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)
With the NFL Wild Card Round complete, the Super Bowl is just around the corner – and on the minds of all NFL fans. Here are my top 10 Super Bowl MVP performances of all time.
10. Nick Foles, QB, Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LII vs. New England Patriots (2017)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles catches a second quarter touchdown reception from teammate Trey Burton against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
A backup quarterback outdoing Tom Brady in the Super Bowl? Well, that’s exactly what Foles did for the Eagles in Super Bowl LII. His 373 yards, 3 passing TDs and 1 TD reception helped Philadelphia defeat New England 41-33.
9. Marcus Allen, RB, Los Angeles Raiders, Super Bowl XVIII vs. Washington (1983)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 22: Marcus Allen #32 of the Los Angeles Raiders carries the ball against the Washington Redskins during Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Raiders won the Super Bowl 38 – 9. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The explosive Raiders running back put on a show against the Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII. His 191 yards rushing and 2 TDs – including a brilliant 74-yard carry for a score – helped the Silver and Black crush Washington in a 38-9 victory.
8. Joe Namath, QB, New York Jets, Super Bowl III vs. Baltimore Colts (1967)
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 12: Joe Namath #12 of the New York Jets drops back to pass against the Baltimore Colts during Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl on January 12, 1969 in Miami, Florida. The Jets defeated the Colts 16-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Namath’s statistical day against the Colts was nothing special – 206 passing yards and no scores. But his famous guarantee that the underdog Jets would win Super Bowl III came true, and forever enshrined Namath’s place in NFL folklore.
7. Joe Montana, QB, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl XIX vs. Miami Dolphins (1984)
PONTIAC, MI – JANUARY 24: Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI on January 24, 1982 at the Silver Dome in Pontiac, Michigan. The Niners won the Super Bowl 26 -21. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Montana’s reputation as the best QB in the NFL was called into question against the record-shattering Dan Marino of Miami. However, Montana outdueled the youngster with 331 passing yards and 3 TDs in a 38-16 rout.
6. Terrell Davis, RB, Denver Broncos, Super Bowl XXXII vs. Green Bay Packers (1997)
SAN DIEGO, CA – JANUARY 25: Terrell Davis #30 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XXXII on January 25, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Broncos won the Super Bowl 31-24. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The former sixth-round pick dethroned Brett Favre and the Packers with a massive performance. Davis’ 157 yards rushing and 3 TDs helped John Elway finally win his first Super Bowl.
5. Doug Williams, QB, Washington, Super Bowl XXII vs. Denver Broncos (1987)
SAN DIEGO – JANUARY 31: Quarterback Doug Williams #17 of the Washington Redskins drops back to pass during Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos at Jack Murphy Stadium on January 31, 1988 in San Diego, California. The Redskins won 42-10. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
Not only was Williams the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, he did so with a masterful performance. His 340 yards passing and 4 TDs helped Washington overcome a 10-0 deficit to blow out the Broncos 42-10.
4. Joe Montana, QB, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl XXIV vs. Denver Broncos (1989)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 28: Quarterback Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers sets up to pass against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV at the Superdome on January 28, 1990 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 49ers defeated the Broncos 55-10. (Photo by Gin Ellis/Getty Images)
One of the best performances by a QB in Super Bowl History, Montana absolutely dissected the vaunted Orange Crush defense. Joe Cool threw for 297 yards and 5 TDs in the 55-10 rout.
3. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots, Super Bowl LI vs. Atlanta Falcons (2016)
ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 03: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks to head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots after the Patriots defeat the Rams 13-3 during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The greatest comeback in Super Bowl history was orchestrated by the winningest quarterback in NFL history. Brady tossed for 466 yards, 2 TDs and an interception to complete a 25-point comeback that ended in a 34-28 overtime victory.
2. Jerry Rice, WR, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl XXIII vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1988)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice (80) runs with the football after making a catch and drags Bengals defensive back Solomon Wilcots (41) along the way during the 4th quarter of the 49ers 20-16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. Rice had 11 receptions for a then Super Bowl-record 215 yards and one touchdown, on a sprained ankle, and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. (Photo by Sylvia Allen/Getty Images)
The NFL’s best receiver ever earned his stripes against the Bengals with a magnificent route-running display. His 11 catches for 215 yards and a score helped the 49ers win 20-16 over the Bengals.
1. Steve Young, QB, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl XXIX vs. San Diego Chargers (1994)
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 29: Quarterback Steve Young #8 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates as he runs to the sideline against the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX at Joe Robbie Stadium on January 29, 1995 in Miami, Florida. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 49-26. (Photo by Joseph Patronite /Getty Images)
This could be the best performance by any QB, ever. After finally taking out the Cowboys in the NFC Championship, Young proved that he could replace the departed Joe Montana in the Super Bowl with 325 passing yards, 6 TD passes, and a 49-26 rout of the Chargers.
