Super Bowl mania is guaranteed to gain a full head of steam as we get closer to February 6th, and while it may be a bit cliche, I thought what the world needed right now was another Top 10 Super Bowl list. Probably one of the most debatable topics in all of sports, this list is open for all of you to engage, react, and list what Super Bowl YOU think belongs on this list and why.
The thing about the Super Bowl is, there's plenty of debate that can be put on the table: Who's the best Super Bowl QB - RB - WR - clutch player - team...you name it, so by all means, don't just talk about this list either, bring whatever debate you want to he table, we have all week.
In the meantime, however, I hope you guys enjoy the list I have created for you and their preceeding videos created by Super Bowl Memories. Now, without further ado, here is my Top 10 list of the greatest Super Bowls of All-Time. And remember, when you're done be sure to leave your two cents below, or just spark up another debate and get the ball rolling.
Enjoy!
10. Super Bowl XIX: Today when we think of Joe Montana and Dan Marino we think of the All-Time greats. So imagine being the person who got to see the two battle it out in Super Bowl XIX. Lopsided by the second half, this matchup is still one of the best in history.
9. Super Bowl III: Super Joe and his historic "guarantee" will forever be ingrained in the annuals of football. It was almost unanimously decided that Joe Namath and the Jets had no chance against Johnny Unitas and the Colts (mainly due to Joe's 49.2 completion rate and whopping 17 INTs on the season) but a guarantee is a guarantee. How many of you knew Don Shula was the coach of the Colts back then? How many of you knew that the Jest head coach Weeb Ewbank was the former coach of the Colts before being replaced by Shula before their historic meeting?
8. Super Bowl IX: The birth of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl Dynasty began in 1975 with their hard fought victory over the Minnesota Vikings. This Super Bowl win was a prelude of things to come from one of the most storied franchises in football history. Led by quarterback Terry Bradshaw, RB Franco Harris, and WR Lynn Swan, the Pittsburgh Steelers would go on to play (and win) some of the most memorable games in Super Bowl history.
7. Super Bowl XXXI: The Green Bay Packers are also a team steeped in Super Bowl history and tradition (so fitting that the two franchises finally square off). And while we can mention Super Bowl I and II, it was Super Bowl XXXI that became one of the most memorable Super Bowls in Green Bay Packers history. Led by then pseudo-rookie Brett Favre, the Packers were considered underdogs in their matchup with the New England Patriots, but the rise of a football legend, and some good old fashion speed, was enough to bring the Lombardi Trophy home after a near 30 year wait.
6. Super Bowl XXV: With New York Giants QB Phil Simms sidelined for the Super Bowl, many felt the Giants were done for (and consequently many thought the Bills would actually pull off a Super Bowl win). The Giants were led by Otis Anderson, and QB Jeff Hostetler, but had a hard time against Thurman Thomas and the Buffalo Bills. It took one of the most climatic missed field goals in history to seal the Bills fate.
5. Super Bowl XXXVI: The St. Louis Rams—led by QB Kurt Warner and RB Marshall Faulk—entered into this matchup as heavy favorites, while the Patriots struggled just to get their QB Tom Brady awake after falling asleep in the locker room prior to the game. But during the game Brady and company were wide awake, and in one of the most thrilling Super Bowl matchups in Super Bowl history, the Patriots finally earned their first victory on Adam Vinatieri's last minute field goal.
4. Super Bowl XXIII: It may have been Joe Montana's third Super Bowl in his career, but it was a win that was three minutes away from being owned by the competition: the Cincinnati Bengals. In the closing moments of the game, Joe Montana orchestrated one of the best game winning drives in Super Bowl history ("The Montana Drive") going 92 yards in 11 plays with a final TD to John Taylor.
3. Super Bowl XV: It was almost a given that the dominate NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles—led by Dick Vermeil and Ron Jaworski—were going to walk into Super Bowl XV and defeat the Oakland Raiders. But the magical season the Raiders were experiencing ended with the Raiders not only being crowned Champions, but also being crowned the first Wild-Card team to win a Super Bowl.
2. Super Bowl I: It may not be the best, but it was the first Super Bowl ever played setting the tone for decades of indelible memories, historic dynasties, and epic defeats. The Packers were favored, and rightfully so, but it was those pesky Kansas City Chiefs (formerly the Dallas Texans) led by Hank Stram—an innovative pioneer in his own right who helped in the creation of Gatorade and the 1970 AFL-NFL merger—gave the Pack something to think about early...but that was it. Vince Lombardi used the small passing game to overcome the stout defensive prowess of the Chiefs for the Packers very first Super Bowl victory.
Among the merger in 1970, it was this victory and Vince Lombardi himself that would be the fuel behind the design of the famous Lombardi Trophy (created by Tiffany & Co. and valued at over $50,000).
The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the most Vince Lombardi Trophies, with six. The San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys are tied for second with five Vince Lombardi Trophies apiece. The New York Giants, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins, and Oakland Raiders are all tied for fourth with three apiece.
1. Super Bowl XXXIV: Many will argue that the upcoming Super Bowl will wind up being the best ever played. Others will argue that Super Bowl XLII was the best Super Bowl played in all of history. And still others will contest other Super Bowls are the best making this debate somewhat unending. For me, however, it was Super Bowl XXXIV.
Prior to their Super Bowl year, the St Louis Rams were a paltry 4-12, and nobody expected the 180 degree turnaround that happened that year. Dick Vermeil had finally put together a team that would give him his highly sought after precious.
Led by undrafted backup / Arena Football and NFL Europe quarterback, Kurt Warner, the Rams put together what is infamously known as the Greatest Show on Turf designed my OC Mike Martz.
On the other side of the field was the Tennessee Titans led by QB Steve McNair, RB Eddie George, and one of the leagues best defenses—a defense that had defeated these Rams earlier in the season.
In the Titans first Super Bowl appearance (only the second for the Rams) the Titans were riding the wave of beating the best team in the AFC at that time: The Jacksonville Jaguars, and were almost certain to come out on top.
But in a game that is typically decided by inches; this game was decided by one yard ending in probably the most dramatic ways ANY football game could possibly end; leaving Super Bowl XXXIV number one in my book.
So, what's your top Super Bowl pick?
