Every Super Bowl, Ranked From Worst to First
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The Super Bowl has grown from humble beginnings to the behemoth it is today. When the Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I in 1967, a 30-second commercial spot cost around $40,000. In 2020, the number was $5.6 million.
All that growth increased exposure for the players and teams. Some deliver the goods and become legends with their performances in the Super Bowl. Others crumble under the pressure and fade to footnotes.
That's why they play the big game. But not every Super Bowl is created equal. Here's where every Super Bowl ranks, from worst to first.
57. Super Bowl LIII: The Worst of the Worst
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Is there some special refund for watching all of Super Bowl LIII?Date: Feb. 3, 2019
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)
Final score: New England Patriots 13, Los Angeles Rams 3
MVP: Wide receiver Julian Edelman, New England Patriots
Bottom line: Welcome to the worst Super Bowl in history.
This game featured a team that absolutely didn't belong to be there — the Los Angeles Rams, who benefited from the worst blown call in NFL history.
Even in Super Bowls that were blowouts, at least we got to see teams make it into the end zone.
56. Super Bowl XXIV: Swan Song for Joe Cool
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Jerry Rice is the greatest wide receiver of all time, and no one else is close.Date: Jan. 28, 1990
Location: Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Final score: San Francisco 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10
MVP: Quarterback Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
Bottom line: The absolute shellacking of the Denver Broncos was the last of Joe Montana's four Super Bowl wins with the San Francisco 49ers. It also was the last time Denver's John Elway lost in the big game before closing his career with back-to-back Super Bowl wins.
Montana was lights out against the Broncos, throwing for a Super Bowl-record five touchdowns and becoming just the third player to win NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP honors.
Denver might have had a chance with 12 defenders on the field. For every play. But even in that dream, they get crushed.
55. Super Bowl V: The Stupor Bowl
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John Mackey was good. Super Bowl V? Not so much.Date: Jan. 17, 1971
Location: Miami Orange Bowl (Miami, Florida)
Final score: Baltimore Colts 16, Dallas Cowboys 13
MVP: Linebacker Chuck Howley, Dallas Cowboys
Bottom line: How bad was this Super Bowl?
It's still the only time in NFL history where the Super Bowl MVP went to a player on the losing team. Dallas linebacker Chuck Howley got the honor.
The two teams combined for 11 turnovers, including seven from the Colts, and Dallas set a Super Bowl record with 10 penalties for 133 yards.
54. Super Bowl XXVII: Return of the Cowboys
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Troy Aikman wasn't a running quarterback, but this picture is awesome.Date: Jan. 31, 1993
Location: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
Final score: Dallas Cowboys 52, Buffalo Bills 17
MVP: Quarterback Troy Aikman, Dallas Cowboys
Bottom line: The Cowboys won their first Super Bowl in 15 years — and first of three Super Bowls in a four-year stretch — with one of the greatest teams in NFL history.
The Cowboys featured six Hall of Famers: owner Jerry Jones, head coach Jimmy Johnson, defensive end Charles Haley, running back Emmitt Smith, wide receiver Michael Irvin and quarterback Troy Aikman, the Super Bowl MVP.
How about them Cowboys? The same could not be said for the Bills, who lost their third of four straight Super Bowls.
53. Super Bowl XXIX: Ho-Hum, 49ers Win Again
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young was shifty.Date: Jan. 29, 1995
Location: Joe Robbie Stadium (Miami, Florida)
Final score: San Francisco 49ers 49, San Diego Chargers 26
MVP: Quarterback Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers
Bottom line: No one thought the Chargers had a chance of beating the 49ers in the Super Bowl. And that was correct.
The 49ers were a juggernaut and favored by 18 ½ points behind All-Pro quarterback Steve Young. They covered and then some, trouncing the Chargers by 23 points to win their record fifth Super Bowl, breaking a tie with the Steelers at the time for most Super Bowl wins by a franchise.
The blowout loss is as close as the Chargers have ever been to winning the big one.
52. Super Bowl XXXVII: 'Gruden Bowl' Makes Our Eyes Bleed
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This is proof "The Gruden Bowl" really happened.Date: Jan. 26, 2003
Location: Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego, California)
Final score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Oakland Raiders 21
MVP: Safety Dexter Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bottom line: This was the last Super Bowl played in January, which is about the most interesting thing we can say about it.
There was nothing worse than watching Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden win a Super Bowl with a team assembled by Tony Dungy, and against his old team to boot. After the Buccaneers traded for Gruden.
Woof.
51. Super Bowl XLVIII: Nap Time With the Seahawks
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This Gatorade shower actually woke Pete Carroll up from a midgame nap.Date: Feb. 2, 2014
Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Final score: Seattle Seahawks 43, Denver Broncos 8
MVP: Linebacker Malcolm Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Bottom line: This Super Bowl might be best known for generating the most naps in the history of the game.
The Seahawks won their first Super Bowl with the "Legion of Boom" defense and a young Russell Wilson in just his second season as a starter.
They made it back the next year with much different results.
50. Super Bowl XII: Two MVPs Are Better Than One
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Few uniforms could rival the "Orange Crush" Denver Broncos uniforms.Date: Jan. 15, 1978
Location: Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Final score: Dallas Cowboys 27, Denver Broncos 10
Co-MVP: Defensive end Harvey Martin and defensive tackle Randy White, Dallas Cowboys
Bottom line: For the first and only time in NFL history, two players shared the Super Bowl MVP award — Dallas Cowboys defensive end Harvey Martin and defensive tackle Randy White.
The Broncos switched quarterbacks in the second half and got within striking distance in the third quarter, but the Cowboys responded by calling a trick play, with fullback Robert Newhouse throwing a touchdown pass to Golden Richards.
No rings for you, Denver. At least not yet.
49. Super Bowl XL: Steelers Return to the Mountaintop
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Bill Cowher really did win a Super Bowl with the Steelers.Date: Feb. 5, 2006
Location: Ford Field (Detroit, Michigan)
Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10
MVP: Wide receiver Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bottom line: The Steelers were back in the Super Bowl for the first time in a decade and won their first Super Bowl since 1979, tying the 49ers and the Cowboys with five Super Bowls each.
In what should have been a nice twist but became a story pounded into oblivion by the media, Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis played in his final game in his hometown.
A few years later, Bettis was in Canton.
48. Super Bowl VI: Dolphins Don't Like the Cold
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Tom Landry called a trick play in the Super Bowl, which wasn't exactly on brand.Date: Jan. 16, 1972
Location: Tulane Stadium (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Final score: Dallas Cowboys 24, Miami Dolphins 3
MVP: Quarterback Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys
Bottom line: This was the first of five Super Bowl wins for the Cowboys and came after a loss to the Colts in the previous year's Super Bowl.
This was the coldest Super Bowl ever played. The temperature at kickoff was 39 degrees in New Orleans, which put the Miami Dolphins at a huge disadvantage.
Now that's some football weather.
47. Super Bowl XXXV: Trent Dilfer's Shining Moment
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Trent Dilfer didn't need to do much to help the Ravens win the Super Bowl.Date: Jan. 28, 2001
Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Final score: Baltimore Ravens 34, New York Giants 7
MVP: Linebacker Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens
Bottom line: Exactly one year to the day before he was named Super Bowl MVP, Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis was facing double murder charges after a fight left two men dead following a Super Bowl party in Atlanta.
Because of his legal troubles, Lewis was the first Super Bowl MVP purposely not given the chance to yell "I'm going to Disney World!" into the camera after the game.
That honor went to Baltimore quarterback Trent Dilfer.
46. Super Bowl XXVI: Bills Crack Under Pressure
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The Washington Football Team used to win Super Bowls.Date: Jan. 26, 1992
Location: Metrodome (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Final score: Washington Football Team 37, Buffalo Bills 24
MVP: Quarterback Mark Rypien, Washington Football Team
Bottom line: All of the pressure was on the Buffalo Bills headed into the Super Bowl, even though Washington was favored by a touchdown, but Washington jumped out to a 17-0 lead, and the Bills never recovered.
This was also the game that changed how halftime shows were performed. Fox's "In Living Color" successfully stole the halftime audience with a live show that drew viewers away from the game.
The NFL responded by booking Michael Jackson for next year's halftime show.
45. Super Bowl XI: Fourth Time Is Not the Charm
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Jack Tatum's hit on Sammy White still hurts.Date: Jan. 9, 1977
Location: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
Final score: Oakland Raiders 32, Minnesota Vikings 14
MVP: Wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff, Oakland Raiders
Bottom line: This was the fourth and final Super Bowl appearance for the Minnesota Vikings in a seven-year stretch, with all ending in losses.
The Raiders racked up a record 429 yards on offense, and wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff was named Super Bowl MVP.
To this day, he's the only wide receiver named MVP without 100 receiving yards.
44. Super Bowl XXVIII: Buffalo's Date With Infamy
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The Buffalo Bills lost four consecutive Super Bowls in the 1990s.Date: Jan. 30, 1994
Location: Georgia Dome (Atlanta, Georgia)
Final score: Dallas Cowboys 30, Buffalo Bills 13
MVP: Running back Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys
Bottom line: This Super Bowl was notable just as much for the Buffalo Bills losing their fourth consecutive year as it was for the Dallas Cowboys winning back-to-back Super Bowls.
It does beg the question. What do NFL fans remember more? The four straight Super Bowl losses by the Bills or the back-to-back Super Bowl wins by the Cowboys?
How about them Bills?
43. Super Bowl XVII: First We Strike, Then We Super Bowl
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NFL teams only played nine regular-season games in 1982.Date: Jan. 30, 1983
Location: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
Final score: Washington Football Team 27, Miami Dolphins 17
MVP: Running back John Riggins, Washington Football Team
Bottom line: This Super Bowl capped one of the weirdest (before 2020) seasons in NFL history.
Following the worst labor dispute in NFL history, the league only played nine regular-season games, then had a 16-team playoff tournament that ignored divisions.
Washington running back John Riggins won MVP honors by setting a Super Bowl record with 166 rushing yards and adding a 15-yard reception — single-handedly outgaining the Dolphins' entire offense.
42. Super Bowl XV: Jim Plunkett to the Rescue, Part I
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Jim Plunkett went from backup quarterback to starter for the Raiders twice in his career.Date: Jan. 25, 1981
Location: Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Final score: Oakland Raiders 27, Philadelphia Eagles 10
MVP: Quarterback Jim Plunkett, Oakland Raiders
Bottom line: This was the first of two times Jim Plunkett started the season as a backup quarterback for the Raiders and led them to a Super Bowl victory — this time becoming the second Heisman Trophy winner to earn Super Bowl MVP honors.
On the flip side, the Eagles were doomed thanks to the absolute implosion of quarterback Ron Jaworski, who was intercepted three times, all by Oakland linebacker Rod Martin.
It was a magnificent day for Al Davis and his organization, which became the first wild-card team to win a Super Bowl.
41. Super Bowl XIX: So There's Never Been a Super Bowl Home Team?
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The San Francisco 49ers didn't have to go far to play in Super Bowl XIX.Date: Jan. 20, 1985
Location: Stanford Stadium (Stanford, California)
Final score: San Francisco 49ers 38, Miami Dolphins 16
MVP: Quarterback Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
Bottom line: Everyone is getting caught up in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers becoming the first team to play a Super Bowl in its home stadium in Super Bowl LV, but we think the Dolphins might take some umbrage with that.
That's because they had to face the San Francisco 49ers in Stanford Stadium following the 1984 season. It's a whopping 31 miles from Candlestick Park.
The home-field advantage didn't hurt, but the 49ers could have put a whooping on Dan Marino and company in Timbuktu.
40. Super Bowl XIV: No One Will Ever Top Four Super Bowls, Right?
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Lynn Swann was a baller.Date: Jan. 20, 1980
Location: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Los Angeles Rams 19
MVP: Quarterback Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bottom line: The greatest NFL dynasty of its time was cemented when the Pittsburgh Steelers won their fourth Super Bowl in 1980, but it wasn't as easy as the score indicated.
The Rams led 19-17 heading into the fourth quarter before Pittsburgh reeled off 14 unanswered points, starting off with a 73-yard touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw to John Stallworth.
Nine players from this Steelers team are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
39. Super Bowl XXI: World, Meet the Gatorade Shower
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Phil Simms had a brief stint as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.Date: Jan. 25, 1987
Location: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
Final score: New York Giants 39, Denver Broncos 20
MVP: Quarterback Phil Simms, New York Giants
Bottom line: While this wasn't a very good game, it was a memorable win because it was the first Super Bowl for the Giants and their first NFL championship since 1956.
What's remarkable is the Giants trailed at halftime, 10-9, before reeling off 30 unanswered points.
Also cool? It was the game that the "Gatorade Shower" was introduced to America when the Giants soaked head coach Bill Parcells.
38. Super Bowl VIII: Larry Csonka Had a Weird Helmet
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Can you imagine what it would have been like to try and tackle Larry Csonka?Date: Jan. 13, 1974
Location: Rice Stadium (Houston, Texas)
Final score: Miami Dolphins 24, Minnesota Vikings 7
MVP: Running back Larry Csonka, Miami Dolphins
Bottom line: The Dolphins won their second consecutive Super Bowl, but it also had a couple of firsts.
It was the first game played in a stadium that wasn't the home of an NFL team, and Larry Csonka became the first running back to win MVP honors.
The Dolphins jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the first three quarters, and the Vikings suffered the second of four Super Bowl losses in a seven-year stretch.
37. Super Bowl XXXIII: Eugene Robinson Did What?
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John Elway retired after winning back-to-back Super Bowls.Date: Jan. 31, 1999
Location: Pro Player Stadium (Miami, Florida)
Final score: Denver Broncos 34, Atlanta Falcons 19
MVP: Running back Terrell Davis, Denver Broncos
Bottom line: The biggest story of this game occurred in the 24 hours leading up to the Super Bowl when NFL Man of the Year and Pro Bowl safety Eugene Robinson was arrested for trying to hire a prostitute.
The news absolutely discombobulated the Falcons and Robinson, who was somehow still allowed to play and got burned deep for several long passes.
John Elway didn't let it ruin his party and rode off into retirement a two-time NFL champion.
36. Super Bowl XXII: All Hail Doug Williams
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Doug Williams was the first Black quarterback to start in the Super Bowl.Date: Jan. 31, 1988
Location: San Diego-Jack Murphy Stadium (San Diego, California)
Final score: Washington Football Team 42, Denver Broncos 10
MVP: Quarterback Doug Williams, Washington Football Team
Bottom line: This was a blowout win because Washington quarterback Doug Williams torched the Broncos on his way to Super Bowl MVP honors.
Williams threw for a Super Bowl-record 340 yards and four touchdowns and more importantly became the first Black starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
That is something today's generation of fans wouldn't think twice about, but it was a significant achievement in NFL history.
35. Super Bowl II: NFL Keeps Foot on AFL's Neck
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This is a great metaphor for how the NFL treated the AFL in the first two Super Bowls.Date: Jan. 14, 1968
Location: Miami Orange Bowl (Miami, Florida)
Final score: Green Bay Packers 33, Oakland Raiders 14
MVP: Quarterback Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers
Bottom line: Green Bay won its second consecutive Super Bowl with a blowout win over the Raiders.
Packers quarterback Bart Starr cemented his place in NFL history by winning his second consecutive Super Bowl MVP, and Green Bay's dominating performance cemented the football world's belief that the AFL was an inferior league to the NFL.
Of course, it wouldn't take long to shake that idea.
34. Super Bowl IX: Steel Curtain Drawn Tight
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There's a life-sized Starting Lineup action figure of Franco Harris that greets visitors at the Pittsburgh airport.Date: Jan. 12, 1975
Location: Tulane Stadium (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6
MVP: Running back Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bottom line: The score doesn't quite indicate that this game featured two Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Pittsburgh's Terry Bradshaw and Minnesota's Fran Tarkenton, and the Steelers only led 2-0 at halftime.
While Steelers running back Franco Harris was named MVP, it was Pittsburgh's defense that won the game by holding Minnesota to 117 yards of total offense, 17 rushing yards and no offensive touchdowns.
If it weren't for the Steelers (and Chiefs, Dolphins and Raiders), the Vikings might have won a Super Bowl in the 1970s.
33. Super Bowl XXX: Neil O'Donnell's Epic Meltdown
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This was the Super Bowl where a guy named Larry Brown won MVP.Date: Jan. 28, 1996
Location: Sun Devil Stadium (Tempe, Arizona)
Final score: Dallas Cowboys 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
MVP: Cornerback Larry Brown, Dallas Cowboys
Bottom line: It's been 25 years since the Dallas Cowboys beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl, and we're all still wondering — what in the world happened to Neil O'Donnell?
The Pittsburgh quarterback threw two baffling interceptions directly into the hands of Super Bowl MVP Larry Brown that defy any sort of rational explanation.
32. Super Bowl 50: Peyton's Final Stand
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Denver lost the Super Bowl by almost 40 points one year before the Broncos won it all.Date: Feb. 7, 2016
Location: Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Final score: Denver Broncos 24, Carolina Panthers 10
MVP: Linebacker Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Bottom line: The Denver Broncos won their third Super Bowl in Peyton Manning's final game, even though he was barely able to throw the ball more than 30 yards downfield. He can thank a dominant Broncos defense.
Leading the way for that defense was outside linebacker/defensive end Von Miller, one of the few defensive players to bring home Super Bowl MVP honors.
Also notable? NFL MVP Cam Newton's postgame news conference temper tantrum.
31. Super Bowl IV: How Many Turnovers?
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The Chiefs went exactly 50 years between Super Bowl wins.Date: Jan. 11, 1970
Location: Tulane Stadium (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Final score: Kansas City Chiefs 23, Minnesota Vikings 7
MVP: Quarterback Len Dawson, Kansas City Chiefs
Bottom line: It would be 50 years before the Kansas City Chiefs played in a Super Bowl again, and on this day, it was a stifling defense that saved the day for Kansas City and gave the AFL back-to-back Super Bowl wins.
Minnesota was held to just 67 rushing yards and Kansas City's defense forced five turnovers — three interceptions and two fumbles.
As Hank Stram showed us, good things happen when you keep matriculating the ball down the field.
30. Super Bowl XLVII: Who Turned Out the Lights?
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Jacoby Jones ran this kick back for a touchdown, then the lights went out at the Super Bowl.Date: Feb. 3, 2013
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Final score: Baltimore Ravens 34, San Francisco 49ers 31
MVP: Quarterback Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
Bottom line: It's hard to focus on anything about this Super Bowl other than the bizarre blackout that occurred at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome after the Ravens returned the opening kick of the second half for a touchdown and a 28-6 lead.
The lights were out at the Super Bowl for 34 minutes after that and the Ravens held on for the win.
Not that anyone cared.
29. Super Bowl XLI: One Rainy Day in South Beach
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It rained really hard when the Colts played the Bears in the Super Bowl.Date: Feb. 4, 2007
Location: Dolphin Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
Final score: Indianapolis Colts 29 Chicago Bears 17
MVP: Quarterback Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Bottom line: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning got his long-awaited Super Bowl win on a rainy day in Miami that started with Chicago Bears rookie Devin Hester returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown.
Unfortunately for the Bears, they had Rex Grossman at quarterback.
Maybe they should've put Hester back there for a bit?
28. Super Bowl XXXIX: Eagles Turn On Each Other
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The Patriots beat the Eagles for back-to-back Super Bowl victories.Date: Feb. 6, 2005
Location: Alltel Stadium (Jacksonville, Florida)
Final score: New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21
MVP: Wide receiver Deion Branch, New England Patriots
Bottom line: This Super Bowl became much more well known for the fallout of the losing team than for the New England Patriots winning back-to-back championships.
That's because Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb puked on the field with the game on the line and was promptly thrown under the bus by Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens for being out of shape.
With teammates like that, who needs opponents?
27. Super Bowl XLV: Rodgers Gets His Ring
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Aaron Rodgers used to get along with his teammates.Date: Feb. 6, 2011
Location: Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Final score: Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25
MVP: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Bottom line: This was an old-school Super Bowl matching up two of the most storied franchises in NFL history — the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The game served as sort of a coronation for Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns and was named Super Bowl MVP in front of a crowd of just over 103,000 at Cowboys Stadium.
That seems like a long time ago now.
26. Super Bowl XLIV: This One's For New Orleans
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No Super Bowl meant more to a city than when the New Orleans Saints won.Date: Feb. 7, 2010
Location: Sun Life Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
Final score: New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17
MVP: Quarterback Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Bottom line: The score doesn't indicate a very good game, but please believe that this meant as much as almost any Super Bowl win in NFL history.
That's because it went to the New Orleans Saints, who had spent most of their history as the laughingstock of the NFL.
They found new life with free-agent quarterback Drew Brees, who put the team and the city on his back after the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
25. Super Bowl XVIII: Watch Marcus Run
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Spoiler alert: They weren't able to catch Marcus Allen.Date: Jan. 22, 1984
Location: Tampa Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Final score: Los Angeles Raiders 38, Washington Football Team 9
MVP: Running back Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders
Bottom line: This game might seem a little high on the list for a blowout win, but it was remarkable for several reasons.
First, because of Los Angeles running back Marcus Allen, who turned in one of the greatest performances in Super Bowl history with 191 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries along with two catches for 19 yards.
It was also the last time the AFC won a Super Bowl for 13 years.
24. Super Bowl XXXVIII: 'Wardrobe Malfunction' Overshadows Game
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The Bill Belichick-Tom Brady combo was dominant.Date: Feb. 1, 2004
Location: Reliant Stadium (Houston, Texas)
Final score: New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29
MVP: Quarterback Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Bottom line: A few times in Super Bowl history, an incident outside of the game itself overshadows the game. That happened this year.
At halftime of the second Super Bowl win by the Patriots in three years, Janet Jackson performed with Justin Timberlake and her "wardrobe malfunction" became an international controversy.
That's too bad because it was a great game — Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri nailed a 41-yard field goal with four seconds left for the win.
23. Super Bowl LV: Tom Brady, Bucs Silence the Haters
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski and quarterback Tom Brady celebrate after winning Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Florida.Date: Feb. 7, 2021
Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Final score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, Kansas City Chiefs 9
MVP: Quarterback Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bottom line: Tom Brady shocked the world by leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl win in his first season with the team. At 43 years old, Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the fifth time and won his record seventh Super Bowl.
With the Buccaneers playing at home for the first time in NFL history for a Super Bowl, Brady got a big lift from his longtime running mate, connecting with tight end Rob Gronkowski for two touchdowns.
The real star of the game was the Tampa Bay defense, which kept the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes out of the end zone.
22. Super Bowl XXXI: Return of the Pack
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This was a fun day for the Packers and a long day at the office for the Patriots.Date: Jan. 26, 1997
Location: Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Final score: Green Bay Packers 35, New England Patriots 21
MVP: Kick returner/punt returner Desmond Howard, Green Bay Packers
Bottom line: Memories of this Super Bowl all tie directly back to Brett Favre taking his helmet off on the field after throwing a touchdown and running like a madman in the first half. Yes, kids, there was a time you could take your helmet off on the field and not get flagged.
It was Green Bay return specialist Desmond Howard who ended up with MVP honors, becoming the only special teams player to win the award as he racked up 244 return yards and had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second half.
Good times for Packers fans.
21. Super Bowl LIV: Crowning the New King
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Patrick Mahomes went to the bank and Disneyland after this win.Date: Feb. 2, 2020
Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
Final score: Kansas City Chiefs 31, San Francisco 49ers 20
MVP: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Bottom line: The first Super Bowl win in 50 years for the Kansas City Chiefs came thanks to a comeback led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was in just his second season as a starter.
The Chiefs rewarded him like a king in the offseason, granting him a 10-year contract worth just over $500 million.
Not bad for your first three seasons in the league.
20. Super Bowl I: Where It All Began
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This is how it all started.Date: Jan. 15, 1967
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles, California)
Final score: Green Bay Packers 35, Kansas City Chiefs 10
MVP: Quarterback Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers
Bottom line: The game was remarkable for being the first Super Bowl and for the sheer hatred that existed between the AFL and NFL headed into the game.
In a weird twist, the game also was broadcast on both NBC and CBS simultaneously. The game was competitive until halftime, when the Packers pulled away and outscored the Chiefs 21-0.
But the die was cast, and the NFL's fortunes would never be the same.
19. Super Bowl LVI: I Love L.A.
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Los Angeles Rams teammates Andrew Whitworth and Cooper Kupp celebrate after winning Super Bowl LVI.Date: Feb. 13, 2022
Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Final score: Los Angeles Rams 23, Cincinnati Bengals 20
MVP: Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Bottom line: After several years of declining ratings, Super Bowl LVI was a massive hit, bringing in an estimated 112.3 million viewers to make the Los Angeles Rams' 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals the second-most-watched Super Bowl in history.
On the field, the Rams needed a come-from-behind win to take down the Bengals, capped by a 1-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp for the game-winning score with 1:25 left to play.
Kupp winning the MVP was the only quibble on the game itself. It should have been Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald, who dominated from start to finish and came up with the pressure that ended the game on 4th-and-1 for the Bengals.
18. Super Bowl VII: Don't Forget the Champagne
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Can you feel the super-ness? Date: Jan. 14, 1973
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles, California)
Final score: Miami Dolphins 14, Washington Football Team 7
MVP: Safety Jake Scott, Miami Dolphins
Bottom line: The Miami Dolphins capped the only unbeaten season in NFL history with a ho-hum win over Washington in which they didn't even score in the second half.
Miami safety Jake Scott had two interceptions to win MVP honors, and to this day, members of the team still have a champagne toast when the final unbeaten NFL team loses.
Why not? They remain one of the most iconic teams in sports history.
17. Super Bowl XX: We're Just Here to Do the Super Bowl Shuffle
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Mike Ditka. Da Bears. Da champions.Date: Jan. 26, 1986
Location: Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Final score: Chicago Bears 46, New England Patriots 10
MVP: Defensive end Richard Dent, Chicago Bears
Bottom line: We are putting this blowout so high up the list based solely on the massive amount of swag the Chicago Bears carried themselves with — perhaps the most charismatic assembly of NFL talent and personalities of all time.
In fitting fashion for what's thought of as the greatest defense of all time, Chicago defensive end Richard Dent was named Super Bowl MVP with 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked pass.
Few NFL teams have a legitimate claim to being the greatest of all time, but the 1985 Chicago Bears are in that conversation.
16. Super Bowl XVI: Gateway to a Dynasty
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Let the glory begin.Date: Jan. 24, 1982
Location: Pontiac Silverdome (Pontiac, Michigan)
Final score: San Francisco 49ers 26, Cincinnati Bengals 21
MVP: Quarterback Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
Bottom line: The first Super Bowl played in a cold-weather state was played in a dome and was one of the most-watched television events in American history, with an estimated 85 million households tuning in.
What those fans got to see was the start of the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty, with Joe Montana winning MVP honors, even though he only threw for 157 yards and one touchdown.
It was a case of quality of quantity. It's not always how many yards you throw for, but when you for them.
15. Super Bowl LII: Dial Up The Philly Special
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Hi, Mom.Date: Feb. 4, 2018
Location: U.S Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Final score: Philadelphia Eagles 41, New England Patriots 33
MVP: Quarterback Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles
Bottom line: The Philadelphia Eagles weren't the first team to win a Super Bowl with a backup quarterback. They were just the first to have that quarterback catch a touchdown pass, which Nick Foles did on the way to Super Bowl MVP honors.
If not for a last-second stop by the Eagles, the Patriots probably win three consecutive Super Bowls.
That's why football is a game of inches.
14. Super Bowl XLVI: Rematch of the Century
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Don't let the "aw shucks" act fool you.Date: Feb. 5, 2012
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Final score: New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17
MVP: Quarterback Eli Manning, New York Giants
Bottom line: Four years after the Giants produced one of the greatest upsets in sports history against the Patriots, we got the rematch. And the two teams delivered once again.
With an estimated 166 million people tuning in to the broadcast, Eli Manning once again seemed to pull a Super Bowl out of thin air — the Giants had only gone 9-7 during the regular season and barely snuck into the playoffs.
Eli Manning 2, Tom Brady 0. In Super Bowls. But Manning doesn't claim any bragging rights over Brady.
13. Super Bowl XLIII: Rumble, Big Man, Rumble
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Add another Lombardi Trophy for the Steelers.Date: Feb. 1, 2009
Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23
MVP: Wide receiver Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bottom line: We will always love this game because it featured one of the greatest defensive plays in NFL history when Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison — all 270 pounds of him — returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown as time ran out in the first half.
Anybody else think it's strange that Ben Roethlisberger won two Super Bowls and wasn't MVP in either of them?
But, hey, he's got two rings and isn't complaining.
12. Super Bowl XIII: That's How You Spell M-V-P
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Here's the quarterback who got the Steelers started.Date: Jan. 21, 1979
Location: Miami Orange Bowl (Miami, Florida)
Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 35, Dallas Cowboys 31
MVP: Quarterback Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bottom line: This game was known most for a beef between two players. Dallas linebacker Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson said Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw was so dumb he couldn't spell "cat" before the game.
After Bradshaw set Super Bowl records with 318 passing yards and four touchdowns he told reporters to ask Henderson if he could spell "M-V-P."
Advantage, Bradshaw.
11. Super Bowl XLIX: What Were They Thinking?
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That would be four championships for the Patriots.Date: Feb. 1, 2015
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Final score: New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24
MVP: QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Bottom line: Will we ever know the true story behind Seattle's disastrous goal-line call to throw the ball with the game on the line? Probably not, and it won't matter because the resulting Malcolm Butler interception helped the Patriots pull victory from the jaws of defeat.
Made even worse? The Seahawks had All-Pro running back Marshawn Lynch and three shots from the 1-yard line.
Oof to infinity.
10. Super Bowl XXV: Wide Right! Wide Right!
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Before Wide Right.Date: Jan. 27, 1991
Location: Tampa Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Final score: New York Giants 20, Buffalo Bills 19
MVP: Running back Ottis Anderson, New York Giants
Bottom line: The first of four consecutive trips to the Super Bowl for the Buffalo Bills was the closest they would ever come to winning as kicker Scott Norwood missed a potential game-winning, 47-yard field goal with just seconds remaining.
Over the years, this game also has become known for something else entirely — the soul-stirring rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" by the late Whitney Houston.
Not that anything can ever make Bills fans forget this loss.
9. Super Bowl XXXVI: Brady Jumpstarts Patriots' Dynasty
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This is what happiness looks like.Date: Feb. 3, 2002
Location: Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Final score: New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
MVP: Quarterback Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Bottom line: The first of a staggering 10 Super Bowl appearances for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady represented one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.
Brady, who only became the starter after an injury to starter Drew Bledsoe, guided the Patriots on a last-minute drive to set up a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri.
Can Bill Belichick find his next Brady and get back to a Super Bowl?
8. Super Bowl XXXIV: One Yard From Greatness
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Joy and pain. Sunshine and rain.Date: Jan. 30, 2000
Location: Georgia Dome (Atlanta, Georgia)
Final score: St. Louis Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16
MVP: Quarterback Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams
Bottom line: This game is known for "The Tackle" — St. Louis linebacker Mike Jones pulled Tennessee wide receiver Kevin Dyson down at the 1-yard line as time expired to save the victory.
St. Louis quarterback Kurt Warner went from undrafted to NFL MVP. He'd been bagging groceries just a few years before the game. And ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Not a bad story.
7. Super Bowl X: Best Super Bowl of the 70s?
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Many teams got tired of seeing the black and yellow in January.Date: Jan. 18, 1976
Location: Miami Orange Bowl (Miami, Florida)
Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Dallas Cowboys 17
MVP: Wide receiver Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bottom line: Truly one of the great Super Bowls of all time, this was also the first time two previous Super Bowl winners played each other in the Super Bowl.
Trailing 10-7 in the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh busted the game open on a 64-yard touchdown from Terry Bradshaw to Lynn Swann and Pittsburgh's Glen Edwards intercepted a pass by Roger Staubach in the end zone on the game's final play to seal the win.
It's a thin line between glory and goat.
6. Super Bowl LVII: Mahomes Enters GOAT Conversation
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Date: Feb. 12, 2023
Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Final score: Kansas City Chiefs 38, Philadelphia Eagles 35
MVP: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Bottom line: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes entered Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles playing on essentially one leg. At halftime, the team was not only trailing by 10 points, but their star quarterback was also in a tremendous amount of pain after taking several big hits in the first half.
No matter. Mahomes rallied the Chiefs in the second half, and when he got the ball back with the score tied 35-35 and just 5:15 left in the fourth quarter, it seemed like everyone in the world knew what was about to happen. The Whitehouse, Texas, native drove his team into field-goal territory thanks to a limping, 26-yard run to the Eagles' 17-yard line that set up the game-winning field goal by Harrison Butker. Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP for the second time in his career.
It was the second career Super Bowl win for head coach Andy Reid and second Super Bowl win in four years as well as the third trip to the Super Bowl in the same time for the Chiefs.
5. Super Bowl XXIII: Is That John Candy?
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The Bengals are tired of seeing the 49ers in the Super Bowl.Date: Jan. 22, 1989
Location: Joe Robbie Stadium (Miami, Florida)
Final score: San Francisco 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16
MVP: Wide receiver Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers
Bottom line: Perhaps the greatest moment in Super Bowl history happened in the 49ers huddle before Joe Montana guided the team on a game-winning, 92-yard drive when he got the ball back with just 3:00 remaining in the game.
Before the first play of that drive, Montana brought the 49ers huddle together — the moment of truth for any quarterback — and pointed to the far end zone.
"Is that John Candy?" Montana asked. It was. And the 49ers marched into history.
4. Super Bowl XLII: Upset of the Century
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Archie Manning was one proud pop after Eli became his second quarterback son to win a Super Bowl after Peyton.Date: Feb. 3, 2008
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Final score: New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14
MVP: Quarterback Eli Manning, New York Giants
Bottom line: "The Helmet Catch" became a proper noun when the New York Giants upset the previously unbeaten New England Patriots thanks to a miracle pass from Eli Manning to David Tyree in the fourth quarter.
Let's not mince words. This was one of the greatest games and biggest upsets in the history of professional sports.
Period.
3. Super Bowl XXXII: 'This One's For John'
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It's tough to beat this feeling.Date: Jan. 25, 1998
Location: Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego, California)
Final score: Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24
MVP: Quarterback John Elway, Denver Broncos
Bottom line: There was an emotional wallop that came with Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway winning his first Super Bowl after three unsuccessful tries that ended in blowout losses.
It was also in this game that Elway made his most famous play, diving for a first down late in the game and getting getting "helicoptered" on the hit inside the 5-yard line.
2. Super Bowl III: The Guarantee
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Only the Jets believed they could win. And they did.Date: Jan. 12, 1969
Location: Miami Orange Bowl (Miami, Florida)
Final score: New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7
MVP: Quarterback Joe Namath, New York Jets
Bottom line: There are NFL legends, and there is New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath, who guaranteed a win over the Baltimore Colts three days before the Super Bowl despite being 18-point underdogs.
Namath delivered on his promise, staking the Jets to a 16-0 lead and holding on for the win as Baltimore quarterback Earl Morrall imploded, throwing three interceptions.
It's amazing what confidence can do for a team.
1. Super Bowl LI: Simply the Best
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Date: Feb. 5, 2017
Location: NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)
Final score: New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28 (Overtime)
MVP: Quarterback Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Bottom line: The greatest Super Bowl in history is also the only time the game has gone into overtime.
The New England Patriots trailed 28-3 in the second half before mounting the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.
The game helped cement Tom Brady's status as the greatest quarterback of all time and sent Atlanta's franchise into a death spiral.
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