It was September 17, 1995, and the Washington Redskins were traveling to Denver to play the Broncos at Mile High Stadium. The Broncos had a new head coach in Mike Shanahan, a rookie running back in Terrell Davis, and renewed optimism after a disappointing 1994 season. In a game that kept the score moving, the Gus Frerotte-led Washington Redskins tied the game. game with a one-yard touchdown pass with only 1:07 left. This brings us to our throwback moment with the game tied 31-31.

After a deep kick by Eddie Murray resulted in a touchback, John Elway and the Denver Broncos started at the 20-yard line with the same 1:07 left. The Broncos were losing their two best receivers in Anthony Miller and Shannon Sharpe, and both Ed McCaffery and Mike Pritchard had returned to the game, despite not being 100%.

First, Elway completed a pass to Terrell Davis for 7 yards. He then hit McCaffery for 19 more, but had to use the team’s final timeout when McCaffery was injured again. After a couple more completions, the number 7 spiked the ball on first down at the 43-yard line, leaving 13 seconds to play. Ultimately, he was down fourth with just 6 seconds to go. With the field goal attempt over 60 yards long, Denver decided to go for the game-winning touchdown.

Just before breaking the group, Elway said, “Rod Smith,” indicating that the ball would come his way. Rod Smith was locked one-on-one with future Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green on the left side of field. On the right side were Ed McCaffery and Mike Pritchard. Elway dropped back into the pocket, then stepped forward to prevent the run and fired a 43-yard dart to Rod Smith, who leapt over the lower Green, caught the pass and landed in the end zone for the winning score. . It was the first catch of Smith’s career that gave the Broncos a 38-31 win over the visiting Redskins. The touchdown pass on the last play of the game will be a memory that will live on forever.