The Longest NFL Games of All Time

There’s no denying that the NFL is king for popular sporting events in the United States, which has ultimately led to an extended regular season. While that has tacked on an extra game, it hasn’t extended the length of individual games. So, we’re interested in which NFL games have gone the longest, and we’ve shared a top-five list.

1. Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs – December 25, 1971 (82 minutes, 40 seconds)

The longest NFL game of all time occurred on Christmas Day in 1971 between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. Interestingly enough, they recently had one of the most exciting games in the 2023-24 season over in London, along with a rematch in the postseason.

Regardless, this matchup was over 50 years ago, and that contest had a ridiculous length of 82 minutes and 40 seconds. It was also a significant matchup, not just because of the December 25 date. While the playoffs begin later in today’s NFL, this was a Divisional Round matchup ultimately won by the Dolphins 27-24.

We know what some fans may be thinking, but no, this was not the famous undefeated Dolphins season, which came the following season.

2. Dallas Texans vs. Houston Oilers – December 23, 1962 (77 minutes, 54 seconds)

It may not have been a Christmas Day game, but we’re going to find that around the holidays are when most of the longest NFL games ever occurred. Of course, the postseason coming earlier in years past leads to this, and this matchup was one of those occasions.

While it may not have been a Super Bowl, this in-state clash was the 1962 AFL Championship Game. After blowing a 17-0 lead, the Texans grabbed the victory thanks to a 25-yard field goal by Tommy Brooker. Most fans know that the Houston Oilers would go on to become the Tennessee Titans, but interestingly enough, the Dallas Texans would eventually become the Kansas City Chiefs.

3. Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets – January 3, 1987 (77 minutes, 2 seconds)

We’ve heard of many nicknames and phrases for games and plays throughout NFL history; one is the Marathon by the Lake. It was an AFC Divisional Round between the Browns and Jets – two franchises looking to be on the brink of a return to regularity in the postseason.

It began with a bang, thanks to a 42-yard trick play that saw the Jets strike first, but points were difficult to come by after that. A 22-yard chip shot field goal by the Browns sent the game into overtime at 20-20, but they then missed a 23-yard field goal in the extra session. Eventually, they would hit a 27-yarder in double overtime to advance to the AFC Championship Game.

4. Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos – January 12, 2013 (77 minutes, 54 seconds)

Arguably, the most thrilling of the longest NFL games ever in terms of pure excitement and unlikely plays goes to the AFC Divisional Round in 2012 with the Broncos hosting the Ravens. This would ultimately lead to Baltimore’s second-ever Super Bowl victory, but it looked as unlikely as ever.

This was during Tim Tebow’s time in the NFL, which came with its excitement. It may not have been long-lived, but he engineered some crazy drives, and both teams had incredible bombs back and forth, which led to a dramatic 38-35 finish. Perhaps the most memorable was the 70-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Jacoby Jones that forced the game into two overtime sessions.

5. Oakland Raiders vs. Baltimore Colts – December 24, 1977 (77 minutes, 54 seconds)

Right alongside the 1962 AFL Championship Game is a Christmas Eve matchup, and it also featured two teams that have since evolved into new franchises. The Raiders now reside in Las Vegas, and the Colts reside in Indianapolis.

Before any of those developments was a play so significant in NFL lore that it has its nickname, the Ghost to the Post. It was an intense back-and-forth game that saw more points scored in the fourth quarter than the entire first half, sending the game to overtime tied at 31 points apiece.

As for the Ghost to the Post play, it was a post pattern run by tight end Dave Casper that was a completed pass by Ken Stabler to set up the field goal that would force overtime. Coincidentally enough, Casper caught the game-winning touchdown to send the Raiders and head coach John Madden to the AFC Championship Game.