The Most Impactful Punts of the Last 25 Years

A Breakdown of the Top 5 Punts Among the Most Impactful NFL Plays of All Time

While touchdowns and interceptions often steal the show in NFL games, punts can quietly shape the outcome. A well-placed punt can flip the field, stifle momentum, and even win games.

By examining the win probability added (WPA) of punts since 1999, we can reveal the hidden narratives behind some of the most impactful special teams plays in football history.

In this article, we'll explore five specific punts that, despite their seemingly mundane nature, had an oversized impact on their respective contests. So, let's dive into the box scores and uncover the fascinating tales behind the most impactful punts in the NFL over the past two decades.

1. The Most Impactful Punt in NFL History

Date: November 24, 2013

Final Score: Green Bay Packers 26, Minnesota Vikings 26

WPA: 0.97 (7th highest of any play since 1999)

In a season defined by quarterback uncertainty, the Green Bay Packers found themselves in a critical overtime clash against their division rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, on November 24, 2013, at a chilly Lambeau Field. With the temperature at a brisk 21°F, 77,871 fans witnessed a game that would see the most impactful punt of all time.

The Packers, already missing star quarterback Aaron Rodgers due to injury, started the game with Scott Tolzien under center. Tolzien showed early promise, scoring on a 6-yard run in the first quarter to give Green Bay a 7-0 lead. However, as the game progressed, the Vikings, led by the bruising runs of Adrian Peterson (32 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown), gradually took control. By the start of the fourth quarter, Minnesota had built a commanding 23-7 lead.

With the Packers' offense sputtering, head coach Mike McCarthy made the decision to bench Tolzien midway through the third quarter in favor of Matt Flynn. Flynn, on his second stint with Green Bay and playing for his third team that season after stops in Oakland and Buffalo, proved to be the spark the Packers desperately needed.

Flynn engineered a big comeback in the fourth quarter, leading Green Bay to 16 unanswered points. He connected with Jarrett Boykin for a 6-yard touchdown pass and orchestrated two more scoring drives, including a game-tying field goal by Mason Crosby with just 46 seconds left in regulation, knotting the score at 23-23.

In overtime, both teams traded field goals on their opening possessions, with Crosby hitting from 20 yards and Minnesota's Blair Walsh answering from 35. As the extra period wound down, it was a less heralded player who would ultimately seal the game's fate.

With just 7 seconds remaining, Packers punter Tim Masthay stepped up to deliver what would become one of the most impactful punts in recent NFL history. Masthay's 39-yard kick pinned the Vikings at their own 34-yard line, leaving them with virtually no time to mount a game-winning drive. Minnesota quarterback Christian Ponder, who had a solid game with 233 passing yards and a touchdown, could only manage a short 21-yard pass to Cordarrelle Patterson before time expired.

The punt's WPA of 0.97 ranked it 7th overall among all plays since 1999.

The game ended in a 26-26 tie, the first between these two teams since 1978. For the Packers, it moved their record to 5-5-1, keeping their playoff hopes alive in a challenging season. Flynn's unexpected contribution (21/36 for 218 yards and a touchdown) and Masthay's game-sealing punt highlighted the unpredictable nature of the NFL, where backup players and seemingly routine plays can have outsized impacts on a team's fortunes.

This game also served as a microcosm of the Packers' season - one of resilience in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges, Green Bay would go on to finish the year 8-7-1, winning the NFC North before falling to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. For the Vikings, this tie was another setback in a disappointing 5-10-1 season that ultimately led to the dismissal of head coach Leslie Frazier.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

2. Johnston Secures a Stalemate

Date: September 27, 2020

Final Score: Cincinnati Bengals 23, Philadelphia Eagles 23

WPA: 0.94 (12th highest of any play since 1999)

In a back-and-forth overtime battle between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 27, 2020, a crucial punt by Eagles specialist Cameron Johnston proved to be a pivotal moment in a game filled with momentum shifts.

The contest, played at Lincoln Financial Field without spectators due to COVID-19 restrictions, saw both teams trading blows throughout regulation time. The Eagles, led by quarterback Carson Wentz in what would be his final season with the team, matched the Bengals' offensive output stride for stride. Wentz, despite throwing his 100th career touchdown pass to Greg Ward in the second quarter, continued to struggle with turnovers, tossing two interceptions for the third consecutive game.

As the fourth quarter wound down, the Bengals held a 23-16 lead, courtesy of two Randy Bullock field goals. However, Wentz orchestrated a last-minute drive, capping it off with a 7-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 23-23 with just 21 seconds remaining in regulation.

In the overtime period, both defenses held strong, with neither team able to break through for a potential game-winning score. With just 19 seconds left in the extra period and the Eagles facing a 4th down at their own 46-yard line, Johnston stepped up to deliver what would become one of the most impactful punts of the season.

Johnston's 40-yard punt pinned the Bengals at their own 11-yard line, putting immense pressure on the Cincinnati offense. Given the limited time left and the long distance to cover, the Bengals opted for caution. Rather than risk a potential game-losing turnover, they handed the ball off to running back Joe Mixon, who gained 9 yards before time expired, ending the game in a 23-23 tie.

According to WPA, Johnston's punt had a considerable impact of 0.94, tying it for the second-highest value for a punt since 1999. While the play did not directly lead to points, it forced the Bengals into an unfavorable position with little time remaining, effectively ensuring the game would end in a stalemate.

The tie had mixed implications for both teams. For the Eagles, it kept them winless on the season at 0-2-1, marking their first tie since 2008 (also against the Bengals) and extending their winless streak against Cincinnati dating back to 2000. This disappointing start, coupled with continued struggles throughout the season, ultimately led to the dismissal of head coach Doug Pederson following a 4-11-1 campaign. It also foreshadowed the end of the Wentz era in Philadelphia, as he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts the following offseason.

Meanwhile, the Bengals, led by rookie quarterback Joe Burrow (who finished with 312 passing yards and 2 touchdowns), were able to avoid an 0-3 start. However, they too would struggle through the season, finishing with an identical 4-11-1 record under head coach Zac Taylor.

3. Huber’s Hail Mary

Date: September 11, 2022

Final Score: Cincinnati Bengals 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 23

WPA: 0.84 (18th highest of any play since 1999)

In a dramatic season opener at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals battled through a roller-coaster of a game that ultimately came down to a crucial punt in overtime. With the score tied 20-20 and just over a minute left in the extra period, Bengals punter Kevin Huber delivered a booming 50-yard punt that sailed into the Steelers' end zone for a touchback.

This punt, coming at a critical juncture, had a significant impact with a WPA of 0.84. By pinning the Steelers at their own 20-yard line with limited time remaining, Huber's punt shifted the pressure to Pittsburgh's offense, forcing them to drive the length of the field for a potential game-winning score.

Steelers quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, making his debut for the team after signing as a free agent, rose to the occasion. Despite a relatively modest stat line (21/38 for 194 yards and 1 TD), Trubisky led a clutch 8-play, 45-yard drive in just 56 seconds. This set up Chris Boswell's game-winning 53-yard field goal as time expired, securing a 23-20 victory for Pittsburgh.

The game was marked by defensive dominance and offensive struggles, particularly for the Bengals. Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow had a tough outing, throwing four interceptions, including a pick-six to Minkah Fitzpatrick on the second play of the game. Despite these setbacks, Burrow managed to rally his team, finishing with 338 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-tying score to Ja'Marr Chase with just two seconds left in regulation.

For the Steelers, this dramatic win marked an auspicious start to Trubisky's tenure as the team's new starting quarterback. Although his performance over the season would prove uneven, eventually leading to rookie Kenny Pickett taking over, this overtime thriller against the Bengals provided an exciting glimpse of Trubisky's playmaking ability in a high-pressure situation.

4. Johnston’s Repeat Performance

Date: September 11, 2022

Final Score: Indianapolis Colts 20, Houston Texans 20

WPA: 0.83 (19th highest of any play since 1999)

In another Week 1 thriller of the 2022 season, the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts faced off at NRG Stadium in a game that would ultimately end in a tie, thanks in part to a crucial punt by Texans specialist Cameron Johnston.

The Texans, under head coach Lovie Smith, had built a commanding 20-3 lead by the third quarter, with quarterback Davis Mills connecting twice with O.J. Howard for touchdowns. However, the Colts, led by newly acquired veteran quarterback Matt Ryan, mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback. Ryan, in his Colts debut, threw for 352 yards and a touchdown, while Jonathan Taylor rushed for 161 yards and a score, helping Indianapolis erase the 17-point deficit.

With the score knotted at 20-20 and 26 seconds remaining in overtime, the Texans faced a 4th-and-3 situation from the Colts' 49-yard line. Johnston, who had previously made an appearance on this list as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, stepped up and delivered a precise 43-yard punt that was fair caught by Colts return man Nyheim Hines at the Indianapolis 6-yard line.

This punt shifted field position and had a significant impact, with a WPA of 0.83. It forced the Colts offense to attempt to go the length of the field with limited time remaining, effectively sealing the tie.

While the Colts did manage to gain 21 yards in the waning seconds, they couldn't get into field goal range, and the game ended in a 20-20 tie. This marked the Texans' first tie in franchise history and extended the Colts' season opener winless streak, which dated back to 2013.

For both teams, this tie foreshadowed challenging seasons ahead. The Texans would finish with a disappointing 3-13-1 record, leading to the dismissal of head coach Lovie Smith and the subsequent hiring of DeMeco Ryans. The Colts, meanwhile, endured a tumultuous 4-12-1 campaign that saw the mid-season departure of head coach Frank Reich, who was replaced by former center Jeff Saturday for the final eight games. Both teams would enter the following season with new head coaches at the helm.​​​​​​​​

5. Lee’s 46-Yard Field Position Flip

Date: November 11, 2012

Final Score: St. Louis 24, San Francisco 24

WPA: 0.83 (tied for 19th highest of any play since 1999)

In a pivotal NFC West clash at Candlestick Park, the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams battled to a rare 24-24 tie, with a crucial punt by 49ers specialist Andy Lee playing a significant role in the game's outcome.

The game was marked by a changing of the guard at quarterback for the 49ers. Starter Alex Smith suffered a concussion in the second quarter after throwing a touchdown pass with blurred vision. He was replaced by Colin Kaepernick, a move that would ultimately shape the 49ers' season and beyond.

With the score deadlocked at 24-24 and just under 2 minutes remaining in overtime, Lee stepped up to deliver what would prove to be one of the most impactful punts of the season. His 46-yard kick was returned 3 yards by Rams returner Danny Amendola, leaving St. Louis pinned at their own 14-yard line with only 1:36 left to play.

This field position shift had a significant impact, with a WPA of 0.83. While the Rams managed to drive to around midfield in the final minute, they ultimately ran out of time, and the game ended in the NFL's first tie since 2008.

The tie proved to be an important stepping stone for the 49ers, who went on to finish the regular season with an 11-4-1 record and ultimately reach the Super Bowl, where they fell short against the Baltimore Ravens. For San Francisco, this game marked the beginning of the Kaepernick era, as he would go on to lead the team for the remainder of the season and into the Super Bowl.

This was also a historic moment for both franchises, as it marked their first tie since 1968 when the Rams were originally based in Los Angeles. For the Rams, the tie brought their record to 3-5-1, while the 49ers moved to 6-2-1.

Wrap-up:

These impactful punts highlight the often-overlooked significance of special teams plays, particularly in high-stakes overtime situations. By strategically flipping the field position and putting pressure on opposing offenses, these punters created unfavorable circumstances for their opponents with limited time remaining.

Metrics like WPA quantify the pivotal role of these punts, with each of them ranking among the top 20 most impactful single plays since 1999. This underscores the strategic value of punting in the NFL. A well-placed kick can be just as crucial as a flashy offensive play.