Top 5 football games

In honor of opening day for football (American football) I figured I would list the top 5 football games I've been to and why they were so fun.

#1 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Jets, AFC Championship game
Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 6:30PM
Steelers 24, Jets 19

This was seriously the best game I have ever been to and it was your stereotypical playoff football game. There were extra temporary seats in the open end zone at Heinz Field and those are the seats we managed to get for the game. We watched the NFC championship game at a bar before going into Heinz Field, enjoying some beers and really getting hyped up for our game. The high temperature for the day was 18 degrees Fahrenheit and the low was 3 degrees Fahrenheit. Add in wind chill and it was COLD. Beer was freezing in people's hands just walking from the concession stand back to their seats. Dave and I stood the entire game and didn't leave our seats at all. It was crowded, and cold, but the atmosphere was exhilirating and it was AWESOME to watch the championship trophy presentation at the end of the game. Words just can't describe that feeling of the whole game. I was so numb after that we stopped at a bar across the river, got a cheap beer just to be able to sit in there and warm up. My cheeks were frozen, I couldn't feel my fingers or my toes, and I had to jump up and down to get some feeling in my toes again. Crazy but so worth it. This is my #1 game hands down. The game was also extremely exciting with a good amount of scoring.

Cheeks REALLY red because it was so cold but we were so excited we didn't care

Presentation of the trophy on the field

#2 Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots
Sunday, September 25th, 2011 1:00PM
Bills 34, Patriots 31

This was a regular season game but felt like a playoff game. I like the Bills a lot (although I will root for the Steelers above the Bills- Steelers nation and Steelers love is in my blood on my dad's side of the family). We try to go see the Bills play when we can, and I forget why we chose this game this year but we didn't think there was any chance the Bills would win. Little did we know what an exciting game this would turn out to be. What makes it even better is how much I hate the Patriots (sorry if there are any Patriots fans reading this but it's true). Anyway, backing up. We meet a friend from high school and her husband when we go to these games- they live in Buffalo. It's always nice to catch up with them, and Dave's nephew joined us this time as well (my cousin has also gone with us). We tailgated beforehand, playing cornhole and drinking. The first half of the game seemed like the Patriots were going to roll but the Bills turned it on in the 2nd half and pulled it out in the end. Everyone was so excited and it was seriously a playoff atmosphere. Everyone stuck around the game and the Bills pulled it out even though the Patriots did score a touchdown on 4th down towards the end of the game! We walked back to the parking lot and it took FOREVER to get out of there because everyone had stayed and everyone was excited. But it reminded me of some of the pep rallies we've been to for the Steelers when they make the playoffs. Everyone yelling, excited, and just happy. Oh and I forgot to say in my talk about how much I can't stand the Patriots, it was AWESOME to watch Belichick and Brady lose it on the field. They both were screaming, throwing things, etc. Oh and can I mention Brady threw FOUR interceptions.

#3 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Steelers 34, Patriots 20

This was a regular season game and one I went to without (before I started dating) Dave. I went with an ex-boyfriend actually. We got this game last minute from a friend who couldn't make it because he was sick. His tickets were in the lower level of the closed in end zone at Heinz Field. The New England Patriots were riding a huge win streak (including playoff games, had won 21 straight and a record breaking 18 straight regular season wins), and were very arrogant. As they were warming up they were holding up their hands and displaying 2 fingers to show how many Super Bowl rings they had, taunting the fans. It really primed the fans actually and brought out some anger. I don't remember much of the actual game but we won and broke their win streak, and I know we screamed a lot at this game and it was another energetic, energizing game. Actually, looking back at the recap to get the score (I wrote what I wanted to say before looking at recaps so I'd be giving the perspective I remember without "cheating" and looking it up) there are two things that also made this game awesome that I had forgotten. One is that it was a pretty decisive victory. The other is that Pittsburgh was on a winning streak although we would not do too well in the playoffs this year (and the Patriots did go on to win another Super Bowl ring).

#4 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. San Diego Chargers
November 16, 2008
Steelers 11, Chargers 10

This was actually a very low scoring game and the field was a mess. But the weather was your typical winter weather- at times it looked like we were in a snow globe, especially right before the game. This was a year that the Steelers went on to win the Super Bowl and this was the first of two meetings that year- the 2nd one was in the playoffs. In true Steelers fashion our defense won this game and in particular I distinctly remember an interception by Troy Polamalu. Actually, he had two interceptions with one he returned for a touchdown that was called back by the referees. They later said that they were wrong with the call but Pittsburgh still pulled out the win, and the interception Troy did have that counted was just an in your face thing that made the stadium roar, including us. Also, as I said, the field was a mess, so kickoffs and punts were awful. The ball just got stuck in the mud as soon as it touched the ground. This was a rough and tumble game, typical of what you picture when you say Steelers football, and for that reason it was one of my favorites.

#5 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, December 4, 2005
Bengals 38, Steelers 31

Surprisingly I have a losing game on my list. This was another regular season game, and it was the last one we lost before going on to win every single game after this including the Super Bowl. However, the game itself was very memorable for me, for a lot of reasons. Dave and I met his boss and family to tailgate and ended up drinking a LOT. To the point that I got very very drunk, and ended up throwing up in the seats. I'm not sure how many people know the story but it actually got mentioned during the sermon at our wedding, which makes us laugh every time. (The pastor didn't know what he was referencing.) I didn't throw up until towards the end of the game and had a pretty good time up until then. And yes I was drunk but I wasn't one of those stupid fans who attacks other people or anything. Maybe I shouldn't be talking about this game publicly but it's still in my top 5. Oh and here, just to really embarrass myself, is a video from that game. No I'm not puking in it but I'm feeling VERY good.

By the way, the Steelers set a new record and were the first team to win the Super Bowl with a 6 seed in the playoffs, winning every game on the road. I think my throwing up was like when the Titans stepped on a Terrible Towel and couldn't win for awhile. Throwing up turned the Steelers luck around. Yes, I take full credit. ;)