The Super Bowl is coming fast and now is the best time to reflect on the ten greatest Super Bowl plays in the 45 year history of the game. The Super Bowl has produced some amazing plays over the years and attempting to narrow it down to ten of the greatest plays will invite plenty of debate. So have it at everyone. All comments are invited to post your own top ten greatest Super Bowl plays below.
No.10. James Harrison 100 Yard Touchdown Return: Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is now more known for his vicious hits and mounting NFL fines but his Super Bowl claim to fame was his amazing 100 yard interception of the Arizona Cardinals Kurt Warner and touchdown return as time expired in the first half of Super Bowl XLIII. Harrison looked like he may die right on the field after collapsing in the end zone after the historic return.
No.9. Mike Jones Tackles Kevin Dyson to Save TD: St Louis Rams
Tennessee Titans receiver Kevin Dyson catches a Steve McNair pass and attempts to score as time expires in Super Bowl XXIV. St Louis Rams linebacker Mike Jones comes from across the field and wraps up Dyson at the three yard line. Dyson stretches as far as he can but falls just one short with the point of the football. The game saving tackle by Jones is regarded as one of the best defensive plays in the Super Bowl of all time.
No.8. Johnny Unitas 75 yard Touchdown Pass: Baltimore Colts
The play was not picture perfect by one of the original NFL gunslingers, Johnny Unitas but it was one the most incredible plays. Unitas faded back and passed to receiver Eddie Hinton. The pass was off line and behind Hinton but Dallas Cowboys corner Ed Renfro inadvertently tipped the pass into Hinton’s hands as he streaked in for the 75 yard pass play. At the time it was the longest touchdown pass in Super Bowl history.
No.7. Tracy Porter Interception Pick Six: New Orleans Saints
Game changing interceptions are a key to many Super Bowl victories. When the interception comes against one of the NFL’s most accurate passers the interception is all the more historic. Peyton Manning’s picked off pass by Tracy Porter in last years Super Bowl was the dagger that ripped the confidence from Manning and sealed the Super Bowl victory for the New Orleans Saints.
No.6. David Tyree Helmet Catch: New York Giants
David Tyree’s spectacular catch was not pretty but it was a highlight that will be replayed during every Super Bowl in the future. Tyree showed he possessed more desire than his defender when he went vertical for a critical catch late in Super Bowl XLII.
Tyree’s spectacular catch, pressing the ball against his helmet as he crashed to the ground, was only half the play. Eli Manning mad a spectacular scrambling play just to get the pass off. Appropriately Manning was wearing the No. 10 this day for the New York Giants because he reminded many of Fran Tarkenton and his famous scrambles in history.
No.5. Santonio Holmes Sideline Touchdown Catch: Pittsburgh Steelers
Everyone gives Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes credit for the spectacular concentration making the catch and sticking his toes before falling out of bounds to make the game winning catch in Super Bowl XLIII. Ben Roethlisberger’s throw had to be placed perfectly for this play to work. Roethlisberger threw the ball on a rope just out of the Cardinals defenders reach and the play went down in history as a top ten play in Super Bowl history.
No.4. Willie Brown Interception Return: Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders legend Willie Brown’s greatest moment of his career was his interception of a Fran Tarkenton pass in Super Bowl XI and the resulting return for 75 yards and a touchdown. The image of Brown huffing and puffing as he runs for the goal line is shown endlessly whenever discussions of the greatest Super Bowl moments are discussed.
No.3. Lynn Swann & Hall of Fame Catch: Pittsburgh Steelers
If one catch ever sealed a players induction in the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame it was this catch. Lynn Swann’s juggling circus catch showed his ballet like prowess and his incredible concentration to make the catch. Swann won the MVP in Super Bowl X and the catch is referred to in his NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame induction scroll.
No.2. Joe Montana to John Taylor: San Francisco 49ers
Jerry Rice garnered all of the attention while playing along side of San Francisco 49ers teammate John Taylor but John Taylor’s catch to cap the game winning drive in Super Bowl XXIII is credited with being one of the all time great Super Bowl plays in history. The play came with 39 seconds remaining in the game and sealed the victory in what many call the greatest Super Bowl of all time.
No.1. Marcus Allen’s Amazing 74 Yard Reverse Field Run: Oakland Raiders
Marcus Allen’s incredible touchdown run was the longest in NFL history. Allen received the hand off from Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett, went left, stopped on a dime and then changed direction. With an incredible burst of speed, Allen turned up field and accelerated through the Washington Redskins as if they were standing still. The run has been unmatched as the most spectacular run in the history of the Super Bowl.
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Statistical sources:
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