As demonstrated in Super Bowl XLIX, history can be changed on a single play.

If offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell opts to hand the ball to Marshawn Lynch on that infamous second-and-goal play, Seattle likely becomes just the eighth franchise in Super Bowl history to win back-to-back Super Bowls. Russell Wilson wins his second ring just three years into his career, cementing his status as the best young quarterback in the game. And Chris Matthews becomes a local hero who gets free coffee and maple bars every day for the rest of his life.

As for New England, the Patriots would have endured a third consecutive loss on the grandest stage of them all. Tom Brady & Co. would have gone more than a decade without winning a Super Bowl, fueling the critics who claim their dynasty was more of a product of “Spy Gate” than anyone in the Northeast wants to admit. And Malcolm Butler would still be paying retail price for lobster rolls.

This is the most recent example of a history-altering play, but it is certainly not the only one. Here is a look at three other plays that changed the landscape of the league forever.

Marlon McCree’s Fumble

The Chargers were the best team in the league in 2006. They ended the season on a 10-game winning streak to finish at 14-2. The team featured a league-high nine Pro Bowl players, five of whom were named All Pro. In short, San Diego was stacked. The only problem was the Chargers were coached by the king of postseason heartbreak, Marty Schottenheimer.

This game was full of terrible plays for the Chargers, including a muffed punt by Eric Parker and a bizarre failed attempt on fourth-and-11. But the play that changed history was authored by safety Marlon McCree.

With the Chargers leading 21-13 in the fourth quarter, McCree intercepted Brady on a fourth-down play that should of sealed the win. But instead of going down, McCree tried to return the ball, fumbled and lost possession. The Patriots recovered, went on to score and eventually won the contest, which turned out to be the last NFL game Schottenheimer ever coached.

The Patriots were ousted the following week by Indianapolis.

“Anytime you’re in the playoffs and lose, and certainly I have plenty of experience at it, there’s a disappointment,” Schottenheimer said afterwards.

If McCree simply goes down instead of trying to return the ball, the Chargers not only win the game, but likely the Super Bowl. Remember, San Diego owned Peyton Manning at that time. Manning lost five of six matchups with the Chargers between 2005 and 2010, including both meetings in the playoffs. A win over the Colts would have sent San Diego to the Super Bowl, where the Chargers would have rolled one of the worst Super Bowl teams of all time: Rex Grossman’s Bears.

If things play out that way, the Chargers get their first Super Bowl win in franchise history. Schottenheimer is in the conversation with the greatest coaches of all time. LaDainian Tomlinson gets the ring that evaded him throughout his dominant career. And Manning never gets that elusive Super Bowl victory that quieted his mounting critics, leaving him to be known as the greatest playoff choker in league history.

James Harrison’s Interception 

In Super Bowl XLIII, the Cardinals faced a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line with 18 seconds remaining until halftime. James Harrison faked liked he was going to rush on the play before dropping back into coverage and picking off a pass intended for Anquan Boldin, Harrison returned the ball 100 yards, diving across the goal line as time expired before intermission.

Instead of the Cardinals going into halftime with a 14-10 lead, they went in trailing 17-7. Arizona outscored Pittsburgh in the second half, 16-10, but because of Harrison’s unforgettable play the Steelers hung on to capture the sixth Super Bowl in franchise history, the most of any team. The Cardinals are still seeking their first championship.

The outcome of this game changed history in numerous ways. Mike Tomlin would likely not be the head coach in the Steel City right now without this win on his resumé. Harrison would be known as that guy Roger Goodell loves to fine instead of as a Super Bowl hero. Kurt Warner would have been a first-ballot Hall of Famer, having led both the Rams and Cardinals to the first Super Bowl wins in their franchise histories. And Larry Fitzgerald’s dominant run through the tournament (30 catches for 546 yards and seven touchdowns) would be recognized as the greatest individual performance in playoff history.

Warner was recently asked to compare Harrison’s interception with Butler’s.

“If you look at James Harrison, he’s actually supposed to blitz on that play. So he starts his blitz, gets picked up and ends up falling off to make the interception,” Warner said recently on Arizona Sports 98.7. “Otherwise it’s a walk-in touchdown for Anquan on that play.

“The difference is that (New England’s) corner jumped it from the outside at six yards’ depth. On this play, James Harrison comes from the inside. It has nothing to do with the coverage on the outside.”

Wes Welker’s Drop

The Patriots almost added another trophy to their case following the 2012 season. New England was leading the Giants with four minutes remaining in Super Bowl XLVI, 17-15,  and driving for a score that would essentially end the game. But on a second-and-11 from the Giants 44-yard line, Welker dropped a wide-open pass that would have set up the Patriots inside the red zone. Instead, the Patriots punted two plays later and the Giants drove for a game-winning touchdown, sealing their second Super Bowl win over the Patriots in a five-year stretch.

That first Super Bowl win certainly had its own history-shaping moment in the form of David Tyree’s famous helmet-catch. But Welker’s drop likely had even more significant ripple effects.

“That’s a play I make a thousand times,” Welker said afterwards. “I just didn’t make it.”

A second Super Bowl ring secured Eli Manning’s status as New York’s franchise quarterback (and gave him more rings than his brother, for what that’s worth). Without that second ring, the Giants would not be considering giving Manning another massive extension, as they are set to do at some point later this year. That second ring also bought a lot of security for head coach Tom Coughlin, who narrowly avoided being axed this offseason.

The loss meant no Super Bowl ring for Welker, which severely hurts his Hall of Fame chances. On the bright side, it also meant no Super Bowl ring for Aaron Hernandez, who was New England’s leading receiver that day with eight catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Had Hernandez won a ring that day, it would have been hocked by now to help cover court costs.

Want to talk about more plays that changed NFL history? Join Michael Lombardo for his weekly NFL Chat on Friday at 2pm EST. But you don’t have to wait until then … you can ask your question now!