Top 6 Onside Kicks in NFL History

In the NFL, onside kicks are a special teams‘ last resort. A trailing team often turns to them to get back the ball and take another shot at winning or tying a game, giving their offense the best opportunity at success.

Before this season, inside kicks were used, the rules were tightened in 2018 to make it harder to get an onside kick back because the NFL said it was too dangerous of a play, you know the same league that ignored the concussion issue for so league and the same league that wants to keep expanding the schedule and yes the same league that will have a team play on Sunday and follow it up with Thursday night game. Surprise onside kicks were occasionally used as a ploy to throw opponents off guard and gain extra possessions. Under these new regulations however, such plays no longer fall within this definition and no longer permitted as part of a strategy to gain advantage.

Pulling off an onside kick can be challenging and requires precision from both kicker and receiver teams.

Today we will look at why this is an absolute joke to change the onside kick rule. NFL history would change if you go back and play by the rules of today and it’s a shame as the NFL heads towards being nothing more than a flag football league.

6. Patriots vs Browns 1994 AFC Wildcard Game

Following the 1994 season, in the NFL Playoffs Wild Card Round, two New England teams faced off to determine who would take on the top-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers: the New England Patriots or the Cleveland Browns. An interesting fact: Bill Belichick was among several head coaches for both sides on that particular day; however, he wasn’t leading New England, as they employed Bill Parcells instead at that point in time.

Belichick served as head coach of the Browns from 1991-1995 and once led them to victory against a Patriots team he’d later lead to six Super Bowl victories, 20-10 with 1 1/2 minutes left in regulation play.

After making a 33-yard field goal to reduce Cleveland’s lead, Patriots kicker Matt Bahr successfully executed an onside kick, placing it behind his teammates as they ran forward. Sure, the Pats had to backtrack, but their wall of players made it much harder for the Browns to get to it. The Patriots recovered but came up short on trying to tie the game.

1/1/1995 New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns AFC Wild Card Playoff

5. Colts vs Texans 2014

Recovering an onside kick is no small feat, and for a kicker to achieve such a feat is truly exceptional – worthy of acknowledgement by everyone involved.

In Week 6 of 2014, the Indianapolis Colts travelled south to face the Houston Texans. And with just 11 minutes remaining in the first quarter, no Texan would expect an onside kick attempt, thus providing them with the perfect chance for one.

After Adam Vinatieri scored a 27-yard field goal, Pat McAfee prepared to kickoff and pulled off something unexpected: kicking an unusual short dribbler right in front of himself before retrieving it before Houston had any chance to realize what had just occurred.

McAfee’s trick play proved vital, as Trent Richardson scored two plays later for Indianapolis to take an initial 10-0 lead. He eventually went on to lead their team to a 24-0 advantage and hold onto it to claim a 33-28 victory, making his feat the onside kick more significant.

Pat McAfee Recovers His Own Onside Kick || Colts at Texans 2014

4. Steelers vs Cowboys Super Bowl 30

Both teams fought back and forth throughout the matchup. Although Pittsburgh was a 13.5-point underdog, their offense got going to set up a Norm Johnson field goal before an onside kick that could have resulted in a Steelers touchdown, which gave the Steelers real hope at winning Super Bowl 30.

It was a gamble that paid off as Deon Figures managed to grab hold of a bouncing football before Neil O’Donnell moved the offense with Bam Morris behind John L. Williams as the blocker, bringing Pittsburgh within three points of tying the score.

Cowher disclosed in an interview with NFL analysts Chris Simms and Adam Lefkoe that he discussed opening the game with an onside kick but was ultimately dissuaded. Cowher stated, “If I do it then, I really don’t get any possession,” adding, “I knew we were going to use an onside kick at some point… so it just so happened it happened at just the right moment in the fourth quarter after scoring again; it kind of helped get us back in.”

Unfortunately for the Steelers, on their subsequent offensive drive, O’Donnell would throw his second of two interceptions to cornerback Larry Brown (later named Super Bowl MVP), setting up a short touchdown run that sealed their defeat by the Cowboys. Get all your NFL News from the Grueling Truth.

Super Bowl XXX – Dallas Cowboys vs Pittsburgh Steelers January 28th 1996 Highlights

3. Rams vs Saints 2000 NFC Wild Card Game

At the Wild Card Round after the 2000 NFL season, the New Orleans Saints faced off against the reigning Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams. For most of the three-plus quarters, New Orleans controlled play and took a 31-7 lead with just 12 minutes remaining in regulation time.

With under four minutes left on the clock in the final frame, the Rams cut their opponent’s lead down to 31-20 with Kurt Warner connecting with Marshall Faulk for a 25-yard touchdown pass.

Jeff Wilkins of the Rams then executed a successful onside kick, only for St. Louis to be flagged as offside, forcing Wilkins to try again. It can be challenging recovering just one onside kick – let alone two – yet somehow, the Rams made it work with Wilkins kicking two consecutive high hoppers that gave their team hope of a miraculous comeback.

On their next drive, Rams’ quarterback Warner completed a touchdown drive that also converted the two points, but his onside kick attempt was recovered by Saints, who held on for the three-point win.

St Louis Rams vs New Orleans Saints 2000 2nd Half Playoffs

2. Seahawks vs Packers 2014 NFC Championship Game

The Green Bay Packers visited the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC Championship Game and an opportunity at Super Bowl 49.

At 19-14 and only two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Stephen Hauschka attempted an onside kick that was likely easy for Green Bay to recover.

However, the ball slipped right through Packers tight end Brandon Bostick’s hands, hit his chest, and was caught by Seahawks wideout Chris Matthews, which allowed Seattle back on offense. Matthews had appeared in three regular-season games but didn’t catch any passes during those appearances.

But his recovery proved crucial. The Seahawks eventually won in overtime 28-22 but then lost in dramatic fashion to the New England Patriots for the Super Bowl championship.

Seahawks Packers onside kick NFC Championship Game 1.18.2015

1. Super Bowl 44 Saints vs Colts

Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts came into Super Bowl 44 as favorites and, when halftime came around, the New Orleans Saints trailed 10-6 against them.

As New Orleans opened the final 30 minutes of their game against the Colts, Thomas Morstead—both their punter and kickoff specialist—lined up for one of his most important kicks of his career, one that turned out to be pivotal.

Morstead surprised everyone by chipping the ball to his left, which Colts wide receiver Hank Baskett had a chance at grabbing. However, he wasn’t quite successful, leading to an inevitable fight over possession of the football.

After what seemed like 10 minutes of pushing and shoving, it was finally revealed that the Saints had recovered it. Although Chris Reis may have got there first, Jonathan Casillas was officially given credit. Chris Reis is a forgotten Super Bowl Hero.

Undoubtedly one of the game’s most significant plays, this action proved pivotal for New Orleans as they scored on their next drive and took the lead for good with a touchdown drive to take a 31-17 upset win against Indy.

Saints “Ambush” Play in Super Bowl XLIV HD