[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/u9ZBI876Nto]
Super Bowl XXXIV, Jan. 30, 2000. St. Louis Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16.
Line: Rams by 7. Halftime show: Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton and Edward James Olmos
There were but six seconds remaining, and the Tennessee Titans could sniff the first overtime in Super Bowl history. Trailing 23-16, their quarterback, Steve McNair, drove his team down the field to the 10-yard line of the St. Louis Rams. Time for one final play. Titans offensive coordinator Les Steckel screamed into his headset, “Sliver right! Go sliver right!” The Titans had used the play only three times before, all in practice, all ending with a touchdown. Here’s how it was meant to go: Wide receiver Kevin Dyson and tight end Frank Wycheck line up side by side. Dyson then moves on a slant and catches the pass, while Wycheck runs downfield, taking two Rams defenders with him. Simple as that (ahem). And this is how it played out: Rams linebacker Mike Jones figured out that the Titans had no intention of getting the ball to Wycheck, so he forgot about him. Dyson caught the ball at the 5-yard line, and Jones closed in and lunged at him with four seconds to play. Dyson hit the deck, but he would still get the touchdown if any part of his body crossed the end-zone plane before his knee touched the grass. (Two seconds to play.) The ball was in Dyson’s right hand, but he couldn’t make it. (One second left!) Frantically switching hands, Dyson tried with his left, but Jones simply wouldn’t allow it, and time expired. Surely one of the greatest defensive plays in Super Bowl history.