With the Super Bowl just days away, we are left with speculation of the outcome. Will this game be a defining moment in Peyton Manning’s legacy? Will Super Bowl 50 provide spectators with a memorable finish or will it go the way of many Super Bowls of the 90s and become a dud?
Let’s hope not the latter.
5 Top Super Bowls of All Time:
Joshua Caudill is a writer for CraveOnline Sports, a surfing enthusiast, an unhealthy sports fanatic, and an expert on all things Patrick Swayze. You can follow him on Twitter @JoshuaCaudill85 or “like”CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Top Super Bowls
-
5. Super Bowl XXIII 49ers 20, Bengals 16
This was the second Super Bowl match-up between the two teams with the 49ers winning the first meeting. The first half was a defensive battle with both teams going into the locker room tied 3-3 at halftime. But that was when things started to heat up.
Late in the final quarter, the Bengals went ahead 16-13 after Jim Breech's 40-yard field goal with only 3:20 left. Then Joe Montana delivered his most iconic performance. Cool and collected, Montana lead the 49ers 92 yards down the field, capping it off with a winning touchdown pass to John Taylor with 34 seconds left.
-
4. Super Bowl XXXVIII Patriots 32, Panthers 29
The two teams' amazing performances were overshadowed by Janet Jackson's nipple when the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" occurred at halftime. Nevertheless, despite a record scoreless drought of nearly 27 minutes, both the Patriots and Panthers would both score multiple times right before halftime with the Patriots leading 14-10.
After a scoreless third period, both teams would combine for 37 points in the fourth quarter. Trailing 29-22, Jake Delhomme's 12 yard touchdown pass to Ricky Proehl tied the game with less than two minutes to go. Unfortunately, on the kickoff, Carolina kicker, John Kasay kicked the ball out of bounds giving the Patriots the ball at their own 40 yard line. The major blunder gave Tom Brady and the Patriots a short field which ultimately lead to a game winning 41 yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri.
-
3. Super Bowl XXXIV Rams 23, Titans 16
There are few Super Bowls that were as dramatic as Super Bowl XXXIV. Kurt Warner and the Rams built a 16-0 lead before Steve McNair and the Titans executed a furious rally to tie the game with a little over two minutes to go in the game. On the very next drive, Warner found a wide open Isaac Bruce for a 73 yard score to go up 23-16. The Titans drove down to the Rams' 10 yard line with six seconds left. On the final play of the game, McNair threw to Kevin Dyson short of the endzone on a slant but was tackled by Mike Jones at the one yard line preventing the tying score.
-
2. Super Bowl XLII Giants 17, Patriots 14
I know, I know. This is No. 1 on almost everyone's list and very worthy of a tie for our top spot.
The Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season and entered the Super Bowl 18-0 against the New York Giants. No team had ever won 19 games in NFL history and no one had gone undefeated since the 1972 Dolphins. The Patriots had made it a point to run up the score on opponents throughout the season on their way to set records for Tom Brady and Randy Moss. Unless you were from the New England area, you hated the Patriots.
The Patriots had not been held under 20 points all season but found themselves down 10-7 late in the game before Brady found Moss in the corner of the endzone for the go-ahead score. Now leading 14-10 with 2:39 to go, the Patriots were already celebrating on the sideline. Who can forget Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau smiling and hugging? Unfortunately for them, it was too soon.
Eli Manning led the Giants on an 83 yard drive which included a circus-like scramble from defenders where Manning threw a 32 yard bomb to David Tyree, which he caught by holding the ball to his helmet. A few plays later, Plaxico Burress would catch a Manning lob in the corner of the endzone for the game winning touchdown with only 35 seconds remaining. The 72' Dolphins rejoiced.
-
1. Super Bowl XXV Giants 20, Bills 19
Super Bowl XXV was during The Gulf War. Patriotism was strong amongst the nation, fans were united and this game was considered a welcoming escape. Plus, Whitney Houston gave the best and most beautiful performance of the national anthem. I dare you to find a better atmosphere or pre-game ceremony.
The Bills entered the Super Bowl as the No. 1 ranked offense. The Giants entered as the No. 1 defense. Something had to budge. With Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, and Andre Reed, the Bills' offense was considered unstoppable.The Giants game plan was to sit on the ball and keep the Bills' offense off the field.
The Giants had the ball for over 40 minutes while limiting the Bills to a little over 19 minutes of possession. The strategy worked. The Giants found themselves on top 20-19 with a little over two minutes remaining. Jim Kelly, with the help of Thomas, would anchor their way to the Giants 29 yard with a series of short runs and passes before Kelly Spiked the ball to stop the clock with eight seconds remaining. Bills' kicker Scott Norwood would trot out for a 47 yard field goal attempt.
Norwood's kick would sail wide right giving the Giants the win. It also, became the inspiration for the tortured character, Ray Finkle, in the comedy "Ace Ventura."
