The NFL announced at the "NFL Honors" awards show that the fans selected Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Year for 2013. Rodgers' 48-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 38 seconds remaining against the Chicago Bears propelled the Packers to the NFC North crown and into the playoffs. Read up on all of this year's nominees for the GMC Never Say Never Moment of 2013.
NEVER SAY NEVER MOMENT NOMINEES
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
Manning, Broncos outlast Cowboys in shootout in Week 5:Peyton Manning helped the Denver Broncos overcome a 14-0 deficit in the first quarter, and again by a touchdown in the fourth quarter, to earn a thrilling 51-48 win on the road against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5. In the game, Manning threw four touchdown passes, two to wide receiver Julius Thomas, and added another on a run. During the record-setting game, the Broncos and Cowboys combined for 1,039 yards of total offense. It's also tied for the second-highest scoring game since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970. Linebacker Danny Trevathan's interception of a Tony Romo pass set up Matt Prater's game-winning field goal and assured that the Broncos would remain unbeaten.
Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
Panthers rally to prevail in defensive struggle in Week 10:Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers survived a defensive struggle in San Francisco to collect their fifth consecutive win. The Panthers rallied from nine down to earn a huge 10-9 road win against the San Francisco 49ers. Running back DeAngelo Williams' touchdown brought Carolina to within 9-7 of San Francisco, and Graham Gano's 53-yard field goal in the fourth quarter put the Panthers ahead. However, it was the stingy Panthers defense led by linebacker Luke Kuechly, who finished the game with 11 tackles and a sack, who made sure the narrow one-point lead held up. The Panthers twice shut down Colin Kaepernick on last-ditch, late-game drives, including an interception from Drayton Florence to seal the win.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Brady, Patriots overcome 24-point deficit, win in OT in Week 12: Down 24-0 at halftime, quarterback Tom Brady guided a second-half comeback that forced overtime, where the New England Patriots eventually won, 34-31. The Patriots lost fumbles on their first three possessions as the Broncos built a 24-0 lead in the first half. However, the Patriots rallied, scoring on their first five possessions of the second half to erase the deficit. After Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning threw a touchdown pass to receiver Demaryius Thomas late in the fourth quarter to tie the score and force overtime, the Patriots took advantage of a fortunate bounce of a punt that hit a Broncos player and was recovered by Nate Ebner at the Broncos' 13-yard line. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 31-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 34-31 overtime win.
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
Ravens survive frantic final minutes vs. Vikings in Week 14: Quarterback Joe Flacco threw a touchdown pass to rookie receiver Marlon Brown with four seconds left to cap a frenzied final two minutes and lift the Baltimore Ravens to a thrilling 29-26 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Despite playing in a snowstorm, the Ravens and Vikings combined for five touchdowns in the game's final 125 seconds. The Flacco-to-Brown score finished a five-play, 80-yard drive that eclipsed all but four of the game's final 45 seconds. The Ravens' rally also included a 77-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jacoby Jones. The win was the Ravens' third in a row and put the team on the inside track for an AFC wild-card playoff spot.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers' fourth-down TD puts Packers in playoffs after win in Week 17: Facing a fourth-and-8 at the Chicago Bears' 48-yard line with 38 seconds remaining, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit receiver Randall Cobb for a 48-yard touchdown play that helped the Packers capture the NFC North crown. Rodgers had missed seven games with a broken collarbone and Cobb had missed the previous 10 games with a knee injury.
