Play That Defined 2020: Tournament Round One

We’ve crowned a play to define every game of the 2020 season but we’re not stopping there. It’s time to define the entire season with a single play. It’s play vs. play as fan favorites face off! As usual, it’s the play that best defines or tells the story of the season, which might not be the best highlight.

Note: Due to the three playoff games it left us with a weird bracket, but thanks to printyourbrackets.com we had a tremendous fillable template for a 19 “team” single-elimination tournament. We begin with the runoff round. The two lowest-seeded away games fight for the privilege to enter the tournament proper. The four lowest-seeded home games do the same. Seeding was determined by the percentage of votes each play received. In the case of the one tie, total votes was used as the tiebreaker.

Editor’s note: In order to vote in the polls, you will need to use a browser on your device. If you’re in a news app, you won’t be able to see the polls.

Before we begin, here’s the bracket for tournament enthusiasts to peruse.

Play That Defined 2020 Bracket - Round 1.pdf

Home Game Runoff One

Kansas City—Third-Down Conversion Allowed

vs.

New York Jets—Josh Allen hits 300 yards with pass to Knox

It’s catastrophe vs. celebration as these two plays square off. The Buffalo Bills couldn’t get off the field in their first contest against Kansas City. Opposite that play, the Jets had the same problem against the Bills in Week 1. Potent offense vs. less potent defense!

Home Game Runoff Two

Seattle Seahawks—A.J. Klein strip sack

vs.

Indianapolis Colts—Micah Hyde Hail Mary defense

A dominant day got only more so as A.J. Klein manhandled Russell Wilson and took the ball away. That play goes up against the Bills’ defense showing off some growth from earlier in the year. It’s a total team effort to dominate the Seahawks, vs. a total team effort to squeak by the Colts.

Away Game Runoff

Tennessee Titans—Josh Allen interception

vs.

San Franciso 49ers—Dawson Knox touchdown

Another catastrophe vs. celebration matchup as the interception meets the touchdown. A wacky schedule led to a very poor outing by the Bills, exemplified by the Andre Roberts drop-turned-turnover. Contrast that to Stefon Diggs selflessly blocking to make sure Dawson Knox got the score.