The best photo from every NFL season

Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, one of the game's top players, tries to make a spectacular catch against the Miami Dolphins in October 2018. Hopkins scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in the Texans' 42-23 home victory.

In one of the most remarkable finishes in NFL postseason history, Minnesota's Stefon Diggs' catch and run for a 61-yard touchdown as time expired gave the Vikings an improbable 29-24 win over the visiting New Orleans Saints in the NFC divisional playoff game. The play has been dubbed "The Minneapolis Miracle."

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and teammate Eric Reid kneel in protest during the playing of the national anthem before facing the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 12, 2016. Kaepernick, who knelt for social justice and as a protest against police brutality, has not played in the NFL since that season.

Denver safety T.J. Ward delivers a hard hit on Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton during a game in November 2015. Hilton took the brunt of the contact there, but the Colts got the win, 27-24, over the Broncos.

Odell Beckham Jr. is one of the most gifted athletes currently in the NFL. His one-handed touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys, while a member of the New York Giants, back in November 2014 is a perfect example of that.

Bryce Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit's Glover Quin go for a ride in the snow during their game in December 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field. Though not a complete whitewash, the Eagles beat the Lions, 34-20.

Receiver Jordy Nelson of the Green Bay Packers has his helmet, and nearly entire head, taken off by St. Louis cornerback Cortland Finnegan during an October 2012 game. Finnegan was penalized on the play, and Nelson had eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown as the Packers won 30-20.

Late New England tight end Aaron Hernandez has his helmet ripped off by linebacker David Harris of the New York Jets in October 2011. The Patriots won the home contest, 30-21.

Running back Peyton Hillis had a memorable 2010 season for the Cleveland Browns, rushing for a career-high 1,177 yards. One of his 13 total touchdowns that season came against the Carolina Panthers during this November victory.

Talk about standing, or crouching, on your head. Baltimore receiver Derrick Mason rolls over on his head after making a touchdown catch against New England in October 2009. Though the Ravens got the touchdown, the Patriots earned the win, 27-21.

In one of the most exciting Super Bowls of all time, Pittsburgh's Santonio Holmes managed to stay in bounds for a 6-yard, go-ahead touchdown catch with 35 seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLIII. The Steelers edged the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23. 

Perhaps the greatest catch in Super Bowl history came courtesy of little-known New York Giants receiver David Tyree. His key third-down catch, with the ball pinned to his helmet and just over a minute to play in the game was good for 32 yards. It ultimately set up the winning touchdown for New York's 17-14 comeback win over the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Despite the hand of Chicago defensive lineman Tank Johnson in his face, Peyton Manning gets off a pass in Super Bowl XLI. Manning won his first Super Bowl title, leading the Colts to a 29-17 victory over the Bears.

Both Philadelphia's L.J. Smith and Antonio Pierce of the New York Giants land on their heads during a game in this December 2005 meeting. Smith might have made the catch, but New York won, 26-23, in overtime.

Tom Brady spikes the ball after scoring a fourth-quarter touchdown for the New England Patriots in their AFC divisional playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts. Brady and the Pats opened the 2004 postseason with a 20-3 win over the Colts.

A day after the death of his father, Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre played what many believe to be the best game of his career. Favre went 22-of-30 for 399 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions during a 41-7 rout of the Raiders in Oakland on Dec. 22, 2003.

Green Bay receiver Donald Driver taunts nearby fans of the Chicago Bears after catching an early 85-yard touchdown pass in Champaign, Illinois. Driver and the Packers had a rather easy time beating the rival Bears, 34-21, in October 2002.

Oakland's Rod Woodson appears to have a late sack on New England quarterback Tom Brady, who fumbled on the play with the ball recovered by the Raiders, during their AFC divisional playoff game in snowy Foxborough. The initial call, however, was reversed after referencing the NFL's "Tuck Rule." New England kept the ball and ultimately won the game in overtime.

When he was not busy running his mouth , Keyshawn Johnson was a fine football player and he was making catches like this one against the St, Louis Rams while playing for Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2000.

Super Bowl XXXIV  between the St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans provided one of the greatest finishes in the history of the game. On the final play, with the Rams winning 23-16, Tennessee's Kevin Dyson caught a pass over the middle and dove for the goal line. However, St. Louis linebacker Mike Jones stopped him 1 yard shy to preserve the victory for St. Louis.

Randy Moss did not drop many passes during his great career, most notably with the Minnesota. In this game against Baltimore, in Moss' rookie year of 1998, fellow Hall of Famer Rod Woodson can't keep him from bringing down a touchdown catch.

Denver Broncos legend John Elway runs out on to the field at Mile High Stadium during his second-to-last NFL season of 1997. He would finally win his first Super Bowl that season and repeat the feat in his final campaign.

Former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard did not have the overall success in the NFL that he did at Michigan. However, his most memorable pro moment came with a key 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown during Green Bay's victory over New England in Super Bowl XXXI. Howard was named Super Bowl MVP for totaling 154 kickoff return yards and 90 off punts.

Emotional Cleveland Browns fans show their displeasure for team owner Art Modell. Following the 1995 season, Modell moved the franchise to Baltimore, leaving the city of Cleveland without a football team until a new version of the Browns returned in 1999.

Perhaps small in size but not in strength, Detroit's Barry Sanders rushed for nearly 1,900 yards in 1994. He gained 166 in a loss at Tampa Bay that season.

Playing in his final NFL season, superstar New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor sacks quarterback Craig Erickson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a September contest. Taylor was named to the Pro Bowl 10 times and helped the Giants to two Super Bowl titles. 

The Buffalo Bills Super Bowl misery continued with a 52-17 thrashing at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVII. However, the hustle and heart of Buffalo's Don Beebe showed as he knocked the ball out of the hands of showboating Cowboy Leon Lett, who thought he was headed for a sure touchdown. It became the game's most memorable moment.

Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman is drilled to the ground by Washington linebacker Kurt Gouveia in September 1991 at Texas Stadium. Aikman got back up, but the Cowboys fell to the Redskins, 33-31.

The Buffalo Bills were in position to win Super Bowl XXV when Scott Norwood unleashed his 47-field goal attempt in the final seconds. However, the ball went painfully "wide right" of the goal post, and the Bills lost to the New York Giants, 20-19.

Buffalo Hall of Famer Andre Reed gives a hand to the face of the New York Jets' James Hasty during a 1989 matchup between these two rivals. Reed got the best of Hasty on the play and the Bills the best of the Jets, 37-0.

It what became known as "The Fog Bowl," visibility proved to be at a premium in the second half of the Philadelphia Eagles-Chicago Bears NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on New Year's Eve 1988. A thick fog rolled in off adjacent Lake Michigan, leaving players, coaches and officials struggling to see each other on the field. The Bears managed to prevail, 20-12.

Arguably the greatest running back in the history of professional football, Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears played his last regular-season game on Dec. 27, 1987 against the Los Angeles Raiders. Payton, who finished his career with 16,726 yards, played his final NFL game two weeks later in a playoff loss to the Washington Redskins at home.

New York Giants receiver Phil McConkey flips into the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown reception during Super Bowl XXI against the Denver Broncos. The feisty McConkey and the Giants rolled to an easy 39-20 victory.  

In perhaps their most dominant regular-season performance during their Super Bowl-winning season, the Chicago Bears manhandled the Dallas Cowboys, 44-0, in November 1985. The Bears delivered much of their wrath on Dallas quarterback Danny White, who was knocked out of the game.

Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton offers one of his trademark leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 7, 1984. Earlier in the game Payton became the NFL's all-time leading rusher, breaking Jim Brown's mark of 12,312 yards.

Cleveland running back Boyce Green runs into a host of New England Patriots defenders and is pushed back to the ground during a game in November 1983. Though Green was stopped on this play, the Browns rolled to a 30-0 road victory. 

It seemed Washington running back John Riggins had plenty of holes to run through during the Redkins' 27-17 victory over Miami in Super Bowl XVII. Riggins ran for 166 yards and a touchdown to earn MVP honors.

Simply known as "The Catch," San Francisco's Dwight Clark hauls in a 6-yard touchdown pass at the back of the end zone from Joe Montana with less than a minute to play in the NFC championship game against the Dallas Cowboys. The 49ers won 28-27 and then beat Cincinnati for their first Super Bowl title. 

Cleveland defensive back Ron Bolton makes a sensational interception against the Oakland Raiders during a 1980 AFC divisional playoff game at Municipal Stadium. Bolton got the pick, but the Raiders pulled out the win, 14-12.

Philadelphia quarterback Ron Jaworski saw better days than this during a rather successful career with the Eagles. Jaworski is sandwiched by Washington defenders Coy Bacon and Joe Jones during a 1979 loss to the Redskins.

Dallas tight end Jackie Smith flops to the ground after dropping a seemingly sure touchdown pass against Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XIII. The Cowboys lost ,35-31. Ouch!

Dallas receiver Golden Richards catches a 4-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach in the third quarter against the Washington Redskins in November 1977. The Cowboys went on to win, 14-7, beginning a string of seven consecutive victories and culminating with a Super Bowl win over Denver.

Games in rain, sleet or snow are always fun — at least for fans watching on TV. Games in the mud could be as well for the players — like this 1976 meeting between the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Redskins.

Pittsburgh receiver Lynn Swann was known for making spectacular catches often during his career with the Steelers, perhaps none better than his 53-yard catch over Dallas' Mark Washington in Super Bowl X. Swann set a Super Bowl record with 161 receiving yards as the Steelers repeated as champions.

Ken Stabler often found ways to escape oncoming defenders during his stellar NFL career, mostly with the Oakland Raiders. During this 1974 playoff game game against Miami, Stabler unleashes a pass in the waning seconds while being hit from behind. Clarence Davis caught it for a TD from 8 yards out, and the Raiders miraculously beat the Dolphins, 28-26. 

The Dolphins did not go undefeated during the 1973 season (they lost twice) but still had little trouble repeating as NFL champions. Bruising running back Larry Csonka and Dolphins rolled over Minnesota 24-7 to win Super Bowl VIII. 

Led by a stingy defense paced by the likes of Manny Fernandez and a potent offense, the Miami Dolphins finished the 1972 season 17-0. They capped the greatest season of any team in NFL history with a 14-7 victory over Washington in Super Bowl VII.

In one of the more iconic photos in NFL history, New York Jets star quarterback Joe Namath works out at Shea Stadium in November 1971. Injuries limited "Broadway Joe" to just four games that season.

Legendary Cincinnati Bengals coach and owner Paul Brown does not seem too happy while speaking with receiver Speedy Thomas during an October 1970 game vs. the Washington Redskins. The Bengals lost 20-0.

The Kansas Chiefs defense made life miserable for Minnesota quarterback Joe Kapp and the rest of the Vikings offense in Super Bowl IV. After losing to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I, the Chiefs came through with a 23-7 win over the Vikings.

Joe Namath gets a lot of the glory for the New York Jets' upset of Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. But the Jets' ability to hold the mighty Colts to just a touchdown in the 16-7 was most impressive.

The 1967 NFL championship game, more popularly known as "The Ice Bowl," pitted the Green Bay Packers against the Dallas Cowboys at frigid Lambeau Field. The temperature at kickoff was reportedly minus-15 and nearly minus-50 with the wind. Bart Starr's late 1-yard dive into the end zone onto the frozen tundra at Lambeau gave Green Bay a 21-17 victory and spot in Super Bowl II. 

As he did often during his Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Bears, linebacker Dick Butkus got in the face of the quarterback and made life miserable for opposing offenses. That was the case during this contest in 1966, Butkus' second NFL season.

Two legends of the game enjoy a celebratory moment for the storied Green Bay Packers. Linebacker Ray Nitschke carries coach Vince Lombardi off the field after the Packers beat the Baltimore Colts, 13-10, in overtime of a 1965 playoff game. Green Bay would go on to beat Cleveland for the NFL championship.

Jim Brown leaps over a Cleveland teammate and Detroit defender during a game at Municipal Stadium during the 1964 season. Brown rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries to help the Browns down the Lions.

Playing in place of the injured Y.A. Tittle, New York's Glynn Griffing is hit by bruising Chicago defender Doug Atkins during the 1963 championship game at Wrigley Field. The Bears topped the Giants 14-10 for their eighth title.

New York Giants kicker Don Chandler barely gets the ball past Green Bay Hall of Famer Willie Davis during the 1962 NFL championship. Davis couldn't get to the kick, but the Packers got the title with a 16-7 victory at Yankee Stadium.

Versatile and hard-hitting Philadelphia linebacker Chuck Bednarik lines up for a play while New York quarterback Charlie Conerly barks out the signals. The Giants edged the Eagles, 28-24, in December 1961.

The great Ray Nitschke and his Green Bay teammates sit on the bench during a a road game against San Francisco in December 1960. The Packers won, 13-0, en route to an 8-4 finish.

One title was not good enough for the Colts as they met the Giants again with the 1959 league championship on the line. Though Unitas was hit hard by New York star Sam Huff, Baltimore again came through, winning 31-16.

In one of the greatest NFL championship games in the history of the league, Johnny Unitas, who threw for 349 yards, and the Baltimore Colts beat the New York Giants, 23-17, in sudden-death overtime at Yankee Stadium. It was the first title for the Colts.

It usually took more than one man to catch and eventually bring down Cleveland Browns great Jim Brown. That was the case during this game against the New York Giants in 1957 at Yankee Stadium.

New York Giants legend Frank Gifford takes a pass into the end zone for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the 1956 NFL championship game. Gifford and the Giants defeated the Bears, 47-7, at Yankee Stadium to win their fourth title.

In a move that is illegal in today's NFL, Los Angeles Rams end Bob Boyd literally trips up San Francisco ball carrier Joe Perry. The Rams also got the best of the 49ers in the end, winning 23-14 to open the 1955 season.

Looking to make it three straight championships, the Detroit Lions again faced Cleveland for the title in 1954. Though Lions star safety Jack Christiansen intercepted this pass by Browns legend Otto Graham, Cleveland finally got the best of Detroit, winning 56-10.

The Detroit Lions running back Bob Hoernschemeyer fights for some extra yards against the Cleveland Browns during the 1953 championship game at Briggs Stadium. The Lions went on to edge the Browns, 17-16, to win their second consecutive title.

During a game in 1952, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Bob Waterfield catches a breather on the bench. Literally. Waterfield gets some extra oxygen from a respirator machine known as a "vitalator."

The great Glenn Davis of the Los Angeles Rams looks for yardage against the Cleveland Browns during the 1951 NFL championship game. Playing in front of their home fans at the Coliseum, Davis and the Rams beat the Browns 24-17.

Bill Dudley of the Washington Redskins rushes the ball against the Baltimore Colts during a game in November 1950. The teams combined for 28 fourth-quarter points, with the Redskins winning 38-28.

Washington Redskins great Sammy Baugh enjoys a little family time with sons Todd and Davy. The boys joined Baugh at practice before the Redskins faced the New York Bulldogs in October 1949.

Philadelphia Eagles legend Steve Van Buren carries the ball against the Chicago Cardinals during the 1948 championship game. In a true defensive struggle, the Eagles prevailed 7-0 for their first title.

Chicago Cardinals players Charley Trippi, Vic Schwall, Bill Campbell and Vince Banonis sit on the bench during a game against the Washington Redskins in November 1947. The Cardinals lost 45-21.

Jim Benton of the Los Angeles Rams, one of the best receivers of his time, makes a spectacular diving catch against the Chicago Bears in a game at the Coliseum in November 1946. Benton hauled in 63 passes that season for L.A.

Green Bay's Don Hutson fights to get into the end zone during a 1945 game against the Cleveland Rams in November. The great Hutson led the Packers that season with 47 receptions for 834 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.

New York Giants coach Steve Owen watches his team take part in drills at the opening of their camp. The Giants went 8-1-1 in 1944 but lost to Green Bay in the championship game.

After losing in the title game to Washington in 1942, the Chicago Bears roared back in '43. Led by quarterback Sid Luckman, the Bears got their revenge on the Redskins with a 41-21 victory in the NFL championship game at Wrigley Field.

The great Sammy Baugh of the Washington Redskins is tackled by a Chicago player during the second half of the 1942 NFL championship game. Baugh and the Redskins were crowned champs with a 14-6 win over the Bears.

Ward Cuff of the New York Giants takes a rough hit, stopping him where he stands, against the Cleveland Rams during the 1941 season. New York ended the day with a victory at the legendary Polo Grounds.

Chicago Bears players and staff hoist owner and coach George Halas in celebration of their 1940 NFL championship. The Bears returned three interceptions for touchdowns in the 73-0 rout of the Washington Redskins in the title game.

Playing at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds, the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants meet in the 1939 NFL championship game. Though New York's Tuffy Leemans gained some yardage on the play, the Packers earned the title with a 27-0 win.

Tuffy Leemans of the New York Giants carries the ball in the second quarter of a game against the Cleveland Rams. Though it appears Leemans has a good-sized hole to run through, he managed just 3 yards on the play.

A reported crowd of more than 58,000 watched the Washington Redskins take on the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds late in the 1937 season. The Redskins ripped the Giants, 49-14, and would beat Chicago for the championship.

In the 1936 NFL championship game, Green Bay's Clark Hinkle is tackled by Boston's Vic Carroll. The Packers handled the Boston Redskins for a 21-6 victory and the title at New York's Polo Grounds. 

New York Giants quarterback Harry Newman and end "Tod" Goodwin have a little fun at practice during the 1935 season. The New York practice session was held at the legendary Polo Grounds.

Green Bay Packers players work on their kicking form during practice in November 1934. The Packers were preparing to face the New York Giants at the famed Polo Grounds.

In the first scheduled NFL championship game, the Chicago Bears face off against the New York Giants at Wrigley Field on Dec. 17, 1933. It would be the Bears who won the title, edging the Giants, 23-21.

After three straight titles, the Green Bay Packers finished second in the 1932 standings at 10-3-1. But since the Portsmouth Spartans had a better winning percentage, they faced the Chicago Bears for the championship.

Chicago Bears coach Ralph Jones speaks to his star players and some of the biggest names in professional football at the time: Dick Nesbitt, Bronko Nagurski, Red Grange and Keith Molesworth. Not a bad lineup.

Red Grange, captain of the Chicago Bears, and New York Giants captain Benny Friedman pose in November 1930. Grange's Bears beat Friedman and the Giants 12-0.

Chicago Cardinals star Ernie Nevers wiggles his way for some yardage against the New York Giants in December 1929. The Cardinals lost, 24-21, to the Giants at the Polo Grounds.

The 1928 season was not as good for the Packers. Though not a wash, Green Bay finished 6-4-3. However, even better days were ahead for the franchise, which posted at least 10 wins in each of the next four seasons.

Now a staple of the NFL, the Green Bay Packers finished second in the league in 1927 with a 7-2-1 record. It matched their most successful season at the time.

After beginning his career with the Chicago Bears, Grange spent the 1926 season with the New York Yankees (not the baseball club) of the American Football League. However, that league lasted just one year, and the Yankees joined the NFL. Grange eventually returned to the Bears in 1929. 

The Chicago Bears Harold "Red" Grange tries to get through the defensive line of the rival Chicago Cardinals. In 1925, Grange made his professional football debut after starring for the University of Illinois.

The 1924 NFL season featured 18 teams in the league. The Cleveland Bulldogs, who came over from Canton, won the league title. The next season, the pro football world would be introduced to a young star named Red Grange.

Earl "Curly" Lambeau, who speaks with one of his teams during the 1940s, was a co-founder of the Green Bay Packers and served as the team's player-coach during the 1920s. 

Coached and guided by the legendary Jim Thorpe, the Oorang Indians were members of the NFL. The team was made up of Native American athletes and lasted just two seasons.

Though the Chicago Staleys won the APFA championship in 1921, the Green Bay Packers made their debut in the league. Thus, it was the beginning of what would become one of the most storied franchises in all of sports.

The inaugural season of the American Professional Football Association (APFA) kicked off in 1920. The great Jim Thorpe not only played for the Canton Bulldogs, but he also was the league's first president. The Akron Pros won the first title.