Ranking the Best Super Bowls

[selmaborntidefan]

I'll go with Super Bowl III. Jets vs Colts. This game made the old AFL teams ligit.

In no way to be the wet blanket and - YES - the historicity of this game was second only to the 1958 overtime NFL game......but I watched this game, and the Jets didn't play a whole helluva lot better than the Colts did. TBF - the field was a mess. The game was - literally - turnovers. The Colts had 3 fewer first downs and only 13 fewer total yards. But the five turnovers is something no team can overcome unless they get them back.

But a great moment I agree, and I know the Tide faithful had to have been ecstatic for Namath, too.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I'm 38, so I missed many of the classic SB's of the 70's/80's

Actually, you didn't miss very much at all.

Most of the pre-Super Bowl XXV games weren't worth a damn.

A few were but we had so many hyped games that didn't even halfway reflect it.

Super Bowls 18 and 19 were indisputably the two best teams in the NFL.

They were also absolute misfires on the entertainment scale.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

That surprises me from an Alabama fan. Great defense should not be boring. The score was not low because of poor offensive play from either team. The score was low because of the defenses on the field. The game was a chess match.

Most Super Bowls I watch a second time if they're decent; I just never really cared for this (and I don't even like the Patriots, but Mercury Morris was such a dweeb that I was hoping they'd do it).

That said, my father was in the hospital that weekend, and he would pass without regaining consciousness a few days later, so it sticks in my mind for other reasons. I will forever be emotionally connected to that game.

Sorry, man.

 

[We_are_Bama]

53 was an abomination to the game of American football. It was SO bad, even Pats fans hate it. It looked like two mules fighting over a turnip. 52 was off the charts good. 46 and 47 were awesome. 34 and 44 were very fun to watch. Some other stinkers were 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 39, 40, and 50.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

53 was an abomination to the game of American football. It was SO bad, even Pats fans hate it. It looked like two mules fighting over a turnip. 52 was off the charts good. 46 and 47 were awesome. 34 and 44 were very fun to watch. Some other stinkers were 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 39, 40, and 50.

I weirdly forgot about 52. I honestly can't remember any of the game

 

[81usaf92]

I weirdly forgot about 52. I honestly can't remember any of the game

52 was probably Brady’s best super bowl performance. Threw for over 500 yards, but the defense was missing Dontae and Malcom tremendously.

 

[BamaBoySince89]

I think everyone wants a "Belichick Division" game but honestly what does anyone think we'll get tomorrow?

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I would put the game two days ago in Category III - a GOOD game but not a "cream of the crop" kind of game. However, I can give it credit because it WAS looking like one of the all-time greats and in a matter of moments it kinda faded away from that.

I've been saying since 1991 that EIGHT PLAYS determine the final score of a football game. Generally speaking, if all eight go against you it's a blowout. You CAN win losing six of the eight - just so long as the other two compensate for it. And sometimes the biggest plays are the ones where nothing happen but something catastrophic was avoided.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I think everyone wants a "Belichick Division" game but honestly what does anyone think we'll get tomorrow?

We got about what I thought we would get. Those two teams were evenly matched, and the reality is they could play against this coming Sunday, and it wouldn't be surprising to see San Fran beat KC by the same score that KC won by.

 

[Padreruf]

I would put the game two days ago in Category III - a GOOD game but not a "cream of the crop" kind of game. However, I can give it credit because it WAS looking like one of the all-time greats and in a matter of moments it kinda faded away from that.

I've been saying since 1991 that EIGHT PLAYS determine the final score of a football game. Generally speaking, if all eight go against you it's a blowout. You CAN win losing six of the eight - just so long as the other two compensate for it. And sometimes the biggest plays are the ones where nothing happen but something catastrophic was avoided.

CPB says hello...he would tell his teams that 7 plays would determine the best games...you just never knew when those plays would be!!

 

[selmaborntidefan]

CPB says hello...he would tell his teams that 7 plays would determine the best games...you just never knew when those plays would be!!

What's amazing is this: I never heard CPB say that (not denying the reality of it btw).

I figured it out when watching the VHS tape we recorded of Super Bowl XXV. I began to notice - starting in this case from knowing the conclusion, of course - "wow, if that hadn't happened then...." and when I reached the end of the tape, I had eight plays. I then began tracking each game and noticed the pattern ALWAYS wound up with eight critical plays. I'd try to reduce it or expand it, but I never could do so.

I DO recall Coach Stallings saying that you play 100 plays in a football game to actually play 4 or 5 that determine who wins the game. I began with the assumption of 4 or 5, but I noticed that was really too small if the game was close. One could reasonably argue five plays in a blowout - and, of course, you never know what they are.

The absolute biggest play in our January 2017 game with Clemson was when Ryan Anderson did not score a TD on Gallman's fumble at the start of the second half. There were, of course, other big plays but that one saved at least 3 (and probably 4) points at a crucial juncture in the game. Joe Burrow's tackle of Lewis in last year's LSU game.....he was gone if Joe doesn't get him and 33-13 is now 33-20 with almost an entire half left.

Sometimes you don't' know until it happens.

 

[trenda]

Rams-Titans. You don't get a better finish than that. Titans overcome a big deficit (16 points if I remember correctly) to take the lead. Rams answer with a 75 yd TD pass. Titans get down to the 10. Rams make tackle at one yard line as time expires to end the game. The Longest Yard in real life, except the tackle is made at the end rather than a score.

 

[B1GTide]

Rams-Titans. You don't get a better finish than that. Titans overcome a big deficit (16 points if I remember correctly) to take the lead. Rams answer with a 75 yd TD pass. Titans get down to the 10. Rams make tackle at one yard line as time expires to end the game. The Longest Yard in real life, except the tackle is made at the end rather than a score.

There was a Giants/Bills SB (the one with Whitney Houston singing the SSB) that ended on a missed FG - same scenario. Hit the FG - you win. Miss the FG - you lose. That game had 5 lead changes, no turnovers and a safety - and the Giants won it with their backup QB because their starter was lost to injury before the playoffs. The irony - his injury (broken foot) was suffered in a regular season game with the Bills.

That was a great SB for many reasons.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Rams-Titans. You don't get a better finish than that. Titans overcome a big deficit (16 points if I remember correctly) to take the lead.

The Titans DID overcome a 16-point deficit, but they never led the entire game.

Rams answer with a 75 yd TD pass. Titans get down to the 10. Rams make tackle at one yard line as time expires to end the game. The Longest Yard in real life, except the tackle is made at the end rather than a score.

Yeah, but a few things here:


1) It was an exciting FOURTH QUARTER, but it was NOT an "exciting game."

St Louis went into the Titan red zone FIVE TIMES in the first half and got 3 field goals. The game could very easily have been 35-0 Rams at the half. Tennessee scored their first points with only 14 seconds left in the third quarter (and probably went for two too quickly).

2) As exciting as the Jones tackle on Dyson was......even a touchdown with a PAT only TIES the game.

Great play, yes. Great ending (and Boomer Esiaison making a fool of himself by saying TN should have taken a time out earlier).

But even if Dyson scores, Tennessee is NOT going to go for two. Mike Jones didn't save the Super Bowl, he saved overtime.

 

[trenda]

The Titans DID overcome a 16-point deficit, but they never led the entire game.



Yeah, but a few things here:


1) It was an exciting FOURTH QUARTER, but it was NOT an "exciting game."

St Louis went into the Titan red zone FIVE TIMES in the first half and got 3 field goals. The game could very easily have been 35-0 Rams at the half. Tennessee scored their first points with only 14 seconds left in the third quarter (and probably went for two too quickly).

2) As exciting as the Jones tackle on Dyson was......even a touchdown with a PAT only TIES the game.

Great play, yes. Great ending (and Boomer Esiaison making a fool of himself by saying TN should have taken a time out earlier).

But even if Dyson scores, Tennessee is NOT going to go for two. Mike Jones didn't save the Super Bowl, he saved overtime.

Define exciting. I think we must have different definitions of exciting.

Not sure what never leading the entire game has to do with anything. Overcoming a 16 point deficit to take the lead in the 4th quarter in a championship game is big. Period. Some might even say - - - exciting.

This game very easily could have been a blowout. But it wasn't. Titans found a way to stick around. To some folks - Titans fans, people wanting to see Mike Martz's 'greatest show on turf' grounded - that was exciting in itself.

You would be hard pressed to provide an example of a game that is exciting from start to finish. And, with the way you're dissecting responses, even harder. So give me an exciting fourth quarter and finish to the game every time.

A TD and PAT at the end does TIE the game. And sends it to OT. As opposed to, you know, losing the game.

And the fact that Jones' tackle kept the game from going to OT and preserved the win - one yard from the goal line and with time expiring is exciting.

Great topic and thread. These are always subjective; but fun to discuss. Thanks for starting.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Define exciting. I think we must have different definitions of exciting.

Again - it was a good fourth quarter (really maybe quarter and a half).

The first half was a snooze-fest.

Not sure what never leading the entire game has to do with anything. Overcoming a 16 point deficit to take the lead in the 4th quarter in a championship game is big. Period. Some might even say - - - exciting.

Yes, and I'm conceding the excitement at that point.

This was not some back and forth contest. One team jumped out to a two-score lead pretty early, added a TD, and the Titans came back.

This game very easily could have been a blowout. But it wasn't. Titans found a way to stick around. To some folks - Titans fans, people wanting to see Mike Martz's 'greatest show on turf' grounded - that was exciting in itself.

I just don't consider 9-0 halftime scores (in most cases and this is one of them) to indicate a great game. It IS possible if the defenses are all world to have a great game that's 3-3 or even 0-0 at the half. This wasn't that game. Again - I'm not saying it was a bad game, it wasn't. It's just everyone imposes the fourth quarter on the rest of the contest.

You would be hard pressed to provide an example of a game that is exciting from start to finish. And, with the way you're dissecting responses, even harder. So give me an exciting fourth quarter and finish to the game every time.

Look, there's nothing wrong with the game itself, but it wasn't an "exciting game" - it was an exciting fourth quarter plus a few plays in the third.

2011 Alabama vs LSU I was an exciting contest from start to finish. Yes, most games have lulls in them that set up what happens later (and I'll even concede that to a point so did SB 34). But my central point is that it was a GOOD game overall but not a GREAT one even though the ending was very good.

A TD and PAT at the end does TIE the game. And sends it to OT. As opposed to, you know, losing the game.

And the fact that Jones' tackle kept the game from going to OT and preserved the win - one yard from the goal line and with time expiring is exciting.

Great topic and thread. These are always subjective; but fun to discuss. Thanks for starting.

No, not a problem. There are in my view too many contests where we talk about what a great game something was an in a lot of cases it was actually a snooze-fest until late. Let me give you a few examples that will show you the distinction I'm drawing (and I'm cool if you disagree; if we all agreed life would be pretty boring).

GREAT GAMES
2013 Iron Bowl (I know, I know)
2011 World Series Game 6
1992 Duke vs Kentucky Elite Eight game
1985 Iron Bowl
1991 Orange Bowl
1991 World Series Games 3, 4, 6, and 7
1980 Miracle on Ice
Mike Tyson vs Buster Douglas (using "game" loosely here)
"The Catch" game (1981 NFC championship)
1975 World Series Game 6
1990 Ga Tech vs #1 UVA
1984 Orange Bowl
1986 World Series Game 6

GAMES WE THINK WERE GREAT BUT WERE MOSTLY A GREAT FINISH
1992 NLCS Game 7 (and I'm a Braves fan for Pete's sake)
Super Bowl V (according to folks I've talked to who watched it)
Music City Miracle (I hate to sound like I'm hating on the Titans, but the game itself was NOT BAD, but it was only the last 8 minutes or so that really captured one's attention).
The Immaculate Reception game (the score was 3-0 entering the 4th quarter with five turnovers)
1988 World Series Game 1 (All of Oakland's runs came on a grand slam)
1980 Dallas Cowboys vs Atlanta Falcons NFC Divisional Playoff

(You WILL note that I still have more "great games" than "games people think are great but were not," so I'm hardly a Debbie Downer. But sometimes overall context is missing).

 

[trenda]

It's just everyone imposes the fourth quarter on the rest of the contest.

Maybe there's a reason "everyone" does that??

I just don't consider 9-0 halftime scores (in most cases and this is one of them) to indicate a great game. It IS possible if the defenses are all world to have a great game that's 3-3 or even 0-0 at the half. This wasn't that game.

Rams had #1 offense and #4 defense in the NFL that year. Titans had #7 offense and #15 D. This wasn't the Bengals vs the Browns.

2011 Alabama vs LSU I was an exciting contest from start to finish. Yes, most games have lulls in them that set up what happens later (and I'll even concede that to a point so did SB 34). But my central point is that it was a GOOD game overall but not a GREAT one even though the ending was very good.

The first Bama/LSU game in 2011 was panned all over the country as being extremely boring because of the lack of offense by both teams. Neither team topped 300 yards of offense and there were no TDs scored. The game featured 8 punts. By contrast, SB 34 had 5 punts total. Halftime score was 3-3. Bama/LSU featured 5 plays of 20+ yds, while SB 34 had 7. Bama/LSU had 2 three-and-outs the entire game, while SB34 featured 3. Plus, Bama lost -- so you can never feel that game was great nor exciting.

And to top it all off, SB34 featured the halftime show "Tapestry of Nations" from Disney that included Phil Collins and Christina Aguilera!!

Now, I'm done until you start a thread considering greatest SB halftime shows ever. LOL.

 

[81usaf92]

The Titans game I remember more at how they got to the SB and the ending more than the game.

 

[CB4]

I will agree with you about Super Bowl V (Cowboys - Colts). That was one UGLY football game. Turnover upon turnover and "weird plays" on top of that.

I was a huge Leroy Jordan fan. It was a kick in the gut as a kid to lose that game.

 

[81usaf92]

Now, I'm done until you start a thread considering greatest SB halftime shows ever. LOL.

Prince in the Rain end of discussion

1) Prince
2) Michael
3) Lady Gaga
4) U2
5) Paul