Top 5 Super Bowls

With one of the most competitive Super Bowls in history having just taken place between the Chiefs and the 49ers, let’s take a look at the five best Super Bowls of all time.

5. Super Bowl LII: Eagles 41, Patriots 33

When Eagles Quarterback Carson Wentz tore his ACL in December, it seemed like the Eagles were done for and their playoff hopes were no more.

Enter Nick Foles. Foles led the Eagles towards wins over the Falcons and the Vikings to face up against Tom Brady and the Patriots dynasty. This matchup was an incredible QB duel, with Foles throwing for 373 yards and 3 Touchdowns, and Brady throwing for 505 yards and 3 Touchdowns.

The game stayed close throughout, and when the Eagles stopped a late Tom Brady 2-minute drill the city of Philadelphia became champions.

MOST MEMORABLE PLAY: Nick Foles calls for the Philly Special.

4. Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers 27, Cardinals 23

The 9-7 Cardinals led by an aging Kurt Warner faced off against the Steelers in a down-to-the-wire thriller. This matchup was highlighted by stellar receiving performances from Santonio Holmes and Larry Fitzgerald, who both went over 100 yards and got touchdowns.

The Steelers led the Cardinals 20-7 heading into the 4th quarter, but the Cardinals got a touchdown, safety, and then another touchdown to make it a 23-20 game with 2:37 Remaining.

Ben Roethlisberger led an 8-play, 78-yard two-minute drill, finishing it off with a throw to Santonio Holmes who is still regarded as one of the best in NFL History.

MOST MEMORABLE PLAY: Roethlisberger hits Holmes for the win.

3. Super Bowl XLIX: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24

The Seahawks, led by Russell Wilson and the Legion of Boom, took on the Patriots. With both teams being the #1 seed in their respective conference, this was truly a matchup between the NFL’s finest.

This game was rather close for the first three quarters until the Seahawks jumped out to a 24-14 lead in the 3rd. In true Tom Brady fashion, he led the Patriots to two 4th quarter touchdowns to take the lead.

Russell Wilson got the ball back with two minutes remaining, led the Seahawks down the field, and Pete Carroll called a pass play from the 1-yard line. The rest was history.

MOST MEMORABLE PLAY: Malcolm Butler’s interception

2. Super Bowl XLII: Giants 17, Patriots 14

The undefeated Patriots took on the wild-card Giants in one of the most lopsided Super Bowls in NFL History.

Despite what the matchup may have looked like on paper, Eli Manning kept the Giants in the game and would end up down 4 with 2:42 left to get a touchdown.

Manning led an incredible drive to win the game, securing his first Super Bowl and taking down the Pats for their only loss of the season.

MOST MEMORABLE PLAY: David Tyree’s helmet catch.

1. Super Bowl LI: Patriots 34, Falcons 28

28-3.

In the most improbable Super Bowl comeback in NFL History, the Patriots scored 31 unanswered points to beat the Atlanta Falcons. According to ESPN analytics, the Falcons had a 99.5% chance to win the game at the start of the 4th quarter.

But when Tom Brady is your quarterback, anything is possible.

3 Touchdowns and a field goal in the second half, capped off by a James White rushing touchdown in overtime solidifies what is easily the best Super Bowl of all time.

MOST MEMORABLE PLAY: Julian Edelman’s catch over three Falcons defenders.

Will Harrison is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email wbh5205@psu.edu.