The Top 10 Moments in Super Bowl History

The Super Bowl is here, and the Eagles are not a part of it, so it will definitely not be as enjoyable to watch. However, the contest remains a significant part of any NFL fan’s life, for it decides the season’s best team and crowns a select group of players what they were preparing, playing, and working for all year long. As part of a special tribute to the importance of Super Sunday and its hopefully exciting matchup between the Saints and Colts, I compiled a list of the top 10 moments in Super Bowl history for your “pre-big game” pleasure.

10. The Toe Tap: Super Bowl XLIII

Coincidentally, the first on the list of the top 10 Super Bowl moments comes from the most recent of the NFL title games (that of the numerical symbol XLIII, played last year between the Steelers and Cardinals). With only 35 seconds to play in the final quarter and Pittsburgh trailing by 3, QB Ben Roethlisberger fired a pass towards the corner of the endzone, where his young receiver Santonio Holmes stretched out, made the catch, and barely tapped his toes in bounds to legally record the score. After a review of the play by the officiating crew, the touchdown stand, and the Steelers went on to capture their record 6th Super Bowl victory.

9. Elway Launches: Super Bowl XXXII

Despite being 37 years old and roughed up by the pounding Packers’ defense, QB John Elway led the Broncos to their first Super Bowl win in franchise history in part to a spectacular play he made on a crucial 3rd-down situation from just outside his opponents’ 10-yard line. A pass play was designed and called, but when Elway could not find anyone open to throw to, he tucked the ball in and decided to run for himself. After taking a hard hit by Green Bay’s FS Leroy Butler and then absorbing another crushing blow from Mike Prior, the veteran passer spun in the air as if a helicopter would have, and landed far enough down the field that his team was rewarded a first down.

8. The Guarantee: Super Bowl III

While lower-name players were probably more responsible for the reason this moment is where it is, the famous Joe Namath is the one that made it possible. The celebrity-like, media-friendly star had guaranteed a victory in the Super Bowl prior to the game’s beginning, even with many favoring the opposing Colts by roughly 20 points. Nothing but truth came from Namath’s guarantees that day, however, as his underrated New York Jets pulled off a 16-7 upset that also included himself receiving the game’s MVP award.

7. The Diesel’s Conversion: Super Bowl XVII

As a follower of the Eagles, it’s a bit painful to describe a top Super Bowl moment that involves a rival team (in this case, the Redskins), but they deserve some respect for getting to the special game, and this list wouldn’t be the same without them. Facing an intense 4th-and-1 situation in a tight showdown with the Dolphins, Washington risked possibly their chances at a title by going for it. They sure did look good for it, though, now that the outcome has been decided. On what was simply meant to be a short gain for a first, RB John Riggins exploded through the line (thanks to great blocking), broke an attempted tackle by Miami’s Don McNeal and scurried all the way into the endzone for a remarkable 43-yard score. The ‘Skins would take advantage of the momentum shift and go on to win 27-17.

6. Wide Right: Super Bowl XXV

Not only did this 6th moment on the list define a classic title game, but it has also come to define a franchise and their Super Bowl success (or lack thereof). With the Giants up by a single point and a little over 2 minutes to play in the game, the Buffalo Bills squad was led by admired QB Jim Kelly to New York’s 27-yard line. With the scoreboard showing that only 8 seconds remained in the tense game, the Bills brought out their Kicker to capture the win. Scott Norwood, the man expected to boot the ball through the goal posts and give the Bills their first-ever Super Bowl win, missed. From 47 yards out, his field goal try was long enough, but wide right. The failed attempt shocked the Buffalo fans and handed New York their 2nd victory in the big game.

5. Automatic Adam: Super Bowl XXXVI

Knotted up with the fierce St. Louis Rams in the fourth and final quarter, young QB Tom Brady drove his Patriots down the field and into likely field goal range for the team’s Kicker, Adam Vinatieri. With 7 seconds left and the score tied at 17, the strong-legged K nailed a 48-yard attempt and gave New England a remarkable victory that ultimately began what was called a team dynasty in the 2000s. What was even more impressive in this moment was that it came at the expense of a team that was favored by 14 points heading into the game.

4. The Leap: Super Bowl X

Although this moment didn’t exactly have a serious impact on the score, it certainly gave the Steelers a jolt of momentum and excitement while they took on the Dallas Cowboys for the league title. After a short passing play seemed to break down, QB Terry Bradshaw heaved the ball deep into the air for his WR Lynn Swann. Despite being covered tightly by talented Dallas CB Mark Washington, the small receiver leaped high over his defender, tipped the pass and ended up hauling it in as he hit the ground. Known as one of the most acrobatic and thrilling catches in league history, Swann’s feat assisted Pittsburgh in grabbing the win.

3. The Drive of Montana: Super Bowl XXIII

Trailing by 3 points with a little over 3 minutes to play and beginning an offensive series at their own 8-yard line, the chances of the 49ers and legendary QB Joe Montana coming back and winning were surprisingly not favorable. Despite the odds, the Hall of Fame passer drove San Francisco 92 yards and set the team up for a final shot at victory with 39 seconds left. A play designed to go to RB Roger Craig fell apart, and Montana quickly decided to gun a pass into the endzone, where WR John Taylor was headed. The target caught the pass for a shocking touchdown, and the Niners went on to win because of the come-from-behind drive and score, led by the clutch senses of Montana and his gang.

2. The Great Escape: Super Bowl XLII

Also dubbed the “Double Miracle” and various other nicknames, this recent Super Bowl memory is definitely among the best. To begin with, the Giants entered the game against the unbeaten New England Patriots. Secondly, New York’s QB—Eli Manning—was largely known as being a mediocre player at the start of the contest, but wound up beginning this top moment. After miraculously avoiding a mass of Patriots’ blitzers who tugged and pulled at his legs and jersey, Manning tossed a deep pass to relatively unknown WR David Tyree, who hung onto the ball by clutching it against the top of his helmet. The unbelievable play gave the Giants a needed first down and led to the G-Men beating the Pats in one of the greatest Super Bowl upsets ever.

1. The Tackle/One Yard Short: Super Bowl XXXIV (pictured)

Sadly, one of the key members of this moment is no longer around; QB Steve McNair was killed in a murder-suicide last summer. However, his role in this memorable event in the 34th Super Bowl will be remembered forever. With the opposing Rams leading 23-16 and only 6 seconds remaining in the game, McNair and the Titans had time for only one play that would hopefully result in a touchdown. Tennessee decided to run a slant pass play to WR Kevin Dyson, and the end of the play was arguably the most shocking and debated call in league history. McNair threw the ball to Dyson, and as he prepared to cross the goal-line, St. Louis’ LB Mike Jones laid a solid hit on the receiver. Falling to the ground, Dyson made a last effort to stretch his arm and the ball into the endzone, but the referees ruled him short. The Rams celebrated and the game-saving tackle began to earn special spots in the history books, under names such as “One Yard Short” and “The Tackle”.

Moments Deserving Honorable Mention: WR Don Beebe of the Bills chases down and strips Cowboys’ DT Leon Lett of the ball after the Dallas defender attempted to celebrate prematurely and run up the score (Super Bowl XXVII)…RB Marcus Allen of the Raiders cuts back on a run and avoids several Redskin defenders for a 74-yard touchdown (Super Bowl XVIII)…QB Kurt Warner airs a pass downfield towards WR Isaac Bruce, who out jumps Titans’ CB Denard Walker and runs in for a 73-yard game-winning score (Super Bowl XXXIV)…LB James Harrison returns an interception a record 100 yards down the sideline and into the endzone against the Cardinals to close out the first half of play (Super Bowl XLIII).

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I hope that everyone enjoyed looking over this list of exciting Super Bowl moments, and that we can all experience some similar ones when this year’s version of the big game begins.

(picture source)