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10 most memorable Super Bowls

Ed Wyatt

Ed Wyatt

Written on Monday, 30 January 2012 07:30

Super Bowl XLVI (46) is a rematch of Super Bowl XLII (42) between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. That game is widely considered to be one of the best Super Bowls ever played and got me thinking about the most memorable Super Bowls. Although it's all relative - "memorable" often depends upon which team you support - here are my top ten.

10. Super Bowl XXXII, 1998: Denver 31 Green Bay 24

After four unsuccessful attempts, the Broncos finally won the big one. The defining moment was John Elway's fourth quarter leap - referred to as "the Helicopter" - where he was spun in the air by two Green Bay defenders, but managed to get a crucial first down.

9. Super Bowl I, 1967: Green Bay 35 Kansas City 10

The first Super Bowl ever played, though technically it wasn't called the Super Bowl at the time. The Packers of legendary coach Vince Lombardi destroyed the upstart Chiefs from the competing American Football League (AFL).

8. Super Bowl XVI, 1982: San Francisco 26 Cincinnati 21

The game that kick-started the 49ers dynasty and was the first of five Super Bowl wins for the franchise that dominated the ‘80s and ‘90s. It was the first of three Super Bowl rings for head coach Bill Walsh and the first of four rings for superstar quarterback Joe Montana. Also has the distinction of being the first Super Bowl in a cold weather city (Pontiac, Michigan), though it was in a domed stadium.

7. Super Bowl XX, 1986: Chicago 41 New England 10

Although the game was a blowout, this Bears team was one of the most dominant in the history of the NFL. They were coached by Mike Ditka and featured the incomparable Walter Payton as well as publicity machines William "The Refrigerator" Perry and Jim McMahon.

6. Super Bowl XXXIV, 2000, St. Louis 23 Tennessee 16

This Super Bowl featured the Cinderella story of Rams' quarterback Kurt Warner - the game's MVP - who was stacking shelves in a supermarket before resurrecting his career and leading "The Greatest Show on Turf." The game ended with the Titans driving for the tying score, but St. Louis linebacker Mike Jones tackled Kevin Dyson at the one-yard line as time ran out.

5. Super Bowl XLIII, 2009: Pittsburgh 27 Arizona 23

Australian fans might remember this as the year an Aussie - Arizona punter Ben Graham - played in the NFL's biggest game. The contest itself was a back-and-forth affair, with Ben Roethlisberger finding Santonio Holmes for the winning touchdown with 35 seconds left. The game also featured James Harrison's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history.

4. Super Bowl XXXVI, 2002: New England 20 St Louis 17

Memorable for a number of reasons, including the fact that the game was played less than five months after the September 11 attacks. The NFL's adjusted schedule pushed the game back by a week and it was the first time a Super Bowl was played in February. This was the first of three New England Super Bowl wins and came on an Adam Viniatieri's 48-yard field goal as time expired.

3. Super Bowl VII, 1973: Miami 14 Washington 7

The win capped the Dolphins' perfect season, the only time an unbeaten team has won the Super Bowl. It also featured kicker Garo Yepremian's absurd quasi-pass after a blocked kick, which Washington's Mike Bass returned for a touchdown.

2. Super Bowl XLII, 2008: NYG 17 NE 14

New England came in undefeated and seemingly unstoppable. Holding a 14-10 lead, the Patriots couldn't stop a spirited Giants drive, led by quarterback Eli Manning. First, David Tyree made one of the most remarkable catches ever seen in an NFL game, then Manning passed to Plaxico Burress for the winning touchdown with 35 seconds left.

1. Super Bowl III, 1969: New York Jets 16 Baltimore Colts 7

The last Super Bowl before the NFL/AFL merger, this is still the most important result in league history. Joe Namath led the underdog Jets of the AFL to a stunning win over the NFL powerhouse Colts, and instantly established credibility for what had been considered an inferior league. 

That's my list. If you disagree, share your thoughts on your most memorable Super Bowl below. And don't forget to stay tuned for more Super Bowl coverage on BackPageLead all this week.

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