There's no doubt that in the NFL many plays are called that are brilliant and get the job done. As fans, we watch in awe as our teams and favorite players make incredible catches, runs, and passes. They often prove how athletic and talented they truly are and how well they execute these plays under pressure. A lot of time goes into perfecting these plays and knowing the right time to call them. However, what happens when the complete opposite occurs? What happens when players and coaches make incredibly unwise decisions regarding their next move? It can result in not only a truly embarrassing moment for player and coach, but a devastating loss that could have been avoided. Over the years, there have been some jaw dropping moments of players proving themselves to their team and fans, but there have also been some real head scratching, are you kidding me, does this guy know he's being paid, moments. No one is perfect and mistakes will be made in any sport, but sometimes the mistakes are so bad that it calls for them getting the recognition they deserve. To all of the fans that watched their teams not get that big win when you needed it, maybe this list will make you feel a bit better about it.

The infamous Mark Sanchez Butt Fumble

#5 Mark Sanchez and the Butt Fumble

Mark Sanchez was the former quarterback of the New York Jets from 2009-2013. Though Sanchez had some pretty impressive stats in the beginning of his professional career, towards the end of his time with the Jets, he wasn't doing all too well. On Thanksgiving Day in 2012, the Jets were playing the New England Patriots when the infamous butt fumble occurred. The jets were lined up in the I formation for what should have been a hand off to Lex Hilliard in order to catch the Patriots by surprise. However, Sanchez did not carry out the play at all the way he should have. After turning in the wrong direction, he was unable to find Hilliard. Sanchez scrambled to try to stop the play. When Sanchez was sliding, Patriots player, Vince Wilfork, pushed Jets player Brandon Moore into Sanchez, rear end first, causing the fumble. The Patriots recovered the ball and took it back for a 32 yard touchdown.

#4 Dan Orlovsky and his lack of awareness

Dan Orlovsky is a former NFL quarterback who played thirteen seasons for the league. He's played for a handful of different teams, yet has not started many games. This probably won't come as a surprise after you see why he made this list. In 2008 while playing for the Detroit Lions, Orlovsky showed a lack of awareness that left a lot of people wondering what exactly was going through his mind. While attempting to make a pass, Orlovsky was chased by Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings. He was trying to avoid being sacked and was not watching his footwork. He ended up stepping out of the end zone resulting in a safety. It took him a few seconds to even realize what had happened and left many fans questioning his ability to be a quarterback. This is something that just should not happen once you reach the professional level in football.

#3 Miracle at the Meadowlands

Ask any Giants fan which team is the top rival of us and they most likely will tell you the Philadelphia Eagles. That's why when this play occurred between these two teams, Giants fans were more then unhappy, they were devastated. This is a play that happened way back in 1978 and it's still talked about today. Some would say this was the most stupid decision made in NFL history. It was the Giants taking on the Eagles at Giants stadium and the game was pretty much over with the victory going to the Giants. However, Giants quarterback, Joe Pisarcik, made the huge mistake of not running out the clock to end the game with a simple kneel down. This would prove to be one of the worst plays ever when Pisarcik fumbled the ball giving Herm Edwards of the Eagles, the opportunity to recover the ball and run it back for a touchdown. The Eagles won 19-17. That's one game no one will ever forget and a lesson most teams will continue to learn from.

#2 Griff Whalen and the fake punt

This was a really tough choice to not put this play at the number 1 spot for all time worst calls ever made because really, I think it may have deserved it. No one, not even the commentators seemed to know what the hell was going on after watching the Colts attempt a fake punt. The Indianapolis Colts were playing against the New England Patriots and were down 27-21 at home. Head coach, Chuck Pagano, decided it was the right time to call a play that would confuse all the wrong people and leave everyone wondering why he was allowed to coach for even one more day. Let me set the scene. It was fourth and three from the Colts 37 yard line with 1:14 left in the third quarter. Rather than doing what anyone would have done, sending in a good punter like Pat McAfee to kick the ball into New England's territory, he didn't. Griff Whalen snapped the ball to Colt Anderson. It was just a mess that is hard to even try to comprehend. The Patriots easily sacked Anderson as you can see below and the Colts would not reach the AFC playoffs. I think even people who aren't NFL fans will look at this and say, "What on earth are they doing?" It is truly an all around on field disaster.

#1 Jim Marshall runs...the wrong way

The number one spot goes to none other than Jim Marshall. This play was ridiculous, baffling, and honestly pretty funny. It happened way before I was born, but it's a play that is always mentioned when talking about the most embarrassing moments in NFL game history. In October of 1964, the Minnesota Vikings were playing the San Francisco 49ers. 49ers wide receiver, Billy Kilmer, fumbled the football and Jim Marshall recovered it and ran it into the end zone. There was only one problem though. Jim Marshall ran it into the wrong end zone. For 66 yards Marshall ran and ran and was relatively unaware of what he had just done. It ended up resulting in a two point safety. The Vikings ultimately won the game. Though it was probably really embarrassing, it did not cost them the game. However, it probably will give fans and players a good laugh for a long time to come.

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