EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after his team won Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Seahawks beat the Broncos 43-8. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Over the course of NFL history, there have been some sensational Super Bowl performances. These 5 performances were not quite MVP-worthy, but still outstanding.
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.
