The best games of 2017

Sam Darnold became nationally known with an incredible Rose Bowl comeback over Penn State. Down 49-35 in the fourth quarter, the Trojans came back behind Darnold's arm to win 52-49.

Alabama was favored to win the National Championship Game despite ceding play call duties to Steve Sarkisian. Deshaun Watson and Clemson had other plans. Down 24-14 in the third quarterback, the Tigers would comeback behind Watson's great play to win 35-31 on a last-season touchdown pass.

Dallas had home field advantage in the NFC, but Rodgers was able to rally his Packers to a win in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. While Dallas was able to tie the game in the fourth quarter after trailing 28-13, Rodgers drove the Packers into field goal range in only 35 seconds before Mason Crosby kicked a 51-yard game winner.

Washington held a 2-0 lead after one period and extended the lead to 3-0 in the second period before Pittsburgh scored six unanswered goals in the second period. That didn't stop Washington from mounting a comeback, scoring two more goals in the second period. The Pens would eventually take a 7-5 lead in the third period, but Washington tied the game before a Conor Sheary game-winner in overtime to complete an 8-7 win by the Penguins.

Atlanta and New York played all night, with the Hawks winning 142-139 in four overtimes. The stars of the game were Hawks forward Paul Millsap, who had 37 points and 19 rebounds, and Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, scoring 45 points for the contest.

Arguably the greatest Super Bowl ever, unless you're from Atlanta. Tom Brady continued to write his legend by coming back from a 28-3 third quarter deficit against Atlanta to win 34-28 in overtime. Brady won Super Bowl MVP in the process.

Kawhi Leonard and James Harden went head-to-head in a terrific game by both players. They each scored 39 points, but San Antonio emerged with a 112-110 victory.

After backing into the tournament, Michigan was able to out-offense they similarly strong Cowboys 92-91 during regulation in the first round of March Madness. The Wolverines shot 55 percent from three for the game.

No. 1 seeded Villanova was hoping to repeat their 2016 NCAA Tournament title, but Wisconsin stood in their way during the second round. Wisconsin was able to defend their way to a  65-62 win.

Comedian and actor Bill Murray cheered on the 11-seeded Musketeers in their shocking 73-71 Sweet 16 win over No. 2 seed Arizona in the Sweet 16. The Wildcats led by eight points with four minutes remaining, but Xavier won behind the heroics of Trevon Bluiett.

March Madness was on full display in a class Sweet 16 matchup between the Badgers and Gators. Wisconsin trailed by 12 points with 4:20 remaining in regulation, but were able to send the game to overtime on a three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left. Florida drove the ball down the court in overtime with only four seconds remaining while trailing by two points. An incredible running three pointer by Chris Chiozza at the buzzer won the game for Florida.

Tar Heels forward Luke Maye became a legend with a game-winning shot against Kentucky in the Elite Eight to win 75-73. Maye came off the bench in a back and forth matchup to score 17 points and shoot 6-of-9 from the field.

Mississippi State shocked the world with a 66-64 win over the heavily favored Huskies, ending their incredible 111-game win streak in the national semifinals. Morgan Williams hit a game-winning shot in overtime to send the Bulldogs to the Finals.

South Carolina was a bracket buster on their way to the Final Four, and they gave the Zags all they could handle in the national semifinals. Gonzaga led by only two points with two minutes remaining but were able to pull out a 77-73 win, shooting 48 percent from the field.

Westbrook completed his 42nd triple-double of the season in amazing fashion, as the Thunder beat Denver 106-105. He scored 15 points in the final four minutes, finishing the game with 50 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Down 3-0 to the Oilers with less than four minutes remaining, the Ducks scored three goals in 3:26 to send the game to overtime. They won on a Corey Perry goal in double OT.

The high-flying Warriors trailed by 20 points in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Showing that no deficit is insurmountable, Golden State came back to win 113-111.

Boston accomplished the ninth largest comeback in NBA playoffs history by coming back from a 21-point deficit against LeBron James' Cavs. The Celtics won 111-108 on a three pointer by Avery Bradley, closing the series deficit to 2-1.

Volquez made history by throwing 2017's only no-hitter. He blanked the Diamondbacks in a 3-0 victory, allowing two walks and fanning 10.

While it might not have been one of the best MLB games of 2017, it was certainly one of the most memorable. Reds utility man Scooter Gennett hit four home runs against the Cardianls while also driving in 10 runners, as the Reds defeated St. Louis 13-1.

Hill brought a perfect game into the ninth inning against the Pirates before the Dodgers committed an error. He still threw nine no-hit innings, only needing 98 pitches, so Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sent him out for the 10th inning with the game still scoreless. Josh Harrison hit a walkoff home run on the first pitch of the inning, sending Hill to the showers as a loser.

Josh Rosen showed a glimpse of his NFL future with a huge comeback against Texas A&M to open the season. Down 34 points, Rosen led the Bruins on the second biggest comeback in college football history, winning 45-44.

Martinez became the second player in 2017 and the 18th player all-time to hit four home runs in a game when he accomplished the feat against the Dodgers. Arizona won the game 13-0.

Both Tennessee and Georgia Tech opened the college football season with high hopes, and played one of the best games of the year in Week 1. The Vols came back from a 28-14 deficit in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime tied at 28. They emerged as 42-41 winners after two overtimes.

Most entertaining and best are sometimes two different things. Toronto and Boston scored a total of five runs in 19 innings in the longest MLB game of the year. The Blue Jays held a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning when closer Roberto Osuna blew the lead. There wasn't another run scored until the 19th inning, when Hanley Ramirez drove in Mookie Betts. Boston used 12 pitches in the win.

New England opened the NFL regular season against the Chiefs at home, and were heavy favorites after winning Super Bowl LI. The Chiefs had other ideas, led by Alex Smith and rookie running back Kareem Hunt. Hunt was an unstoppable force, scoring three touchdowns and producing nearly 250 yards from scrimmage, as KC won 42-27.

Little did we know the Bulldogs close win over Notre Dame might have decided one of the CFP spots. The teams went back and forth in a defensive battle after Notre Dame led 13-10 at halftime, but a Rodrigo Blackenship field goal with 3:34 remaining put Georgia up 20-19.

There probably wasn't a crazier college football game all season than the contest between Washington State and Boise State. Both teams lost their starting quarterbacks to injuries, and Washington State was able to comeback from a 31-10 deficit in the third quarter and eventually win 47-44 in three overtimes.

The Longhorns defense was able to hold Sam Darnold in check for most of the day but couldn't hold him down in overtime. Texas took a 17-14 lead with 45 seconds remaining with a touchdowns, but USC came storming back with a 31-yard field at the end of regulation. Another field goal in the second overtime gave the Trojans a 27-24 win.

Coming off a tough loss to Washington. Los Angeles established their offense in a barnburner between two first-year head coaches. Todd Gurley had a huge game with three touchdowns, and the Rams were able to escape by stopping a 49ers two-point conversion attempt with 2:13 remaining.

Before he fractured his collarbone, Rodgers led the Packers on another one of his patented comebacks vs. Cincinnati. Down 21-7 at halftime, the Packers won 27-24 in overtime.

New England ran the risk of losing their second straight home game, but Tom Brady wouldn't have it vs. Houston. He threw for 378 yards and five touchdowns, including a 25-yard touchdown to Brandin Cooks with only 23 seconds remaining to win 36-33.

The Giants early nightmare continued, as they went to 0-3 after an improbable 61-yard game-winning field goal by Elliott. While the Eagles led 14-0 at halftime, New York scored three consecutive touchdowns early in the fourth quarter. The Eagles were able to pull out the win after two late Elliott field goals.

A hotly contested matchup with the Cougars and Trojans was tied at 17 going into halftime. The teams went back and forth in the second half, and a Cougars field goal with 1:40 remaining would be the deciding score in a 30-27 win over the No. 5 ranked Trojans. Washington State quarterback Luke Falk threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns.

The Rams established themselves as true NFC contenders after beating Dallas on the road in a thriller. Down 24-16 at halftime, the LA defense stiffened and failed to give up the lead after a Todd Gurley 53-yard reception touchdown in the third quarter. Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein also made seven field goals.

Justin Verlander allowed only one run in nine innings with 13 strikeouts vs. the Yankees in Game 2 of the ALCS, but the game was still tied 1-1 going into the bottom of the ninth. Carlos Correa hit a double off Aroldis Chapman with Jose Altuve standing on first base. The speedy Altuve ran all the way around the bases to win 2-1.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner had big hits all season but none bigger than his ninth inning three-run shot off of John Lackey to win Game 2 of the NLCS vs. the Cubs 4-1.

The Tigers were down 17-0 at halftime, but Memphis star quarterback Riley Ferguson had quite the second half, capped off with a game-winning touchdown with 1:28 remaining to win 42-38. Ferguson finished the game with 471 yards passing.

There hasn't been a wilder finish than the Raiders Thursday night win against KC in Week 7. Trailing 30-24 near the end of the game, Oakland got the ball down to the one yard line with three seconds remaining. The Raiders failed to score twice, but both plays resulting in untimed downs due to penalties on the Chiefs. Derek Carr was able to throw a game-winning touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree to win.

Baseball games don't get much more exciting than Game 2 of the World Series. The Dodgers held a 3-1 lead going into the eighth inning, but the Astros chipped away with runs in the eighth and ninth innings to go into extras. Houston went ahead 5-3 in the 10th before the Dodgers scored two runs on closer Ken Giles. George Springer hit a two-run home run in the 11th to go up 7-5, though Charlie Culberson put the Dodgers within one run with a homer before losing 7-6 in 11 innings.

Trailing 35-20 heading into the fourth quarter, Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett threw three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including two in the final 4:20, to win 39-38 over the undefeated Nittany Lions. Barrett finished with one of the best games of his career, 33-39 for 328 yards and four touchdowns, along with 95 yards rushing.

Week 8 featured arguably the most exciting game of the year as Russell Wilson and rookie Deshaun Watson went head-to-head. The mobile quarterbacks would combine to throw eight touchdowns, culminating with a game-winning touchdown pass by Wilson to Jimmy Graham with 21 seconds remaining. Seattle won the game 41-38.

James had easily the best game of the early 2017-18 season in one of the best games of his career. He finished with 57 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists while making 23-of-34 shots in a 130-122 win.

The rivalry between the Sooners and Cowboys is called Bedlam, and that was an accurate description this year. The two elite offenses did whatever they wanted in a 62-52 scoring fest. Likely Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield threw for 598 yards and five touchdowns, while Mason Rudolph had 448 yard and five touchdowns of his own. Cowboys running back Justice Hill also had 228 yards rushing and two scores.

Alabama was undefeated going into Starkville, and they were severely tested against the Bulldogs. Trailing 24-17 early in the fourth quarter, Alabama got a touchdown with 9:49 remaining and then a six play, 68-yard drive to score the game-winning touchdown with 25 seconds left.

A possible NCAA Tournament preview? College basketball fans certainly hope so after what they witness in late November when the Gators beat the Zags in double overtime. Gators star Jalen Hudson scored 35 points in a game that was tied at 78 by the end of regulation.

The rivalry between UCF and USF lived up to the billing this year with a wild 49-42 win by the Knights. The final 2:21 of the game saw three touchdowns, including a 95-yard kickoff return game winner by Mike Hughes.

Packers quarterback Brett Hundley played the game of his life, throwing for 245 yards and three scores at Pittsburgh. It still wasn't enough to beat the Steelers, as Ben Roethlisberger threw for 351 yards and four touchdowns, while Chris Boswell kicked a game-winning 53-yard field goal.

Just a week after a wild win over USF, UCF's offense wasn't finished. The Knights and Memphis played to a 48-48 tie at the end of regulation after the Tigers closed the game with two touchdowns. Memphis was able to make it back to tie the game, but an Otis Anderson touchdown run won the game in the second overtime.

The rivalry between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati has become one of the most brutal in the NFL, and this game was certainly no exception. Two players (Ryan Shazier and Vontaze Burfict) were taken off the field with scary injuries, and there were also plenty more violent hits. Pittsburgh trailed 20-10 heading into the fourth quarter, but were able to rally and win on a Chris Boswell field goal 23-20.