 76 minutes and 42 seconds
- The Ravens defeated the Broncos 38-35.
The 2012 AFC Playoffs between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos were a nail-biter.
This historic battle, often known as The Mile High Miracle, finished 38-35 in favor of the Ravens after 76 minutes and 42 seconds.
Furthermore, “The Mile High Miracle” gained its name after Jacoby Jones caught a 70-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Flacco with 31 seconds remaining in regulation.
The Mile High Miracle: AFC Playoffs between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos in 2012.
After defeating the Ravens on their home field during the regular season, the Broncos were optimistic that they could do so again in the postseason.
However, as the Ravens rallied to force double overtime, it was not the smooth sailing that the Broncos had planned for.
The game had it all: high-scoring runs, repeating touchdowns, lead changes, and temperatures in the single digits.
Furthermore, Sports Illustrated called the coldest game in Denver history “one of the most fascinating and entertaining post-season games in NFL history.”
In one of the most exciting games in NFL history, the Ravens and Broncos were tied 14-14 at the end of the first quarter, 21-21 at halftime, 28-28 in the third, and 35-35 after regulation time, forcing the game into overtime.
After a minute and 42 seconds into the second overtime, rookie kicker Justin Tucker hit a 47-yard field goal to give the Baltimore Ravens a 38-35 victory.
The 2012 AFC Playoffs between the Ravens and the Broncos was the fourth-longest game ever, with a rollercoaster of emotions.
3. AFC Playoffs 1986: Browns vs. Jets
- Official game duration: 77 minutes and 2 seconds
- The final score was Browns 23-20 Jets.
Another memorable game on our list is the 1986 AFC Playoffs between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets, which lasted 77 minutes and 2 seconds and concluded 23-20 in favor of the Browns.
Despite leading 20-10 going into the fourth quarter, the Jets succumbed in the last quarter of the game.
Meanwhile, despite their lead, the Jets were outplayed statistically in every category.
With only 4 minutes and 14 seconds remaining, the Browns came out swinging, sparking an incredible comeback that sent the game into overtime.
Cleveland running back Kevin Mack rallied his men with a critical touchdown, bringing the score to 20-17.
Soon after, Mark Moseley scored a late goal to force OT, meaning the Jets surrendered a 20-10 lead in 4 minutes.
Moseley was back in the thick of things when he scored the game-winning goal that put the Browns in the 1986 AFC championship game.
The 1986 AFC Playoffs between the Browns and Jets are the third-longest NFL game in history as of 2022.
2. Texans vs. Oilers in the 1962 AFL Championship
- Official game duration: 77 minutes and 54 seconds
- The Texans defeated the Oilers 20-17.
The 1962 AFL Championship game between the Dallas Texans and the Houston Oilers was the longest championship game in professional football, lasting 77 minutes and 54 seconds, with the Texans winning 20-17.
The Dallas Texans controlled the first half of the game, leading 17-0 at the half.
However, the game went into overtime due to a big concession on their part and an outstanding performance on the Oilers’ part.
George Blanda, the Oilers’ quarterback, was at the vanguard of their comeback effort.
After appearing to be out of the game early on, he managed a remarkable equalizer to force OT.
The AFL Championship game between the Dallas Texans and the Houston Oilers was in 1962.
Neither team could deliver the decisive punch in overtime because both remained cautious and unwilling to take any risks.
But that all changed when the Texans intercepted George Blanda at the end of the first extra period.
Furthermore, the Texans began to believe in their capacity to win the game.
After a rigorous 77 minutes and 54 seconds on the field, they did just that.
Finally, in scenes of utter delight, head coach Hank Stram was serenaded with champagne during their final game.
As of 2022, this legendary contest is the second-longest in NFL history.
Also, read Top 12 NFL Quarterbacks of the Current Year, 15 Shortest NFL Players in History, Matt Olson
1. Dolphins against. Chiefs in the 1971 AFC Playoffs
- Official game duration: 82 minutes and 40 seconds
- The Dolphins defeated the Chiefs 27-24.
Two of the NFL’s most notable teams clashed on a frigid Christmas day in 1971: the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Furthermore, the Dolphins and Chiefs set an NFL record by playing the longest game in history, lasting 82 minutes and 40 seconds.
Both teams had their moments of brilliance on the pitch throughout the contest, which was a see-saw fight.
The Chiefs controlled the opening quarter, taking a commanding 10-0 lead.
However, with the mindset of “if they can do it, so can we,” the Dolphins came out firing, tying the match 10-10 at the end of the second quarter.
Following two quarters in which each team took turns dominating, the third quarter was more balanced.
Both teams scored scores, and the game was decided in the fourth quarter.
The Chiefs led in the fourth quarter, with the score reading 24-17 in their favor.
However, the Dolphins rallied and tied the game with a minute and 25 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Jan Stenerud had a wonderful opportunity to win it for the Chiefs with only 35 seconds remaining and the score knotted at 24-24.
To his and the Chiefs’ dismay, Jan fluffed his lines and missed his mark, putting the game into overtime.
Wracked by tiredness and palpable stress, both teams blew some wonderful chances to win it in the first overtime.
Despite a flurry of squandered opportunities, neither team seemed prepared to accept defeat.
But the tie was broken halfway through the sixth quarter when Yepremian scored from 37 yards out, giving the Miami Dolphins the victory.
