NFL players devote their entire careers for the right to call themselves ‘World Champions’. As such, the Super Bowl continues to be one of the most-watched events across the globe, year after year.
But unfortunately for fans, the games haven’t always been competitive.
Less than half the Super Bowls before the turn of the century came down to the wire. However, in recent years, fans have been treated to six consecutive thrillers—and counting. Championship games had frequently underwhelmed until Rams LB Mike Jones tackled Titans WR Kevin Dyson at the 1-yard line during Super Bowl XXXIV just 14 years ago.
Even with the blowouts and lopsided scores featured in past decades, there have been some absolute gems as well. We whittled all 47 games down to the 20 best. Let’s count ’em down.
#20: Super Bowl XXXIX (February 2005): New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21
Game in a nutshell: Donovan McNabb allegedly puked; the Patriots made up for lack of receiver talent with stingy defense and timely conversions.
Stars of the game: Terrell Owens broke his leg weeks earlier yet still tallied nine catches for 122 yards. Deion Branch took home Super MVP because I guess they were tired of giving it to Brady.
Lasting images:
For how close a game this ended up being, this Super Bowl strangely lacks any iconic plays. What everyone remembers most is Donovan McNabb (some say) puking, and I’m not about to search for GIFs of that.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6XIln9M2CY]
If America live-tweeted this: (4th Quarter) Looks like a 3rd Super Bowl for Brady and Belichick. How soon will they catch Bradshaw and Knoll @ 4?
Special because: The Patriots were officially crowned a dynasty that day—three titles in four years gave Dallas that same moniker.
#19: Super Bowl IX (1975): Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6
Game in a nutshell: The Steelers’ “Iron Curtain” defense was at its most dominant on the biggest stage. Vikings special teams and “Purple People Eaters” defense managed to keep this a one-score game until late, despite managing just 119 net yards on offense.
Stars of the game: Can we just say everyone that played defense? A safety represented the only score in the first half and the Vikes’ only touchdown came on a blocked punt. Franco Harris did take MVP honors on a 34-carry effort.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBvBqth02aY]
If America live-tweeted this: No one’s scoring. This game is boring as all hell. #Imgonnaturnonmannix
Special because: It was a delight for fans that love defensive-minded Super Bowls.
#18: Super Bowl XXI (1987): New York Giants 39, Denver Broncos 20
Game in a nutshell: John Elway winged it around on New York in the first half, but Big Blue blew them out of the water in the second.
Stars of the game: Phil Simms set a Super Bowl completion percentage record by hitting on 22 of 25 passes, including another record of 10 consecutive. Elway’s 187 first-half yards only netted a 10-9 lead at intermission.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PHjR54cr64]
If America live-tweeted this: (3rd Q) #giants heating up, #broncos got any Elway magic left in the bag?
Special because: We got to watch Lawrence Taylor chase around Elway, while New York’s 30-point second half was quite beautiful.
#17: Super Bowl XXX (1996): Dallas Cowboys 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Game in a nutshell: Larry Brown set up two touchdowns on long interception returns, the second of which killed a potential Steelers go-ahead drive in the waning minutes.
Stars of the game: Neither of MVP Brown’s picks were of spectacular variety, but Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin were each kept relatively quiet.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajqfz42eBTI]
If America live-tweeted this: (4th Q) #steelers utterly dominating 2nd half and get the ball back with about 5 min, bad news for gassed #cowboys
Special because: Pittsburgh fell 13-0 in the hole before practically quadrupling Dallas’ yardage in the second half. Then Neil O’Donnell threw perhaps the most gut-wrenching interception in history.
#16: Super Bowl XVI (1982): San Francisco 49ers 26, Cincinnati Bengals 21
Game in a nutshell: A 49-yard pass from Ken Anderson to Cris Collinsworth put Cincy in position to close their deficit to one score in the second half. As they’re known to do in 1980s, San Fran came through in the clutch; held on for perhaps the greatest goal-line stand in history and this eventually proved the difference.
Stars of the game: Joe Montana won MVP on the back of only 157 yards passing but some extremely efficient work in the first half. Ronnie Lott came up huge on fourth-and-goal in the second half.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nnPsoTYsNk#t=119]
If America live-tweeted this: (Halftime) Montana rattled off the longest drive in SB history, #niners are up 20-0. #bengals must be demoralized
Special because: Watch the video above: That goal-line stand might be the difference between the start of the Niners dynasty and the most epic Super Bowl collapse to this day.
#15: Super Bowl XVII (1983): Washington Redskins 27, Miami Dolphins 17
Game in a nutshell: Miami somehow held a fourth-quarter lead even though it ended with a 400-167 net yardage deficit. Then John Riggins happened on fourth-and-1 from the 43.
Stars of the game: Riggins’ 166 yards on 38 carries represented more offense than either team’s quarterback. Nearly half of Miami’s yardage came on one Jimmy Cefalo catch.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI0XIXJNYo4]
If America live-tweeted this: (3rd Q) #dolphins have to be getting knocked out any minute now. A long touchdown pass, kick return keeping them around
Special because: The Riggo run is an absolutely iconic fourth-and-short, “I’m not going down” type play.
#14: Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004): New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29
Game in a nutshell: Tom Brady capped a wild, high-scoring fourth quarter with his second game-winning Super Bowl drive in three years.
Stars of the game: There is a period in history where Jake Delhomme was a super-clutch postseason quarterback, and he gashed Bill Belichick’s defense here for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately for him, Super Bowl MVP Brady on the other side.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9ffRJr2xsI]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5VMsSXCwuU]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovPd-FRnTrA]
If America live-tweeted this: (4th Q) 14-10 after a dull 3rd Q, can we actually get some scoring here?
Special because: The floodgates opened: 37 combined points in the fourth quarter after just 24 in the previous three. Both offenses found answer after answer in crunch-time. When Muhsin Muhammad’s scoring 85-yard touchdowns, you know it’s special.
#13: Super Bowl XIV (1980): Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Los Angeles Rams 19
Game in a nutshell: Pittsburgh trailed entering both the third and fourth quarter, but somehow traded in the “Steel Curtain” for “Air Coryell” for the win.
Stars of the game: Terry Bradshaw took home MVP honors for the second straight year despite throwing three picks. John Stallworth deserves some love for a 73-yard go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, then another 45-yard grab to help put the game away.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDGTCOCi4ec]
If America live-tweeted this: (4th Q) I’m really starting to like this downfield pass thing. Think we can build more offenses around this?
Special because: An extremely entertaining game: Bradshaw connected on a trifecta of 45-plus yard passes to Stallworth and Lynn Swann in the second half; L.A. regained the lead on a trick play in the fourth quarter. Just an exciting final stanza of football at sunset of the Steelers’ empire.
#12: Super Bowl XLIV (2010): New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17
Game in a nutshell: Saints tied a Super Bowl record by rallying from 10 points down to come back and win. Peyton Manning marched Indy down for a comeback of his own, abruptly ended by a Tracy Porter pick-six to seal the game.
Stars of the game: Sean Payton for calling a gusty onside kick with huge ramifications on momentum (and keeping the ball out of Peyton’s hands). Also, Drew Brees for grabbing regular season and Super Bowl MVP honors.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7LtGOQ6ygs]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t08AGoc3lRs]
If America live-tweeted this: (4th Q) Like clock-work, Manning leads his team downfield in the clutch. We’re heading for 1st Super Bowl OT in history, what more could you want?
Special because: Two teams that narrowly missed undefeated seasons took matters down to the final minutes. If Porter’s pick had happened on Indy’s final drive this would rank higher.
#11: Super Bowl XLV (2011): Green Bay 31, Pittsburgh 25
Game in a nutshell: Aaron Rodgers quickly guided the underdog Packers quickly to 14-0 lead, before Pittsburgh put them on the ropes for two straight quarters. Looking to claim their first lead at the start of the fourth, Pittsburgh watched the game bounce away with a Rashard Mendenhall fumble and a Green Bay touchdown drive.
Stars of the game: The Aaron Rodgers-Jordy Nelson connection terrorized Pittsburgh all day. Rodgers nailed down MVP on the back of a late drive that drained the clock close to two minutes and stretched Green Bay’s lead from three to six. Big Ben and Mendenhall both played very well but were haunted by costly turnovers.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEINLjYTnTE]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWlG0WivVKs]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrVBbx3GeFc]
If America live-tweeted this: (3rd Q) #steelers defense has tightened the clamps, time for #packers rodgers to respond
Special because: Beautiful work in the passing game from both sides and a dramatic momentum swing in the fourth quarter make for a great evening of television.
#10: Super Bowl XLVI (2012): New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17
Game in a nutshell: Giants-Patriots Part II nearly lived up to Part I, except for the let-down of a winning score (as shown below) and lacking the confluence of dramatic factors from the perfect season. But a great game nonetheless.
Stars of the game: Eli Manning capped off one of the all-time great stretches of quarterback play with another gem on the biggest stage, highlighted by a tear drop to Mario Manningham to pull the Giants from deep in their own end on the game-winning winning drive.
Lasting images:
- (GIF via Funny or Die)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyzdxqNXBXw#t=93]
And Patriots fans, look away if you have not already.
- (GIF via SB Nation)
If America live-tweeted this: (4th Q) There’s no way that sideline pass to Manningham just got completed. Absolutely no way.
Special because: A Giants-Patriots matchup in a big game has, for whatever reason, become guaranteed gold over the past five years. Every time: never disappoints.
#9: Super Bowl XXV (1991): New York Giants 20, Buffalo Bills 19
Game in a nutshell: Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick put together an excellent game plan to contain Jim Kelly and the terrifying K-Gun offense. Oh, and, “Wide right!”
Stars of the game: Between Jeff Hostetler’s third-down efficiency and Ottis Anderson’s 100-yard day, New York controlled the clock en route to victory. The Buffalo offense was on the field for less than eight minutes in the second half.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT0r8wBL4QU#t=21]
If America live-tweeted this: (4th Q) Norwood’s missed almost every other kick this season under these distance/environment conditions; Not a high-percentage try by any means
Special because: The only end-of-game kick in Super Bowl history that would decide the winner whether good or no good. And the brilliance of Parcells and Belichick putting their heads together to slow down an incredibly potent offense made this a great game.
#8: Super Bowl XXXVI (2002): New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
Game in a nutshell: Bill Belichick developed the defensive blueprint to match up against “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Sound familiar?
Stars of the game: A sixth-round quarterback in his first season as starter took home MVP. A struggling coach leads overmatched team on arguably the most improbable Super Bowl run in history, capping with a game plan that stopped the most potent offense ever seen. And you can’t underrate that turning-point Ty Law pick-six.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RtV8C3C0yE]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odzc2Ig573g]
If America live-tweeted this: (4th Q) Madden said the Pats should just pack it in and go to OT huh?? @JohnMadden Your an iddiot yah loozah! #bostontitletownisbackandtiltheendoftime
Special because: With all due respect to Super Bowls III and XLII, this is the ultimate David-over-Goliath championship game.
#7: Super Bowl XXXIV (2000): St. Louis Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16
Game in a nutshell: Steve McNair led Tennessee on a 16-point second half rally to tie. Unfortunately, Kevin Dyson ran out of time at the 1-yard line.
Stars of the game: Kurt Warner quit the grocery store and soon thereafter bagged Super Bowl MVP honors. His 73-yard strike to Isaac Bruce in the final minutes put the Rams up for good.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpmuBnBsIJM]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFax45r4YCo]
If America live-tweeted this: (4th Q) If the Titans can get speedy receiver Kevin Dyson matched against linebacker Mike Jones, this game could be headed for overtime.
Special because: The first down-to-the-wire Super Bowl ending, after a decade of mostly duds. The viewing public needed this. And it started a trend of close games fans have come to enjoy today.
#6: Super Bowl XXXII (1998): Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24
Game in a nutshell: Two gun-slinging QBs battled it out, as John Elway out-dueled Brett Favre to finally get that elusive Super Bowl ring.
Stars of the game: Gee, I bet Dan Marino wish he had someone like Terrell Davis. The Broncos executed their zone-blocking scheme to perfection and Davis was more catalyst than beneficiary, racking up 157 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.
Lasting images:
I can’t see Peyton Manning going helicopter this weekend.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkJRaAFzK54]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxTkQm7__Ic]
If America live-tweeted this: Did Elway just get ‘coptered and survive?
Special because: A great see-saw game between two of the nineties’ best squads at their peak. And what casual fan wasn’t happy for Elway that night?
#5: Super Bowl XLVII (2013): Baltimore 34, San Francisco 31
Game in a nutshell: The lights went out in the third quarter with Baltimore up 28-6, stirring conspiracy theories as San Fran surges back late in the second half. A final goal-line stand helped the Ravens hold on, as it ended with a controversial “no-call” on a fourth-down pass to Michael Crabtree.
Stars of the game: Breathtaking touchdowns from Jacoby Jones in both the return and receiving game made him a household name (for “Dancing with the Stars” viewers). Joe Flacco took MVP thanks to the hands of Anquan Boldin and moving the chains in clutch situations.
Lasting Images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKg4cNpdScY]
- The Niners’ last gasp on Baltimore’s game-ending goal-line stand. (GIF via KQED)
If America live-tweeted this: If you called Flacco “human garbage” a few weeks ago, then that was harsh.
Special because: Perhaps the most bizarre Super Bowl, which fittingly decided its winner on a goal-line stand.
#4 Super Bowl X (1976): Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Dallas Cowboys 17
Game in a nutshell: The NFC and AFC’s best teams of the 1970s faced off in Part I, setting a bar that the 1979 sequel just couldn’t reach.
Stars of the game: Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach each led valiant late drives, but Lynn Swann took home MVP honors with incredible circus catches en route to 161 yards receiving.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsLoFjsTkoc]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3AsPRiAN2I]
If America live-tweeted this: (4th Q) #cowboys in range for a scoring heave from Staubach in the final seconds; only if it were 3pt deficit so we could get some OT!
Special because: Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” and Dallas’ “Doomsday Defense” pitted two iconic defensive units against each other and it took an incredible effort from Swann to steal the show.
#3: Super Bowl XXIII (1989): San Francisco 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16
Game in a nutshell: A well-played defensive battle ended with Joe Montana leading a 92-yard go-ahead drive in the final minutes.
Stars of the game: We’d be remiss in forgetting how clutch Roger Craig and Jerry Rice were on that final drive. Ray Horton (2013 Browns defensive coordinator) made a great tackle to temporarily save the game for Cincy, sparked by a great defensive gameplan from Dick LeBeau (current Steelers defensive coordinator).
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Jly6_tMAI]
If America live-tweeted this: (Postgame) I’m thoroughly impressed with Boomer Esiason and the Bengals roster. They’ll be back. This team is talented.
Special because: Joe Montana connected with John Taylor to cap off arguably the most iconic Super Bowl drive in the final minutes of a game.
#2: Super Bowl XLIII (2009): Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23
Game in a nutshell: Ben Roethlisberger fought through broken ribs to answer each haymaker from Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald, hitting Santonio Holmes for a spectacular game-winner in the final seconds.
Stars of the game: I still don’t understand quite how Holmes got his toes down in the end zone; or how Larry Fitzgerald burned Pittsburgh’s secondary up the seam so bad; or how James Harrison kept his balance during his Super Bowl-record interception return to close out the first half.
Lasting images:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=673Fjphntz0]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYSSY7t0kLA]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIgMVg8L7s0]
If America live-tweeted this: (4th Q) OK, changed my mind, put Kurt Warner in the Hall of Fame.
Special because: Removing all context, this might be the most purely thrilling championship game ever played. There were explosive plays on both sides of the ball, and the final four minutes were more wild than any game in Super Bowl history.
#1: Super Bowl XLII (2008): New York Giants 17, New England 14
Game in a nutshell: America invested itself in rooting either for or against this polarizing, undefeated Patriots team, and their blaze into history could not have failed any more dramatically.
Stars of the game: David Tyree had already made a name for himself as one of the league’s most valuable special-teamers, but didn’t find national fame until the “Helmet Catch”—a play for which Eli Manning also deserves plenty of credit in keeping alive as well. He was almost sacked twice, even had his jersey grabbed, but was able to scoot away from the pressure and find Tyree for a big gain on third down.
Lasting images:
- (GIF via Total Pro Sports)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ8mrMJ4Mk8]
If America live-tweeted this: (Postgame) Eli Manning sure is clutch, but #giants d-line even greater. Where’s MVP love for Justin Tuck?
Special because: An 18-0 squad lost to a 9-win (regular season) team that was left for dead by Week 16 and just narrowly made the postseason.
