The Longest Plays in NFL History: Ranking Every 99-Yard Passing Touchdown

Every 99-Yard Passing Touchdown in NFL History, Ranked

What’s rarer than a perfect game in baseball or a hole-in-one in golf? A 99-yard touchdown pass. Only 13 players in NFL history have done it — and the stories behind them are even wilder than the distance.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What Makes a 99-Yard Touchdown Pass Special?
3. Historical Context and Rarity
4. Ranked: All 13 99-Yard Passing Touchdowns
5. Teams with Multiple 99-Yarders
6. Why These Plays Still Matter
7. FAQs

Introduction

In the high-octane world of the NFL, few feats are as electrifying — or as statistically improbable — as the 99-yard touchdown pass. It's the NFL’s equivalent of a full-court buzzer-beater or a walk-off grand slam. And with just 13 recorded occurrences in over 100 years of league history, each of these moments tells a story of brilliance, timing, and raw athleticism.

What Makes a 99-Yard Touchdown Pass Special?

A 99-yard passing touchdown requires near-perfect execution: the ball must be snapped from the offense’s own 1-yard line, and the quarterback must connect with a receiver who then completes the play by taking it all the way to the opposite end zone. These are not just long passes — they’re maximum-length scoring plays.

Historical Context and Rarity

In a league filled with elite quarterbacks and explosive wide receivers, it’s almost shocking how few times the 99-yard TD has occurred. For context, over 1 million plays have been run in NFL history — and only 13 of them ended in a 99-yard passing touchdown. That’s less than 0.000013% of all plays.

"The 99-yard touchdown is more than a stat — it's a story that defines seasons and cements legends." — NFL Analyst Greg Rosenthal

Ranked: All 13 99-Yard Passing Touchdowns

13 .Karl Sweetan And Pat Studstill - Detroit Lions 1966

When the Detroit Lions met with the Baltimore Colts in 1966, fans likely weren’t expecting what they got. What they ended up getting was a fantastic 99-yard passing touchdown, a first in the team's history.

Quarterback Karl Sweetan got the ball to Studstill on the Lion 45, and the rest is history. The team would end up losing, but the fantastic run from Studstill would become a famed sticking point for fans of the Lions. The team has had its ups and downs, but only a few can say they have a 99-yard passing touchdown.

12. Sonny Jurgensen And Jerry Allen - Washington 1968

Sonny Jurgensen is actually the third quarterback for Washington to ever throw a 99-yard passing touchdown. That’s right, Washington is the only team with multiple 99-yard passing touchdowns, and they managed it three times.

Jurgensen made the pass to running back Jerry Allen at the Washington 35 line, and Allen would continue up the field to make the 99-yard passing touchdown. Sadly, that would be the final time Washington would make a stellar play like that. The good thing is, at least that time, Washington managed to win the game.

11. Frank Filchock And Andy Farkas - Washington 1939

It’s hard to get a ton of info on this legendary play since it was the first of its kind all the way back in 1939. From all accounts, the play was said to be unforgettable, and due to the nature of it being a first, unlike anything fans had seen before.

Quarterback Frank Filchock nailed a pass to fullback Andy Farkas on the ten. From there, Farkas would blitz down the field with what has been referred to as virtually perfect defensive play from his teammates. The play was a first for Washington, but it was far from the last.

10. George Izo And Bobby Mitchell - Washington 1963

The second of Washington’s 99-yard passing touchdowns came courtesy of the duo of quarterback George Izo and halfback Bobby Mitchell. Sadly, the impressive play wouldn’t be enough to help the team to victory against the Cleveland Browns.

The throw from Izo was an impressive one, spanning from the endzone all the way to about midfield. From there, Bobby Mitchell would make his way down the field virtually unchallenged to make the play. If Washington kept making plays like this, the team might be at the top of every fan's list.

9. Gus Frerotte And Bernard Berrian - Minnesota Vikings 2008

While the Minnesota Vikings have had their ups and downs, Gus Frerotte managed to help give the team a serious up. In a victory against the Chicago Bears, quarterback Gus Frerotte delivered a stunning pass to wide receiver Bernard Berrian.

Berrian managed to catch the ball at the Vikings’ 46 line, and from there, he’d make it down the rest of the field for the touchdown. It was a surprising moment back in 2008, and one that many Vikings fans wish would happen more often so that the team could snag the Super Bowl Championship.

8. Jim Plunkett And Cliff Branch - Los Angeles Raiders 1983

Rather than Washington earning themselves a fourth 99-yard passing touchdown, they were actually the victim of the very play they introduced to the league when they met with The Raiders in 1983. To be fair, Washington did still manage to defeat their foe that day.

Jim Plunkett, Raiders' quarterback launched a big pass to wide receiver Cliff Branch. Branch received the pass at the Raiders’ 35 line and bolted down the field, as he tended to do. It would be no time at all before Branch earned the touchdown.

7. Jeff Garcia And Andre Davis - Cleveland Browns 2004

While some teams pull off a 99-yard passing touchdown in the hopes to bring their team back from the brink of defeat, the Browns knew they had the situation under control against the Bengals.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia managed a sweet pass to wide receiver Andre Davis, a pass that he’d receive roughly near the Browns' 40-yard line. From there, Davis was pretty much home-free as he made the rest of the run for a touchdown. It may not have been the only necessary part of the team’s win, but it was a big factor.

6. Ron Jaworski And Mike Quick - Philadelphia Eagles 1985

When the Philadelphia Eagles met with the Atlanta Falcons in 1985, there was no way anyone expected one of the most clutch last-minute victory plays in NFL history. This time, the 99-yard passing touchdown is the very thing that won the Eagles the game.

The Falcons had nothing on quarterback Ron Jaworski in overtime. The quarterback sent a solid pass to wide receiver Mike Quick. Receiving it on the 20, Quick would make the play of a lifetime as he ran for an additional eighty yards for the win.

5. Stan Humphries And Tony Martin - San Diego Chargers 1994

Sometimes a team will know when they’re beaten and stop trying to stop a massive play, while others will give chase. In this instance, the Seahawks weren’t about to give up without a fight. Still, the massive play from the Chargers was more than enough to help them secure the victory.

Chargers quarterback Stan Humphries sent the ball to wide receiver Tony Martin at the 35 line. Patrick Hunter of the Seahawks would give chase in an attempt to stop the massive play, but it would ultimately prove fruitless, with Martin completing the play and earning a touchdown.

4. Trent Green And Marc Boerigter - Kansas City Chiefs 2002

It was a close game when the Kansas City Chiefs met with the Chargers in 2002, but they would ultimately be able to claim victory, in large part, thanks to a massive 99-yard passing touchdown. The thing that makes it all the more impressive is that the receiver, Marc Boerigter was still a rookie in the league.

Chiefs quarterback Trent Green would have to fall back into his own endzone before finally firing the massive pass. The rookie receiver caught the ball at the 40-yard line and managed to outrun the rest of the Chargers to make a much-needed play in what would prove to be a close game.

3. Tom Brady And Wes Walker - New England Patriots 2011

With how legendary Tom Brady is, some might even say the GOAT, it should come as no surprise that he managed to be a part of a 99-yard passing touchdown. Back in 2011, the play was just a small part in them defeating the Miami Dolphins.

Brady would retreat deep into the endzone before making his pass. Wide receiver Wes Walker would snag the ball at around the 17-yard mark, stiff-arm a Dolphins defender, and then make his impressive 80+ yard run to the endzone for the touchdown.

2. Brett Favre And Robert Brooks - Green Bay Packers 1995

Green Bay Packers fans tend to speak highly about Brett Favre, and being a part of a 99-yard passing touchdown only makes why more clear. Back in 1995, Favre and Brooks pulled off the play in a tight game against the Chicago Bears.

The play is a demonstration of just how good Favre was on the field. He would pump-fake before delivering a deep pass to Brooks. Upon receiving the pass, Brooks would run another 68 yards for the touchdown. After that display of dominance, the team would slip a bit, but would still ultimately win.

1. Eli Manning And Victor Cruz - New York Giants 2011

This play was a simple one, but it was sheer magic. Victor Cruz was untouchable in his run, and Eli Manning’s pass was so laser-focused that there was no way it wouldn’t be received. Sadly, The Jets had no chance against a top-form New York Giants team.

The bullet of a pass was received at the 11-yard line, and Cruz would then go on to avoid multiple tackle attempts in his long run to the endzone. Fans in the stands were going wild, and it’s likely that the fans at home were doing the exact same thing.

FAQs

🔹 How many 99-yard touchdown passes have there been in NFL history?

As of 2024, there have been 13 recorded 99-yard passing touchdowns in NFL history.

🔹 Who threw the most recent 99-yard touchdown pass?

Eli Manning to Victor Cruz in 2011 is the most recent confirmed 99-yard TD pass.

🔹 Can a 100-yard pass exist in the NFL?

No. The maximum distance from scrimmage is 99 yards — from your own 1-yard line to the opponent’s end zone.

🔹 Which team has the most 99-yard touchdown passes?

Washington holds the record with 3 such completions.

🔚 Final Word

99-yard touchdowns aren’t just plays. They’re defining moments — lightning strikes that live forever in the hearts of fans. Each one etched itself into history not just for its length, but for the legends who made it happen.

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