Fastest Touchdown in NFL History: How Andy Reid let the Dallas Cowboys go up 7 in only 3 seconds

The Philadelphia Eagles found themselves in a position no other team had ever found themselves in before after they went down by a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in only the first 3 seconds of the game. This is how Cowboys lucked into finding themselves in the record books.

Andy Reid’s attacking style has terrorized many in the league. His 4th down call in the AFC divisional round game with a back-up QB is a testament to the same. Reid called a gutsy 4-and-1 call in the final moments of a divisional-round game against the Browns which could have cost them the game, but ended up as one of the greatest postseasons plays in NFL history.

The last time Chad Henne had a passing conversion on 4th down was in 2013, Week 17.

Henne’s 13-yard scramble on 3rd-and-14 was his longest rush since 2013, Week 14. pic.twitter.com/WjKt5cN3MD

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 17, 2021

Andy Reid has never been afraid to put the pedal to the metal during games, but in his fourth year with the Eagles, that aggressiveness historically backfired — against Philadelphia’s biggest rival, the Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys scored a touchdown in the first 3 seconds of the game

In an important Week 6 game in 2003 between the Cowboys and the Eagles, then Eagles’ HC Andy Reid tried to catch the Cowboys off guard by calling an onside kick on the opening kickoff in Dallas. But the plan backfired miserably.

Kicker David Akers kicked the onside kick, but instead of a recovery, Cowboys receiver Randal Williams caught the ball in mid-air and brought it back for a touchdown. The play took only 3 seconds off the game clock making it the fastest touchdown in NFL history. A record that is still standing today.

This wasn’t the first time Reid had called such a play against the Cowboys. In the 2000 season opener, the Eagles successfully executed an onside kick that went on to be a 41-14 blowout victory.

This game was much closer. But the Cowboys got their revenge to win the game 23-21, which means the touchdown was crucial to their victory.

But it’s ok. Andy Reid’s gutsy play calling is what made him the offensive genius he is today. The Eagles also won the division that year and got their revenge on Dallas, winning, 36-10, in Week 14.

 

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