RZR
Sun-kissed & restless
Now that the dust in Super Bowl XLIV has settled, let's take a look at the Top 10 Super Bowl Performances of all time. This list is compiled by the NFL & NFL Films President Steve Sabol, then aired on NFL Network.
Before we get started, it's important to distinguish between a Super Bowl moment and a performance. A performance is defined as a 4 quarters of stellar game play, 60 minutes of memorable and impressive football. NYG David Tyree's famous helmet catch in the final minutes of Super Bowl XLII is an example of a Super Bowl moment... not worthy of making this list.
QB Honorable Mentions:
*Arizona's Kurt Warner shredded the Steel Curtain with 377 passing yards in SB 43
*Patriots' Tom Brady set a SB record of 32 completions in SB 42 (Drew Brees tied this record in SB 44)
*Steelers' Terry Bradshaw completed 4 TD passes in SB 13
*49'ers Joe Montana threw for 5 TD passes in SB 24
#10 Jerry Rice / 49'ers WR #80 in Super Bowl 23 (vs Bengals)
In Jerry's first SB appearance, he set a new record with 11 rec, 215 yds. Jerry set up the 49'ers for one of the most dramatic comebacks in post-season football. At the 8 yard line, 3:10 seconds remaining, Jerry drove down the field with 3 crucial catches. Everybody on the D knew Jerry was going to get the ball, and he still manages to out play his defenders. On one play the Bengals D put 3 men on Jerry; but instead of stopping him they all collided with each other. Ooops. The reason Jerry isn't rated higher on this list is due to the fact that it wasn't Jerry with the TD catch, it was teammate John Taylor. Many may remember that after this game, Bill Walsh announced his retirement.
Note: Even though Jerry's SB game against Denver was also impressive and Jerry set even more records, this performance made the list because this was Jerry's first SB game.
#9 Joe Namath / Jets QB #4 in Super Bowl 3 (vs Baltimore Colts)
Broadway Joe guarantees a Jets win! Statistically not a great game; only 1 pass longer than 20 yards and Joe didn't throw any in the 4th Q. Overall this was a very boring game. This thrill started with the pre-game press stirring over the AFL's Jets taking on the NFL's favored Baltimore Colts. Namath told the press "The Jets are going to win. I guarantee it!" Its one thing to talk the talk, now he had to walk the walk. And he did, by benching his ego and managing the game. Namath had 17/28 completions for 206 yds and 0 TDs, but he gave the AFL and the Jets their first World Championship win!
#8 Phil Simms / NYG QB #11 in Super Bowl 21 (vs Broncos)
Leading up to the SB game, NYG fans were not a fan of Simms. Plagued with injuries and inconsistency, he finally emerged as the offensive leader of the Giants. Phil completed 88% of his passes (22/25) with 268 yds and 3 TDs, setting SB records for most consecutive completions.This might be the best game a quarterback has ever played," Giants coach Bill Parcells later said. Two of the most famous plays from the game were the flea flicker to Phil McConkey, and the touchdown pass caught by McConkey off of the fingertips of Giants tight end, Mark Bavaro. The Giants defeated the Broncos 39-20, and Simms was named MVP of Super Bowl XXI. He is credited for being the first to use the phrase "I'm going to Disneyland!"/"I'm going to Disney World!" following a championship victory.
#7 Timmy Smith / Redskins RB #36 in Super Bowl 22 (vs Broncos)
In his rookie season Timmy ran his team into the Super Bowl. Known for being overly nervous, his coaches didn't tell anybody (including him) that he was a starter. As the team took the field, they ushered him into the huddle insuring he didn't have time to get nervous. He ran beautifully for a SB single game rushing leader with 204 yds and 2 TDs. Timmy ran the counter tray play over and over. The D wasn't touching him for the first 10 yards of almost every play. His excellent O-line gave him holes that trucks could be run through. He ran the Redskins to a 42-10 victory over the Broncos.
#6 John Riggins / Redskins RB #44 in Super Bowl 17 (vs Dolphins)
"The Diesel" keeps on trucking with a then record of 166 yds rushing. The Fins just could NOT tackle Riggins. He ran over the D all day long, tearing off their arms. They just weren't strong enough to contain him. Riggins made history on 4th and 1, on the 40 yard line. They ran the 70 chip play (a play designed for short yardage gain) except Riggins steamrolled down the field for a TD and the first Redskins Super Bowl victory since 1942.
Who made the Top 5?
Before we get started, it's important to distinguish between a Super Bowl moment and a performance. A performance is defined as a 4 quarters of stellar game play, 60 minutes of memorable and impressive football. NYG David Tyree's famous helmet catch in the final minutes of Super Bowl XLII is an example of a Super Bowl moment... not worthy of making this list.
QB Honorable Mentions:
*Arizona's Kurt Warner shredded the Steel Curtain with 377 passing yards in SB 43
*Patriots' Tom Brady set a SB record of 32 completions in SB 42 (Drew Brees tied this record in SB 44)
*Steelers' Terry Bradshaw completed 4 TD passes in SB 13
*49'ers Joe Montana threw for 5 TD passes in SB 24
#10 Jerry Rice / 49'ers WR #80 in Super Bowl 23 (vs Bengals)
In Jerry's first SB appearance, he set a new record with 11 rec, 215 yds. Jerry set up the 49'ers for one of the most dramatic comebacks in post-season football. At the 8 yard line, 3:10 seconds remaining, Jerry drove down the field with 3 crucial catches. Everybody on the D knew Jerry was going to get the ball, and he still manages to out play his defenders. On one play the Bengals D put 3 men on Jerry; but instead of stopping him they all collided with each other. Ooops. The reason Jerry isn't rated higher on this list is due to the fact that it wasn't Jerry with the TD catch, it was teammate John Taylor. Many may remember that after this game, Bill Walsh announced his retirement.
Note: Even though Jerry's SB game against Denver was also impressive and Jerry set even more records, this performance made the list because this was Jerry's first SB game.
#9 Joe Namath / Jets QB #4 in Super Bowl 3 (vs Baltimore Colts)
Broadway Joe guarantees a Jets win! Statistically not a great game; only 1 pass longer than 20 yards and Joe didn't throw any in the 4th Q. Overall this was a very boring game. This thrill started with the pre-game press stirring over the AFL's Jets taking on the NFL's favored Baltimore Colts. Namath told the press "The Jets are going to win. I guarantee it!" Its one thing to talk the talk, now he had to walk the walk. And he did, by benching his ego and managing the game. Namath had 17/28 completions for 206 yds and 0 TDs, but he gave the AFL and the Jets their first World Championship win!
#8 Phil Simms / NYG QB #11 in Super Bowl 21 (vs Broncos)
Leading up to the SB game, NYG fans were not a fan of Simms. Plagued with injuries and inconsistency, he finally emerged as the offensive leader of the Giants. Phil completed 88% of his passes (22/25) with 268 yds and 3 TDs, setting SB records for most consecutive completions.This might be the best game a quarterback has ever played," Giants coach Bill Parcells later said. Two of the most famous plays from the game were the flea flicker to Phil McConkey, and the touchdown pass caught by McConkey off of the fingertips of Giants tight end, Mark Bavaro. The Giants defeated the Broncos 39-20, and Simms was named MVP of Super Bowl XXI. He is credited for being the first to use the phrase "I'm going to Disneyland!"/"I'm going to Disney World!" following a championship victory.
#7 Timmy Smith / Redskins RB #36 in Super Bowl 22 (vs Broncos)
In his rookie season Timmy ran his team into the Super Bowl. Known for being overly nervous, his coaches didn't tell anybody (including him) that he was a starter. As the team took the field, they ushered him into the huddle insuring he didn't have time to get nervous. He ran beautifully for a SB single game rushing leader with 204 yds and 2 TDs. Timmy ran the counter tray play over and over. The D wasn't touching him for the first 10 yards of almost every play. His excellent O-line gave him holes that trucks could be run through. He ran the Redskins to a 42-10 victory over the Broncos.
#6 John Riggins / Redskins RB #44 in Super Bowl 17 (vs Dolphins)
"The Diesel" keeps on trucking with a then record of 166 yds rushing. The Fins just could NOT tackle Riggins. He ran over the D all day long, tearing off their arms. They just weren't strong enough to contain him. Riggins made history on 4th and 1, on the 40 yard line. They ran the 70 chip play (a play designed for short yardage gain) except Riggins steamrolled down the field for a TD and the first Redskins Super Bowl victory since 1942.
Who made the Top 5?
