Today In History

Top Ten Greatest Super Bowls - compiled by sports historian Ken Siegel - Well over 100 million people tune in each year to the Super Bowl, making it America’s biggest annual event. This game is so big that my wife turns off the QVC channel to watch it. While there have been some blowouts over the years, there have also been some very exciting Super Bowls as well. Here is my top ten list of the greatest Super Bowls thus far: 10. Jets 16 Colts 7 (SB III): This one makes the list for its historical significance. The AFL did the unthinkable and beat the NFL in the big game, which expedited the shaping of the league as we know it today. Add in that this result was one of the biggest upsets in sports history and was guaranteed beforehand by Joe Namath, and you have a very memorable Super Bowl. 9. Steelers 35 Cowboys 31 (SB XIII): The “Steel Curtain” Steelers in the middle of their dynasty vs. “America’s Team” in a game that had 28 points in the 4th quarter and a frantic comeback attempt from 18 points down in the few minutes that fell just a little short, makes this game worthy of this list. 8. Ravens 34 49ers 31 (SB XLVII): This game had a lot of offense, a furious comeback attempt by the Niners from a 28-6 deficit, a final drive by the Niners that got down to the Ravens’ 7 yard line in the final minute before falling short on 4th and goal, and even a blackout which proved to be a turning point in the game. 7. Giants 20 Bills 19 (SB XXV): Scott Norwood’s “wide right” on a 47 yard field goal attempt in the final seconds gave the Giants the upset win over the heavily favored Bills. Both teams had clutch, pressure-packed late game drives. After a long drive down the field by the Giants led to a go-ahead field goal with just over 2 minutes left, Jim Kelly led the Bills from their own 10 yard-line all the way to the Giants’ 29 yard-line, setting up the fateful Norwood attempt in the waning seconds. 6. 49ers 20 Bengals 16 (SB XXIII): After the Bengals took a 16-13 lead with just over 3 minutes to go in the game, the Niners had to start with the ball on their own 8 yard line. But Joe Montana cemented his legacy as a clutch QB by leading the Niners on the championship winning drive, culminating in a 10-yard TD pass to John Taylor with only 39 seconds to go in the game. 5. Patriots 20 Rams 17 (SB XXXVI): One of the Super Bowl’s all-time great upsets as the upstart Patriots were 14 point underdogs against the high flying Rams. Kurt Warner led the Rams back from a 17-3 4th quarter deficit to tie the game with just 1:30 left. But Tom Brady, with no timeouts, led the Patriots down the field to set up a Super Bowl winning 48 yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. 4. Steelers 27 Cardinals 23 (SB XLIII): Larry Fitzgerald’s 64 yard TD reception gave the Cardinals a 23-20 lead with under 3 minutes to play. But the Steelers would drive down the field in the final minutes and win the game on a fantastic Santonio Holmes’ reception, barely inbounds, in the corner of the endzone, which was reviewed in the booth upstairs for what had to be the most important replay review in NFL history. 3. Rams 23 Titans 16 (SB XXXIV): A Super Bowl that ends with a player’s (Titans’ Kevin Dyson’s) outstretched arm falling just a yard short of the endzone in what would have been a game-tying touchdown, has to be worthy of this list. You can also throw in the entertainment value of watching the Rams’ “Greatest Show On Turf” which compiled over 400 yards passing in the game. 2. Patriots 32 Panthers 29 (SB XXXVIII): 37 points in a wild 4th quarter, a game tying touchdown with just over a minute to go in the game, and a game winning field goal in the final seconds by Adam Vinatieri, made this one of the most exciting Super Bowls. You can even throw in an infamous “Wardrobe Malfunction” during the halftime show. 1. Giants 17 Patriots 14 (SB XLII): This game had it all; New York vs. Boston; history on the line with the Patriots trying to complete a perfect 19-0 season; one of the biggest Super Bowl upsets; three 4th quarter lead changes including 2 in the final 3 minutes; and of course, it had what may be the most memorable play in Super Bowl history (David Tyree catch with ball pinned to his helmet) which happened during the Super Bowl winning drive in the last minute of the game. All of the above makes this game worthy of the # 1 ranking on this list. Do you agree with my rankings? Please let me know at ksiegel@nostagicamerica.com