Marshawn Lynch Going ‘Beast Mode,’ Tim Thomas’ Stick Save Among Top 11 Jaw-Dropping Plays of 2011

Editor's note: As 2011 comes to a close, NESN.com takes a look back at the year in sports. Our "11 in '11" series will run during the last 11 days of 2011, reviewing the highs and lows of the memorable year that was.

The great thing about sports is that every once in a while, you see something that makes you stop and say, "Holy cow!"

This year was filled with many of those moments. Narrowing it down to one list is difficult, but from Marshawn Lynch's "beat mode" run against the Saints to Tim Thomas' stick save on Steve Downie to Abby Wambach's 122nd-minute goal, the best of the best eventually stood apart.