The Big Game is just hours away from kicking off down in Phoenix, Arizona between Kansas City and Philadelphia. Two teams that have deeply rooted connections between the two of them will square of for pro football’s ultimate prize.
As we get our chips, dips and sodas ready for the big night, what are the Top 10 Best Big Games … EVER!!!!
10: New England vs. Seattle
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 01: Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots intercepts a pass by Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks intended for Ricardo Lockette #83 late in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The 49th edition of the Big Game produced one of the wildest endings ever. A back-and-forth affair between the defending champs in Seattle and the team that dominated the better part of the last decade in New England produced a 24-14 Seattle lead heading into the fourth quarter.
That was until Tom Brady woke up, leading two New England touchdown drives, including the eventual game winner to Julian Edleman that put New England up 28-24 with 2:02 to go.
Seattle was given one last chance, and it appeared destiny was within their grasp after wide receiver Jermaine Kerase made an acrobatic catch while falling deep in New England territory. Before too long Seattle had the ball at the one-yard line before Head Coach Pete Carroll made a huge error. Instead of running the ball with Marshawn Lynch, he let Russell Wilson throw the ball from the one. The rest is as they say … history.
9: Pittsbrugh vs. Dallas (Part II)
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 21: Roger Staubach #12 of the Dallas Cowboys turns to hand the ball off to a running back against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XIII on January 21, 1979 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The Steelers won the Super Bowl 35-31. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
There is no better rivalry on this grand stage than Dallas vs. Pittsburgh. It’s the contrast of two styles: the rich, flashy power and bright lights of Dallas against the blue collar grit of Pittsburgh. Three times these two titanic franchises met in the Big Game. However, their second meeting was probably it’s most memorable.
On this January night in 1979 with Hall of Famer’s galore, Terry Bradshaw (four touchdown passes) out-duled Roger Staubach (three touchdown passes) by the score of 35-31. However, Staubach could have had the last laugh were it not for Jackie Smith becoming the “sickest man in America” when he dropped a sure touchdown in the fourth quarter.
8: New England vs. Atlanta
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots makes a 23 yard catch in the fourth quarter against Ricardo Allen #37, Robert Alford #23 and Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Another New England appearance in the Big Game, and another wild finish. The 51st edition featured the greatest comeback, and — at the same time — the greatest collapse of all time. Look away Atlanta fans — at least you have have that Braves World Series title from 2021.
Atlanta held a 28-3 lead late in the third quarter before going ultra conservative offensively. Meanwhile New England chipped away, and before too long — Tom Brady had New England in the end zone twice in the fourth quarter to remarkably tie the game at 28.
In the first ever overtime in Big Game history, Brady again led a game winning drive with James White scoring the game winning score. By the way, Matt Ryan and company never touched the ball in OT.
7: Pittsburgh vs. Arizona
TAMPA, FL – FEBRUARY 1: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass against the Arizona Cardinal in Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers won the game 27-23. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images))
Two teams with totally contrasting histories. Pittsburgh was a familiar entry into this contest posting what was up to this point for Big Game XLIII, their seventh appearance. For Arizona, this was the franchises first appearance in this game.
And we got a classic. Kurt Warner was on the doorstep of another Big Game championship after he connected with Larry Fitzgerald on a 64-yard touchdown pass to pivot Arizona in front 23-20 late in the fourth quarter.
Pittsburgh had other ideas. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led an inspired 78-yard drive in the final minute, culminating in Santonio Holmes making a remarkable catch in the corner of the end zone to win it for Pittsburgh 27-23, and locking up a sixth title for the Steel City.
6: Denver vs. Green Bay
SAN DIEGO, CA – JANUARY 25: John Elway #7 of the Denver Broncos turns to hand the ball off to a running back against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XXXII on January 25, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Broncos won the Super Bowl 31-24. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
This game will be remembered for one quote by late Denver owner Pat Bowlen. “This one’s for John!” And it was all about Denver quarterback John Elway who in three previous trips to the Big Game saw his teams get thoroughly dominated.
This was different against defending champion Green Bay. With MVP Brett Favre leading the way, Green Bay was a slight favorite over Denver who had to win two straight on the road just to get to the Big Game.
What we got was a classic in the 32nd edition of the Big Game. Both teams traded blows as Green Bay stormed back twice to tie the game — once at 17, and again at 24. One thing Denver had going for it was Terrell Davis who couldn’t be stopped. Davis ran for 157 yards and three scores, including the game winner when Green Bay made the decision to let Denver score with hopes of having the ball back with time to spare. Big mistake.
Green Bay never scored again. Of course this game is also best remembered for Elway’s diving for a first down when he was helicoptered in mid flight.
5: New England vs. St. Louis
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 03: Adam Vinatieri #4 of the New England Patriots kicks a forty eight yard field goal to defeat the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome on February 3, 2002 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Patriots won the game 20-17. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
All dynasties have a beginning and the 36th edition of the Big Game was the beginning of the New England dynasty. Funny thing is, everyone thought this would be a coronation for Kurt Warner and St. Louis, who had won the Big Game just two years earlier, and were the best team in football at that time.
With the game tied at 17, some kid named Tom Brady engineered a late game charge that ended in an Adam Vinateri field goal. Who knew that was only just the beginning.
4: San Francisco vs. Cincinnati
MIAMI, FL- JANUARY 22: Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers scrambles away from the pressure of Jason Buck #99 of the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The 49ers won the Super Bowl 20-16. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Joe Montana. Just the name resonates with championship football. One of the games greatest winners, Montana is 4-0 all time in the Big Game, and it was his efforts in the fourth quarter of San Francisco’s 20-16 win over Cincinnati in January of 1989 that proved to be his ultimate coronation.
Cincy had shocked San Fran and the world by grabbing a 13-6 lead before Montana found Jerry Rice for the tying score early in the fourth quarter. However, Montana and San Francisco had one last challenge, trailing 16-13 and the length of the field to go.
Montana drove San Francisco 92 yards in three minutes, before hitting John Taylor with the game winning score with just 34 seconds remaining, ending one of the best Big Games ever played.
3: St. Louis vs. Tennessee
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (L) greets St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner (R) before the start of Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA 30 January, 2000. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
As you have gone through this list, Kurt Warner’s name has come up twice. Well, his first appearance in the big game culminated a remarkable year where he wasn’t even expected to be the starter in St. Louis. After Trent Green went down with an injury in preseason, Warner took over and guided St. Louis to 13 wins. With Marshall Faulk and Isaac Bruce, St. Louis had the Greatest Show on Turf in 1999.
That was tested heavily against Tennessee. The game was low scoring slugfest early on with St. Louis holding a 9-0 lead at the half. Then things got wild in the second half as both Warner and Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair turned on the jets. McNair’s gutsy effort and the running of Eddie George helped the boys from Nashville pull to a 16-16 tie late in the fourth quarter.
With 1:54 to go in the game, Warner heaved a pass down the sideline that Bruce caught in stride and raced into the end zone for the score.
There was still time for Tennessee. McNair had the Tennessee offense moving deep into St. Louis territory as the seconds ticked away. With just 9 seconds to go, McNair hit Kevin Dyson up the middle, but Mike Jones made the game saving tackle at the one yard line. Even as Dyson tried to stretch across it wasn’t enough.
2: New York vs. Buffalo
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 27: Jim Kelly #12 of the Buffalo Bills throws a under pressure from Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants during Super Bowl XXV January 27, 1991 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Giants won the Super Bowl 20-19. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
With the Gulf War conflict overshadowing the proceedings of the 25th edition of the Big Game, it was fitting that both teams were two squads whose colors were red, white and blue. The closest New York ever got to their version of the “Subway Series,” Big Blue outlasted Buffalo 20-19 in one of the greatest Big Game’s ever played.
How huge is this game? Bill Belichick, then New York’s defensive coordinator, had his game plan put in the Hall of Fame.
Belichick’s game plan was to slow down Buffalo’s high powered offense and its quarterback Jim Kelly. They did just that, holding Kelly to 212 yards passing. Even though Buffalo running back Thurman Thomas ran for 135 yards, it wasn’t enough for Buffalo.
Big Blue relied on the running of Otis Anderson and the calm play of back-up Jeff Hostetler to carry a 20-19 lead into the late stages.
That’s when Buffalo’s offense started to figure it out and got into field goal range for Scott Norwood. While he has become infamous since, it was a 47-yard kick on wet grass. The kick sailed wide right, and New York survived for its second title in franchise history.
1: New York vs. New England (Part I)
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 3: David Tyree #85 of the New York Giants catches a pass over Rodney Harrison #37 of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII February 3, 2008 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The first match-up between New York and New England in the Big Game’s 42nd edition is easily the greatest Big Game ever played.New England was 18-0 coming into the match-up, needing just one win to become the greatest team in pro football history. New York came in the ultimate underdog. Big Blue had to win three straight games on the road in Tampa, Dallas and Green Bay, and came into the game riding a huge swing of momentum and confidence.
New York shut down New England’s high powered offense, ironically much in the same way they did to Buffalo 17 years earlier. The biggest irony of it all, the architect of that game plan vs. Buffalo was on the opposite sideline for New England in Bill Belichick. He watched as Justin Tuck, Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyoria stomp out Tom Brady, and shutdown Randy Moss and Wes Welker.
Still, New England held a 14-10 lead late when New York quarterback Eli Manning put up a pass that will live on forever. A floater that somehow found its way to receiver David Tyree who trapped the ball on his helmet and came down with it. A few plays later, Manning hit a wide open Plaxico Burress in the end zone for the game winning score. New York 17 – New England 14.
18 and one big loss.
