The NFL and its fans couldn't have asked for a better match-up than Super Bowl XLIX. The top seed in the AFC versus the top seed in the NFC. Two champion coaches. A Hall of Fame quarterback going against a dominant opposing secondary. And an off-field controversy to boot.
All signs point to Super Bowl XLIX being one of the great Super Bowls of all time. But then again, many said that about last year's contest, too, and were instead rewarded with a 43-8 beatdown by Seattle over Denver.
Regardless, here are the five best Super Bowls of all time as we approached Sunday.
Super Bowl XIII (Steelers 35 Cowboys 31)
Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach combined for 7 TD passes, but one drop in the end zone loomed larger than any of those. Staubach had Jackie Smith wide open, but the tight end dropped what would have been a crucial score.
Super Bowl XXIII (49ers 20 Bengals 16)
Joe Montana truly lived up to his nickname of 'Joe Cool,' taking the 49ers 92 yards down the field in the game's final minutes to turn a 16-13 loss into an unforgettable 20-13 victory. Jerry Rice won the game's MVP thanks to 215 yards receiving. This was Montana's third of four career titles.
Super Bowl XXXIV (Rams 23 Titans 16)
In the span of one year, Kurt Warner went from stocking grocery store shelves to leading the Rams to Super Bowl glory. This match-up was a game of runs. The Rams jumped out to a 16-0 lead and then Tennessee responded with 16 of their own. After St. Louis scored again the Titans had one final chance to answer, but wide receiver Kevin Dyson was stopped a single yard short of the end zone on the final play. The phrase 'game of inches' has never been more apparent than in that moment.
Super Bowl XXXVI (Patriots 20, Rams 17)
Led by Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, and head coach Mike Martz, the Rams were the 'greatest show on turf.' The Pats had slipped into the Super Bowl on the grace of the 'Tuck Rule' in the AFC Championship and were 14 point underdogs at kickoff. The Pats stifled the Ram's offense and jumped out to a 17-3 lead. St. Louis tied the score late in the game, but rookie QB Tom Brady had enough time to march his team down. Adam Vinateri kicked the game-winning 48 yarder as time expired.
Super Bowl XLII (Giants 17 Pats 14)
The Patriots got a dose of their own medicine six years later. The entered this game as the 12 point favorites and looking to be the first team in history to finish a season at 19-0; they left the stadium at 18-1 instead. The game is best remembered for Eli Manning improbably escaping a sack and finding David Tyree downfield. The little-used receiver then pinned the catch to his helmet as he fell to the ground, securing the first down for New York. Manning connected with Plaxico Burress just a few players later for the game winner.
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