I’m back in the swing just in time for my absolute favorite time of the year, the NFL Playoffs.

Nothing beats the football in January. The weekends leading up to the Super Bowl have provided me with some of my best moments as a sports spectator. I thought it would be fitting to list the 10 best playoff games I can remember watching. Here they are:

10) 2003 NFC Divisional Semi-Finals: Panthers 29 vs. Rams 23 (Double OT) — The Panthers scored 11 points in the final three minutes to force overtime and the teams needed another overtime period before Jake Delhomme connected with Steve Smith for the winning major.

9) 2001 AFC Semi-Finals: Raiders 13 vs. Patriots 16 (OT) — “The Tuck” the “Snowball Number,” whatever you name it, this was a classic playoff game, that produced one of the most famous calls by a referee in NFL history. Played in the swirling snow, the Patriots were in a tough spot, down 13-3 late, but in position to score. Hang on, the Raiders sack Tom Brady and he fumbles the ball…or did he? The referee institutes the little known “Tuck” rule and the ball is given back to New England. A TD and a last second 45-yard Adam Vinatieri’ field goal puts the game into OT where the Pats win. A recent classic.

8) 1998 NFC Wild-Card: Packers 27 vs. 49ers 30 — The 49ers come from behind to beat the Pack on one of the most memorable plays in 49er history, ranking perhaps only behind Dwight Clark’s “The Catch”. Needing a TD, and sitting on the Pack’s 25-yard line, on the last play of the game, Steve Young goes down the middle and the ball is caught, amidst three Packer players, by Terrell Owens for the winning score. One of the best plays I’ve ever seen.

7) 2003 NFC Wild-Card: Giants 38 vs. 49ers 39 — San Fran comes back from a 38-14 deficit in the second half, as they play inspired ball, but were helped by a Giant team that folded. New York had a chance to win, but the screwed up the snap on a 41-yard field goal attempt on the final play. However, controversy erupted, as the play ended, with some calling for a pass interference call on the Niners after the botched FG attempt turned into a passing play. It was called dead and the game ended 39-38 for San Fran. The next day the league came out and said it was pass interference and the Giants should have had another shot at the field goal. That hurts, but when you blow a 24 lead in about 20 minutes, those things happen. (Continued)

Page 1, 2