What makes a football game great? Is it lots of offense? Maybe it is all about defense? Maybe the score has to be close? What if it is your team playing in the game? If you are a fan of the Chicago Bears was the '86 Super Bowl against the Patriots a great game (of course not you dominated every area of that game). So with that being said I have began to do some research and try to compile what I believe the 5 best Super Bowl games of all time.
Before I begin, let me tell you some games that did not make my list...
Super Bowl XXXII - Denver 31 v. Green Bay 24
This game is all about John Elway finally getting the monkey off of his back. I am glad he did, I always hoped he would get his ring. However, the game was mostly blah. Great match up of all time great qb's but there is just not much to this game. If not for John Elway's helicopter dive no one would even remember this game.
Super Bowl XXIX - San Francisco 49 v. San Diego 26
There are lots of things to remember. Jerry Rice catching the 44 long touchdown pass on the 3rd play of the game. Ricky Waters following that up with another long td pass from Steve Young (who was on his was to the BEST SUPER BOWL EVER BY A QB).
Super Bowl XXV - New York Giants 20 v. Buffalo Bills 19
This one was hard. I so badly wanted to include this on my list. I will never forget my disappointment as an 11-year old boy when Scott Norwood's kick sailed wide right (little did I know that was just the beginning of nightmares of wide right that I would experience as a Florida State fan - but that's off the point). I was so sure that the Bills were going to win this ball game. However, when this game is talked about, the 1st thing mentioned is the national anthem. Whitney Houston died an amazing rendition of our National Anthem, but if that trumps the game, it is not a top 5 game all time.
Super Bowl XXIX - San Francisco 49 v. San Diego 26
There are lots of things to remember. Jerry Rice catching the 44 long touchdown pass on the 3rd play of the game. Ricky Waters following that up with another long td pass from Steve Young (who was on his was to the BEST SUPER BOWL EVER BY A QB).
Super Bowl XXV - New York Giants 20 v. Buffalo Bills 19
This one was hard. I so badly wanted to include this on my list. I will never forget my disappointment as an 11-year old boy when Scott Norwood's kick sailed wide right (little did I know that was just the beginning of nightmares of wide right that I would experience as a Florida State fan - but that's off the point). I was so sure that the Bills were going to win this ball game. However, when this game is talked about, the 1st thing mentioned is the national anthem. Whitney Houston died an amazing rendition of our National Anthem, but if that trumps the game, it is not a top 5 game all time.
THE TOP 5 GAMES IN THE HISTORY OF THE SUPER BOWL...
5. Super Bowl XXXVI
New England Patriots 20 v. St. Louis Rams 17
This was the Super Bowl following the attacks on September 11. This was the team who was so unknown they would not even be introduced individually. This was the team with a second year qb who should not have been starting b/c everyone knows you do not lose your job to injuries. They were facing the explosive high powered Rams, "The greatest show on turf". The Pats played their game Ball control, smothering aggressive defense and this kid played not to make mistakes. Who will ever forget as Tom Brady marched on the field with just over a minute left on the clock, the great John Madden says "I would just take a knee a play for overtime." That is exactly what the conservative Bill Bellichick will do, but wait they are throwing the ball and next thing you know the kid has put them in a position for the best clutch kicker in the history of the NFL to win them a Super Bowl, and that's just what he did. People thought going into that game, we were in the middle of the next great dynasty and they were right. Who would've thought the dynasty was the Patriots.
This was the Super Bowl following the attacks on September 11. This was the team who was so unknown they would not even be introduced individually. This was the team with a second year qb who should not have been starting b/c everyone knows you do not lose your job to injuries. They were facing the explosive high powered Rams, "The greatest show on turf". The Pats played their game Ball control, smothering aggressive defense and this kid played not to make mistakes. Who will ever forget as Tom Brady marched on the field with just over a minute left on the clock, the great John Madden says "I would just take a knee a play for overtime." That is exactly what the conservative Bill Bellichick will do, but wait they are throwing the ball and next thing you know the kid has put them in a position for the best clutch kicker in the history of the NFL to win them a Super Bowl, and that's just what he did. People thought going into that game, we were in the middle of the next great dynasty and they were right. Who would've thought the dynasty was the Patriots.
4. Super Bowl XLII
New York Giants 17 v. New England Patriots 14
The UNDEFEATED Patriots. Talk about a formality they had already beaten this team once. They were rolling offensively. The GREAT Tom Brady at qb. This was just a footnote on the way to history, the only problem was nobody told that to the New York Giants. They came to Arizona hearing about the Patriots greatness, the greatest ever. In what is one of the most impressive performances by a unit the Giants defense completely shut down the high power offense. Late in the 4th quarter with the game on the line, it was Eli Manning who lead his team down the field for the victory. Putting a very bad taste on what was possibly the greatest regular season ever.
The UNDEFEATED Patriots. Talk about a formality they had already beaten this team once. They were rolling offensively. The GREAT Tom Brady at qb. This was just a footnote on the way to history, the only problem was nobody told that to the New York Giants. They came to Arizona hearing about the Patriots greatness, the greatest ever. In what is one of the most impressive performances by a unit the Giants defense completely shut down the high power offense. Late in the 4th quarter with the game on the line, it was Eli Manning who lead his team down the field for the victory. Putting a very bad taste on what was possibly the greatest regular season ever.
3. Super Bowl XXIII
San Francisco 49ers 20 v. Cincinnati Bengals 16
The most exciting Super Bowl for the BEST QUARTERBACK EVER Joe Montana (for now at least). Taking his team down the field for the last 2 minutes is what he did best and this was no exception. This was truly greatness at it's best as he drove his team down the field to another title.
The most exciting Super Bowl for the BEST QUARTERBACK EVER Joe Montana (for now at least). Taking his team down the field for the last 2 minutes is what he did best and this was no exception. This was truly greatness at it's best as he drove his team down the field to another title.
2. Super Bowl XXXIV
St. Louis Rams 23 v. Tennessee Titans 16
The greatest show on turf v. the best defense in the league. Kurt Warner's air game against Eddie George and Steve McNair running the ball. The Titans did a great job of slowing down the high powered offense of the Rams. However, with 1:54 seconds left Kurt Warner hit Isaac Bruce to give the Rams a 7 point lead. Oh well, the Titans played great many thought, but who knew the game was just beginning. McNair moved his team down the field masterfully using timeouts, sidelines, and the exhaustion of the Rams. Now with 6 seconds left and no timeouts the Titans were 10 yards away from the first overtime game in Super Bowl history. Quick Slant to Kevin Dyson, he caught it tie game, but out of nowhere (at least that is the way it seems even I watch it now) Mike Jones makes the tackle and the Titans came up one yard short on the BEST ENDING TO A SUPER BOWL.
The greatest show on turf v. the best defense in the league. Kurt Warner's air game against Eddie George and Steve McNair running the ball. The Titans did a great job of slowing down the high powered offense of the Rams. However, with 1:54 seconds left Kurt Warner hit Isaac Bruce to give the Rams a 7 point lead. Oh well, the Titans played great many thought, but who knew the game was just beginning. McNair moved his team down the field masterfully using timeouts, sidelines, and the exhaustion of the Rams. Now with 6 seconds left and no timeouts the Titans were 10 yards away from the first overtime game in Super Bowl history. Quick Slant to Kevin Dyson, he caught it tie game, but out of nowhere (at least that is the way it seems even I watch it now) Mike Jones makes the tackle and the Titans came up one yard short on the BEST ENDING TO A SUPER BOWL.
1. Super Bowl XXXVIII
New England 32 v. Carolina 29
This game had it all. You love defense, neither team could do anything for the 1st 26 minutes of the game. You love offense, the last 34 minutes put you on the edge of your seat. The Patriots finally scored with 3:55 left in the 1st half and that began a great offensive shoot out. The teams combined for 24 points in the final 3:55 of the 1st half. The 4th quarter saw the most points ever scored in a quarter of the Super Bowl, 37. There were lead changes, ties, and dram at the end. What a great way to end a game. Here is a little known fact about this game, Tom Brady (the great Brady who plays so great in big games), threw 3 picks that allowed the Panthers to get back in this ball game. Of course, he got the job done when it mattered the most.
Please tell me where I am wrong. What did I leave out?
This game had it all. You love defense, neither team could do anything for the 1st 26 minutes of the game. You love offense, the last 34 minutes put you on the edge of your seat. The Patriots finally scored with 3:55 left in the 1st half and that began a great offensive shoot out. The teams combined for 24 points in the final 3:55 of the 1st half. The 4th quarter saw the most points ever scored in a quarter of the Super Bowl, 37. There were lead changes, ties, and dram at the end. What a great way to end a game. Here is a little known fact about this game, Tom Brady (the great Brady who plays so great in big games), threw 3 picks that allowed the Panthers to get back in this ball game. Of course, he got the job done when it mattered the most.
Please tell me where I am wrong. What did I leave out?
Until next time...
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