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The Best Plays for NFL x Dapper NFTs from the 2021 NFL Season

The Best Plays for NFL x Dapper NFTs from the 2021 NFL Season

by Jordan Kligman

11/9/2021

The NFL season is fully underway, and with that, we’ve seen numerous highlight-reel-worthy plays. And soon, some of these plays will live forever on the NFL x Dapper Labs platform.

With NFL x Dapper digital collectibles expected to release during the middle of the 2021 season, Dapper will have some tough decisions on what plays they make as Moments. Plays we want to see include: clutch time passes, contested catches, hard hits, big-time defensive plays, and much more that football has to offer. 

Today, we’ll be looking at one play from each team that we want to see as a digital collectible on NFL x Dapper, plus some other honorable mentions

Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray’s fourth-down conversion against the Minnesota Vikings 

Murray magic! Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray drops back and heaves it to Christian Kirk for the critical fourth-down conversion. A crucial play in the Week 2 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The former Heisman winner finished the day with 430 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns. 

Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts’ one-handed catch against the Miami Dolphins

Leave him 1-on-1, and he’ll burn you. Rookie tight end Kyle Pitts hauls in the spectacular one-handed grab despite contact. The fourth overall pick had a record-setting day, surmounting 163 yards, putting Pitts at 471 yards in his first six games, the most by any tight end in the last 50 years.

Baltimore Ravens

Justin Tucker’s 66-yard game-winning field goal against the Detroit Lions

This one’s for the record books! With the game on the line, Justin Tucker belts a 66-yard kick for the NFL record longest made field goal. The kick bounced off the crossbar and in for the win against the Detroit Lions on September 26, 2021. 

Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen hits Dawson Knox for the TD against the Kansas City Chiefs

After getting eliminated by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2020 playoffs, you can bet Josh Allen had this game circled on his calendar. After getting flushed out of the pocket, Allen makes the Chiefs pay with his cannon of an arm, finding Dawson Knox for a 53-yard touchdown. Allen would round off the day with 350 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns. 

Carolina Panthers

DJ Moore has a spectacular run after the catch

Look at the athleticism! DJ Moore makes an incredible effort after the catch to gain additional yardage into Cowboys territory on October 3, 2021. Moore would finish the contest with eight catches, 113 yards, and two touchdowns.

Chicago Bears

Justin Fields first career TD

The rookie dual-threat quarterback gets it done with his arm. Justin Fields fakes the run, rolls out to the right, and zings a dot to tight end Jesper Horstead for his first NFL touchdown pass. Fields led the Bears to a 20-9 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders, on October 10, 2021.

Cincinnati Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase’s first NFL TD from Joe Burrow

Burrow to Chase — the moment we were all waiting for! The LSU duo doesn’t skip a beat, as Chase turns on the burners for his first NFL touchdown in his debut game. The pair connected on a 50-yard strike and are already proving to be one of the best deep ball combinations in the NFL in just Chase’s rookie season.  

Cleveland Browns

Nick Chubb’s TD run against the Los Angles Chargers

There he goes! Nick Chubb takes the handoff 52 yeards to the endzone in a high-scoring affair against the Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021. Chubb would finish with 160 rushing yards and a score. 

Dallas Cowboys

Trevon Diggs’ pick-six against the Philadelphia Eagles

Dominating your former teammates must be fun! While guarding former college teammate, now Eagles wide receiver Devonta Smith, Diggs jumps the route and intercepts his former college quarterback, now Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, returning it all the way for six. Diggs has been one of the NFL’s best defensive players during the 2021 NFL season, dominating the league in interceptions thus far. 

Denver Broncos

Patrick Surtain II’s first career INT

Patrick Surtain II wasted no time making an impact on the defensive side of the ball. In what is likely to be his first of many, in his first career start, Surtain reads a deep ball from Trevor Lawrence perfectly, and the ninth overall pick comes away with his first career interception. Give him those rookie badges!

Detroit Lions

De’Andre Swift takes a screen 42 yards for the TD

De’Andre Swift is one of the most elusive backs in the NFL in just his second season. Down against the San Francisco 49ers, Swift catches the screen pass, makes a move, and is gone all the way for the touchdown. Swift is tied for the most receptions by a running back in the NFL in the 2021 campaign. 

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers’ “I Still own You” TD against the Bears

When you give Aaron Rodgers time, he’ll make you pay. After looking for the endzone, Rodgers takes off and scrambles for the touchdown before hitting his iconic championship belt celebration. But what really makes this moment special is Rodgers’ memorable response to the crowd after putting the game on ice.

Houston Texans

Brandin Cooks’ 40-yard reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars

Brandin Cooks is always streaking down the field looking for a big reception. With a man in his face, quarterback Tyrod Taylor heaves it up to let Cooks outjump two Jaguars to make the contested grab. Cooks torched the Jaguars for five catches and 132 yards.

Indianapolis Colts

Michael Pittman’s TD against the Ravens

Michael Pittman is proving himself as one of the best jump-ball receivers in the NFL. After quarterback Carson Wentz underthrows the deep ball, Pittman goes up over the defender, plucking it out of the air, eventually powering his way to the endzone for the touchdown. Pittman reeled in six catches for 89 yards and this touchdown in the game.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jamal Agnew’s 109-yard run back TD

“He could…go…all…the…way!” After Cardinals kicker Matt Prater misses the 68-yard field goal, Jamal Agnew returns it 109 yards for the score — making it the longest play in NFL history! Agnew’s cleats from this play are sitting in Canton in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes to Tyreek Hill for Hill’s thirrd TD of the day

It’s impossible to keep up with Tyreek Hill’s speed. To put the game to bed, Tyreek Hill dashes through the Eagles defense and catches a 44-yard touchdown — his third of the day. Patrick Mahomes finished the day with five touchdowns, three going to Hill.

Las Vegas Raiders

Derek Carr to Zay Jones for the win against the Ravens

What a game to cap off Week 1 on Monday Night Football! With pressure coming, Derek Carr lofts a beautiful pass off his back foot to Zay Jones all alone for the win. Carr would end the day with 435 yards and four touchdowns in the overtime win.

Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert to Mike Williams for the win against the Chiefs

When the division rival Chiefs come to town, you know it’s time to step up your game. Quarterback Justin Herbert and wide receiver Mike Williams had a connection clicking throughout, combining on the game-winning touchdown reception with only 32 seconds left. Herbert would finish with 280 yards and four touchdowns, while Williams hauled in seven catches for 122 yards and two scores in the win.

Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp for 59 yards against his former team

Matthew Stafford spent 12 seasons as a Lion, but made sure to show out in his first game facing them as a member of the Rams. Stafford ripped the Lions up down the middle of the field, finding receiver Cooper Kupp for 59 yards late in the third quarter. Stafford completed 28 of 41 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns on the way to a 6-1 start to the season for the Rams.

Miami Dolphins

Jaylen Waddle’s first NFL TD

What an effort from the rookie Jaylen Waddle! Waddle takes a defender on and dives for the pylon for his first NFL touchdown in his first game. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Waddle connected four times for 61 yards and a touchdown in their first game together.

Minnesota Vikings

Kirk Cousins to KJ Osborn for the game-winning TD in Overtime

Going 2-4 or 3-3 is a big difference in the NFL, but Kirk Cousins made sure it was the latter against the Carolina Panthers during Week 6’s overtime clash. Cousins finds KJ Osborn making a run towards the left pylon and delivers a dime for the game. Ballgame, over. And the celebration is just the cherry on top.

New England Patriots

Mac Jones’ first TD pass

Is Mac Jones the answer for New England after Tom Brady’s departure? He’s shown he could be a few times his rookie season. In this play, Jones finds his receiver Nelson Agholor wide open for the easy touchdown, notching the first of his career — a must-add for NFL x Dapper. Jones would throw for 280 yards in his debut as a Patriot.

New Orleans Saints

Hail Mary from Jameis Winston at halftime against Washington

At the end of the half, why not toss it up there? With time expiring, Jameis Winston has his eyes set on the endzone for the Hail Mary and tosses it up where it’s anyone’s ball. He ends up finding Marquez Calloway in a heap of bodies for the touchdown. Winston ended the match with 279 passing yards and four touchdowns.

New York Giants

Daniel Jones to rookie Kadarius Toney againt the Cowboys

Kadarius Toney, welcome to the NFL! Rookie Kadarius Toney breaks out against the Dallas Cowboys, making this spectacular catch en route to a 10-reception, 189-yard night. Toney broke the New York rookie record for receiving yards in a game of 185, which had been established by Odell Beckham Jr. against the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 28, 2014. And what’s better than rookie cards?

New York Jets

Zach Wilson’s first NFL TD

First touchdowns are always memorable — especially for high draft picks like Zach Wilson. Under pressure, Wilson is chased out of the pocket and delivers a picture-perfect pass to the wide-open Corey Davis in the endzone. Wilson would finish his debut with over 250 yards and two touchdowns. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Devonta Smith’s first NFL TD

What a way to start your career! First catch, first touchdown — that’s worthy of every rookie badge, assuming they’ll be on NFL x Dapper. Devonta Smith separates towards the endzone and makes the catch for the touchdown. Smith finished the game with six receptions, tying the Eagles record with DeSean Jackson for the most catches in franchise history for a player in his first career game.

Pittsburgh Steelers

TJ Watt’s forced fumble against the Seattle Seahawks

TJ Watt is the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL for a reason! Watt comes up huge and forces the fumble on Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith in overtime to give the offense great field position. The Steelers would eventually kick a field goal on the next drive to win the game.

San Francisco 49ers

Deebo Samuel’s 79-yard TD against the Lions

The yards-after-catch master is at it again! Deebo Samuel catches a pass and turns on the jets, taking the ball an additional 50 yards after the catch to the house for the touchdown. Samuel had a monster day, piling up nine catches for 189 yards and a touchdown from QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Seattle Seahawks

D.K. Metcalf goes 84 yards for the TD

D.K. Metcalf is an absolute freak. Early in the first quarter against the Saints, Metcalf streaks down the sideline after his man falls down and breaks a tackle, going 84 yards for the score. You can count on Metcalf making a big play like this, time and time again, for a very long time.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom Brady’s 600th regular season passing TD

He’s the greatest of all-time — no questions asked. Brady is the only quarterback in NFL history to throw 600 regular-season touchdowns, and he’s not stopping anytime soon. The reigning Super Bowl champion can only look to add more regular-season touchdowns to his lead on this historic feat.

Tennessee Titans

Derrick Henry’s 76-yard TD against the Bills

It’s nearly impossible to contain Derrick Henry for a full outing — he’s the best rusher in the league right now, hands down. Henry hits the hole and hits the hole hard. The defense can only watch as Henry takes the ball 76 yards clocking in at 21.8 miles per hour during the touchdown run. King Henry would gash the Bills for 143 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Washington Football Team

Terry McLaurin’s sideline catch vs Chargers

We may have saved the best for last with this catch. Look at that concentration! Terry McLaurin makes a fantastic twisting catch down the sideline for a 30-yard gain to put the Washington Football Team in the red zone. Scary Terry ended the season opener with four catches for 62 yards. 

More plays we’d like to see on NFL x Dapper

Compiling this list, one thing was made clear: there are a lot of plays that should be collectibles! Here are some honorable mentions that we’d also like to see on NFL x Dapper:

The best of the NFL coming to NFL x Dapper

With the launch of NFL x Dapper and the talent the NFL boasts, there will be no shortage of memorable moments. If you’re an NFL fan, let me know what plays you’d like to see from your team on NFL x Dapper.