Sports
The Best & Worst Super Bowl Moments
Ah the Super Bowl. Football, friends, commercials, wings, tradition. Whether or not your team is in it this year, you will probably be watching it.
There are a lot of memorable moments in Super Bowl, for better or worse. Good moments may be bad for some and vice versa.
Of course, there’s fifty years of plays to go through, so it’s hard to capture every moment in a short article.
Whether you agree or not about the order, there is no denying the iconic status of these moments:
Best
- Titans vs. Rams (XXXIV) – One Yard Short
It’s called the game of inches for a reason. Although it doesn’t always end that way, it is thrilling when it does happen.
Besides the inspirational rags-to-riches story of Kurt Warner, this may be the most inspirational aspect of this game.
After blowing a 16-0 lead, the Rams reclaimed the lead after a 73-yard touchdown from Warner. The Titans put up a fight, almost tying it as time expired, but Mike Jones tackled Kevin Dyson at the one-yard line.
Giving this Super Bowl the nickname “The Tackle” forevermore.
- Saints vs. Colts (XLIV) – The Kick Was Good
The Saints and Colts were looking like they had a shot to be the first teams to meet in the Super Bowl undefeated, guaranteeing an undefeated champion.
That dream ended, but the two did end up meeting in the Super Bowl.
Down 10-6 at halftime, the Saints turned the tide with a surprise onside kick to start the second half.
The Saints won their first Super Bowl on their first try and brought a much needed moral boost to New Orleans, a city that had been devastated by Hurricane Katrina 5 years earlier.
- Packers vs. Broncos (XXXII) – John Elway in Flight
John Elway proved that while Father Time always wins, you can at least get a couple laughs in before He takes you.
The 37-year-old and his franchise, the Denver Broncos, had been fruitless in Super Bowl victories up until this point.
The game was a thriller throughout and every play counted. Especially one known as “The Helicopter.”
Elway put his 37-year-old body on the line diving for eight yards and a first down, while being hit by Mike Prior and LeRoy Butler. The result was Elway spinning madly through the air.
While Terrell Davis won MVP honors for that game, Elway definitely had the most memorable play.
- Giants vs. Patriots (XLII) – Stickum for Helmets
The Patriots were one jump ball away from 19-0. They were about to be the first team that had a perfect season since the 1972 Miami Dolphins. They would have been the first team to do it in the expanded 16-game era.
But they didn’t.
Eli Manning somehow avoided Adalius Thomas, Jarvis Green, and Richard Seymour and threw a prayer to David Tyree. Tyree pinned the ball to his helmet while Rodney Harrison was trying to force it out of his hands.
The Giants went on to score to put them ahead with 35 seconds left and never looked back.
- Seahawks vs. Patriots (XLIX) – Seahawks Pass on a Super Bowl Victory
If you’re a Seahawks fan and want to stop here, be my guest. I’ll wait.
Okay, so really why didn’t they run Marshawn Lynch? With second-and-goal on the one-yard line with 26 seconds left and one time out, the play call baffled many (including all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith).
But what a thrilling, game-sealing play by Malcolm Butler!
This Super Bowl was the highest rated television broadcast in the history of the United States, and for good reason.
In all fairness, you can now add Tom Brady’s fifth Super Bowl win from last night’s INCREDIBLE comeback to this already impressive list of the best Super Bowl moments.
Worst
- Ravens vs. 49ers (XLVII) – At Last I See The Light
“I love a 34-minute delay during the Super Bowl,” said no one ever.
While the overall game was good, the blackout of Super Bowl XLVII was boring and controversial.
Players like Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis suggested the blackout was no accident, but a conspiracy to make the hot-handed Ravens cool down.
Whatever the reason for the blackout, we can all agree it was embarrassing and frustrating.
- Broncos vs. Panthers (L) – No YOU Got It
Last year, the Broncos made one of the most recent statements that defense wins championships.
But that didn’t make this Super Bowl any less boring.
The Panthers had a chance to save the game by putting together a thrilling, game-winning drive. Instead, Von Miller stripped Cam Newton again and Newton chose not to dive for it.
His lackluster attempt to recover symbolized a lackluster Super Bowl.
- Cowboys vs. Steelers (XIII) – It Definitely Wasn’t a Catch
Dez Bryant caught it! Or maybe he didn’t. Apparently nobody really knows. What people do know is Jackie Smith definitely dropped it.
Enshrined in the Hall of Fame, Smith is known by many for dropping a ball that hit him right on the money.
It was a crucial play that he didn’t make, and the Cowboys had to settle for a field goal in a game that was ultimately decided by 4 points.
- Seahawks vs. Broncos (XLIX) – Everything About It.
The Broncos made the list twice.
Any game that starts with a safety as the first play from scrimmage should be a good indicator that you will most likely fall asleep during the game.
Unfortunately, 111.5 million viewers had to watch as the Seahawks absolutely destroyed the Broncos. Down 36-0, the Broncos didn’t see points on the board until the end of the third quarter.
Unless you were a Seahawks fan or you hated the Broncos, you most likely did not like this game.
- Bills vs. Giants (XXV) – Norwood’s Kick Takes a Wide Right.
Many may forget the Bills had a dynasty the first four years of the 90s. They went to the Super Bowl FOUR straight years.
Here’s the kicker:
They didn’t win a single one.
They lost by at least two scores in the three after Super Bowl XIII, making this Super Bowl arguably the most heartbreaking.
Scott Norwood’s kick was for the win, but it missed just like this Bills team missed out on being called arguably the greatest team of all time.