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Super Bowl XLIX and the 10 Most Boneheaded Play Calls in NFL History

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By @BrianKalchik

Super Bowl XLIX and the 10 Most Boneheaded Play Calls in NFL History

Malcolm Butler Patriots
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Over the course of NFL history, there have been plenty of controversial calls and mind-blowing mistakes. Yesterday, another big mistake was made when the Seahawks chose to pass on the Patriots' one-yard line instead of running into the end zone. Where does this blunder rank among the most boneheaded calls in NFL history? Find out here.

10. Marty Mornhinweg Takes The Wind

Marty Mornhinweg Lions
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10. Marty Mornhinweg Takes The Wind

Marty Mornhinweg Lions
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In a game between the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, Lions coach Marty Mornhinweg won the overtime coin toss and decided to kick off and take the wind. Predictably, the Lions lost in overtime, and Mornhinweg turned out to be one of the worst head coaches in NFL history.

9. Green Bay Allows Terrell Davis To Score In Super Bowl XXXII

Terrell Davis Broncos
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9. Green Bay Allows Terrell Davis To Score In Super Bowl XXXII

Terrell Davis Broncos
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In Super Bowl XXXII, the Packers and Broncos were tied at 24-all with Denver on the Green Bay goal-line. Instead of trying to stop Denver, the Packers let Terrell Davis score, giving the Broncos a 31-24 lead. The Packers had enough time to come back, but the Broncos stopped them on downs, winning their first Super Bowl.

8. 4th & 26

Freddie Mitchell Eagles
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8. 4th & 26

Freddie Mitchell Eagles
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In the 2003 NFC Divisional Playoffs, Brett Favre and the Packers took on Donovan McNabb and the Eagles. With Green Bay holding a fourth-quarter lead and Philadelphia facing a 4th-and-26, the Packers played a conservative defense, and allowed Freddie Mitchell to gain a first down. Philadelphia would win the game in overtime.

7. The Colts Kick To Devin Hester In Super Bowl XLI

Devin Hester Bears
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7. The Colts Kick To Devin Hester In Super Bowl XLI

Devin Hester Bears
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As a rookie in 2006, Devin Hester showed why he would become the best return man in NFL history. In Super Bowl XLI, the Indianapolis Colts made the mistake of kicking to Hester. On the opening kickoff, the former Miami Hurricane ran it back 92 yards to give Chicago an early 7-0 lead. The Colts, however, won 29-17.

6. The Miracle At The Meadowlands I

Herman Edwards
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6. The Miracle At The Meadowlands I

Herman Edwards
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In 1978, the New York Giants faced the Philadelphia Eagles in New York. All the Giants needed to do was kneel on the ball, and they would win the game. Instead, the Giants called a hand-off, and Larry Csonka fumbled to Eagles defensive back Herman Edwards, who returned it for a game-winning touchdown.

5. The Miracle At The New Meadowlands

DeSean Jackson Eagles
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5. The Miracle At The New Meadowlands

DeSean Jackson Eagles
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In 2010, the Eagles trailed the Giants 31-10 in the fourth quarter. After a furious rally, the Eagles tied the game at 31-all. With seconds remaining, the Giants punted directly to DeSean Jackson, and he ran it all the way back to give Philadelphia control of the NFC East. New York would not make the playoff that year.

4. 4th & 2

Kevin Faulk Patriots
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4. 4th & 2

Kevin Faulk Patriots
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In 2009, the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts had a duel for the ages. New England held a six-point lead in the fourth quarter, and instead of punting the football on 4th-and-2, the Patriots attempted to run out the clock by running a play. Kevin Faulk was stopped short, and Peyton Manning led the Colts to a game-winning touchdown.

3. Red Right 88

Brian Sipe Browns
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3. Red Right 88

Brian Sipe Browns
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In 1980, the Cleveland Browns needed only a field goal to defeat the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Playoffs. Deep in Raiders territory, the Browns went for the touchdown instead, and called Red Right 88. The ball sailed in the air and Raiders defensive back Mike Davis intercepted the ball, giving Oakland a 14-12 win.

2. Rocket Screen

Joe Theismann Redskins
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2. Rocket Screen

Joe Theismann Redskins
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The Washington Redskins trailed the Los Angeles Raiders 14-3 in Super Bowl XVIII, and were deep in their own territory with seconds remaining in the first half. Instead of running out the clock, Joe Gibbs called Rocket Screen, which was intercepted by Jack Squirek and returned for a touchdown. The Raiders proceeded to dominated the Redskins 38-9.

1. Seattle Passes On The One-Yard Line

Malcolm Butler Patriots
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1. Seattle Passes On The One-Yard Line

Malcolm Butler Patriots
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In Super Bowl XLIX, the Seattle Seahawks were poised to take a late lead against the New England, but came up short. On the Patriots' one-yard line, the Seahawks decided to pass, and it was intercepted by Malcolm Butler, effectively ending Super Bowl XLIX.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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