Ranked: The 15 best Super Bowls in NFL history

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and certain editions of the big game have created memories that will last forever. As we approach Super Bowl LIX, we’ll power rank the top 15 Super Bowls in NFL history in hopes this year’s game will be just as exciting. All statistics are sourced from Football Reference.

It didn’t seem like the Eagles’ Cinderella story could continue in the Super Bowl against the mighty Patriots. However, quarterback Nick Foles continued to deliver when it mattered most, and was improbably on the receiving end of one of the Super Bowl’s most iconic trick plays. Foles said on the Green Light Podcast in 2024, “I didn’t realize what this play would be for the city of Philadelphia or even the NFL.”

For most of this game, there wasn’t much going on. However, the pace dramatically picked up in the fourth quarter, and the ending is etched in the mind of football fans. The Titans were driving to tie the game on their final possession with time winding down, but receiver Kevin Dyson was tackled one yard short of the goal line as time expired. Dyson told Yahoo Sports in 2019 that had Rams linebacker Mike Jones tackled him differently, he would have been able to power through for the touchdown.

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This will live on through history as the Scott Norwood game. It was the first of four consecutive Super Bowl losses for Buffalo, with this being the most painful. Norwood was Buffalo’s kicker, and shanked a field goal wide right that would have given them the lead with time winding down. Instead, Norwood’s play is known as one of the biggest gaffes in Super Bowl history.

Los Angeles authored a game-winning drive that justified the massive haul the Rams traded for quarterback Matthew Stafford. The veteran passer found receiver Cooper Kupp time and time again to give Los Angeles a lead they would never relinquish in the fourth quarter. Rams coach Sean McVay told USA Today, “You put the ball in your best players’ hands when it matters most, and that’s what we did with Matthew.”

It’s crazy to think now, but the Patriots were massive underdogs against the high-powered Rams in this contest. St. Louis’ offense was known as the “greatest show on turf,” and it seemed impossible that New England could spring an upset. The Patriots defense stymied the Rams, and young quarterback Tom Brady engineered a drive that ended in a game-winning field goal. A dynasty was born that night.

Joe Montana had already cemented his legacy as one of the calmest players under pressure, and it showed in this game. The three-time Super Bowl champion led his team down the field to snatch the championship away from Cincinnati. Montana told the Pro Football Hall of Fame later on, “Driving a team in the last minute and throwing a touchdown pass to win the Super Bowl, that’s the kind of thing you dream about as a kid.”

Before we watch Super Bowl LIX featuring the Chiefs and Eagles, it’s worth looking back to the first time these two teams did battle in the big game. It was a classic affair, as the game went back and forth. Mahomes battled through an ankle sprain to scamper for a huge first down late in the game, which has added to the legend of his career.

This went down in history as the blackout game because many of the lights in the Superdome went out, causing a delay of over 30 minutes. The play on the field was actually really exciting too, which gets lost with the passing of time. 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree was targeted on San Francisco’s final three passes, but couldn’t corral any of Colin Kaepernick’s throws to win the game.

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We might see this matchup appear later on in the list, but their second battle was nearly as exciting as the first. Giants quarterback Eli Manning made a tremendous throw to receiver Mario Manningham on the sideline during New York’s final possession. New York would eventually take the lead with a minute left to go, and hold on against New England once again.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan made a decision on the overtime coin toss that was second guessed by nearly everyone. San Francisco took the ball to start overtime, and kicked a field goal on their opening possession. The Chiefs marched down the field for the game-winning touchdown shortly thereafter. Shanahan told the NFL’s website after the game, “we wanted the ball third.”

This was a thrilling game that is often slept on throughout NFL history. Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme threw a couple of touchdown strikes that left Carolina tied with New England late in the fourth quarter. However, too much time was left on the clock for Tom Brady, who moved his team down the field to put Adam Vinatieri in position for a game-winning kick.

This is another Super Bowl that had a boatload of fantastic plays. From James Harrison’s 100-yard interception before halftime, to Larry Fitzgerald’s 64-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, to Santonio Holmes’ sensational catch to win the ballgame. It’s a shame that someone had to lose, but Arizona came up just short.

It still might be the most confusing decision in Super Bowl history. Rather than run the ball at the one-yard line with Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks elected to put the ball in the air with the game on the line. New England cornerback Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson’s pass, and the Patriots came up with a victory after staring into the jaws of defeat.

Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski wrote, “The Atlanta Falcons choked during the biggest moment in franchise history.” They had a 28-3 lead in this game, and were practically planning the Super Bowl parade while the rest of the contest ensued. However, New England’s momentum continued to build as they chipped away and eventually, erased the lead. It was an unfathomable turn of events.

Fans could cut the tension with a knife before, during and after this game. The Patriots were on the doorstep of recording an undefeated season, and history hung in the balance with every play. New York made a couple more than New England did that night, highlighted by David Tyree’s insane helmet catch. It’s unlikely that we see an upset, or a game of that magnitude, for a very long time.

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