Super Bowl LIX will be played on February 9, and in anticipation of that game, here are the 10 best Super Bowl Games of all time.
10. Super Bowl XXXVIII – Patriots vs. Panthers (2004)
In a game that established a dynasty, Tom Brady and the Patriots outdueled Jake Delhomme and the Panthers in a 32-29 shootout. A whopping 37-point 4th quarter ended with a 41-yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri to give the Patriots their second Super Bowl win in three years.
9. Super Bowl XLIII – Steelers vs. Cardinals (2009)
This game featured some unbelievable plays on both sides – James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return TD before halftime and Larry Fitzgerald’s 64-yard TD on a quick slant. But it was Pittsburgh WR Santonio Holmes making a sensational catch in the back of the end zone to give the Steelers the 27-23 victory.
8. Super Bowl III – Jets vs. Colts (1969)
The first time an AFL team won the Super Bowl before the merger. Jets QB Joe Namath “guaranteed” that his team would defeat the heavily favored Colts, and that 16-7 victory proved that the AFL was a worthy opponent of the NFL, leading to the merger of the two leagues in 1970.
7. Super Bowl XXXII – Broncos vs. Packers (1998)
Broncos QB John Elway put everything on the line to defeat heavy favorites Green Bay. On a key third-quarter play with the game tied, Elway leaped into the air for a first down, taking a huge hit that spun him around in the process. The resulting touchdown made all the difference in Denver’s 31-24 win.
6. Super Bowl XXIII – 49ers vs Bengals (1989)
Joe Montana established himself as an all-time great and helped the 49ers win their 3rd Super Bowl of the decade with a two-minute drill of legend. Jerry Rice’s 215-yard day made him the perfect decoy for fellow receiver John Taylor, who scored the game’s final touchdown to give the Niners a 20-16 victory.
5. Super Bowl XLIX – Patriots vs. Seahawks (2015)
An outrageous game with an even more outrageous ending. Jermaine Kearse’s circus catch gave Seattle a huge chance to win the game with a touchdown, but Malcolm Butler’s interception of Russell Wilson on the goal line sealed a 28-24 win. That play will live on forever in Patriot lore – and in Seahawk infamy.
4. Super Bowl XLII – Giants vs. Patriots (2008)
The biggest upset in modern Super Bowl history, the undefeated Patriots had their perfect season ruined by an aggressive Giants defense and an absurd helmet catch from David Tyree. The 17-14 victory gave Eli Manning the first of his two Super Bowls in New York.
3. Super Bowl XIII – Steelers vs. Cowboys (1979)
A classic Super Bowl game filled with Hall of Famers, the Steelers and Cowboys gave it all they had in a race to become the NFL’s first three-time Super Bowl winner. Terry Bradshaw’s 318 yards and 4 TDs helped Pittsburgh win that race with a 35-31 win.
2. Super Bowl LII Eagles vs. Patriots (2018)
No way a backup quarterback could keep pace with Tom Brady, right? Well, despite Brady’s Super Bowl record 505 yards, the Eagles’ Nick Foles tossed for 373 yards of his own to go along with 4 total TDs. The underdog Eagles stayed aggressive and made enough defensive plays to snatch their first Super Bowl with a 41-33 win.
1. Patriots vs. Falcons (2017)
The best Super Bowl of all time didn’t seem like it would be that kind of game after Atlanta raced to a 28-3 lead early in the 3rd quarter. But when it seemed like all hope was lost, Tom Brady answered the call. His 466 yards and 2 TDs helped the Patriots engineer the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, coming from 25 down to snatch a 34-28 overtime victory.
