Category: NFL News

While it isn’t always the case, Super Bowl LVIII more than lived up to the hype. Really, you could say that the Chiefs’ overtime win actually surpassed any expectations given that it was the longest Super Bowl of all time.  

Kansas City’s 25-22 win joined the list of 15 Super Bowls whose endings won’t soon be forgotten by those who watched. Some of them contributed to dynasties, while one particular finish prevented one dynasty from adding a perfect season to its long list of bona fides. 

This list was made using the following criteria: 

• Exciting plays 
• How the game actually finished 
• The time in which the game-winning score occurred 
• Predictability factor 
• Historical significance 

Honorable mention: Super Bowl XLVII: Ravens 34, 49ers 31 

• Feb. 3, 2013 

The 35-minute power outage seemed to change the complexion of the game. Trailing 28-6 before the outage, the 49ers were a 2-point conversion away from tying the score with 10 minutes left. Down 34-29, they got down to the Ravens’ 5-yard line and were in position to win the game. As good as he was in leading the 49ers back, Colin Kaepernick was a little off on his fourth-down pass to Michael Crabtree that was slightly overthrown. The 49ers’ last-gasp attempt at a win was extinguished when Josh Bynes tackled Ted Ginn Jr. just short of midfield on the game’s final play. 

15. Super Bowl X: Steelers 21, Cowboys 17 

• Jan. 16, 1976

File this under the “this would never happen in today’s NFL” category: Ahead 21-17 and facing a fourth-and-9 on the Cowboys’ 41-yard line with 1:28 left, Steelers coach Chuck Noll called a running play that gained 2 yards. Noll’s questionable decision was due to the struggles of his punter/kicker that day as well as the faith that he had in his defense. Noll’s faith was rewarded when safety Mike Wagner deflected Roger Staubach’s Hail Mary throw in the Steelers’ end zone on the game’s final play. The pass was picked off by fellow safety Glen Edwards, whose 35-yard return chewed up the remaining seconds on the game clock. 

14. Super Bowl XLVI: Giants 21, Patriots 17 

• Feb. 5, 2012 

An eternal thorn in New England’s side, Eli Manning’s jaw-dropping, 38-yard completion to Mario Manningham with 3:46 left set up the Giants’ go-ahead touchdown. That was the height of this ending, however, given the fact that Ahmad Bradshaw literally stumbled into history as the Patriots allowed him to score in order to give Brady more time. Brady got close enough to launch a last-second Hail Mary into the Giants’ end zone. The ball was deflected before avoiding the outstretched arms of Rob Gronkowski. 

13. Super Bowl LII: Eagles 41, Patriots 33 

• Feb. 4, 2018

People forget that the Eagles actually trailed in this game before taking the lead on Zach Ertz’s 11-yard touchdown pass from Nick Foles with 2:21 left. Philadelphia extended its lead to eight points with a field goal after Derek Barnett recovered Brandon Graham’s forced fumble of Tom Brady. Similar to Super Bowl XLVI, Brady was able to get the Patriots in position for a last-second heave into the end zone. With the entire city of Philadelphia holding its breath, Brady’s pass once again fell harmlessly to the turf, as Eagles fans could finally celebrate the franchise’s first Super Bowl win. 

12. Super Bowl V: Colts 16, Cowboys 13 

• Jan. 17, 1971 

The first Super Bowl decided on a last-minute field goal, Jim O’Brien’s 32-yard boot gave the Colts the lead for good with five seconds left. Baltimore linebacker Mike Curtis’ interception with 1:09 left set up O’Brien’s game-winning kick. The ending made up for a sloppy game that included 11 turnovers. 

11. Super Bowl XXXVIII: Patriots 32, Panthers 29 

• Feb. 1, 2004 

A repeat of the Patriots’ first Super Bowl win two years earlier. This one had a little less suspense, however, given that we had already seen Brady pull off a last-minute, game-winning drive in the Super Bowl. A second Adam Vinatieri game-winning kick appeared to be inevitable when Panthers kicker John Kasay booted his kickoff out of bounds — giving Brady a short field to work with — after Carolina had tied the score with 1:08 left. Three completions to Troy Brown and a 17-yard completion from Brady to Deion Branch set up Vinatieri’s 41-yard boot with four seconds remaining.

While the ending was a bit anticlimactic, this was one of the best fourth quarters in Super Bowl history, as a record 37 points were scored during the game’s final 15 minutes. 

10. Super Bowl XXXII: Broncos 31, Packers 24 

• Jan. 25, 1998 

In a back-and-forth battle, the Broncos took the lead for good after the Packers intentionally allowed Denver to score with 1:47 left. Brett Favre quickly drove the defending champions into Broncos territory before he misfired on two straight passes. Facing a fourth-and-6 on the Broncos’ 31, Favre’s final pass was batted down by Broncos linebacker John Mobley, as the Broncos took over on downs with 28 seconds left. John Elway won his first ring, while Terrell Davis won MVP honors after rushing for 157 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. The Broncos’ win snapped the NFC’s 13-game Super Bowl winning streak. 

9. Super Bowl LI: Patriots 34, Falcons 28 (OT) 

• Feb. 5, 2017 

The Patriots forced overtime after completing a 91-yard scoring drive with a minute left in regulation. Down 28-3 midway through the third quarter, New England tied it late in the fourth when James White scored from a yard out. The game officially went to overtime after Matt Ryan was unable to connect with Austin Hooper on a deep third-down pass with 11 seconds left. 

Because of Brady and the Patriots’ history, along with what had just transpired over the course of the second half, there wasn’t much suspense left when the Patriots won the overtime toss. Like a thief in broad daylight, the Patriots stole the game and the Falcons’ hearts on the first drive of overtime. New England’s highly efficient drive — which took less than four minutes — ended with White’s 2-yard touchdown run. Brady surpassed Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw as the winningest quarterback in Super Bowl annals. 

8. Super Bowl XXIII: 49ers 20, Bengals 16 

• Jan. 22, 1989 

Trailing 16-13, the 49ers successfully marched 92 yards in 11 plays during the game’s final three minutes. Game MVP Jerry Rice caught three of his 11 receptions on the drive, but he was used as a decoy on Joe Montana’s game-winning touchdown pass to John Taylor with 34 seconds left. A short completion, a sack and two incomplete passes on the Bengals’ ensuing drive clinched the 49ers’ third Super Bowl win of the ’80s in what was the final game of Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh’s career. 

7. Super Bowl LVIII: Chiefs 25, 49ers 22 (OT)

• Feb. 11, 2024

This was a great finish led by one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Twice, the 49ers took the lead late, but Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense responded both times. The second time ended the game, as Mahomes hit Mecole Hardman for the game-winning score after the 49ers started overtime with a field goal. 

6. Super Bowl XXXVI: Patriots 20, Rams 17 

• Feb. 3, 2002 

Down 17-3, the Rams scored two late touchdowns and appeared to be on their way to forcing overtime. But Warner and the Rams’ offense never got the ball back after Tom Brady set up Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning, 48-yard field goal as time expired. Brady completed five of his first seven passes on the drive that included a key 23-yard hook-up with Troy Brown that got the Patriots into Rams territory. Vinatieri then recorded the first walk-off field goal in Super Bowl history. 

5. Super Bowl XXV: Giants 20, Bills 19 

• Jan. 27, 1991 

The first Super Bowl where the winner or loser would be determined by a field-goal attempt. Fortunately for the Giants, Scott Norwood’s 47-yard attempt was wide right, preserving the smallest margin of victory in Super Bowl history. The Bills had driven 61 yards in eight plays prior to Norwood’s miss with eight seconds left. The majority of those yards were gained by Bills running back Thurman Thomas, who tallied 190 all-purpose yards in a losing effort. 

4. Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers 27, Cardinals 23 

• Feb. 1, 2009 

Pittsburgh appeared to have this game in the bag until two Larry Fitzgerald touchdowns (the second one coming on a 64-yard play) gave Arizona a 23-20 lead with 2:37 left. Backed up on his own 12-yard line, Ben Roethlisberger got the drive going with a 14-yard completion to Nate Washington on first-and-20. His completion to Santonio Holmes two plays later kept the drive alive, while his 40-yard completion to Holmes three plays later put the Steelers in position for a game-winning score. 

Roethlisberger and Holmes then connected on one of the most incredible plays in Super Bowl history. After buying time for what seemed like an eternity, Roethlisberger fired a high pass that was snared by Holmes in the back corner of the end zone. Holmes was somehow able to get parts of both feet inbounds while securing the catch. With 29 seconds left, Kurt Warner completed two passes to get the Cardinals past midfield. Arizona wouldn’t get a chance at a Hail Mary, however, as LaMarr Woodley strip-sacked Warner just as he was about to throw. The game ended with Roethlisberger taking a knee while securing the Steelers’ sixth Super Bowl win. 

3. Super Bowl XXXIV: Rams 23, Titans 16

• Jan. 30, 2000

This finish was really wild. One play after the Titans tied the score, the Rams took the lead back on Kurt Warner’s 73-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Bruce. The resilient Titans then marched from their own 12 to the Rams’ 10-yard line in the game’s final two minutes. On the game’s final play, Titans quarterback Steve McNair — who somehow managed to break two tackles before firing a 16-yard completion on the previous play — hit receiver Kevin Dyson on a slant pass. Dyson initially looked like he was on his way in for the potential game-tying score before Rams linebacker Mike Jones — who turned his head around just as McNair released his pass — stopped Dyson 1 yard short of the goal line. 

2. Super Bowl XLIX: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24

• Feb. 1, 2015 

Quite possibly his most under-appreciated Super Bowl, Tom Brady’s two fourth-quarter touchdown passes gave the Patriots a four-point lead. Russell Wilson kept the defending champions alive with a head-scratching 33-yard completion to Jermaine Kearse that initially looked like an incomplete pass. But then Seahawks coach Pete Carroll made an equally head-scratching play call by electing to throw from the 1-yard line instead of handing the ball off to Marshawn Lynch. Seattle fans are still mourning that decision, as Wilson’s pass was picked off by Malcolm Butler with 26 seconds left. The pick sealed the Patriots’ first Super Bowl win in a decade. 

1. Super Bowl XLII: Giants 17, Patriots 14 

• Feb. 3, 2008

The most action-packed final 75 seconds in Super Bowl history. It started with Eli Manning’s jaw-dropping, 32-yard completion to David Tyree who caught the ball while using the side of his helmet. Manning then gave the Giants a stunning 17-14 lead when he hit Plaxico Burress in the end zone with 39 seconds left.

The Patriots were not done yet, however, as Brady and Randy Moss nearly connected on a desperation fourth-down deep pass that would have given New England the ball in field goal range with two seconds left. Brady, who threw the ball roughly 85 yards on the play, just missed connecting with Moss, as the Giants took over on downs with one second left. 

New England fell painfully short of becoming the first 19-0 team in NFL history.   

The Super Bowl has teased us the previous two years. While both endings were good, they were marred by controversial penalties that contributed to the outcome. 

Those penalties cost both games a place on my list of the greatest endings in Super Bowl history. Hopefully, the zebras won’t have a similar impact in Super Bowl LVIII. If they don’t, there’s a good chance that Sunday’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs will include a memorable finish to what has been a memorable 2023 NFL season. 

As it currently stands, there are 15 Super Bowls whose endings won’t soon be forgotten by those who watched. Some of them contributed to dynasties, while one particular finish prevented one dynasty from adding a perfect season to its long list of bona fides. 

This list was made using the following criteria: 

• Exciting plays 
• How the game actually finished 
• The time in which the game-winning score occurred 
• Predictability factor 
• Historical significance 

15. Super Bowl XLVII: Ravens 34, 49ers 31 

• Feb. 3, 2013 

The 35-minute power outage seemed to change the complexion of the game. Trailing 28-6 before the outage, the 49ers were a 2-point conversion away from tying the score with 10 minutes left. Down 34-29, they got down to the Ravens’ 5-yard line and were in position to win the game. As good as he was in leading the 49ers back, Colin Kaepernick was a little off on his fourth-down pass to Michael Crabtree that was slightly overthrown. The 49ers’ last-gasp attempt at a win was extinguished when Josh Bynes tackled Ted Ginn Jr. just short of midfield on the game’s final play. 

14. Super Bowl X: Steelers 21, Cowboys 17 

• Jan. 16, 1976

File this under the “this would never happen in today’s NFL” category: Ahead 21-17 and facing a fourth-and-9 on the Cowboys’ 41-yard line with 1:28 left, Steelers coach Chuck Noll called a running play that gained 2 yards. Noll’s questionable decision was due to the struggles of his punter/kicker that day as well as the faith that he had in his defense. Noll’s faith was rewarded when safety Mike Wagner deflected Roger Staubach’s Hail Mary throw in the Steelers’ end zone on the game’s final play. The pass was picked off by fellow safety Glen Edwards, whose 35-yard return chewed up the remaining seconds on the game clock. 

13. Super Bowl XLVI: Giants 21, Patriots 17 

• Feb. 5, 2012 

An eternal thorn in New England’s side, Eli Manning’s jaw-dropping, 38-yard completion to Mario Manningham with 3:46 left set up the Giants’ go-ahead touchdown. That was the height of this ending, however, given the fact that Ahmad Bradshaw literally stumbled into history as the Patriots allowed him to score in order to give Brady more time. Brady got close enough to launch a last-second Hail Mary into the Giants’ end zone. The ball was deflected before avoiding the outstretched arms of Rob Gronkowski. 

12. Super Bowl LII: Eagles 41, Patriots 33 

• Feb. 4, 2018

People forget that the Eagles actually trailed in this game before taking the lead on Zach Ertz’s 11-yard touchdown pass from Nick Foles with 2:21 left. Philadelphia extended its lead to eight points with a field goal after Derek Barnett recovered Brandon Graham’s forced fumble of Tom Brady. Similar to Super Bowl XLVI, Brady was able to get the Patriots in position for a last-second heave into the end zone. With the entire city of Philadelphia holding its breath, Brady’s pass once again fell harmlessly to the turf, as Eagles fans could finally celebrate the franchise’s first Super Bowl win. 

11. Super Bowl V: Colts 16, Cowboys 13 

• Jan. 17, 1971 

The first Super Bowl decided on a last-minute field goal, Jim O’Brien’s 32-yard boot gave the Colts the lead for good with five seconds left. Baltimore linebacker Mike Curtis’ interception with 1:09 left set up O’Brien’s game-winning kick. The ending made up for a sloppy game that included 11 turnovers. 

10. Super Bowl XXXVIII: Patriots 32, Panthers 29 

• Feb. 1, 2004 

A repeat of the Patriots’ first Super Bowl win two years earlier. This one had a little less suspense, however, given that we had already seen Brady pull off a last-minute, game-winning drive in the Super Bowl. A second Adam Vinatieri game-winning kick appeared to be inevitable when Panthers kicker John Kasay booted his kickoff out of bounds — giving Brady a short field to work with — after Carolina had tied the score with 1:08 left. Three completions to Troy Brown and a 17-yard completion from Brady to Deion Branch set up Vinatieri’s 41-yard boot with four seconds remaining.

While the ending was a bit anticlimactic, this was one of the best fourth quarters in Super Bowl history, as a record 37 points were scored during the game’s final 15 minutes. 

9. Super Bowl XXXII: Broncos 31, Packers 24 

• Jan. 25, 1998 

In a back-and-forth battle, the Broncos took the lead for good after the Packers intentionally allowed Denver to score with 1:47 left. Brett Favre quickly drove the defending champions into Broncos territory before he misfired on two straight passes. Facing a fourth-and-6 on the Broncos’ 31, Favre’s final pass was batted down by Broncos linebacker John Mobley, as the Broncos took over on downs with 28 seconds left. John Elway won his first ring, while Terrell Davis won MVP honors after rushing for 157 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. The Broncos’ win snapped the NFC’s 13-game Super Bowl winning streak. 

8. Super Bowl LI: Patriots 34, Falcons 28 (OT) 

• Feb. 5, 2017 

The Patriots forced overtime after completing a 91-yard scoring drive with a minute left in regulation. Down 28-3 midway through the third quarter, New England tied it late in the fourth when James White scored from a yard out. The game officially went to overtime after Matt Ryan was unable to connect with Austin Hooper on a deep third-down pass with 11 seconds left. 

Because of Brady and the Patriots’ history, along with what had just transpired over the course of the second half, there wasn’t much suspense left when the Patriots won the overtime toss. Like a thief in broad daylight, the Patriots stole the game and the Falcons’ hearts on the first drive of overtime. New England’s highly efficient drive — which took less than four minutes — ended with White’s 2-yard touchdown run. Brady surpassed Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw as the winningest quarterback in Super Bowl annals. 

7. Super Bowl XXIII: 49ers 20, Bengals 16 

• Jan. 22, 1989 

Trailing 16-13, the 49ers successfully marched 92 yards in 11 plays during the game’s final three minutes. Game MVP Jerry Rice caught three of his 11 receptions on the drive, but he was used as a decoy on Joe Montana’s game-winning touchdown pass to John Taylor with 34 seconds left. A short completion, a sack and two incomplete passes on the Bengals’ ensuing drive clinched the 49ers’ third Super Bowl win of the ’80s in what was the final game of Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh’s career. 

6. Super Bowl XXXVI: Patriots 20, Rams 17 

• Feb. 3, 2002 

Down 17-3, the Rams scored two late touchdowns and appeared to be on their way to forcing overtime. But Warner and the Rams’ offense never got the ball back after Tom Brady set up Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning, 48-yard field goal as time expired. Brady completed five of his first seven passes on the drive that included a key 23-yard hook-up with Troy Brown that got the Patriots into Rams territory. Vinatieri then recorded the first walk-off field goal in Super Bowl history. 

5. Super Bowl XXV: Giants 20, Bills 19 

• Jan. 27, 1991 

The first Super Bowl where the winner or loser would be determined by a field-goal attempt. Fortunately for the Giants, Scott Norwood’s 47-yard attempt was wide right, preserving the smallest margin of victory in Super Bowl history. The Bills had driven 61 yards in eight plays prior to Norwood’s miss with eight seconds left. The majority of those yards were gained by Bills running back Thurman Thomas, who tallied 190 all-purpose yards in a losing effort. 

4. Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers 27, Cardinals 23 

• Feb. 1, 2009 

Pittsburgh appeared to have this game in the bag until two Larry Fitzgerald touchdowns (the second one coming on a 64-yard play) gave Arizona a 23-20 lead with 2:37 left. Backed up on his own 12-yard line, Ben Roethlisberger got the drive going with a 14-yard completion to Nate Washington on first-and-20. His completion to Santonio Holmes two plays later kept the drive alive, while his 40-yard completion to Holmes three plays later put the Steelers in position for a game-winning score. 

Roethlisberger and Holmes then connected on one of the most incredible plays in Super Bowl history. After buying time for what seemed like an eternity, Roethlisberger fired a high pass that was snared by Holmes in the back corner of the end zone. Holmes was somehow able to get parts of both feet inbounds while securing the catch. With 29 seconds left, Kurt Warner completed two passes to get the Cardinals past midfield. Arizona wouldn’t get a chance at a Hail Mary, however, as LaMarr Woodley strip-sacked Warner just as he was about to throw. The game ended with Roethlisberger taking a knee while securing the Steelers’ sixth Super Bowl win. 

3. Super Bowl XXXIV: Rams 23, Titans 16

• Jan. 30, 2000

This finish was really wild. One play after the Titans tied the score, the Rams took the lead back on Kurt Warner’s 73-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Bruce. The resilient Titans then marched from their own 12 to the Rams’ 10-yard line in the game’s final two minutes. On the game’s final play, Titans quarterback Steve McNair — who somehow managed to break two tackles before firing a 16-yard completion on the previous play — hit receiver Kevin Dyson on a slant pass. Dyson initially looked like he was on his way in for the potential game-tying score before Rams linebacker Mike Jones — who turned his head around just as McNair released his pass — stopped Dyson 1 yard short of the goal line. 

2. Super Bowl XLIX: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24

• Feb. 1, 2015 

Quite possibly his most under-appreciated Super Bowl, Tom Brady’s two fourth-quarter touchdown passes gave the Patriots a four-point lead. Russell Wilson kept the defending champions alive with a head-scratching 33-yard completion to Jermaine Kearse that initially looked like an incomplete pass. But then Seahawks coach Pete Carroll made an equally head-scratching play call by electing to throw from the 1-yard line instead of handing the ball off to Marshawn Lynch. Seattle fans are still mourning that decision, as Wilson’s pass was picked off by Malcolm Butler with 26 seconds left. The pick sealed the Patriots’ first Super Bowl win in a decade. 

1. Super Bowl XLII: Giants 17, Patriots 14 

• Feb. 3, 2008

The most action-packed final 75 seconds in Super Bowl history. It started with Eli Manning’s jaw-dropping, 32-yard completion to David Tyree who caught the ball while using the side of his helmet. Manning then gave the Giants a stunning 17-14 lead when he hit Plaxico Burress in the end zone with 39 seconds left.

The Patriots were not done yet, however, as Brady and Randy Moss nearly connected on a desperation fourth-down deep pass that would have given New England the ball in field goal range with two seconds left. Brady, who threw the ball roughly 85 yards on the play, just missed connecting with Moss, as the Giants took over on downs with one second left. 

New England fell painfully short of becoming the first 19-0 team in NFL history.   

Jim Harbaugh was just inches short of completing one of the greatest passes in NFL history. Decades before he won a national title at Michigan, the new Los Angeles Chargers head coach led the Indianapolis Colts to within a play of the Super Bowl. 

On Jan. 14, 1996, Harbaugh led the Colts into Pittsburgh to face the heavily favored Steelers with a trip to the Super Bowl at stake. Harbaugh’s 47-yard touchdown pass to Floyd Turner gave the Colts a second-half lead, but Pittsburgh rallied on the strength of two big pass plays to regain the lead with just under 2 minutes left. Undaunted, Harbaugh led the Colts to the Steelers’ 29-yard line with 5 seconds left, setting the stage for one of the most gut-wrenching moments in Pittsburgh sports history. 

Harbaugh’s lone AFC title game start as an NFL quarterback cracked our following list of the top 20 AFC/NFC title games of all time. Here’s how it stacks up with the rest of the field. 

20. 2011 AFC Championship: Patriots 23, Ravens 20 

While Colts-Patriots was No. 1, the Patriots’ rivalry with the Ravens during the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era was up there, too. The two played in consecutive AFC title games during the early 2010s, with the first one coming right down to the wire. 

The Patriots took the lead on a Brady touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Defense dominated the next several drives before Joe Flacco led Baltimore on a 2-minute drive. Flacco appeared to throw the game-winning touchdown to Lee Evans, but Evans was unable to secure the pass. The Ravens lost the game two plays later when Billy Cundiff missed his game-tying 32-yard field goal try. 

19. 2008 AFC Championship: Steelers 23, Ravens 14 

This was a vintage Steelers-Ravens game that was full of big hits and big defensive plays. The biggest defensive play was turned in by Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, whose 40-yard pick six of Joe Flacco with just under 5 minutes left proved to be the game-clinching score. 

Pittsburgh’s only offensive touchdown that day came on Santonio Holmes’ 65-yard catch-and-run on a pass from Ben Roethlisberger. The score proved to be a foreshadowing of things to come, as Holmes turned in an MVP performance in Super Bowl XLIII. 

18. 2020 NFC Championship: Buccaneers 31, Packers 26 

The only playoff game between Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers lived up to the hype. The two future Hall of Fame QB’s traded early touchdown passes before Brady fired a 39-yard bomb to Scott Miller that gave the visiting Buccaneers a 21-10 halftime lead. 

Tampa Bay extended its lead to 28-10 before Rodgers tried to mount a comeback. The comeback stalled, however, when Rodgers opted to try to throw a tight pass on third-and-goal instead of running for it late in the fourth quarter. Rodgers’ throw wasn’t completed, the Packers then settled for a field goal and a five-point deficit, and Brady and the Buccaneers ran out the clock to punch their ticket home to Tampa for Super Bowl LV. 

17. 1999 NFC Championship: Rams 11, Buccaneers 6 

Fittingly, the Rams’ fourth-ranked defense — one of the most overlooked units among Super Bowl-winning teams — rose to the forefront with St. Louis’ season in the balance. The unit played every bit as good as their Buccaneers counterparts, a group that two years later would lead Tampa Bay to its first Super Bowl win. 

Trailing 6-5 with under 5 minutes later, the Rams’ explosive offense finally took wing. It happened when Kurt Warner fired a laser to the end zone to Ricky Proehl, the team’s No. 4 receiver. Proehl managed to pull down Warner’s pass that sent the Rams to the Super Bowl, where they would edge the Titans in a classic. 

16. 1981 AFC Championship: Bengals 27, Chargers 7 

This wasn’t necessarily a great game, but how well the Bengals played — specifically quarterback Ken Anderson — in sub-freezing temperatures is what made this AFC title game memorable. In a game that was tabbed as “The Freezer Bowl,” Anderson threw two touchdowns while leading the Bengals to their first Super Bowl. Anderson’s passer rating was more than twice the amount of his counterpart, Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts, who a week earlier helped lead the Chargers to an epic double-overtime win over the Dolphins in balmy Miami. 

“Kenny’s advantage was that he threw tight spirals,” said Fouts, who said that throwing that day was like “throwing a shoebox in the wind.” 

“I didn’t always throw spirals,” Fouts said. “In my mind, that was the biggest part of us losing the game.”

15. 2015 AFC Championship: Broncos 20, Patriots 18

Peyton Manning came out firing, while Denver’s formidable pass rush hounded Tom Brady for most of the game. Down 20-12 late in the game, Brady kept the Patriots’ season alive with a 40-yard completion to Rob Gronkowski on fourth-and-10 with 54 seconds left. Four plays later, Brady and Gronkowski connected on fourth-and-goal to bring New England to within two points of the Broncos with 12 seconds left, as it appeared that Brady was about to add to his legend of epic comebacks. 

But on the Patriots’ two-point attempt, Brady’s pass intended for Gronkowski was tipped and intercepted by Bradley Roby, sealing the Broncos’ second Super Bowl berth in three years. Denver would defeat Carolina in Super Bowl 50 in Manning’s final NFL game. 

14. 1992 NFC Championship: Cowboys 30, 49ers 20

This was a changing-of-the-guard game, as the Cowboys dethroned the 49ers as the league’s premier team. The Cowboys held a precarious 24-20 lead after Young and Rice connected on a 5-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Instead of going conservative, the Cowboys went for the win as Harper took a slant pass 70 yards to set up Aikman’s game-clinching touchdown pass to Kelvin Martin. The Cowboys offense was buoyed by Smith, who, on a muddy track, tallied 173 yards and two touchdowns. Dallas went on to rout the Bills, 52-17, to win the franchise’s first championship since 1977. 

13. 2013 NFC Championship: Seahawks 23, 49ers 17

This was a throwback to a bygone era. A hard-hitting, defensive-fueled grudge match, Seattle took its first lead on Russell Wilson’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse one minute into the fourth quarter. With 3:43 left, the 49ers drove 60 yards on the strength of five completions from quarterback Colin Kaepernick that included a fourth-down completion to Frank Gore. 

The 49ers’ reign as NFC champions ended when Kaepernick’s end zone pass for Michael Crabtree was tipped by Richard Sherman and intercepted by Malcolm Smith. The pick overshadowed a gutsy performance by Kaepernick, who ran for 130 yards that included a 58-yard run that set up the 49ers’ first score. Seattle’s offense received big performances from Marshawn Lynch (109 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries) and Doug Baldwin (106 yards on six receptions).

Both defenses received championship-level individual efforts. For the 49ers, pass rusher Aldon Smith had two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, while linebacker NaVorro Bowman had 14 tackles and a forced fumble. Wagner had 15 tackles to go with his game-winning pick. Safety Kam Chancellor had 11 tackles and an interception for Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” secondary. 

12. 2014 NFC Championship: Seahawks 28, Packers 22 (OT) 

Trailing 16-0 at halftime, the Seahawks cut their deficit to five points on Russell Wilson’s short touchdown run with 2:13 remaining in regulation. Seattle then successfully converted the onside kick, setting up Marshawn Lynch’s go-ahead touchdown run. While the Packers did mange to force overtime on Mason Crosby’s 48-yard field goal, the Seahawks punched their Super Bowl ticket when Wilson hit Jermaine Kearse for a 35-yard score on the sixth play of the extra period. The defending champion Seahawks would come up just short in their bid to repeat as champions. The Packers won just one playoff game from 2015-18 before making return trips to the title game in 2019-20. 

11. 2007 NFC Championship: Giants 23, Packers 20 (OT) 

In a game played in sub-zero temperatures, the Giants prevailed behind Plaxico Burress’ 11 receptions and Corey Webster’s overtime interception of Brett Favre. The pick set up Lawrence Tynes’ game-winning field goal, as the Giants went on to upset the previously undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. 

The bitter defeat was the final game for Favre in a Packers uniform. New York’s stingy defense, led by Michael Strahan, fellow defensive linemen Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, and linebacker Antonio Pierce, held the Packers offense to just 13 first downs and 264 total yards. Conversely, the play of Manning, Burress and running backs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw allowed the Giants to control the clock for just over 40 minutes. 

10. 1987 AFC Championship: Broncos 38, Browns 33 

After a heartbreaking AFC title-game loss to the Broncos the previous year (more on that later), the Browns were trying to play the role of spoiler late in the rematch. Cleveland’s comeback was spearheaded by quarterback Bernie Kosar and running back Earnest Byner. On their final drive, the Browns appeared to be on the verge of tying the game after driving inside the Broncos’ 10-yard-line. 

With their season on the line, Cleveland ran a draw for Byner, who found space on the right side of the defense. While Byner initially appeared to score the game-winning touchdown, Browns fans were immediately sucker punched after realizing that Byner had fumbled the ball two yards short of the end zone. The Broncos recovered Jeremiah Castille’s forced fumble, and were on their way to Super Bowl XXII. 

9. 2009 NFC Championship: Saints 31, Vikings 28 (OT) 

In a classic championship game, neither team ever led by more than seven points, and the score was tied on four different occasions. The Vikings, following Adrian Peterson’s third touchdown that tied the game, were in position to win it after advancing to the Saints’ 38-yard line with 19 seconds left in regulation. But in what would be his final pass of the game, Favre’s third-down pass intended for Sidney Rice was intercepted by Tracy Porter, forcing overtime. In overtime, two penalties against the Vikings’ defense, coupled by Pierre Thomas’ 2-yard run on a fourth-and-1 play, set up Garrett Hartley’s game-winning field goal. New Orleans would go on to defeat the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, with Porter’s pick six of Peyton Manning sealing the Saints’ 31-17 win. 

8. 1998 NFC Championship: Falcons 30, Vikings 27 (OT) 

In one of the most surprising upsets in NFL postseason history, Atlanta’s “Dirty Birds” overcame a 13-point deficit to stun the Vikings, who went 15-1 during the regular season. Ahead 27-20, Gary Anderson, who did not miss a field goal during the regular season, missed a 38-yard attempt with 2:07 left. The Falcons fully capitalized on Anderson’s miss, as Chris Chandler hit Terance Mathis for the game-tying touchdown with 57 seconds left in regulation. 

After winning the coin toss, Minnesota was forced to punt after Randall Cunningham’s third-down pass to rookie sensation Randy Moss fell incomplete. The teams would then exchange punts before two Chandler completions to tight end O.J. Santiago and two runs by Jamal Anderson set up Morton Anderson’s game-winning 38-yard kick. The Falcons’ luck, however, ran out in the Super Bowl, as John Elway and the Broncos coasted to a 34-19 win. The Vikings are still in search of their first trip to the Super Bowl since January of 1977. 

7. 2021 AFC Championship: Bengals 27, Chiefs 24 (OT) 

A tackle by Eli Apple jump-started one of the biggest comebacks in NFL playoff history. With his team trailing 21-10, Apple managed to tackle Tyreek Hill just short of the end zone on fourth-and-goal on the final play of the first half, ensuring that the Bengals’ deficit stayed at 18 points. 

The Bengals, who were down 21-3 with five minutes left until halftime, tied the game after putting together two scoring drives in the fourth quarter. Led by quarterback Joe Burrow, Cincinnati then took a three-point lead in the fourth quarter before forcing the Chiefs to settle for OT after Sam Hubbard sacked Mahomes on consecutive plays at the end of regulation. 

Kansas City won the overtime coin toss, but gave the ball right back to Cincinnati when Mahomes was picked off by safety Vonn Bell. Bell’s pick set up Evan McPherson’s game-winning field goal, sending the Bengals to their first Super Bowl since 1988. 

6. 1995 AFC Championship: Steelers 20, Colts 16 

The Steelers were coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Chargers in the ’94 AFC title game. Against the Colts, they found themselves trailing 16-13 after Harbaugh hit Turner on a perfectly thrown pass in single coverage. 

Facing a fourth-and-3 late in the game, the Steelers kept their season alive when Neil O’Donnell hit Andre Hastings for a 9-yard gain. On the next play, O’Donnell threw deep to Ernie Mills, who tiptoed the sideline for a 37-yard gain. The catch set up Bam Morris’ go-ahead touchdown. 

With 1:34 left, Harbaugh drove the Colts from their own 16 to the Steelers’ 29-yard line. Only 5 seconds were left on the clock when Harbaugh heaved a Hail Mary into the Steelers’ end zone. The ball was deflected several times before falling into the chest of Colts receiver Aaron Bailey. Bailey, who was falling on the ground as the ball hit his chest, was unable to close his arms around the ball before it hit the turf.

The incomplete pass gave the Steelers their first trip to the Super Bowl since 1979. But if Bailey had been able to secure the catch, it would have undeniably gone down as one of the greatest plays in NFL history. 

5. 1990 NFC Championship: Giants 15, 49ers 13 

“There will be no three-peat.”

Those words were famously proclaimed by former CBS/Fox play-by-play analyst Pat Summerall after Matt Bahr’s 42-yard field goal gave the Giants an upset win over the defending two-time champion 49ers. In one of the most physical football games ever played, the 49ers suffered a crushing blow when Giants lineman Leonard Marshall knocked Joe Montana out of the game with about 10 minutes left and the 49ers ahead, 13-9. After the Giants cut the deficit to one point, Lawrence Taylor gave his offense the ball back when he recovered 49ers halfback Roger Craig’s fumble in Giants territory. 

Jeff Hostetler’s completions to Mark Bavaro and Stephen Baker, and a pivotal 2-yard run by Ottis Anderson on a third-and-1 play, helped set up Bahr’s game-winning field goal as time expired. Hostetler, Anderson, Bahr and the Giants’ physical defense each played a role in the Giants’ upset win over the Bills in Super Bowl XXV. The loss was the final playoff start for Montana with the 49ers, who fell painfully short of becoming the first team in history to win three straight Super Bowls. 

4. 1986 AFC Championship: Broncos 23, Browns 20, OT (1986)

The 1980s Browns lost three AFC title games in a four-year span to the Browns. While each loss was painful, the first one was undoubtedly the hardest to swallow. 

With the score tied at 13, Bernie Kosar’s 48-yard pass to Brian Brennan gave the home team a 20-13 lead. After watching its defense surrender the big play, Broncos fans watched in agony as their special teams botched the ensuing kickoff before jumping on the ball at their own 2-yard-line. John Elway, displaying the savvy that would eventually put him in the Hall of Fame, meticulously moved the ball against the Browns’ stingy defense. 

After a short throw and two runs gave the Broncos a first down, an 11-yard run by Elway and a 22-yard completion to Steve Sewell got Denver near midfield. On third-and-18 on the Browns’ 48-yard line, Elway stood tall before firing a 20-yard dart to Mark Jackson. The Broncos avoided a disaster on the play, as Elway was about to catch the shotgun snap after it incidentally hit a receiver in motion. 

Two plays later, a screen pass to Sewell got the Broncos to the Browns’ 14-yard-line. Three plays later, facing a third-and-one on the Browns’ 5-yard line, Elway took the shotgun snap, waited for Jackson to break free from his defender, and threw a dart that Jackson was able to corral in the end zone. The score, which came with 32 seconds left in regulation, capped off what is known in NFL history as “The Drive.” 

In overtime, Denver’s defense quickly gave the ball back to Elway, who got the Broncos past midfield on a 22-yard completion to tight end Orson Mobley. After losing 2 yards on the next two plays, Elway started to run, which forced Cleveland’s defenders to move up to honor him. But before crossing the line of scrimmage, Elway stopped, then hit an open Steve Watson, who caught the 28-yard pass before falling out of bounds. The play set up Rich Karlis’ game-winning field goal, as Elway and the Broncos were on their way to Pasadena for Super Bowl XXI. It was the first of five Super Bowl appearances for Elway, who lost his first three Super Bowls before retiring with back-to-back titles. 

3. 2006 AFC Championship: Colts 38, Patriots 34 

After recent playoff losses to the Patriots, the Colts found themselves staring at a 21-3 deficit midway through the second quarter of the 2006 AFC championship game. But following Asante Samuel’s 39-yard pick six of Peyton Manning, the Colts scored the game’s next 18 points that included a touchdown pass from Manning to lineman Dan Klecko. The Patriots went back ahead before another Colts lineman, center Jeff Saturday, tied the score after pouncing on a fumble in the end zone. 

Trailing 34-31 with 3:49 left, two completions from Manning to Reggie Wayne sandwiched Manning’s 32-yard completion to Bryan Fletcher. Fletcher, a seldom-used tight end, had lobbied for Manning to look his way earlier in the game. After reaching the Patriots’ 11-yard line, Manning called three straight runs for rookie running back Joseph Addai. Addai’s third carry resulted in the go-ahead touchdown with 1:02 left. 

Brady, whose late-game prowess was already legendary by this point, passed his team beyond midfield before throwing a game-ending interception to cornerback (and fellow Michigan Man) Marlin Jackson. The Colts would go onto win their lone Super Bowl with Manning under center. In Denver, Manning would win two more AFC title games against the Patriots while retiring with a 3-1 record against the Brady/Belichick Patriots in conference championship games. 

2. 2018 AFC Championship: Patriots 37, Chiefs 31 

Tom Brady’s ninth AFC championship game win came at the expense of Patrick Mahomes, who would have another Super Bowl as part of his bona fides if not for Brady, who that night led the Patriots’ offense on a 13-play, 75-yard drive in overtime that was capped off by Rex Burkhead’s 2-yard touchdown run. 

Moments earlier, Brady had been bailed out by Dee Ford, who was ruled offsides on the play that saw Brady throw an interception to Charvarius Ward. On the ensuing play, Brady found his longtime partner in crime, Rob Gronkowski, open for a 25-yard gain. The completion set up the Patriots’ go-ahead touchdown, which was countered by Harrison Butker’s game-tying field goal with 11 seconds left in regulation. 

Brady eschewed his running game for most of the Patriots’ game-winning overtime drive. He threw eight consecutive passes, the final one a 15-yard completion to Gronkowski. The completion set up Burkhead’s second touchdown of the night, as the Patriots left Arrowhead Stadium with their fourth AFC title over a five-year span. Brady’s performance overshadowed Mahomes, who threw three touchdown passes in his AFC championship game debut. 

1. 1981 NFC Championship: 49ers 28, Cowboys 27 

Despite a dominant Week 6 win over the Cowboys, the 49ers trailed “America’s Team” by six points following Danny White’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Doug Cosbie. Needing to travel 89 yards in less than five minutes, the 49ers relied on several sweeping runs by Lenvil Elliott, two clutch catches in traffic by Freddie Solomon and Solomon’s 14-yard run on a reverse. Facing a third down on the Cowboys’ 6-yard line, Montana rolled right before he was met by three Cowboys defenders. Facing the pass rush, Montana lofted the ball to a spot in the end zone where he hoped Dwight Clark would be. Clark, who caught a 20-yard touchdown pass earlier in the game, was indeed at the spot Montana hoped he would be. The reliable receiver jumped in the air, snared Montana’s pass out of the sky and slammed the ball in the end zone. 

With Candlestick Park already in celebration mode, the 49ers’ defense still had to stop the Cowboys’ offense, who got the ball back at their 25-yard line with two timeouts and 51 seconds left. The crowd got tense after White hit Drew Pearson for 31 yards on the Cowboys’ first play. But on the next play, White lost the ball after getting hit by Lawrence Pillers. The ball was scooped up by Jim Stuckey, who in his arms held the 49ers’ first Super Bowl ticket. 

“You just beat America’s Team,” Cowboys defensive end Ed “Too Tall’ Jones told Montana, as recalled by Clark two decades later. “Well,” Montana replied, “you can sit at home with the rest of America and watch the Super Bowl.”   

Given what we witnessed during the divisional round of the 2024 NFL playoffs, fans could be in for an extremely memorable championship weekend. 

The four survivors from last weekend’s divisional round — the 49ers, Lions, Ravens and Chiefs — will play this weekend for the right to represent their respective conferences in Super Bowl LVIII. Among the big storylines entering championship weekend include the Chiefs’ quest at a fourth Super Bowl appearance in five years, the Lions in pursuit of the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance, and Lamar Jackson’s first AFC title game start. 

There’s a very good chance that one or both of this weekend’s games will one day crack the following list of the greatest conference championship games in NFL history. Several all-time classics made the list, including a few games that included two of the best quarterbacks in league annals in Patrick Mahomes, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. 

20. 2011 AFC Championship: Patriots 23, Ravens 20 

While Colts-Patriots was No. 1, the Patriots’ rivalry with the Ravens during the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era was up there, too. The two played in consecutive AFC title games during the early 2010s, with the first one coming right down to the wire. 

The Patriots took the lead on a Brady touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Defense dominated the next several drives before Joe Flacco led Baltimore on a two-minute drive. Flacco appeared to throw the game-winning touchdown to Lee Evans, but Evans was unable to secure the pass. The Ravens lost the game two plays later when Billy Cundiff missed his game-tying 32-yard field goal try. 

19. 2008 AFC Championship: Steelers 23, Ravens 14 

This was a vintage Steelers-Ravens game that was full of big hits and big defensive plays. The biggest defensive play was turned in by Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, whose 40-yard pick six of Joe Flacco with just under five minutes left proved to be the game-clinching score. 

Pittsburgh’s only offensive touchdown that day came on Santonio Holmes’ 65-yard catch-and-run on a pass from Ben Roethlisberger. The score proved to be a foreshadowing of things to come, as Holmes turned in an MVP performance in Super Bowl XLIII. 

18. 2020 NFC Championship: Buccaneers 31, Packers 26 

The only playoff game between Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers lived up to the hype. The two future Hall of Fame QB’s traded early touchdown passes before Brady fired a 39-yard bomb to Scott Miller that gave the visiting Buccaneers a 21-10 halftime lead. 

Tampa Bay extended its lead to 28-10 before Rodgers tried to mount a comeback. The comeback stalled, however, when Rodgers opted to try to throw a tight pass on third-and-goal instead of running for it late in the fourth quarter. Rodgers’ throw wasn’t completed, the Packers then settled for a field goal and a five-point deficit, and Brady and the Buccaneers ran out the clock to punch their ticket home to Tampa for Super Bowl LV. 

17. 1999 NFC Championship: Rams 11, Buccaneers 6 

Fittingly, the Rams’ fourth-ranked defense — one of the most overlooked units among Super Bowl-winning teams — rose to the forefront with St. Louis’ season in the balance. The unit played every bit as good as their Buccaneers counterparts, a group that two years later would lead Tampa Bay to its first Super Bowl win. 

Trailing 6-5 with under five minutes later, the Rams’ explosive offense finally took wing. It happened when Kurt Warner fired a laser to the end zone to Ricky Proehl, the team’s No. 4 receiver. Proehl managed to pull down Warner’s pass that sent the Rams to the Super Bowl, where they would edge the Titans in a classic. 

16. 1981 AFC Championship: Bengals 27, Chargers 7 

This wasn’t necessarily a great game, but how well the Bengals played — specifically quarterback Ken Anderson — in sub-freezing temperatures is what made this AFC title game memorable. In a game that was tabbed as “The Freezer Bowl,” Anderson threw two touchdowns while leading the Bengals to their first Super Bowl. Anderson’s passer rating was more than twice the amount of his counterpart, Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts, who a week earlier helped lead the Chargers to an epic double-overtime win over the Dolphins in balmy Miami. 

“Kenny’s advantage was that he threw tight spirals,” said Fouts, who said that throwing that day was like “throwing a shoebox in the wind.” 

“I didn’t always throw spirals,” Fouts said. “In my mind, that was the biggest part of us losing the game.”

15. 2015 AFC Championship: Broncos 20, Patriots 18

Peyton Manning came out firing, while Denver’s formidable pass rush hounded Tom Brady for most of the game. Down 20-12 late in the game, Brady kept the Patriots’ season alive with a 40-yard completion to Rob Gronkowski on fourth-and-10 with 54 seconds left. Four plays later, Brady and Gronkowski connected on fourth-and-goal to bring New England to within two points of the Broncos with 12 seconds left, as it appeared that Brady was about to add to his legend of epic comebacks. 

But on the Patriots’ two-point attempt, Brady’s pass intended for Gronkowski was tipped and intercepted by Bradley Roby, sealing the Broncos’ second Super Bowl berth in three years. Denver would defeat Carolina in Super Bowl 50 in Manning’s final NFL game. 

14. 1995 AFC Championship: Steelers 20, Colts 16 

The Steelers were coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Chargers in the ’94 AFC title game. Against the Colts, they found themselves trailing 16-13 after Jim Harbaugh hit Floyd Turner for a 47-yard touchdown. Facing a fourth-and-three late in the game, the Steelers kept their season alive when Neil O’Donnell hit Andre Hastings for a nine-yard gain. On the next play, O’Donnell threw deep to Ernie Mills, who tiptoed the sideline for a 37-yard gain. The catch set up Bam Morris’ go-ahead touchdown. 

With 1:34 left, Harbaugh drove the Colts from their own 16 to the Steelers’ 29-yard-line. Only five seconds were left on the clock when Harbaugh heaved a Hail Mary into the Steelers’ end zone. The ball was deflected several times before falling into the chest of Colts receiver Aaron Bailey. Bailey, who was falling on the ground as the ball hit his chest, was unable to close his arms around the ball before it hit the turf. The incomplete pass gave the Steelers their first trip to the Super Bowl since 1979. 

13. 1992 NFC Championship: Cowboys 30, 49ers 20

This was a changing-of-the-guard game, as the Cowboys dethroned the 49ers as the league’s premier team. The Cowboys held a precarious 24-20 lead after Young and Rice connected on a 5-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Instead of going conservative, the Cowboys went for the win as Harper took a slant pass 70 yards to set up Aikman’s game-clinching touchdown pass to Kelvin Martin. The Cowboys offense was buoyed by Smith, who, on a muddy track, tallied 173 yards and two touchdowns. Dallas went on to rout the Bills, 52-17, to win the franchise’s first championship since 1977. 

12. 2013 NFC Championship: Seahawks 23, 49ers 17

This was a throwback to a bygone era. A hard-hitting, defensive-fueled grudge match, Seattle took its first lead on Russell Wilson’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse one minute into the fourth quarter. With 3:43 left, the 49ers drove 60 yards on the strength of five completions from quarterback Colin Kaepernick that included a fourth-down completion to Frank Gore. 

The 49ers’ reign as NFC champions ended when Kaepernick’s end zone pass for Michael Crabtree was tipped by Richard Sherman and intercepted by Malcolm Smith. The pick overshadowed a gutsy performance by Kaepernick, who ran for 130 yards that included a 58-yard run that set up the 49ers’ first score. Seattle’s offense received big performances from Marshawn Lynch (109 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries) and Doug Baldwin (106 yards on six receptions).

Both defenses received championship-level individual efforts. For the 49ers, pass rusher Aldon Smith had two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, while linebacker NaVorro Bowman had 14 tackles and a forced fumble. Wagner had 15 tackles to go with his game-winning pick. Safety Kam Chancellor had 11 tackles and an interception for Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” secondary. 

11. 2014 NFC Championship: Seahawks 28, Packers 22 (OT) 

Trailing 16-0 at halftime, the Seahawks cut their deficit to five points on Russell Wilson’s short touchdown run with 2:13 remaining in regulation. Seattle then successfully converted the onside kick, setting up Marshawn Lynch’s go-ahead touchdown run. While the Packers did mange to force overtime on Mason Crosby’s 48-yard field goal, the Seahawks punched their Super Bowl ticket when Wilson hit Jermaine Kearse for a 35-yard score on the sixth play of the extra period. The defending champion Seahawks would come up just short in their bid to repeat as champions. The Packers won just one playoff game from 2015-18 before making return trips to the title game in 2019-20. 

10. 2007 NFC Championship: Giants 23, Packers 20 (OT) 

In a game played in sub-zero temperatures, the Giants prevailed behind Plaxico Burress’ 11 receptions and Corey Webster’s overtime interception of Brett Favre. The pick set up Lawrence Tynes’ game-winning field goal, as the Giants went on to upset the previously undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. 

The bitter defeat was the final game for Favre in a Packers uniform. New York’s stingy defense, led by Michael Strahan, fellow defensive linemen Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, and linebacker Antonio Pierce, held the Packers’ offense to just 13 first downs and 264 total yards. Conversely, the play of Manning, Burress and running backs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw allowed the Giants to control the clock for just over 40 minutes. 

9. 1987 AFC Championship: Broncos 38, Browns 33 

After a heartbreaking AFC title-game loss to the Broncos the previous year (more on that later), the Browns were trying to play the role of spoiler late in the rematch. Cleveland’s comeback was spearheaded by quarterback Bernie Kosar and running back Earnest Byner. On their final drive, the Browns appeared to be on the verge of tying the game after driving inside the Broncos’ 10-yard-line. 

With their season on the line, Cleveland ran a draw for Byner, who found space on the right side of the defense. While Byner initially appeared to score the game-winning touchdown, Browns fans were immediately sucker punched after realizing that Byner had fumbled the ball two yards short of the end zone. The Broncos recovered Jeremiah Castille’s forced fumble, and were on their way to Super Bowl XXII. 

8. 2009 NFC Championship: Saints 31, Vikings 28 (OT) 

In a classic championship game, neither team ever led by more than seven points, and the score was tied on four different occasions. The Vikings, following Adrian Peterson’s third touchdown that tied the game, were in position to win it after advancing to the Saints’ 38-yard-line with 19 seconds left in regulation. But in what would be his final pass of the game, Favre’s third-down pass intended for Sidney Rice was intercepted by Tracy Porter, forcing overtime. In overtime, two penalties against the Vikings’ defense, coupled by Pierre Thomas’ 2-yard run on a fourth-and-1 play, set up Garrett Hartley’s game-winning field goal. New Orleans would go on to defeat the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, with Porter’s pick six of Peyton Manning sealing the Saints’ 31-17 win. 

7. 1998 NFC Championship: Falcons 30, Vikings 27 (OT) 

In one of the most surprising upsets in NFL postseason history, Atlanta’s “Dirty Birds” overcame a 13-point deficit to stun the Vikings, who went 15-1 during the regular season. Ahead 27-20, Gary Anderson, who did not miss a field goal during the regular season, missed a 38-yard attempt with 2:07 left. The Falcons fully capitalized on Anderson’s miss, as Chris Chandler hit Terance Mathis for the game-tying touchdown with 57 seconds left in regulation. 

After winning the coin toss, Minnesota was forced to punt after Randall Cunningham’s third-down pass to rookie sensation Randy Moss fell incomplete. The teams would then exchange punts before two Chandler completions to tight end O.J. Santiago and two runs by Jamal Anderson set up Morton Anderson’s game-winning 38-yard kick. The Falcons’ luck, however, ran out in the Super Bowl, as John Elway and the Broncos coasted to a 34-19 win. The Vikings are still in search of their first trip to the Super Bowl since January of 1977. 

6. 2021 AFC Championship: Bengals 27, Chiefs 24 (OT) 

A tackle by Eli Apple jump-started one of the biggest comebacks in NFL playoff history. With his team trailing 21-10, Apple managed to tackle Tyreek Hill just short of the end zone on fourth-and-goal on the final play of the first half, ensuring that the Bengals’ deficit stayed at 18 points. 

The Bengals, who were down 21-3 with five minutes left until halftime, tied the game after putting together two scoring drives in the fourth quarter. Led by quarterback Joe Burrow, Cincinnati then took a three-point lead in the fourth quarter before forcing the Chiefs to settle for OT after Sam Hubbard sacked Mahomes on consecutive plays at the end of regulation. 

Kansas City won the overtime coin toss, but gave the ball right back to Cincinnati when Mahomes was picked off by safety Vonn Bell. Bell’s pick set up Evan McPherson’s game-winning field goal, sending the Bengals to their first Super Bowl since 1988. 

5. 1990 NFC Championship: Giants 15, 49ers 13 

“There will be no three-peat.”

Those words were famously proclaimed by former CBS/Fox play-by-play analyst Pat Summerall after Matt Bahr’s 42-yard field goal gave the Giants an upset win over the defending two-time champion 49ers. In one of the most physical football games ever played, the 49ers suffered a crushing blow when Giants lineman Leonard Marshall knocked Joe Montana out of the game with about 10 minutes left and the 49ers ahead, 13-9. After the Giants cut the deficit to one point, Lawrence Taylor gave his offense the ball back when he recovered 49ers halfback Roger Craig’s fumble in Giants territory. 

Jeff Hostetler’s completions to Mark Bavaro and Stephen Baker, and a pivotal 2-yard run by Ottis Anderson on a third-and-1 play, helped set up Bahr’s game-winning field goal as time expired. Hostetler, Anderson, Bahr and the Giants’ physical defense each played a role in the Giants’ upset win over the Bills in Super Bowl XXV. The loss was the final playoff start for Montana with the 49ers, who fell painfully short of becoming the first team in history to win three straight Super Bowls. 

4. 1986 AFC Championship: Broncos 23, Browns 20, OT (1986)

The 1980s Browns lost three AFC title games in a four-year span to the Browns. While each loss was painful, the first one was undoubtedly the hardest to swallow. 

With the score tied at 13, Bernie Kosar’s 48-yard pass to Brian Brennan gave the home team a 20-13 lead. After watching its defense surrender the big play, Broncos fans watched in agony as their special teams botched the ensuing kickoff before jumping on the ball at their own 2-yard-line. John Elway, displaying the savvy that would eventually put him in the Hall of Fame, meticulously moved the ball against the Browns’ stingy defense. 

After a short throw and two runs gave the Broncos a first down, an 11-yard run by Elway and a 22-yard completion to Steve Sewell got Denver near midfield. On third-and-18 on the Browns’ 48-yard-line, Elway stood tall before firing a 20-yard dart to Mark Jackson. The Broncos avoided a disaster on the play, as Elway was about to catch the shotgun snap after it incidentally hit a receiver in motion. 

Two plays later, a screen pass to Sewell got the Broncos to the Browns’ 14-yard-line. Three plays later, facing a third-and-one on the Browns’ 5-yard-line, Elway took the shotgun snap, waited for Jackson to break free from his defender, and threw a dart that Jackson was able to corral in the end zone. The score, which came with 32 seconds left in regulation, capped off what is known in NFL history as “The Drive.” 

In overtime, Denver’s defense quickly gave the ball back to Elway, who got the Broncos past midfield on a 22-yard completion to tight end Orson Mobley. After losing 2 yards on the next two plays, Elway started to run, which forced Cleveland’s defenders to move up to honor him. But before crossing the line of scrimmage, Elway stopped, then hit an open Steve Watson, who caught the 28-yard pass before falling out of bounds. The play set up Rich Karlis’ game-winning field goal, as Elway and the Broncos were on their way to Pasadena for Super Bowl XXI. It was the first of five Super Bowl appearances for Elway, who lost his first three Super Bowls before retiring with back-to-back titles. 

3. 2006 AFC Championship: Colts 38, Patriots 34 

After recent playoff losses to the Patriots, the Colts found themselves staring at a 21-3 deficit midway through the second quarter of the 2006 AFC championship game. But following Asante Samuel’s 39-yard pick six of Peyton Manning, the Colts scored the game’s next 18 points that included a touchdown pass from Manning to lineman Dan Klecko. The Patriots went back ahead before another Colts lineman, center Jeff Saturday, tied the score after pouncing on a fumble in the end zone. 

Trailing 34-31 with 3:49 left, two completions from Manning to Reggie Wayne sandwiched Manning’s 32-yard completion to Bryan Fletcher. Fletcher, a seldom-used tight end, had lobbied for Manning to look his way earlier in the game. After reaching the Patriots’ 11-yard-line, Manning called three straight runs for rookie running back Joseph Addai. Addai’s third carry resulted in the go-ahead touchdown with 1:02 left. 

Brady, whose late-game prowess was already legendary by this point, passed his team beyond midfield before throwing a game-ending interception to cornerback (and fellow Michigan Man) Marlin Jackson. The Colts would go onto win their lone Super Bowl with Manning under center. In Denver, Manning would win two more AFC title games against the Patriots while retiring with a 3-1 record against the Brady/Belichick Patriots in conference championship games. 

2. 2018 AFC Championship: Patriots 37, Chiefs 31 

Tom Brady’s ninth AFC championship game win came at the expense of Patrick Mahomes, who would have another Super Bowl as part of his bona fides if not for Brady, who that night led the Patriots’ offense on a 13-play, 75-yard drive in overtime that was capped off by Rex Burkhead’s 2-yard touchdown run. 

Moments earlier, Brady had been bailed out by Dee Ford, who was ruled offsides on the play that saw Brady throw an interception to Charvarius Ward. On the ensuing play, Brady found his longtime partner in crime, Rob Gronkowski, open for a 25-yard gain. The completion set up the Patriots’ go-ahead touchdown, which was countered by Harrison Butker’s game-tying field goal with 11 seconds left in regulation. 

Brady eschewed his running game for most of the Patriots’ game-winning overtime drive. He threw eight consecutive passes, the final one a 15-yard completion to Gronkowski. The completion set up Burkhead’s second touchdown of the night, as the Patriots left Arrowhead Stadium with their fourth AFC title over a five-year span. Brady’s performance overshadowed Mahomes, who threw three touchdown passes in his AFC championship game debut. 

1. 1981 NFC Championship: 49ers 28, Cowboys 27 

Despite a dominant Week 6 win over the Cowboys, the 49ers trailed “America’s Team” by six points following Danny White’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Doug Cosbie. Needing to travel 89 yards in less than five minutes, the 49ers relied on several sweeping runs by Lenvil Elliott, two clutch catches in traffic by Freddie Solomon and Solomon’s 14-yard run on a reverse. Facing a third down on the Cowboys’ 6-yard line, Montana rolled right before he was met by three Cowboys defenders. Facing the pass rush, Montana lofted the ball to a spot in the end zone where he hoped Dwight Clark would be. Clark, who caught a 20-yard touchdown pass earlier in the game, was indeed at the spot Montana hoped he would be. The reliable receiver jumped in the air, snared Montana’s pass out of the sky and slammed the ball in the end zone. 

With Candlestick Park already in celebration mode, the 49ers’ defense still had to stop the Cowboys’ offense, who got the ball back at their 25-yard line with two timeouts and 51 seconds left. The crowd got tense after White hit Drew Pearson for 31 yards on the Cowboys’ first play. But on the next play, White lost the ball after getting hit by Lawrence Pillers. The ball was scooped up by Jim Stuckey, who in his arms held the 49ers’ first Super Bowl ticket. 

“You just beat America’s Team,” Cowboys defensive end Ed “Too Tall’ Jones told Montana, as recalled by Clark two decades later. “Well,” Montana replied, “you can sit at home with the rest of America and watch the Super Bowl.”   

For whatever reason, some Super Bowl champions are remembered more than others. Teams like the 1966 Packers, 1978 Steelers, 1972 Dolphins, 1985 Bears, and 1999 Rams continue to be celebrated and chronicled by fans and media members alike. Heck, even the 2007 Patriots, who failed to bring home the Vince Lombardi Trophy, continue to earn mention among the NFL’s all-time great teams. 

Conversely, there have been more than a few teams that have not received enough fanfare. Whether it was their perceived lack of personality, star power or on-field dramatics, these teams are seldom mentioned among the greatest teams of all time. With that in mind, we decided to give some of the Super Bowl’s less-heralded championship teams some fanfare while ranking the six-most overlooked Super Bowl champions. 

6. 1969 Chiefs 

• Final record: 14-3 
• Roster included eight Hall of Fame players 
• Defeated the previous two AFL champions and the reigning NFL champion in the postseason

The ’68 Jets live in infamy as the first AFL team to defeat the NFL in the Super Bowl. But the Chiefs’ 23-7 victory over the mighty Vikings in Super Bowl IV (the final game before the two leagues merged) was equally impressive. After dethroning Broadway Joe and the rest of the Jets in the playoffs, the Chiefs edged John Madden’s Raiders to capture their second AFL title in four years. Against the NFL champion Vikings, Kansas City forced five turnovers while holding Minnesota to just 239 yards. Mike Garrett and Frank Pitts led a Chiefs rushing attack that churned out 151 yards on a muddy track, while Len Dawson’s 46-yard touchdown pass to Otis Taylor put the Chiefs’ first Super Bowl win on ice. 

In addition to owner Lamar Hunt and coach Hank Stram, the ’69 Chiefs boasted eight other Hall of Famers in Dawson, linebackers Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell, defensive tackles Buck Buchanan and Curley Culp, cornerback Emmitt Thomas, safety Johnny Robinson and kicker Jan Stenerud. Kansas City’s star-studded defense allowed just 19 points in three playoff games after allowing an average of less than 13 points per game during the regular season. 

Why are they overlooked? New York’s shocking win a year earlier undoubtedly took some of the shine off the Chiefs’ win. The fact that Kansas City was an AFL team probably also has something to do with this team not getting the attention it deserves. 

5. 1982 Washington Football Team 

• Final record: 12-1 
• Outscored their four playoff opponents 110-48 
• Featured HOF RB John Riggins and league MVP Mark Moseley 

Washington overcame a 57-day players’ strike to bring home the franchise’s first Super Bowl win. The Football Team won their final eight games that included four wins in the NFL’s expanded 16-team playoff. After rolling past the Lions and Vikings in the first two rounds, Washington defeated the rival Cowboys (the only team that defeated them during the regular season) in the NFC  championship game. After struggling to shake free of the Dolphins during the first three quarters of Super Bowl XVII, Riggins’ 42-yard touchdown run on a key fourth-and-1 play allowed Washington to pull away for a 27-17 victory. Riggins rushed for a then-Super Bowl record 166 yards, while Washington’s defense did not allow a pass completion during the second half. 

Along with Riggins (who amazingly ran for more yards in the playoffs than in the regular season), Washington’s ’82 team was led by quarterback Joe Theismann and Moseley, the first and only kicker to win league MVP. The roster also featured “The Hogs” offensive line, led by Russ Grimm, Joe Jacoby, Jeff Bostic, Mark May and George Starke. Hall of Fame receiver Art Monk headlined a formidable receiving corps that also included Charlie Brown and Joe Washington, one of the most versatile running backs of his era. Washington’s defense was anchored by defensive linemen Dexter Manley and Dave Butz along with defensive backs Tony Peters and Mark Murphy. 

Why are they overlooked? The abbreviated season likely took some of the shine off Washington’s first championship. Along with the fact that just three of Washington’s 22 starters were named to the Pro Bowl. 

4. 1971 Cowboys 

• Final record: 14-3 
• Featured nine Hall of Famers 
• Allowed the Dolphins to score just three points in Super Bowl VI 

While the ’92 Cowboys might have something to say about it, the franchise’s first championship team still might be its best. They went a perfect 10-0 with Roger Staubach as their starter, as Dallas won its final 10 games that included a 24-3 win over the Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. Staubach capped off his first year as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback with an MVP performance against a Dolphins team that would win the next two Super Bowls. Staubach threw touchdown passes to fellow Hall of Famers Mike Ditka and Lance Alworth, while running backs Duane Thomas and Walt Garrison combined to run for 169 yards. Super Bowl V MVP Chuck Howley’s interception set up the Cowboys’ final score, while Hall of Fame defensive tackle Bob Lilly sacked Bob Griese for a Super Bowl record 29-yard loss earlier in the game. 

Dallas’ ’71 roster was loaded with talent. Along with Staubach, Ditka and Alworth, the Cowboys offense featured several other Hall of Famers in receiver “Bullet” Bob Hayes and lineman Rayfield Wright. The Cowboys defense, appropriately nicknamed “Doomsday,” featured Hall of Famers Lilly, cornerbacks Herb Adderley and Mel Renfro, and safety Cliff Harris. 

Why are they overlooked? The ’71 Cowboys are somewhat overshadowed by their ’77 championship team that featured Hall Famers Drew Pearson, Tony Dorsett and Randy White. That team also featured Ed “Too Tall” Jones and a colorful linebacker named Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson. The ’71 Cowboys’ slow start (they went 1-3 with Craig Morton as their starting quarterback) has contributed to them often being left out of the discussion as one of the Super Bowl’s greatest champions. 

3. 1998 Broncos

• Final record: 17-2 
• Featured league MVP and HOF RB Terrell Davis and HOF QB John Elway 
• Outscored their three playoff opponents 95-32 

Denver won its second consecutive Super Bowl with little resistance. After a 13-0 start (that included four wins without an injured Elway), Denver lost two games late in the ’98 season before rebounding with a Week 17 win over Seattle. In that game, Davis became the fourth player in league history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. In the playoffs, Denver dismantled the Dolphins (who had given them their second loss of the season) 38-3 behind Davis’ 199 rushing yards and two touchdowns. After defeating the Jets in the AFC championship game, the Broncos dominated the Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII on the strength of Elway’s 336 passing yards and a defense that forced four turnovers and allowed a single touchdown in garbage time. 

Along with Elway and Davis, the Broncos offense showcased Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, 1,000-yard receivers Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey and three Pro Bowl linemen in Tony Jones, Mark Schlereth and Tom Nalen. Denver’s defense featured Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater, Pro Bowl linebacker Bill Romanowski and perennial Pro Bowl pass rusher Neil Smith. The unit allowed a mere two touchdowns in three playoff games. 

Why are they overlooked? There wasn’t much drama associated with the Broncos’ title defense. To no fault of their own, the Broncos didn’t get the chance to face the Vikings, the team many considered to be Denver’s only worthy challenger. Minnesota, however, did not fulfill its end of the bargain following a 15-1 season, as Dennis Green’s Vikings were upset by the Falcons in the NFC championship game. The Broncos’ second championship run would be better remembered had it ended with a win over Randy Moss and rest of the Vikings. 

2. 1984 49ers 

• Final record: 18-1 
• Boasted the league’s top-ranked offense and second-ranked defense 
• Defeated their three playoff opponents by a combined score of 82-26 

A year before the Bears went 18-1, the 49ers became the first team to win 18 games in a season. The 49ers were actually a controversial pass-interference call away from becoming the NFL’s first 19-0 team. Led by quarterback Joe Montana and his mastery of Bill Walsh’s innovative West Coast offense, the 49ers scored at least 30 points 10 times during the regular season. San Francisco’s equally dominant defense allowed the fewest points in the NFL during the regular season. The 49ers defense featured five Pro Bowlers in linebacker Keena Turner and defensive backs Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Carlton Williamson and Dwight Hicks. The unit also included Hall of Fame pass rusher Fred Dean and veteran linebacker Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds. 

In the playoffs, the 49ers defeated the Giants and Bears — the next two Super Bowl champions — by a combined score of 44-10. They spotted the Dolphins an early 10-7 lead in Super Bowl XIX before scoring 28 of the game’s final 34 points. Montana set then-Super Bowl records for passing yards (333) and rushing yards (59) by a quarterback, while running backs Roger Craig and Wendell Tyler combined to gain 270 all-purpose yards with Craig becoming the first player to score three Super Bowl touchdowns. The 49ers defense shut out Miami’s record-setting offense in the second half while sacking Dan Marino four times and intercepting him twice. 

Why are they overlooked? The early ’80s 49ers were similar to the early 2000s Patriots in that they didn’t have the biggest names and thus failed to generate many national headlines. The ’84 49ers are also a victim of the franchise’s success as they are often lost in the shuffle of the 49ers’ four other championship teams. 

1. 1976 Raiders

• Final Record: 16-1 
• Defeated the defending two-time champion Steelers in AFC title game 
• Rushed for a then-record 266 yards in Super Bowl XI 

After years of heartbreak, John Madden’s Raiders would not be denied in 1976. After stubbing their toe against the Patriots in Week 4, the Raiders would win their final 13 games. In the playoffs, Oakland edged New England in the divisional round before ousting the rival Steelers in the AFC championship game. Playing in their first Super Bowl, the Raiders outclassed the Vikings, 32-14. The Raiders’ powerful offensive line overwhelmed Minnesota’s famed “Purple People Eaters” defense, while Oakland’s defense forced three turnovers that included Willie Brown’s 75-yard pick six that put the game on ice. 

Oakland’s high-scoring offense showcased five Hall of Fame players in quarterback Ken Stabler, receiver Fred Biletnikoff, tight end Dave Casper and linemen Art Shell and Gene Upshaw. The Raiders offense also featured receiver Cliff Branch, one of the league’s greatest players who is still not in Canton, Ohio. The Raiders’ intimidating defense was led by Hall of Fame linebacker Ted Hendricks, defensive end John Matuszak, linebacker Phil Villapiano and a nasty secondary that was anchored by Brown, Jack “The Assassin” Tatum, Skip “Dr. Death” Thomas and George Atkinson. 

Why are they overlooked? The ’70s Raiders were loved by their fans, but loathed by the rest of the NFL. The ’76 team led the league in penalties. Their controversial playoff wins over New England (aided by Sugar Bear Hamilton’s shaky roughing the passer penalty) and Pittsburgh (the Steelers played without 1,000-yard rushers Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier) may also be why the ’76 Raiders don’t get more love.   

Once again, the Super Bowl has produced a compelling quarterback matchup. A year after Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts dueled in the desert, Mahomes and Brock Purdy will try to lead their teams to victory in Super Bowl LVIII. 

Already a two-time Super Bowl champ, Mahomes is looking to add to his laundry list of accomplishments that also includes two league and Super Bowl MVPs. Purdy, the final player picked in the 2022 NFL Draft. is hoping to join Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Steve Young as 49ers quarterbacks that have hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophies. 

Below is a complete ranking of each of the Super Bowl’s 58 quarterback matchups — the list goes to 55 because there were three repeats — including Sunday’s between Mahomes and Purdy. It’s also important to note that these rankings are not a reflection of the quarterbacks’ performances in the Super Bowl, which is why we can already put a ranking on this year’s QB matchup. 

The criteria when making the list included: 

• Career accomplishments, both before and after the Super Bowl 
• Where both quarterbacks were at that time in their career 
• Their place on the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team 

Without further ado, let’s get started. 

1. Tom Brady vs. Patrick Mahomes, Super Bowl LV 

Feb 7, 2021: Buccaneers 31, Chiefs 9 

No, this is not recency bias. And though the game didn’t play out as one of the best, the QB matchup is our No. 1. Widely considered to be the NFL’s best quarterback, Mahomes is the youngest player in NFL history to win regular season and Super Bowl MVP trophies. He and Brady are the only players with multiple regular season and Super Bowl MVP awards. On Sunday, Mahomes will look to become only the fifth starting quarterback to win three Super Bowls. 

A member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Brady is widely considered to be the greatest quarterback who has ever played the position. He’s also the greatest Super Bowl quarterback of all-time, with 10 appearances, seven rings and five Super Bowl MVPs to boot. His three touchdown passes in Super Bowl LV propelled the Buccaneers to an upset win over the defending champion Chiefs. 

2. Joe Montana vs. Dan Marino, Super Bowl XIX

Jan. 20, 1985: 49ers 38, Dolphins 16

Before Mahomes and Brady faced off,  this was the mostly highly anticipated Super Bowl quarterback matchup ever. Montana was in his prime and three years removed from leading the 49ers to their first title. Marino was coming off of an MVP season that saw him throw for then NFL records of 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns. Their performances in Super Bowl XIX lived up to the hype. Marino threw for 318 yards and a touchdown, while Montana threw for 333 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 59 yards while leading the 49ers to their second Super Bowl title. While Montana won the hardware, Marino retired in 1999 as the NFL’s all-time leading passer and is arguably the greatest passer in league history as far as arm talent is concerned. Both players are members of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. 

3. Joe Montana vs. John Elway, Super Bowl XXIV

Jan. 28, 1990: 49ers 55, Broncos 10

The game was a dud, but Super Bowl XXIV featured two of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time in Montana and Elway. Montana, who at the time was widely considered to be the greatest ever, was polishing off his fourth Super Bowl trophy and third MVP award. Elway, the league’s MVP just two years earlier, was playing in his third Super Bowl in a four-year span. Elway closed out his career with two Super Bowl wins and an MVP performance in Super Bowl XXXIII, the final game of his career. Both quarterbacks are in the Hall of Fame. 

4. John Elway vs. Brett Favre, Super Bowl XXXII

Jan. 25, 1998: Broncos 31, Packers 24

Favre entered this game as the NFL’s reigning three-time league MVP. He was also coming off of a victory in Super Bowl XXXI and was trying to become the fourth quarterback to win back-to-back titles. Standing in his way was the Broncos and Elway, whose diving run for a first down helped spearhead Denver to a 31-24 upset victory. In defeat, Favre threw for 256 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Elway relied heavily on Terrell Davis, whose 157 yards and three touchdowns earned him MVP honors. Both quarterbacks are in the Hall of Fame.

5. Terry Bradshaw vs. Roger Staubach, Super Bowls X and XIII

Jan. 18, 1976: Steelers 21, Cowboys 17
Jan. 21, 1979: Steelers 35, Cowboys 31

The “Blonde Bomber” and “Captain America” faced each other in two of the most exciting Super Bowls ever. Bradshaw’s Steelers prevailed by four points in both games. In Super Bowl XIII, Bradshaw (the league’s MVP that season) threw for then Super Bowl records of 318 yards and four touchdowns while winning MVP honors. A four-time Super Bowl champion, Bradshaw won his second Super Bowl MVP following Pittsburgh’s win over Los Angeles in Super Bowl XIV. Staubach, who led the Cowboys to two Super Bowl wins during the 1970s, threw five touchdowns in two Super Bowls against Pittsburgh’s vaunted “Steel Curtain” defense. Both quarterbacks were first-ballot Hall of Famers. 

6. Drew Brees vs. Peyton Manning, Super Bowl XLIV

Feb. 7, 2010: Saints 31, Colts 17

Brees won MVP honors after going 32 of 39 for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Manning, who three years earlier led the Colts to a victory in Super Bowl XLI, won his second Super Bowl ring nine years later as a member of the Broncos. Manning received a gold jacket in 2021 and is also a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Brees retired as the NFL’s all-time passing leader and will likely be enshrined in Canton, Ohio in 2026, his first year of eligibility. 

7. Aaron Rodgers vs. Ben Roethlisberger, Super Bowl XLV 

Feb. 6, 2011: Packers 31, Steelers 25

Rodgers and the Packers denied Big Ben the chance at becoming the fifth quarterback to win three Super Bowls. Instead, Rodgers became the third Packers starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl. He also won MVP honors after throwing for 304 yards and three touchdowns. Rodgers’ Super Bowl win is flanked by his four league MVP trophies.

8. Tom Brady vs. Kurt Warner, Super Bowl XXXVI

Feb. 3, 2002: Patriots 20, Rams 17

Warner strolled into this game fresh off of his second league MVP award in three years. Warner was also looking to win his second Super Bowl after leading the “Greatest Show on Turf” to a win in Super Bowl XXXIV. Warner and his teammates’ run at history ultimately came up short against the Patriots, who were about to embark on their own dynasty. Warner threw for 365 yards, but Brady’s last-minute drive set up Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning field goal. Brady and Warner have won a combined five regular season MVPs and eight Super Bowls. They’ve also appeared in a combined 13 Super Bowls. Warner’s career has been enshrined in Canton, Ohio. Brady will join him in Canton in 2028, when he is first eligible. 

9. Bart Starr vs. Len Dawson, Super Bowl I  

Jan. 15, 1967: Green Bay 35, Kansas City 10

The first Super Bowl featured two of the best quarterbacks of their era. The NFL’s MVP that season, Starr won his first of two consecutive Super Bowl MVPs after leading the Packers to a 35-10 win over the Chiefs. Starr won five titles in Green Bay and is the last quarterback to lead his team to three consultive titles. Dawson, who won MVP honors in Kansas City’s win over Minnesota in Super Bowl IV, was a three-time AFL champion and a seven-time Pro Bowler. Both quarterbacks are members of the Hall of Fame. 

10. Troy Aikman vs. Jim Kelly, Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII

Jan. 31, 1993: Cowboys 52, Bills 17
Jan. 30, 1994: Cowboys 30, Bills 13

Similar to Starr and Dawson, Aikman and Kelly were two of the best passers of their era. Kelly led the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls, the only quarterback to do so. Aikman was the first quarterback to win three Super Bowls over a four-year span. In his first Super Bowl, Aikman won MVP after throwing four touchdowns in the Cowboys’ 52-17 rout of Buffalo. Dallas won the rematch while becoming the sixth team to win back-to-back titles. Both are in the Hall of Fame. 

11. Ben Roethlisberger vs. Kurt Warner, Super Bowl XLIII

Feb. 1, 2009: Steelers 27, Cardinals 23

Three years after winning his first ring, Roethlisberger won his second after hitting Santonio Holmes for the game-winning score with 42 seconds remaining. Big Ben’s touchdown overshadowed Warner’s two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Larry Fitzgerald. In defeat, Warner became the first quarterback to start in three Super Bowls with two different teams. He also had the three highest passing yardage totals in Super Bowl history. Roethlisberger will likely join Warner in Canton, Ohio in 2027 when he is first eligible for enshrinement. 

12. Terry Bradshaw vs. Fran Tarkenton, Super Bowl IX 

Jan. 12: 1975: Steelers 16, Vikings 6

“Scrambling Fran” retired as the NFL’s all-time passing leader. He was also an incredibly hard quarterback to tackle, hence his nickname. The Steelers did manage to get to him in Super Bowl IX, as they held Tarkenton to just 102 yards passing while intercepting him three times. Bradshaw, who threw for just 96 yards, hit Larry Brown for the game-clinching score. Tarkenton was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986, three years before Bradshaw’s induction. 

13. Ken Stabler vs. Fran Tarkenton, Super Bowl XI 

Jan. 9, 1977: Raiders 32, Vikings 14

The NFL’s MVP in 1974, Stabler and his teammates finally reached the mountaintop after defeating the Vikings, 32-14. Against the Vikings, Stabler had success throwing the ball to Fred Biletnikoff, who became the second receiver to win Super Bowl MVP. A left-handed passer who played in some of the most iconic games in NFL history, Stabler was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. 

14. Tom Brady vs. Eli Manning, Super Bowls XLII and XLVI

Feb. 3, 2008: Giants 17, Patriots 14
Feb. 5, 2012: Giants 21, Patriots 17

Yes, Manning was a .500 regular season quarterback. But he is also top-10 all-time in career passing yards and passing touchdowns. Manning also went 8-4 in the playoffs, 2-0 in NFC championships, and 2-0 against Brady in Super Bowls. Manning was named MVP in both of his Super Bowl appearances. 

15. Tom Brady vs. Russell Wilson, Super Bowl XLIX 

Feb. 1, 2015: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24

The 37-year-old Brady was in the midst of a career resurgence. After a decade without a ring, Brady finally won his fourth Super Bowl after getting the better of Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” defense. Brady also out-dueled Wilson, who was just completing his third season in Seattle. Wilson continued to play well after that and is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection. He had a rough first season in Denver but bounced back last season. His future Hall of Fame odds likely rest on how the rest of his career plays out. 

16. Russell Wilson vs. Peyton Manning, Super Bowl XLVIII

Feb. 2, 2014: Seahawks 43, Broncos 8

While Wilson was coming off of his first Pro Bowl selection, Manning entered Super Bowl XLVIII fresh off of his fifth and final MVP award. Had these two both been in their primes, this one would have been a top-10 matchup. That being said, No. 16 isn’t too shabby. 

17. Roger Staubach vs. Bob Griese, Super Bowl VI 

Jan. 16, 1972: Cowboys 24, Dolphins 3

After watching the previous year’s Super Bowl from the sideline, Staubach won MVP honors in Super Bowl VI after throwing two touchdowns in the Cowboys’ 24-3 win over Miami. Griese would have much better experiences in Super Bowls VII and VIII, as he won both games while becoming the first quarterback to start in three consecutive Super Bowls. Griese, like Staubach, is a member of the Hall of Fame. 

18. Bob Griese vs. Fran Tarkenton, Super Bowl VIII

Jan. 13, 1974: Dolphins 24, Vikings 7

Tarkenton fell short in his first Super Bowl start, as the Vikings scored just one touchdown against Miami’s “No Name” defense. Griese threw a Super Bowl record low seven passes. But he completed six passes that included a key 27-yard completion to Paul Warfield. The duo played in a combined six Super Bowls, winning two. 

19. Joe Montana vs. Ken Anderson, Super Bowl XVI

Jan. 24, 1982: 49ers 26, Bengals 21

When the 49ers and Bengals met in 1982, Anderson was the more accomplished of the two Super Bowl quarterbacks. The league’s MVP that season, Anderson had already been named to three Pro Bowls and had led the NFL in passing two different times. Anderson actually threw for nearly twice as many yards as Montana in Super Bowl XVI, but it was Montana that left the Silverdome with his first ring. 

20. Bart Starr vs. Daryle Lamonica, Super Bowl II

Jan. 14, 1968: Packers 33, Raiders 14

One of the AFL’s biggest stars, Lamonica won three AFL titles (two with the Bills, one with the Raiders) and was league MVP in 1967 and in 1969. A five-time Pro Bowler, Lamonica went an impressive 66-16-6 as a starting quarterback. In his only Super Bowl, Lamonica threw two touchdowns but also threw a costly pick-six to Herb Adderley that sealed Green Bay’s 33-14 win. 

21. Jim Plunkett vs. Joe Theismann, Super Bowl XVIII 

Jan. 22, 1984: Raiders 38, Washington 9

The was the second meeting between quarterbacks who had already won a Super Bowl. Plunkett, the MVP of Super Bowl XV, won his second Super Bowl after helping the Raiders dethrone Washington, 38-9. Theismann endured a rocky second Super Bowl. He threw two interceptions and was sacked six times by the Raiders’ talented defense. Plunkett is one of just four players to win the Heisman Trophy and a Super Bowl MVP. 

22. Phil Simms vs. John Elway, Super Bowl XXI 

Jan. 25, 1987: Giants 39, Broncos 20

Simms won his first and only Super Bowl start, completing a Super Bowl record 88% of his passes. He also threw two touchdowns against zero interceptions while leading the Giants to victory. Elway, who threw for 304 yards in his Super Bowl debut, would win his first Super Bowl 11 years later. 

23. Joe Montana vs. Boomer Esiason, Super Bowl XXIII

Jan. 22, 1989: 49ers 20, Bengals 16

Esiason, the league’s MVP that season, is the NFL’s career passing leader for left-handed quarterbacks. As good as he was, Esiason didn’t complete enough passes in Super Bowl XXIII to prevent the 49ers from beating his Bengals to win their third title of the decade. Super Bowl loss aside, Esiason enjoyed a fruitful career that included four Pro Bowl selections and 247 career touchdown passes. 

24. Tom Brady vs. Donovan McNabb, Super Bowl XXXIX

Feb. 6, 2005: Patriots 24, Eagles 21

McNabb enjoyed a career year in 2004. He threw 31 touchdowns during the regular season before leading the Eagles to their first Super Bowl berth in 24 years. In Super Bowl XXXIX, McNabb’s three interceptions proved costly in the Eagles’ loss to the Patriots. McNabb made five appearances in the NFC title game. 

25. Kurt Warner vs. Steve McNair, Super Bowl XXXIV

Jan. 30, 2000: Rams 23, Titans 16

This was a Super Bowl between a reigning and a future league MVP. Warner threw for a then Super Bowl record 414 yards for the Rams. McNair, who shared league MVP honors with Peyton Manning in 2003, had one of the best performances by a losing Super Bowl quarterback. McNair, his Titans trailing by a touchdown, saw his completion to Kevin Dyson fell one yard shy of the end zone on the game’s final play.

26. Tom Brady vs. Matt Ryan, Super Bowl LI 

Feb. 5, 2017: Patriots 34, Falcons 28

The league’s MVP that season, Ryan enjoyed a borderline Hall of Fame career. He was on his way to winning Super Bowl MVP before Dont’a Hightower’s forced fumble changed the complexion of the game and the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead. The first quarterback to lose an overtime Super Bowl, Ryan threw two touchdowns and competed nearly 74% of his passes. 

27. Peyton Manning vs. Cam Newton, Super Bowl 50 

Feb. 7, 2016: Broncos 24, Panthers 10

Manning was not the same player at this stage of his career, but he still had enough savvy to help the Broncos get to the finish line in what would be his final game. Newton won league MVP honors that season after becoming the first player in league history to throw 35 touchdowns and run for at least 10 scores in the same season. Newton struggled in Super Bowl 50, however, as he committed three costly turnovers in Carolina’s loss. He was never quite the same player after that game. 

28. Brett Favre vs. Drew Bledsoe, Super Bowl XXXI 

Jan. 26, 1997: Packers 35, Patriots 21

Favre was at the peak of his powers in 1996. His counterpart in that year’s Super Bowl was, too. Before Brady, the best quarterback in Patriots history was Bledsoe, who won a passing title during his second season in New England. Bledsoe possessed a cannon of an arm, but his four interceptions played a significant role in the Pats’ loss.

29. Joe Burrow vs. Matthew Stafford, Super Bowl LVI

Feb. 13, 2022: Rams 23, Bengals 20

This matchup could eventually wind up in the top 20 if both Burrow and Stafford receive gold jackets once their careers are over. Stafford improved his odds at getting to Canton, Ohio one day by leading the Rams to a win over Burrow’s Bengals in the Super Bowl. Injuries appear to be the only thing standing in Burrow’s way of carving out a Hall of Fame career. He’ll look to return to his usual form in 2024 after enduing a 2023 season that was beset by injuries. 

30. Joe Namath vs. Earl Morrall, Super Bowl III 

Jan. 12, 1969: Jets 16, Colts 7

Namath was already a star before Super Bowl III, but after leading the Jets to a stunning upset over the Colts, Broadway Joe reached legendary status. The opposite happened to his counterpart, who won NFL MVP that season after leading the Colts to a 13-1 record. While his career has not received much fanfare, Morrall came off the bench to help the Colts defeat the Cowboys in Super Bowl V. Two years later, he went 11-0 as the Dolphins’ quarterback during Miami’s 17-0 season. 

31. Jim Plunkett vs. Ron Jaworski, Super Bowl XV 

Jan. 25, 1981: Raiders 27, Eagles 10

A 10-year starter in Philadelphia, the quarterback known as “Jaws” led the Eagles to their first winning season in over a decade in 1978. Jaworski helped lead the Eagles to four consecutive postseason berths that included a win over the rival Cowboys in the 1980 NFC title game. In the Super Bowl, Jaworski threw three interceptions to Raiders linebacker Rod Martin. Plunkett threw three touchdowns for the Raiders.

32. Ben Roethlisberger vs. Matt Hasselbeck, Super Bowl XL 

Feb. 5, 2006: Steelers 21, Seahawks 10

Though he threw for just 123 yards, Roethlisberger became the youngest quarterback to win the Super Bowl. His counterpart, Hasselbeck, was bedeviled by costly penalties and an ill-advised interception late in the game. Along with helping lead Seattle to its first Super Bowl, Hasselbeck was a three-time Pro Bowler who retired as the Seahawks’ all-time leading passer. 

33. Patrick Mahomes vs. Jalen Hurts, Super Bowl LVII 

Feb. 12, 2023: Chiefs 38, Eagles 35 

Yes, this ranking feels low to me, too, and you can bank on this QB matchup rising in the coming years as Mahomes and Hurts continue to built up their resumes. Mahomes has already built his case as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, and Hurts’ career is off to a great start as well. He’s made the Pro Bowls each of the past two years and had a Super Bowl for the ages against the Chiefs. Hurts threw for over 300 yards and became the first quarterback to rush for three touchdowns in a Super Bowl. 

34. Doug Williams vs. John Elway, Super Bowl XXII 

Jan. 31, 1988: Washington 42, Broncos 10

Williams was much better than his statistics would indicate. The first Black quarterback to be selected in the first-round of the draft, Williams led the previously dreadful Buccaneers to the NFC Championship Game. Three years later, Williams left Tampa after ownership refused to give him his desired contract (he was lowest-paid starting quarterback at the time and made less than 12 backups). Williams resurfaced in Washington. In Super Bowl XXII, Williams overcame a slow start to throw four touchdowns in the second quarter of Washington’s win over the Broncos. The first Black starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl, Williams was named the game’s MVP. 

35. Patrick Mahomes vs. Brock Purdy, Super Bowl LVIII 

Feb. 11, 2024

Like Mahomes and Hurts, don’t be shocked this this year’s QB matchup moves up the ranks in the coming years. Mahomes is one win away from becoming the eighth starting quarterback to win back-to-back Super Bowls. Purdy can really alter the course of his career with a win on Sunday. But even if he and the 49ers come up short, it doesn’t look like Purdy is going anywhere any time soon The 49ers are 20-5 in the regular season and 4-1 in the playoffs with Purdy under center. 

36. Mark Rypien vs. Jim Kelly, Super Bowl XXVI 

Jan. 26, 1992: Washington 37, Bills 24

Kelly came into this Super Bowl fresh off of his first All-Pro selection. Rypien earned his second Pro Bowl selection in 1991 after throwing a career-high 28 touchdowns and helping lead Washington to a 14-2 record. In the Super Bowl, Rypien thew for 292 yards and two touchdowns and was named the MVP. In six seasons in Washington, Rypien posted a 45-27 regular season record. 

37. Tom Brady vs. Jake Delhomme, Super Bowl XXXVIII 

Feb. 1, 2004: Patriots 32, Panthers 29

After a brief playoff sabbatical, the ’03 postseason would be the first of 17 consecutive postseasons for Brady (not counting his injury-plagued 2008 season). Brady was part of an epic Super Bowl shootout against Delhomme, who threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns that included his game-tying touchdown pass with 1:08 left. Though his Panthers came up short, Delhomme enjoyed a successful seven-year run in Carolina.

38. Johnny Unitas vs. Craig Morton, Super Bowl V 

Jan. 17, 1971: Colts 16, Cowboys 13

The NFL’s best quarterback during the league’s first 50 years, Unitas is a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. A back-to-back NFL champion in 1958-59, Unitas was in the twilight of his career when he faced the Cowboys in the Super Bowl. He managed to complete a 75-yard touchdown pass to John Mackey before leaving the game with an injury. With the score tied late in the fourth quarter, Morton’s interception to Colts linebacker Mike Curtis set up Jim O’Brien’s game-winning field goal. 

39. Roger Staubach vs. Craig Morton, Super Bowl XII 

Jan. 15, 1978: Cowboys 27, Broncos 10

Morton, the first player to face a team that he had previously led to a Super Bowl, threw four passes to his former team in a 27-10 loss to the Cowboys. While his two Super Bowl appearances were duds, Morton is fondly remembered in Denver after helping lead the Broncos to the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance. Morton was 35-16-1 as the Cowboys’ starter and 43-26 as the Broncos’ starting quarterback. 

40. Troy Aikman vs. Neil O’Donnell, Super Bowl XXX 

Jan. 28, 1996: Cowboys 27, Steelers 17

Aikman was coming off a season that saw him earn his fourth of five consecutive Pro Bowl berths. O’Donnell, a Pro Bowler three years earlier, came into the Super Bowl with the lowest career touchdown/interception ratio in NFL history. And while he did throw a then Super Bowl record 28 completions, O’Donnell’s two interceptions to Larry Brown short-circuited the Steelers’ comeback attempt. The interceptions overshadowed O’Donnell’s success in Pittsburgh that included four postseason berths.

41. Joe Flacco vs. Colin Kaepernick, Super Bowl XLVII 

Feb. 3, 2013: Ravens 34, 49ers 31

Neither quarterback made a Pro Bowl, but both made their mark during that time in pro football. Flacco has a 10-6 playoff record that included his MVP performance in the Super Bowl. Kaepernick helped lead the 49ers to consecutive NFC title games. He threw for 302 yards while passing and running for scores against the Ravens. Down 34-29, Kaepernick drove the 49ers to the Ravens’ 5-yard-line before misfiring on three consecutive passes. 

42. Tom Brady vs. Jared Goff, Super Bowl LIII

Feb. 3, 2019: Patriots 13, Rams 3

With respect to Goff, most fans outside of Los Angeles were hoping to see Brady face off against Brees, whose team suffered a controversial loss in the NFC title game. A Pro Bowler in 2017 and in ’18, Goff and his teammates joined the ’71 Dolphins as the only teams to not score a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Goff has enjoyed a career resurgence since being traded from Los Angeles to Detroit in 2021. 

43. Tom Brady vs. Nick Foles, Super Bowl LII 

Feb. 4, 2018: Eagles 41, Patriots 33

A Pro Bowler in 2013, Foles’ career endured a downward spiral before he re-joined the Eagles in 2017. Foles spent most of the year as a backup before Carson Wentz suffered a season-ending injury in Week 13. Foles caught fire in the playoffs. He threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ 38-7 rout of the Vikings in the NFL title game. In Super Bowl LII, Foles threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns to win MVP honors. In defeat, Brady threw for a Super Bowl record 505 yards. 

44. Len Dawson vs. Joe Kapp, Super Bowl IV 

Jan. 11, 1970: Chiefs 23, Vikings 7

Kapp, a star in the Canadian Football League who’s often regarded as one of the toughest quarterbacks in pro football history, led the Vikings to their first NFL title in 1969. Kapp and his teammates fell short in Super Bowl iV against a more seasoned Chiefs squad. He spent the following season with the Patriots before quitting after the team drafted Jim Plunkett with the No. 1 overall pick. 

45. Brad Johnson vs. Rich Gannon, Super Bowl XXXVII 

Jan. 26, 2003: Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21

Two of the more underrated passers of their era, Johnson was a two-time Pro Bowler who led three different franchises to the postseason. Gannon was a four-time Pro Bowler and the league’s MVP in 2002. Johnson threw a pair of touchdowns in Super Bowl XXXVII, while Gannon’s three pick-sixes played a significant role in the Buccaneers’ victory. 

46. Bob Griese vs. Billy Kilmer, Super Bowl VII

Jan. 14, 1973: Dolphins 14, Washington 7

The leader of “The Over the Hill Gang,” Kilmer led Washington’s veteran-laden team to its first Super Bowl appearance. While his offense failed to score a single point against Miami’s “No Name” defense, Kilmer otherwise enjoyed a solid run in Washington that included a 52-28-1 overall record and a Pro Bowl selection in 1972. 

47. Steve Young vs. Stan Humphries, Super Bowl XXIX 

Jan. 29, 1995: 49ers 49, Chargers 26

Young came into the Super Bowl after winning his second MVP in three years and threw a Super Bowl record six touchdown passes. He also led both teams in rushing. A first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee, Young retired with the NFL’s highest career passer rating. Humphries never made a Pro Bowl, but he did go 50-32 as the Chargers’ starting quarterback. 

48. John Elway vs. Chris Chandler, Super Bowl XXXIII

Jan. 31, 1999: Broncos 34, Falcons 19

In his final game, the 38-year-old Elway threw for 336 yards while winning MVP honors. Chandler, a two-time Pro Bowler, enjoyed a 17-year career that included 155 starts. Chandler’s role in Atlanta’s stunning upset win over the Vikings in the NFC title game has given him a permanent place in Falcons lore. 

49. Jim Kelly vs. Jeff Hostetler, Super Bowl XXV

Jan. 27, 1991: Giants 20, Bills 19

A third-round pick in the 1985 draft, Hostetler languished on the bench during his first four-plus seasons with the Giants, but filled in for Phil Simms after he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 15. Undeterred, the Giants won their final two regular season games with Hostetler under center. Hostetler shook off a slow start in the Super Bowl to lead the Giants on three time-consuming scoring drives.

50. Patrick Mahomes vs. Jimmy Garoppolo, Super Bowl LIV 

Feb. 2, 2020: Chiefs 31, 49ers 20

Garoppolo played about as well as expected in his Super Bowl debut. He actually out-played his counterpart for the first three quarters, as he helped the 49ers build a 20-10 lead. But when the Chiefs mounted their comeback, Garoppolo did not to rise to the moment. Trailing 24-20, he barely overthrew Emmanuel Sanders on what would have been the go-ahead score with 1:40 left. He took a sack on the next play, and the Chiefs put the game away two plays later. 

51. Trent Dilfer vs. Kerry Collins, Super Bowl XXXV

Jan. 28, 2001: Ravens 34, Giants 7

Widely considered to be the worst starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl, Dilfer had a successful career that included a ring, a Pro Bowl selection, a 5-1 playoff record and guiding two different teams to a conference title game. Dilfer is the only quarterback to be released the year after winning a Super Bowl. Collins, a two-time Pro Bowler whose career spanned three different decades, guided three different teams to the postseason. His four interceptions in Super Bowl XXXV, however, were costly for the Giants.

52. Terry Bradshaw vs. Vince Ferragamo, Super Bowl XIV

Jan. 20, 1980: Steelers 31, Rams 19

Ferragamo actually out-played Bradshaw for the first three quarters. A fourth-round pick in the 1977 draft, the 25-year-old Ferragamo had zero career starts under his belt before he was tasked with replacing injured starter Pat Haden 11 games into the ’79 season. The Rams went 4-1 under Ferragamo, then recorded two playoff upsets for the franchise’s first Super Bowl. Trailing 24-19 late in the game, Ferragamo was picked off by Pittsburgh’s Jack Lambert. The Steelers parlayed Ferragamo’s only big mistake of the game into the game-clinching score.  

53. Joe Theismann vs. David Woodley, Super Bowl XVII

Jan. 30, 1983: Washington 27, Dolphins 17

Miami’s era between Bob Griese and Dan Marino included a two-quarterback system of veteran Don Strock and Woodley, an eighth-round pick in the 1980 draft. Woodley started each of Miami’s games during the strike-shortened 1982 season. But after completing a 76-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Cefalo in the first quarter, Woodley completed just three more passes the rest of the game. He did not complete a single pass in the second half.

54. Peyton Manning vs. Rex Grossman, Super Bowl XLI

Feb. 4, 2007: Colts 29, Bears 17

Before Carson Wentz and Nick Foles, there was Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. Despite winning 10 of his 15 starts as a rookie, Orton was demoted to third string at the start of the 2006 season. Grossman, the team’s first-round pick in 2003, ascended to starter, where he went 13-3. But in the Super Bowl, Grossman committed three turnovers that included a pick-six that sealed Bears’ loss to the Colts. Grossman would start just eight more games for the Bears. 

55. Jim McMahon vs. Tony Eason, Super Bowl XX 

Jan. 26, 1986: Bears 46, Patriots 10

Eason — a member of the fabled 1983 quarterback draft class that also includes Marino, Elway and Kelly — replaced Steve Grogan as the Patriots’ starter in 1985, but was benched after ineffective play. He was thrust back into the starting lineup when Grogan broke his leg in Week 12. Eason threw five touchdowns against zero picks in the playoffs to help the Patriots reach their first Super Bowl. He was no match for Chicago’s famed “46” defense, failing to complete each of his six pass attempts, and he was replaced by Grogan in the second quarter. A Pro Bowler in 1985, McMahon threw for 256 yards in Chicago’s only Super Bowl victory. He led Chicago to a 6-0 start in 1986 before Charles Martin slammed him on his head, ending his season. McMahon returned to help lead the Bears to the playoffs in 1987 and in ’88. 

The increased popularity of football has contributed to the Super Bowl becoming the spectacle that it is today. Memorable, iconic moments have also played a role in the Big Game’s enormous ratings. Some of those moments have been forgotten over time. Others continue to be replayed in endless loops on TV, Twitter and YouTube. 

The world champion of professional football has been decided in the Super Bowl for over a half-century. Despite its humble beginnings, the Super Bowl has become the grandest stage in professional sports. On Sunday night, family and friends will gather to watch pro football’s two best teams of 2023 — the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs — compete to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy. I’d be remiss not to shout out the people who tune in to watch the commercials and halftime performers, too. 

Instead of throwing 5-10 questions at you, we decided to create a Super Bowl trivia test that is made up of one question from the previous 57 Super Bowls. While some of the questions will likely be easy for a knowledgeable fan, there are several questions that will stump even the most diehard football fans. All of the answers are provided below the test. There are six answer keys (one for questions 1-10, another for questions 11-20, etc) if you want to grade yourself periodically throughout the test. 

Without further ado, let’s get started. Good luck! 

1. Super Bowl I 

What was the average ticket price for the first game between the AFL and the NFL? 

a) $10

b) $12 

c) $15

d) $20

2. Super Bowl II

What future Hall of Fame coach retired immediately following his team’s 33-14 victory? 

a) Vince Lombardi 

b) Tom Landry 

c) Paul Brown 

d) Don Shula 

3. Super Bowl III

How many passes did Joe Namath throw in the fourth quarter when he led his Jets to a shocking upset win over the Colts? 

a) 0 

b) 1 

c) 2

d) 25 

4. Super Bowl IV

Which of these statements is true about the Chiefs’ 23-7 victory? 

a) First Super Bowl where a QB won the MVP 

b) First Super Bowl played outside of Florida 

c) First Super Bowl won by an AFL team 

d) Final game played before the AFL-NFL merger 

5. Super Bowl V 

This is the only Super Bowl where:  

a) Johnny Unitas played quarterback for the Colts 

b) Tom Landry’s team ended up on the wrong side of the score 

c) Defensive player won Super Bowl MVP 

d) Member of the losing team won Super Bowl MVP 

6. Super Bowl VI 

During Dallas’ 24-3 win, Cowboys great Bob Lilly tackled Bob Griese to record the greatest sack for a loss in Super Bowl history. How many yards were lost on the sack? 

a) 17 yards

b) 29 yards

c) 31 yards

d) 51 yards

7. Super Bowl VII 

Late in the game, Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian famously threw a pick-six to Mike Bass after Washington blocked his field goal attempt. Despite the turnover and score, the Dolphins ended up winning the game to cap off their 17-0 season. But if Yepremian’s kick was successful, what would the final score have been? 

a) 17-7

b) 17-0 

c) 20-7

d) 10-0 

8. Super Bowl VIII

Thanks to Dolphins running back Larry Csonka’s close brush with injury, Super Bowl VIII was the final game where:   

a) Goal posts were stationed in front of the end zone

b) Face masks were optional 

c) Grabbing a player by his face mask was legal 

d) Chin straps were optional 

9. Super Bowl IX 

Which Steelers defender recorded the first safety in Super Bowl history after spending several days in the hospital with pneumonia? 

a) Joe Greene 

b) L.C. Greenwood

c) Dwight White

d) Jack Lambert 

10. Super Bowl X

Which future Hall of Fame Cowboys player did Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert famously throw to the ground during the second half of Pittsburgh’s 21-17 win? 

a) Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson 

b) Cliff Harris 

c) Randy White 

d) Roger Staubach 

11. Super Bowl XI 

This was the first and only Super Bowl win for what Hall of Fame coach? 

a) Don Shula 

b) Chuck Noll

c) John Madden 

d) Joe Gibbs 

12. Super Bowl XII

Not only was this the first Super Bowl played in a dome, this was also the first Super Bowl where there were co-MVPs. Those players were: 

a) Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett 

b) Roger Staubach and Ed “Too Tall” Jones

c) Randy White and Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson 

d) Randy White and Harvey Martin 

13. Super Bowl XIII 

In leading the Steelers to a 35-31 win over the Cowboys, Terry Bradshaw became the first QB in Super Bowl history to do which of the following:  

a) Throw for over 300 yards 

b) Throw four touchdowns 

c) Not get sacked 

d) a and b 

e) b and c 

14. Super Bowl XIV 

While they fell short against the Steelers, the Rams received a gritty performance from which player, who played the game with a broken leg? 

a) Jackie Slater 

b) Jack Youngblood 

c) Vince Ferragamo 

d) Wendell Tyler 

15. Super Bowl XV 

In helping the Raiders defeat the Eagles 27-10, Rod Martin set the individual record for Super Bowl interceptions. How many did he have? 

a) 2 

b) 3

c) 4 

d) 5 

16. Super Bowl XVI 

While his team fell short against the 49ers, which quarterback threw for nearly twice as many yards as game MVP Joe Montana? 

a) Ken Anderson 

b) Boomer Esiason 

c) Dan Fouts 

d) Dan Marino 

17. Super Bowl XVII 

In leading Washington to its first Super Bowl title, John Riggins set which Super Bowl record that still stands? 

a) Most carries (38)

b) Most rushing yards (166)

c) Longest touchdown run (43 yards) 

d) Most total yards by a running back (181) 

18. Super Bowl XVIII

Following Washington’s 38-9 loss to the Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII, the NFC won how many consecutive Super Bowls? 

a) 7

b) 11

c) 13

d) 15 

19. Super Bowl XIX

This would be the only Super Bowl appearance (a 38-16 loss to the 49ers) for which future Hall of Fame quarterback? 

a) Dan Marino

b) Dan Fouts 

c) John Elway 

d) Jim Kelly 

20. Super Bowl XX

In their 46-10 victory over the Patriots, Chicago’s “46” defense set a still-standing Super Bowl record for fewest rushing yards allowed. How many yards did they allow? 

a) 2 

b) 7 

c) 9 

d) 11 

21. Super Bowl XXI

In an MVP performance, Giants quarterback Phil Simms set a Super Bowl record by completing what percentage of his passes? 

a) 100

b) 91

c) 88

d) 82

22. Super Bowl XXII

This was a historic Super Bowl that included the first Black starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl (Doug Williams) and Timmy Smith’s Super Bowl record 204 rushing yards. Washington also set a playoff record by scoring how many points in the second quarter of their 42-10 win? 

a) 42

b) 35

c) 28

d) 24

23. Super Bowl XXIII

Before leading his team on a game-winning, 92-yard drive, Joe Montana famously spotted what comedian in the stands while huddling with his teammates? 

a) John Candy 

b) Eddie Murphy 

c) Bill Murray 

d) Jerry Seinfeld 

24. Super Bowl XXIV

En route to joining the Steelers as the only four-time Super Bowl champions, the 49ers scored a Super Bowl-record 55 points. What other record did they set? 

a) Fewest yards allowed (167) 

b) Fewest passing yards allowed (103) 

c) Most team sacks (6)

d) Largest margin of victory (45 points) 

25. Super Bowl XXV

The only Super Bowl to be decided by one point was won by the Giants after Scott Norwood missed a field goal with eight seconds left. How long was the field goal attempt? 

a) 42 yards 

b) 47 yards 

c) 49 yards 

d) 50 yards 

26. Super Bowl XXVI

What did running back Thurman Thomas lose just before the start of the game, causing him to miss the Bills’ opening play? 

a) His helmet 

b) His mouthpiece 

c) His shoulder pads 

d) His cleats 

27. Super Bowl XXVII

By virtue of his team’s 52-17 win over the Bills, which coach became the first person to win a national championship and a Super Bowl title? 

a) Barry Switzer 

b) Bill Walsh

c) Jimmy Johnson 

d) Dick Vermeil 

28. Super Bowl XXXVIII

While he didn’t win Super Bowl MVP, which Cowboys defender filled the stat sheet with 11 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble return for a touchdown? 

a) Deion Sanders 

b) Darren Woodson 

c) Larry Brown 

d) James Washington 

29: Super Bowl XXXIX 

In one of the greatest Super Bowls ever played by a quarterback, Steve Young led both teams in rushing. He also set the still-standing Super Bowl record for touchdown passes. How many did he throw? 

a) 5

b) 6

c) 7

d) 8 

30: Super Bowl XXX

Which defender made history by becoming the first player to return from reconstructive knee surgery during the same season? He played in Super Bowl XXX after suffering the injury in Week 1. 

a) Charles Haley

b) Darren Woodson 

c) Larry Brown 

d) Rod Woodson 

31. Super Bowl XXXI 

The first special teams player to win Super Bowl MVP, Desmond Howard’s third-quarter kickoff return spearhead the Packers to a 35-21 win over the Patriots. How long was Howard’s return? 

a) 98 yards

b) 99 yards 

c) 100 yards

d) 101 yards 

32. Super Bowl XXXII

Despite not rushing for a single yard in the second quarter, Terrell Davis led the Broncos to their first Super Bowl after rushing for 157 yards and three touchdowns. What caused him to miss most of the second quarter? 

a) A migraine 

b) A toothache 

c) A jammed thumb 

d) He was poked in the eye 

33. Super Bowl XXXIII

This Hall of Fame quarterback rode off into the sunset after winning MVP honors in his team’s 34-19 win. 

a) Brett Favre

b) Steve Young 

c) John Elway 

d) Troy Aikman 

34. Super Bowl XXXIV 

After leading for most of the game, the Rams had to hang on after Titans receiver Kevin Dyson was tackled 1 yard short of the end zone on the final play of the game. Which player tackled Dyson to preserve the Rams’ 23-16 victory? 

a) London Fletcher 

b) Todd Lyght 

c) Kevin Carter 

d) Mike Jones 

35. Super Bowl XXXV

In what was an otherwise boring game (a 34-7 win by the Ravens), three touchdowns were scored in a record 36 seconds. How were these touchdowns scored? 

a) A pick-six and back-to-back kickoff returns 

b) A pass and back-to-back kickoff returns 

c) A punt return, a kickoff return, and a pass

d) Three kickoff returns 

36. Super Bowl XXXVI

In New England’s 20-17 upset win over St. Louis, Tom Brady threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to David Patton. Besides being Brady’s first Super Bowl touchdown pass, what else was significant about the play? 

a) It was the only touchdown pass allowed by the Rams that postseason 

b) It gave the Patriots the lead for good 

c) It was Patton’s first career catch 

d) It was Brady’s first career postseason touchdown pass 

37. Super Bowl XXXVII 

The Buccaneers picked off Rich Gannon a record five times en route to a 48-21 victory. How many of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns? 

a) 1

b) 2

c) 3

d) 4 

38. Super Bowl XXXVIII

After a scoreless third quarter, the Panthers and Patriots exploded for a combined 37 points during the final quarter of New England’s 32-29 win. The scoring included the longest pass play in Super Bowl history. How long was the pass, and who were the quarterback and receiver who set the record? 

a) 85 yards, Jake Delhomme to Steve Smith 

b) 85 yards, Jake Delhomme to Muhsin Muhammad

c) 80 yards, Tom Brady to Deion Branch 

d) 85 yards, Tom Brady to Deion Branch 

39. Super Bowl XXXIX 

Which receiver famously caught nine passes for 121 yards despite playing through a severely sprained ankle and a fractured fibula? 

a) Terrell Owens

b) Michael Irvin 

c) Deion Branch

d) Randy Moss 

40. Super Bowl XL

With his team ahead 7-3 to start the second half, Willie Parker extended the Steelers’ lead after recording the longest run in Super Bowl history. How long was the run? 

a) 65 yards 

b) 75 yards 

c) 80 yards 

d) 85 yards 

41. Super Bowl XLI 

For the first time in Super Bowl history, the game started with: 

a) Onside kick 

b) Touchdown on the first offensive play 

c) Kickoff return for a touchdown 

d) Touchback 

42. Super Bowl XLII

What color hoodie did Bill Belichick wear during his most infamous Super Bowl loss? 

a) Blue 

b) Gray

c) Black

d) Red 

43. Super Bowl XLIII 

By virtue of the Steelers’ 27-23 win over the Cardinals, Mike Tomlin became the youngest head coach to win the Super Bowl. How old was he? 

a) 35

b) 36

c) 37

d) 38 

44. Super Bowl XLIV

During his team’s 31-17 win over the Colts, Saints coach Sean Payton became the earliest coach in Super Bowl history to attempt what? 

a) Two-point conversion 

b) Fake punt 

c) Fake field goal 

d) Onside kick 

45. Super Bowl XLV

With a 31-25 win over the Steelers, the Packers joined the Giants and Washington as the only NFL franchises to do which of the following?

a) Win multiple Super Bowls as the underdog 

b) Win the Super Bowl as a wild-card team 

c) Win a Super Bowl with three different starting quarterbacks 

d) Play in a Super Bowl in three different decades

46. Super Bowl XLVI

Eli Manning, following his team’s 21-17 win over the Patriots, became the fifth player with multiple Super Bowl MVP trophies. Which of these quarterbacks is not a member of that exclusive club? 

a) Peyton Manning

b) Tom Brady 

c) Terry Bradshaw

d) Joe Montana 

47. Super Bowl XLVII

Along with catching a touchdown pass, Jacoby Jones returned a kickoff for a touchdown that stands as the longest play in Super Bowl history. How long was his return? 

a) 101 yards 

b) 103 yards 

c) 105 yards

d) 108 yards 

48. Super Bowl XLVIII 

While his team was blown out by the Seahawks, Demaryius Thomas set a Super Bowl single-game record for receptions. How many passes did he catch? 

a) 11

b) 13

c) 15

d) 17 

49. Super Bowl XLIX 

Malcolm Butler came up with one of the biggest plays in Super Bowl history when he picked off Russell Wilson in the end zone with 26 seconds left. Which player was Wilson’s intended receiver on the play? 

a) Doug Baldwin

b) Chris Matthews 

c) Ricardo Lockette 

d) Tyler Lockett 

50. Super Bowl 50 

Von Miller took home MVP honors after forcing two fumbles of Cam Newton in the Broncos’ 23-10 victory. Miller also led his team in sacks. How many did he collect? 

a) 2 

b) 2.5

c) 3

d) 3.5 

51. Super Bowl LI 

Down 28-3, the Patriots rallied to defeat the Falcons in overtime. Which Patriots player scored the Super Bowl’s first overtime touchdown? 

a) James White 

b) LeGarrette Blount 

c) Julian Edelman 

d) Tom Brady 

52. Super Bowl LII

In defeat, Tom Brady set a Super Bowl record for passing yards. How many yards did he throw for? 

a) 495

b) 500

c) 505 

d) 515 

53. Super Bowl LIII

The combined 16 points scored between the Patriots and Rams made this the lowest scoring Super Bowl.  How many plays were run in the red zone during this defensive slugfest? 

a) 0 

b) 1 

c) 2 

d) 3 

54. Super Bowl LIV

What Super Bowl record did the Chiefs break during their 31-20 win over the 49ers? 

a) Most yards passing 

b) Most third-down conversions 

c) Most fourth-down conversions 

d) Most fourth-quarter points scored 

55. Super Bowl LV 

Who caught Tom Brady’s final Super Bowl touchdown pass? 

a) Rob Gronkowski 

b) Mike Evans 

c) Chris Godwin 

d) Antonio Brown 

56. Super Bowl LVI

Which of these receivers finished this Super Bowl with 100 receiving yards? 

a) Cooper Kupp 

b) Ja’Marr Chase

c) Tee Higgins

d) Odell Beckham Jr. 

57. Super Bowl LVI

What Super Bowl record did Jalen Hurts tie in a losing effort? 

a) Most rushing touchdowns 

b) Most rushing yards by a quarterback 

b) Most passing yards by a losing quarterback 

c) Most touchdown passes by a losing quarterback 

Answer key

Answers 1-10 : b, a, a, d, d, b, b, a, c, b

Answers 11-20: c, d, d, b, b, a, a, c, a, b

Answers  21-30: c, b, a, d, b, a, c, d, b, d

Answers 31-40:  b, a, c, d, a, d, c, b, a, b

Answers 41-50: c, d, b, d, c, a, d, b, c, b

Answers 51-57: a, c, b, d, d, c, a

How’d you do?

Based on how many questions you answered correctly, here’s your evaluation if we were grading you as an NFL player. 

0-10: Practice squad 

11-20: Rookie 

21-30: Starter

31-40: Pro Bowler

41-49: All-Pro

50-57: Hall of Fame

One of the greatest runs in NFL history has come to an end. After 24 seasons with the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick is no longer the coach of the franchise he helped lead to six Super Bowl victories. 

The 71-year-old Belichick is without question the best coach of the 21st century. He has won three times as many Vince Lombardi Trophies this century than any other head coach. Belichick showed that dynasties can still exist in the free agency/salary cap era. 

Nothing lasts forever, however, and Belichick’s run came to an end on Thursday. Belichick and Kraft agreed to amicably part ways after New England suffered a third losing season in four years. 

Given Thursday’s news, we decided to rank the top-10 coaches in NFL history, a list that will surely continue to include Belichick’s name for many years to come. The criteria when making this list includes total wins, winning percentage, championships won, overall success in the postseason, and impact on the game.

10. Curly Lambeau 

The first coach in Packers history, Lambeau, who was also a tailback/fullback for the Packers during his first nine seasons as coach, led Green Bay to six NFL championships that included three straight titles from 1929-31 (before to the NFL instituted a championship game to determine its champion in 1933). Lambeau’s 1929 team was the first NFL team that did not suffer a loss, going 12-0-1. In all, Lambeau’s Packers went 34-5-2 during that span while becoming the first team in league history to win three straight titles.

From 1936-44, Lambeau led the Packers to five NFL Championship Games, winning three of those games. In 29 seasons with the Packers, Lambeau compiled a 212-106-21 record. After leaving the Packers after a 2-10 campaign in 1949, Lambeau spent two seasons apiece with the Cardinals and Redskins, posting a 17-28-1 record during that span.

9. Joe Gibbs 

Gibbs spent his entire 16-year as an NFL head coach in Washington, leading the Redskins to four Super Bowls and three Super Bowl victories from 1982-1991. Gibbs is the only coach in NFL history to win three Super Bowls with three different starting quarterbacks in Joe Theisman, Doug Williams and Mark Rypien. Overall, Gibbs posted a 154-94 regular season record and a 17- 7 postseason record.

Despite playing in the ultra-competitive NFC during the 1980s/early ’90s, no team played in more Super Bowls than Gibbs’ Redskins during their 10-year run. The only team that matched Washington’s level of success during that time was the 49ers, who also appeared in four Super Bowls during that span. The Redskins were also able to defeat some of the greatest teams in league history. Washington defeated the 49ers in the 1983 NFC title game, and three years later, they defeated the defending champion Bears in the divisional round of the playoffs. Gibbs’ Redskins also blew out John Elway’s Broncos and Marv Levy’s Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl competition.

Gibbs was able to win two of his championships during seasons that were impacted by NFL strikes. The ’82 Redskins, who went 8-1 during the regular season, won four playoff games behind the legs of Hall of Fame running back John Riggins and an offensive line that was nicknamed “The Hogs.” Five years later, the Redskins went 3-0 with a roster filled with replacements after players went on strike during the season. Washington ended up winning the Super Bowl that season, scoring a record 35 points in the second quarter of its 42-10 win over Denver.

The biggest black eye on Gibbs’ resume is Super Bowl XVIII, when the defending champion Redskins were blown out by the Raiders, 38-9. Gibbs’ second stint in Washington (from 2004-07) was also underwhelming, as the Redskins went 30-34 with one playoff win during that span.

8. Tom Landry 

Fourth all time in wins by an NFL head coach, Landry patrolled the sideline in Dallas during the Cowboys’ first 29 seasons. Landry’s teams posted a winning record for 20 consecutive seasons while making the playoffs 18 times during that span.

After losing two NFC title games to the Packers as well as the team’s first Super Bowl appearance in 1970, Landry’s Cowboys finally got over the hump in 1971, holding Shula’s Dolphins to just three points in Dallas’ win over Miami in Super Bowl VI. During the 1970s, the Cowboys would appear in five Super Bowls, defeating the Broncos in Super Bowl XII and losing to the Steelers — both times by four points — in Super Bowls X and XIII. Landry’s Cowboys would remain competitive for most of the 1980s, with three straight NFC title game appearances from 1980-82.

Landry was an innovative coach on both sides of the ball. His Flex 4-3 defense wreaked havoc over opposing offenses, while his shotgun-oriented offense, led by Roger Staubach, was far ahead of its time. 

Landry’s 20-16 playoff record and 2-3 record in the Super Bowl are among the reasons why he isn’t higher on this list.

7. Bill Walsh 

One of just two coaches on this list that did not win 100 career regular season games, Walsh left a lasting impact on the game despite a relatively short 10-year run as an NFL head coach. The innovator of the West Coast offense, Walsh’s 49ers, with Joe Montana under center, won three Super Bowls during the 1980s while demonstrating a new, efficient way to move the ball down the field. Today, over 30 years since his final game as 49ers head coach, NFL teams still run a variation of Walsh’s offense.

Walsh’s 1984 team is one of the greatest in NFL history. The first team to win 15 regular season games, the 49ers overwhelmed Dan Marino and the Dolphins’ record-setting offense in Super Bowl XIX, picking off Marino twice while shutting out Miami’s offense during the second half of San Francisco’s 38-16 victory. Four years later, Montana’s brilliant execution of Walsh’s offense during the closing moments of Super Bowl XXIII resulted in Montana’s game-winning touchdown pass to John Taylor with less than a minute remaining. Walsh, who retired after his team’s second Super Bowl win over the Bengals, moved into the front office the following season, when the 49ers became the fourth NFL franchise to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

While Walsh’s legacy within the NFL is secure, his lack of longevity as well as the 49ers’ lackluster playoff showing against the Giants in 1986 and the Vikings in 1987 prevents him from being higher on this list.

6. Chuck Noll 

One of the main architects of the Steelers’ 1970s dynasty, Noll turned a perennial losing franchise into an NFL powerhouse within three years of coming to Pittsburgh. After going 1-13 during his first season, Noll’s Steelers won their first-ever division title in 1972. Two years later, Pittsburgh won the first of four Super Bowl titles over a six-year span. Noll’s Steelers, who went 4-0 in Super Bowl competition, are still the only team to win back-to-back Super Bowls twice. The ’79 Steelers are the last Super Bowl championship team that was comprised of only homegrown talent.

Noll’s fundamentally sound teams became the standard by which future NFL champions would be measured. But what was equally important to Pittsburgh’s success during that era was what they were able to accomplish during the draft. In 1974, the Steelers drafted four future Hall of Famers in Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster. Donnie Shell, an undrafted rookie that season, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame later this year. Previous drafts also produced Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Terry Bradshaw, Mel Blount, Jack Ham, Franco Harris, and many other players that would help make up arguably the greatest team of the Super Bowl era.

While still competitive, Noll’s Steelers were unable to sustain their level of success during the 1980s, as Pittsburgh advanced to just one AFC title game during Noll’s final 12 seasons as coach. But the overall legacy Noll left behind in Pittsburgh, a legacy of winning and building tough, blue collar teams that symbolizes the city that it plays in, remains in tact to this day.

5. Paul Brown

The sixth-winningest coach in NFL history, Brown had already won championships at the high school and college levels before helping create the Browns in 1946. Cleveland was an immediate success under Brown, winning four consecutive All-American Football Conference titles before Cleveland joined the NFL in 1950. Despite playing against better competition, the Browns continued to dominate, winning the NFL title that season while posting a 12-2 overall record. Cleveland would then win back-to-back NFL titles in 1954 and ’55 while becoming the decade’s premier team.

Brown’s time in Cleveland ended on unceremonious terms, however, as he was relieved of his duties after the 1962 season (the Browns would win their fourth and most recent NFL title in 1964). Brown returned to the sidelines as head coach of the expansion Cincinnati Bengals in 1968, guiding the Bengals to three playoff appearances from 1970-75.

In many ways, Brown was a trailblazer. He is credited with helping lay down the foundation for how coaches conduct their schedule as it relates to weekly preparation. Brown also served as a mentor for Bill Walsh, who served as his offensive coordinator in Cincinnati before going on his run of success in San Francisco.

4. George Halas

No. 2 on the all-time wins list, Halas is the only NFL coach that has won an NFL title in four different decades. After winning his first NFL title in 1921, Halas won his last championship in 1963, an example of his ability to adapt to the ever-changing climate that is professional football. In all, Halas, who was also a player from 1920-29, won eight NFL titles while posting a career record of 318-151-31.

Halas is credited as being the first coach to conduct daily practice sessions that included film study of the opposing team. With Halas in charge, the Bears are also credited as being the first pro football team to publish a team newspaper and to broadcast their games on the radio.

Why is Halas not higher on this list? His 1934 team, the first team to go 13-0 during the regular season, was unable to complete their perfect season, falling to the Giants in the championship game. He was also unable to lead the Bears to the postseason during the final years of his coaching career despite the selections of Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers in the 1965 draft.

3. Don Shula 

Shula’s 328 regular-season wins and 347 total wins remain all-time records. In 33 seasons as an NFL head coach, Shula posted a whopping 31 winning seasons. His 1972 Dolphins team remains the only team in NFL history to finish the season with a perfect record.

After leading the Colts to a 13-1 record en route to a Super Bowl appearance in 1968, Shula inherited a Dolphins team in 1970 that had won just 15 games in their first four years of existence. During Shula’s first six seasons in Miami, the Dolphins posted a 75-19-1 record that included three AFC titles and back-to-back Super Bowl titles. During that span, Miami became the first franchise to appear in three consecutive Super Bowls. During the ’72 and ’73 seasons, the Dolphins went a combined 32-2 while joining the 1960s Packers as the only two-time Super Bowl champions.

Shula’s Dolphins continued to be a force to be reckoned with heading into the 1980s, as Miami represented the AFC in Super Bowls XVII and XIX. And after primarily winning using a punishing rushing attack during the early ’70s, Shula unleashed a prolific passing attack in the ’80s, led by Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino.

Shula is credited with helping modernize the game. In 1978, as head of the NFL’s Competition Committee, Shula inspired several rule changes that helped make it easier for offenses to have success in the passing game. The result was a higher scoring, more entertaining brand of football that helped pro football replace baseball as America’s No. 1 pastime heading into the 1980s.

While there aren’t many black marks on Shula’s resume, the Colts’ shocking upset loss to Joe Namath and the Jets in Super Bowl III, along with his inability to win a Super Bowl with Marino, are two things Shula would have surely loved to change as it relates to his Hall of Fame career.

2. Vince Lombardi 

2. Vince Lombardi 

While his career as a head coach was relatively short, Lombardi left an enduring mark on pro football during his nine seasons as the Green Bay Packers’ head coach. The only coach to win five titles in a seven-year span, Lombardi’s Packers are also the last team to win three straight NFL titles that included the first two Super Bowl games.

The master of motivating his players, Lombardi was also a meticulous planner, as the Packers were seemingly ready for anything the opposition ran at them. Lombardi was also a pioneer as it related to the draft, as he was the first coach to draft African American players in the first round.

Along with boasting a gaudy .738 regular season winning percentage, Lombardi posted an even more impressive 9-1 postseason record, with the Packers posting impressive postseason wins over Jim Brown and the Cleveland Browns, Tom Landry’s Cowboys (twice) and Hank Stram’s talented Chiefs team in Super Bowl I.

Lombardi’s impact on the NFL was so immense that the NFL decided to name the Super Bowl championship trophy in his honor shortly after his death in 1970.

No. 2 all-time in career wins, Belichick is the only coach in NFL history to win nine conference titles and six Super Bowl titles. Under Belichick’s watch, the Patriots posted 19 consecutive winning seasons, 17 straight playoff seasons, and have won 17 division titles.

Belichick, who has mastered the art of fielding perennially competitive rosters in the modern era of free agency, averaged nearly 12 regular season wins a season from 2001-19. His .705 postseason winning percentage is the highest amongst the top-25 coaches in league history in terms of regular season games won. From 2010-18, the Patriots secured either the AFC’s No. 1 or No. 2 seed while making eight straight appearances in the AFC Championship Game. The second team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a four-year span from 2001-04, the Patriots won three more Super Bowls over a five-year span from 2014-18 while solidifying their place as the greatest franchise in pro sports during the 21st century.

A two-time Super Bowl winning assistant coach with the New York Giants, Belichick also helped build a competitive team in Cleveland in the early 1990s. The Browns’ win over Bill Parcells and the Patriots in the 1994 playoffs remains the Browns’ most recent postseason victory. The only major glitch on Belichick’s resume is the 2007 Patriots’ inability to finish their perfect season, as New England fell to Eli Manning and the Giants in Super Bowl XLII. His decision to bench Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl LII also remains a mystery.

1. Bill Belichick 

No. 2 all time in career wins, Belichick is the only coach in NFL history to win nine conference titles and six Super Bowls. Under Belichick’s watch, the Patriots posted 19 consecutive winning seasons, 17 straight playoff seasons and 17 division titles.

Belichick, who has mastered the art of fielding perennially competitive rosters in the modern era of free agency, averaged nearly 12 regular-season wins a season from 2001-19. His .705 postseason winning percentage is the highest amongst the top-25 coaches in league history in terms of regular-season games won. From 2010-18, the Patriots secured either the AFC’s No. 1 or No. 2 seed while making eight straight appearances in the AFC championship game. The second team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a four-year span from 2001-04, the Patriots won three more Super Bowls over a five-year span from 2014-18 while solidifying their place as the greatest franchise in pro sports during the 21st century.

A two-time Super Bowl-winning assistant coach with the New York Giants, Belichick also helped build a competitive team in Cleveland in the early 1990s. The Browns’ win over Bill Parcells and the Patriots in the 1994 playoffs remains the franchise’s most recent postseason victory. Belichick came extremely close to joining Shula as the only coach to preside over a perfect team in 2007. 

The Patriots’ recent struggles under Belichick has done little to impact his legacy. No coach is perfect, and that includes the greatest coach of all time.