LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 12: A general view of The Vince Lombardi Trophy and The Pete Rozelle Trophy during the Super Bowl Winning Team Head Coach and MVP Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay North Convention Center on February 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
Over the course of NFL history, there have been some sensational Super Bowl performances. These 10 performances were not quite MVP-worthy, but still outstanding.
10. Damien Williams (2020)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Patrick Mahomes won MVP in this game for helping the Chiefs come back from a 10-point deficit in the second half, but his 2 TD passes were matched by 2 interceptions. Williams’ 132 total yards and 2 TDs – including the game-sealing TD in the fourth quarter – arguably should have made the running back the game’s MVP.
9. Max McGee (1967)
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Fred Williamson (24) chases Green Bay Packers wide receiver Max McGee in Super Bowl I, a 35-10 Packers victory on January 15, 1967, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by James Flores/Getty Images)
The first Super Bowl was the first one to get the MVP award wrong. McGee – who was forced into action following an injury to starting receiver Boyd Dowler – caught 7 balls for 138 yards and 2 TDs in the Packers’ dominant win over the Chiefs.
8. Jake Delhomme (2004)
HOUSTON – FEBRUARY 1: Quarterback Jake Delhomme #17 of the Carolina Panthers tries to shed a tackle by Richard Seymour #93 of the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 32-29. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Our first Super Bowl loser on the list, Delhomme, absolutely shredded an exceptional Patriots defense. His 323 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air helped his underdog Panthers stick with the Pats for the majority of the game.
7. Ottis Anderson (1991)
12 Jan 1991: Running back Ottis Anderson of the New York Giants carries the ball during Super Bowl XXV against the Buffalo Bills at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Giants won the game, 20-19.
The Giants, led by backup QB Jeff Hostetler, were only able to defeat the explosive Buffalo Bills by holding onto the ball and not making mistakes. A big part of that was the running back Anderson, who ran for 102 yards and a score in a narrow victory.
6. Clarence Davis (1977)
PASADENA, CA- JANUARY 9: Clarence Davis #28 of the Oakland Raiders carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Raiders won the Super Bowl 32 -14. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The Raiders halfback racked up 137 yards in a largely defensive battle with the Minnesota Vikings. Although the final score ended up being 32-14 in favor of the Silver and Black, it was largely Davis who kept their offense churning, and he deserved more credit.
5. David Tyree (2008)
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 3: David Tyree #85 of the New York Giants catches a pass over Rodney Harrison #37 of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII February 3, 2008 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The unheralded backup wideout became a cult hero in the Giants’ incredible upset over the undefeated Patriots. He scored the Giants’ first touchdown of the game and then snagged the incredible Helmet Catch to help New York score again and steal the victory.
4. Aaron Donald (2022)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after sacking quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The future Hall of Famer decimated a weak Bengals offensive line every chance he got. Racking up seven pressures, three hits, and two sacks – including the pressure that sealed the game for the Rams – Donald more than made his presence felt.
3. Reggie White (1996)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 26: Drew Bledsoe #11 of the New England Patriots throws a pass while under pressure from Reggie White #92 of the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XXXI January 26, 1997 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana . The Packers won the game 35-21. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The Minister of Defense was insanely destructive in the Packers’ Super Bowl win over the Patriots. White racked up three sacks of Drew Bledsoe, and he was rushing the Pats QB around all night long.
2. Timmy Smith (1988)
(Original Caption) San Diego: Washington’s Timmy Smith (36), who set a Super Bowl rushing record with 204-yards, leap into the end zone, scoring the final TD of the Super Bowl in Washington’s 42-10 victory over Denver.
One of the best running back performances in Super Bowl history. In the Redskins’ 42-10 demolition of the Broncos, Smith ran for 204 yards and 2 TDs, including a 58-yard score in the first half that put Denver away.
1. James White (2017)
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: James White #28 of the New England Patriots celebrates rushing for a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Tom Brady’s 466 yards and 2 TDs helped the Patriots make a famous 28-3 comeback, but if Brady was the offense’s driver, White was the engine. He caught 14 passes for 110 yards and two scores, and rushed for 29 yards and the game-winning TD in overtime.
