Top 10 Biggest Sports Chokes of the 2010s

2020 marked the beginning of a new decade, and with it came even more unforgettable sports moments. But before moving too far ahead, it's worth looking back at some of the biggest choke jobs of the 2010s.

Whether they were the result of overconfidence, cockiness, or just an epic collapse, these are the biggest chokes of the 2010s.
The Top Ten
Atlanta Falcons blowing a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI (2017)

The Atlanta Falcons were looking to win their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. They met the Patriots in Super Bowl LI. The Falcons raced out to a 28-3 lead in the third quarter. Everyone was in shock as the Patriots were getting completely annihilated and exposed. This was so un-Patriots-like. Yet the Falcons got a little too cocky and couldn't manage the game if their lives depended on it. We all know how it ended. The Pats stormed back, forcing OT. They won the coin toss and proceeded to score, thus winning the game.

Cleveland Indians blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 World Series

In 2016, two cursed teams met in the World Series, hoping to end the cursed label put on them. The Cubs had a 108-year drought, and Cleveland had not won a title since 1948. Through the first 4 games, Cleveland was up 3-1 and needed to win 1 out of the next 3 to claim victory. Chicago won the next 2 games (3-2 and 9-3) to force a Game 7.

The Indians started Corey Kluber, who had an 0.89 ERA and a 4-1 postseason record. Dexter Fowler and Javier Baez both hit home runs to take Kluber out in the 5th inning. The game was tied 6-6 going into extra innings and a 17-minute rain delay. The Cubs won in extra innings to win their first World Series since 1908.

Golden State Warriors blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals

In 2016, Golden State was the defending NBA Champion and looked nearly unstoppable with an impressive 73-9 record. In the Finals, they met a familiar foe in the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James. The Warriors won 3 of the first 4 games pretty decisively. However, Game 4 was the turning point. Draymond Green was charged with a Flagrant 1 Foul for unnecessary contact on LeBron James and was suspended for Game 5. The Cavaliers won Games 5 and 6 to force a Game 7.

Game 7 featured 20 lead changes and 11 ties and was the only game in the series decided by less than 10 points. Golden State did not score in the final 4 minutes and 39 seconds, giving Cleveland their first championship in over 50 years.

Virginia Cavaliers losing to No. 16 UMBC in the First Round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament

Virginia entered the 2018 March Madness tournament with 31 wins and ACC champions, earning them the #1 overall seed. They met UMBC, a team nobody had heard of. A 16 seed had never beaten a #1 seed. They were 0-135 against #1 seeds since the tournament expanded to 64 in 1985. UMBC barely made the big dance, only getting in by beating Vermont in their conference championship.

From the get-go, UMBC came out guns blazing, and Virginia was in trouble. Tied at 21 at half, the Retrievers beat up on Virginia to win 74-54.

I remember this thoroughly. Wasn't it by 20 points? The first time this ever happened was a 20-point upset!

USA losing to Trinidad and Tobago and failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup

For being as powerful as we are, the USA is one of the most pathetic when it comes to men's soccer. Being in the top 30 can't be too hard, right? Well, apparently it is. The US had an easy task to advance to the World Cup in Russia. All they had to do was beat the tiny island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, and they're in. Adding even more insult to injury, Trinidad was in dead last with nothing to play for outside of pride. The only thing keeping this from being higher is that nobody cares about soccer here.

Chicago Bears missing a game-winning field goal in the 2018 NFC Wild Card Game (Double Doink)

The Bears came into this game with a 12-4 record, a division championship, and a playoff berth for the first time since 2010. Things were looking bright for Chicago under first-year coach Matt Nagy. They met the 9-7 Eagles, who barely made the playoffs. Everyone expected a deep playoff run. Chicago led 15-10 with just under 5 minutes left. The Bears then gave up a touchdown drive on 4th and 2. They got into field goal range, and all Cody Parkey had to do was make the field goal. He was 3 for 3 that day.

What makes this a choke is he made the first kick, but a timeout was used to ice the kicker. He then double-doinked it, sending Philly on to New Orleans.

Kansas Jayhawks losing to VCU in the Elite Eight of the 2011 NCAA Tournament

In 2011, Kansas had an impressive 35 wins and the #1 seed going against an 11-seeded VCU, who had no business being here. They had to beat Southern California, Georgetown, Purdue, and Florida State just to get here. The Rams were playing in an area overwhelmingly dominated by Kansas fans. KU had an easy route, but VCU dominated from the start. At the time, it was arguably the biggest upset in the tournament.

Kansas City Chiefs blowing a 28-10 lead to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Wild Card Game

Kansas City looked quite promising under new head coach Andy Reid in 2013. They were still in the shadow of Peyton Manning's Broncos but entered this game 11-5 against Indianapolis, who was also 11-5. Kansas City jumped out to a 31-10 lead at halftime and scored a touchdown to give them a 28-point lead. However, Andrew Luck led 3 touchdown drives while KC put up a field goal, making it 41-31.

Indy won because the Chiefs' defense couldn't stop anything and due to Andy Reid's clock management. Thus, the Full Reid label was born. To this day, this game still haunts me.

Cincinnati Bengals fumbling away a lead to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2015 AFC Wild Card Game

The Bungles met an old foe in Pittsburgh. Cincinnati was looking to end their playoff drought with a win. They had a 12-4 record and a division title. They led 16-15 with only a few minutes left. They looked like they were going to end their 25-year winless playoff drought. Pittsburgh even gave them a chance, and they bungled it, giving the Steelers another opportunity. Then Vontaze Burfict got an unnecessary roughness penalty, and Adam "Pac-Man" Jones added to that by hitting the ref, getting an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and handing Pittsburgh the game.

Michigan State Spartans losing to Middle Tennessee State in the First Round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament

The 2015-16 Spartans were considered by many to be a national championship contender. They were a #2 seed and had to face Middle Tennessee State. What should have been an easy win was instead an embarrassing loss for Michigan State. Middle Tennessee never trailed in this game and won 90-81, becoming just the 8th 15-seed to beat a 2-seed.

The Newcomers

? Vegas Golden Knights blowing a 3-1 series lead against the San Jose Sharks in the First Round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs
? San Jose Sharks blowing a 3-0 series lead against the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Contenders
Texas Rangers missing the final strike twice in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals

The final missed strike brought in FOX Sports' Joe Buck to say, "and we'll see you tomorrow night," just like his dad Jack did 20 years earlier.

Its Joeysworld

North Carolina Tar Heels losing to Villanova on a buzzer-beater in the 2016 NCAA Championship Game

In the 2016 NCAA basketball championship, when NC made a shot with 4.6 seconds left, tying the game at 74, Villanova needed a miracle to win without OT. They thought quickly, and Josh Hart made a buzzer-beater, getting the 77-74 championship victory.

Tampa Bay Lightning getting swept 0-4 by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the First Round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Houston Rockets missing 27 consecutive three-pointers in Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors

Just an overall atrocious run by the Rockets that let the Warriors go to the Finals.

Jordan Spieth blowing a five-stroke lead at the 2016 Masters Tournament

In 2016, defending champion Jordan Spieth had a 5-stroke lead with 9 holes to go at Augusta National. He then bogeyed 10 and 11 before hitting 2 shots in the water on 12, finishing with a 7 or a quadruple bogey, which took him from up 1 to down by 3. Although he tried to recover from it, Danny Willett won the Masters in what was a stunning turn of events.

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