Big time players make
big time plays in big time games. The old adage holds true when discussing the
NFL’s showcase game. Every year the Super Bowl is memorable for one reason or
another. The world will forever remember the phrase “wardrobe malfunction”.
Yet, nothing can overshadow the player’s achievement in football’s premier
event. These players performed at their very best with the eyes of the world
upon them.
Sixth Best Super Bowl Performance: Jerry Rice, Super Bowl XXIII
Perhaps the greatest
football player of All-Time, Rice did not disappoint on the game’s grandest
stage. In his first of three Super Bowl appearances, Rice caught 11 passes for
215 yards and a touchdown to lead his 49ers to a decisive victory.
Fifth Best Super Bowl Performance: Seahawks Defense, Super Bowl XLVIII
Seattle’s defensive
unit completely shut down a record setting Denver Broncos offense. After
throwing for a record 55 touchdowns during the regular season, Peyton Manning
and his team were dismantled and soundly defeated in this one. Kam Chancellor’s
hit on Broncos star receiver Demaryius Thomas set the tone for the whole game
and will be remembered in Super Bowl lore.
Fourth Best Super Bowl Performance: Tom Brady, Super Bowl XLIX
The fact that the
Greatest of All-Time led his team to victory over the above-mentioned Seahawks
defense should say it all. Not enough is said about the two late, uncanny,
touchdown drives. With 12 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, New England
trailed 24-14. The Patriots had virtually no running game, and Tom Terrific
stared the vaunted Seahawks defense in the face and won.
Third Best Super Bowl Performance: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense, Super BowlXXXVII
Tampa Bay’s offense
did just enough to reach the Super Bowl in the first year of Jon Gruden’s
tenure. This defense though was historical, thoroughly shutting down MVP Rich
Gannon en route to a 48-21 victory. The Bucs defense forced Gannon into a
record five interceptions, returning three of those for touchdowns. Led by
Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice, John Lynch and Ronde Barber, the unit
sacked Gannon five times and hurried and harassed the MVP all night. The game
wasn’t nearly as close as the final score.
Second Best Super Bowl Performance: Joe Montana, Super Bowl XXIV
Montana absolutely
dissected the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV. Joe Cool was at his very best in his
fourth and final Super Bowl, winning MVP with a passer rating of 147.6 while throwing for 297 yards
and five touchdowns in a 55-10 rout. Classic Montana.
Best Super Bowl Performance: Lynn Swann, Super Bowl X
Swann put up all the highlights
and what was thought of as the greatest catch in Super Bowl history for years
to come. Number 88 caught four passes for 161 yards and a touchdown while
becoming the first wide receiver to win Super Bowl MVP.
