What makes a Super Bowl the best championship game of all time can be measured in many ways. From astonishing interceptions to jaw-dropping forward passes, there are a lot of ways for a game to be memorable. Today, let’s take a look at ten Super Bowls that had the most memorable moments ever played that people still talk about today.
20. Super Bowl 54: Chiefs 31-49ers 20
The Chiefs took a while to get back into the championship, but Patrick Mahomes and company kicked the new era off with a bang during Super Bowl 54. After falling ten points behind the 49ers, Mahomes called from an absurd play that required Tyreek Hill to run a somewhat belated path into the 49ers backfield while Mahomes himself ceded 14 yards to evade getting sacked. When the lane opened, Mahomes catapulted a stunning 44-yard pass to secure a first down that changed the trajectory of the whole game—and perhaps of Kansas City as a dynasty.
19. Super Bowl 46: Giants 21–Patriots 17
During Super Bowl 46, Eli Manning completed a stunning 38-year throw to Mario Manningham with less than four minutes on the clock in the fourth quarter. Manningham proceeded to drive all the way to the end zone for the game-winning TD. This was somewhat overshadowed by the Patriots’ challenge of the play, arguing that Manningham didn’t get his feet down at midfield. Their challenge was overturned, and the rest is history.
18. Super Bowl 32: Broncos 31–Packers 24
John Elway got crumpled the first three times he appeared in the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl 32, he was determined to bring the Broncos to a victory over the Packers. So determined, in fact, that he became a helicopter briefly, spinning around the Packers’ defense while airborne to secure a first and goal that would open up Terrell Davis’s touchdown to put the Broncos ahead and end the game on a high note.
17. Super Bowl 56: Rams 23–Bengals 20
The Bengals, captained by Joe Burrow, made an earnest attempt to salvage the game in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 56. As Joe Burrow angled for a deep touchdown pass that would have been decisive, he was brutally sacked by Aaron Donald of the Rams. Burrow loosed a wide incomplete pass and Donald gloated by pointing to his ring finger, indicating to his opponents that he’d soon receive a Super Bowl ring.
16. Super Bowl 10: Steelers 21–Cowboys 17
The first major sporting event of the Bicentennial year, Super Bowl 10, was a big event. This was the first time two previous Super Bowl winners met in Miami for the championship ring. In a famous play, Terry Bradshaw hurled a 64-yard touchdown pass to Lynn Swann to put the Steelers in front. Meanwhile, Larry Cole of the Cowboys crashed into Bradshaw, knocking him unconscious while the ball was still in the air. Bradshaw became a Super Bowl champion while he was out cold.
15. Super Bowl 3: Jets 16–Colts 7
At the end of the 1968 season, the AFC champion Jets were severe underdogs against the NFC champion Colts. Still, Joe Namath told reporters before the game that he could guarantee the Jets would win. As Namath trotted off the field of the Orange Bowl in Florida, he held one finger in the air. “We’re number one,” it told the world. The Jets’ victory in Super Bowl 3 is widely considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
14. Super Bowl 22: Washington 42–Broncos 10
Doug Williams became the first black QB to ever win a Super Bowl in Super Bowl 22, and he did it in commanding fashion. He was famously sacked in the first quarter, putting stress on his recently-repaired knee. Williams, ever the trooper, bounced back from the bench after two plays and proceeded to use his cannon of an arm to blast out four touchdown passes in a devastating show of dominance.
13. Super Bowl 51: Patriots 34–Falcons 28
Atlanta sports fans were gnashing their teeth in Super Bowl 51 when Tom Brady and the Patriots came surging back in the first-ever Super Bowl overtime, thanks in large part to late-game heroics from James White. The Pats winning from a huge deficit to extend New England’s dynasty was a heartbreaker for many Atlanta fans—and frustrating for football fans who were just sick of seeing Tom Brady win.
12. Super Bowl 44: Saints 37-Colts 17
The final score of Super Bowl 44 doesn’t quite show how close things were for the Colts. Peyton Manning came within 31 yards of captaining the Colts to a game-tying TD only for Tracy Porter to snag a pass intended for Reggie Wayne out of the air, giving the Saints a stunning interception touchdown that closed the door on the Colts’ plans for victory.
11. Super Bowl 25: Giants 20–Bills 19
If that top line looks stressful, it was. Super Bowl 25 was among the closest contests in the history of the championship game, as Scott Norwood kicked just over into wide right, barely missing a 47-yard field goal attempt that would have given the Bills a huge Super Bowl victory.
10. Super Bowl 36: Patriots 20-Rams 17
In the 2001 season championship, the New England Patriots faced the St. Louis Rams, who were favored to win their second straight title. After three quarters, the Patriots led 17-3. With a minute left, the Rams tied the score. With no timeouts, Tom Brady led the Patriots down the field. Adam Vinatieri kicked the winning field goal.
9. Super Bowl 31: Packers 35-Patriots 21
In the 1996 season championship, the Green Bay Packers faced the New England Patriots. The Packers had both the NFL’s top offense and defense. In the third quarter, the Packers’ Desmond Howard returned a kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown. Favre then completed a pass to Chmura for a two-point conversion for a 35-21 lead that held to the end.
8. Super Bowl 43: Steelers 27-Cardinals 23
In the 2008 season championship, the Arizona Cardinals faced the Pittsburgh Steelers. Starting off the fourth quarter, Arizona scored 16 consecutive points, including a 64-yard touchdown by Larry Fitzgerald to take their first lead of the game with two minutes and thirty-seven seconds remaining. The Steelers came back with a 78-yard drive and a six-yard game-winning touchdown by Santonio Holmes.
7. Super Bowl 49: Patriots 28-Seahawks 24
In the 2014 season championship, the New England Patriots faced defending Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks. The game was tied 14-14 at the half. The Seahawks scored 10 points in the third quarter. The Patriots scored 14 points in the fourth quarter. Malcolm Butler’s interception at the 1-yard line ended a Seattle comeback with only 20 seconds remaining.
6. Super Bowl 17: Redskins 27-Dolphins 17
In the 1982 season championship, the Washington Redskins faced the Miami Dolphins. With just over 10 minutes left in the game, the Dolphins led 17-13. Redskins coach Joe Gibbs gambled on fourth-and-one, with John Riggins making a 43-yard touchdown. Riggins was the game MVP and set two new Super Bowl records: Most rushing yards (166) and most rushing attempts (38).
5. Super Bowl 18: Raiders 38-Redskins 9
In the 1983 season championship, the reigning champs — the Washington Redskins — faced the Los Angeles Raiders. At the half, the Raiders led 21-3. Los Angeles dominated thanks to halfback Marcus Allen, who became the third Heisman Trophy winner to be named Super Bowl MVP. He set a then-record of 191 rushing yards, including a then-record 74-yard run.
4. Super Bowl 13: Steelers 35-Cowboys 31
In the 1978 season championship, reigning champs the Dallas Cowboys faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in this rematch of Super Bowl 10 and a battle to be the first club to win a third Super Bowl. Rocky Bleier leaped for a late first-half touchdown, giving the Steelers a lead they never relinquished. Cowboys tight end Jackie Smith dropped a sure touchdown.
3. Super Bowl 34: Rams 23-Titans 16
In the 1999 season championship, the Tennessee Titans faced the St. Louis Rams. With three minutes left, a Titans’ field goal tied the game at 16. Rams quarterback Kurt Warner connected with Isaac Bruce for a 73-yard touchdown. Steve McNair drove the Titans 88 yards. With 5 seconds left, McNair hit Dyson, who was tackled at the one.
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2. Super Bowl 42: Giants 17-Patriots 14
In the 2007 season championship, the New York Giants faced the favored New England Patriots, who’d had an undefeated season. The Giants kept massive pressure on Patriots QB Tom Brady throughout the game. The unforgettable moment was Giants wide receiver David Tyree’s one-handed “helmet catch.” The Giants’ victory is considered one of the biggest upsets in pro sports history.
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1. Super Bowl 23: 49ers 20-Bengals 16
In the 1988 season championship, the San Francisco 49ers face the Cincinnati Bengals. Both offenses struggled throughout the game. The Bengals went ahead in the third with a field goal. In the fourth, 49ers QB Joe Montana had 3:04 to drive 92 yards. He completed 7 of 8 passes, including a winning touchdown to John Taylor with 34 seconds left.
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