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Superbowl dates
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The guarantee( Superbowl #3)
The third AFL-NFL Championship Game -- and first to officially be called the Super Bowl -- was expected to be a total boat race like the previous two (courtesy of Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers), with the established NFL showing the upstart AFL which league was superior. -
Big Rig Rollin'(Game #17)
With the Dolphins leading 17-13 with 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Redskins faced a fourth-and-1 situation at the Dolphins' 43-yard line. This dilemma called for the running back affectionally called "The Diesel".
Pro Football Hall of Famer John Riggins took a handoff from quarterback Joe Theismann, ran over Dolphins defensive back Don McNeal and then raced to the end zone for the decisive score. Riggins was a workhorse in the Redskins' first Super Bowl win. -
Joe Cool' comes throughSuperbowl #23)
Down 16-13 with three minutes remainin in the game, the 49ers got the ball at their own 8-yard line. Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana lived up to his "Joe Cool" nickname, deftly driving the 49ers 92 yards for the winning score in a tightly contested Super Bowl rematch with the Bengals, who the 49ers faced in Super Bowl XVI seven seasons prior. -
The easy way or the Elway(SuperBowl #32)
After three previous Super Bowl setbacks, Elway finally earned a Super Bowl win and added an iconic moment in the triumph. With the score tied at 17-17 in the third quarter, the Broncos had a 13-play, 92-yard drive to retake the lead. The key play was an 8-yard scramble for a first down by Elway. During the play, Elway dove for the first down, got hit by Packers defenders Mike Prior and LeRoy Butler, and spun through the air. . -
Vinatieri's boot kickstarts a dynasty(Superbowl #36)
With an era of success that includes six Super Bowl appearances and four Super Bowl wins beginning with this game, the Patriots' win over the Rams doesn't seem like the historic upset that it was at the time. Not many figured that the upstart Patriots with an unknown quarterback named Tom Brady would be much of a match for the "Greatest Show on Turf." -
The helmet catch
A frantic 12-play, 83-yard drive led to a shocking victory for the Giants. It was highlighted by one of the most spectacular plays in NFL history: A 32-yard completion from quarterback Eli Manning to receiver David Tyree. The play was unique at both ends. Manning magically escaped the grip of the New England pass rush, then heaved what appeared to be a desperation pass deep down the middle of the field, where Tyree leaped and used his helmet to gain the win. -
Harrison goes the distance (Superbowl #63)
The second, of course, being Santonio Holmes' game-winning touchdown catch. The first being James Harrison's momentum grab right at the end of the first half. The Steelers led 10-7, but the Cardinals were stationed at Pittsburgh's 1-yard line with 18 seconds remaining in the first half. Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner threw a pass intended for receiver Anquan Boldin, but Harrison was there for the pick and rumbled down the sideline 100 yards for the dramatic interception return for a touchdown -
Big Ben phones Holmes(Superbowl #53)
It was an incredible play at a crucial moment, coming with under a minute left in regulation. Holmes had four catches for 73 yards on the Steelers' game-winning drive, and finished the game with 131 yards, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. -
The Butler did it(Super bowl #69)
After the Patriots grabbed a 28-24 lead just before the two-minute warning, the Seahawks still had plenty of time to mount a game-winning drive. When Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse made a ridiculous catch for a big gain, it seemingly set up the Seahawks for the winning score. Instead, on a second-and-goal play from the 1-yard line, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson' quick slant pass was picked off by Patriots rookie defensive back Malcolm Butler. -
You shall not score(Superbowl #34)
Like Super Bowl XLVIII after it, this breathtaking Super Bowl featured some career-defining big plays -- see No. 22 on this list (Kurt Warner to Isaac Bruce for the winner) and No. 32 on this list (Steve McNair's great escape) -- but the greatest tackle in Super Bowl history is the one that sticks out most.
