Over the past decade there has been a number of exciting Super Bowls, including in 2012 when the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots on a last-minute drive in the fourth quarter.
It still remains to be seen what type of game it will be between the Ravens and the 49ers, but since five of the past six Super Bowls have been decided in the final quarter, chances are things will be tight until the end. Here is a look at some of the best Super Bowl games of all time, in no particular order.
-- Super Bowl XLII, 2008
New York 17, New England 14
This game had it all. A young quarterback stepping out of his legendary brother's shadow. An all-time great quarterback looking for a fourth championship. An undefeated team looking for its place in history. A play that is one of the most memorable catches in any game ever. This one was an "all-timer".
The Giants and Patriots played a game in Week 17 that was a prelude to this one, with New England winning the first time around to go 16-0 in the regular season. When the Super Bowl rolled around, New England was 18-0 and looking to be the first undefeated champion since the 1972 Miami Dolphins.
The Patriots looked to have a good shot after taking a 14-10 lead late in the fourth quarter, but that before Eli Manning took the Giants down the field on one of the greatest drives in Super Bowl history.
The Giants went on a 12-play, 83 yard scoring drive that was highlighted by the 32-yard helmet catch by David Tyree after Manning escaped the clutches of would-be sackers. Manning hit Plaxio Burress in the end zone with 19 seconds left to end the undefeated bid and to seal his place in Super Bowl history.
-- Super Bowl XLIII, 2009
Pittsburgh 27, Arizona 23
Two straight years, two straight Super Bowls that went down to the last minute. Santonio Holmes' catch was one of the most clutch plays in Super Bowl history and the game was also highlighted by one of the best defensive plays ever.
Ben Roethlisberger's pass at the end of the game was perfect, but what truly made this game epic was the 100-yard interception for a touchdown by Steelers NFL defensive MVP James Harrison at the end of the first half that turned a possible Cardinals four-point lead into a 10-point advantage for Pittsburgh.
The Cardinals recovered from that amazing play and had the lead late in the fourth quarter behind Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald before Big Ben took the Steelers on a game-winning drive.
-- Super Bowl XXXIV, 2000
St. Louis 23, Tennessee 16
Everyone remembers the final play of this game. The outstretched arm of Kevin Dyson that was just short of the end zone. The game was just exciting as the end though. With the high-scoring St. Louis Rams up 16-0 in the third quarter behind Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk, the Titans battled back to tie things up with 2:12 left in the game. Steve McNair was playing the part of hero as quarterback for Tennessee, driving the Titans down to the 10-yard line with just six seconds remaining.
The two teams lined up fpr what would be the final play of the game. Either the Titans would score and win, or the Rams would stop the play and clinch the title. McNair hit wide receiver Kevin Dyson across the middle of the field at the five-yard line and rushed straight to the goal line, where he was met by linebacker Mike Jones, who made one of the most famous tackles in NFL history. Dyson was short by a yard and the Rams had the championship.
--Super Bowl XXIII, 1989
San Francisco 20, Cincinnati 16
This Super Bowl was one of the best just as a game of football, but also because it produced one of the best in-the-huddle stories in sports history. With the San Francisco 49ers down by three points with 3:20 left in the game, quarterback Joe Montana went to the huddle and said something to his team.
"There, in the stands, standing near the exit ramp," Montana said to tackle Harris Barton. "Isn't that John Candy?"
Down three points with three minutes left in the SUPER Bowl, Montana was calm, cool, easy and funny. After spotting the Hollywood star, Montana took the 49ers down the field on a 92-yard drive and hit John Taylor with a 10-yard touchdown with only 34 seconds left to win the title.
A Few More:
- Super Bowl XXXVIII, 2003
New England 32, Carolina 29
- Super Bowl XXV, 1991
New York Giants 20, Buffalo 19
- Super Bowl XXXVI, 2002
New England 20, St. Louis 17
