“The Catch” is one of the most recognizable plays in NFL history. In the closing minutes of the 1981 NFC Championship Game the San Francisco 49ers were looking to upset the Dallas Cowboys. With San Francisco facing a 3rd-and-3 on the Dallas six-yard line, quarterback Joe Montana drifted to his right, pump-faked to get defensive end Ed “Too Tall” Jones in the air, and then lofted a pass towards the back line of the end zone that Dwight Clark snared from the sky:
One of the most memorable plays in @NFLHistory.
The Catch.
Rest In Peace, Dwight Clark. pic.twitter.com/BhVwwv1xYR
— NFL (@NFL) June 4, 2018
On Sunday in Chicago, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson channeled Montana for a moment on this scoring strike to Keke Coutee:
Watson and Coutee put the Texans on the board. #WeAreTexans
📺: #HOUvsCHI on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/tvMsTDEOAi pic.twitter.com/AbMhbPfBIP— NFL (@NFL) December 13, 2020
On this play Watson slides to his right and uses a pump-fake to get linebacker Barkevious Mingo to leave his feet. With that extra space the QB slides back to the inside to find his receiver for six points.
The Bears have the early lead, but Watson is always magical to watch.