Rating Super Bowls: Classics, memorables and duds

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann pulls in a pass from quarterback Terry Bradshaw during the Super Bowl game in Miami, Fla., in this Jan. 21, 1979 photo. (AP Photo)

MIAMI — Not all Super Bowls are super. Some are classics, some are memorable but not quite fit for total greatness.

Some have elements making them noteworthy, but otherwise won’t make many championship scrapbooks (except with fans of the winners).

And some are outright duds.

Here’s a look at America’s most popular sporting event, from the super-b to the stiffs:

CLASSICS
 

1998 — Denver (AFC) 31, Green Bay (NFC) 24

John Elway’s helicopter ride on the way to his — and Denver’s — first title. Green Bay’s defense allowing Terrell Davis’ late touchdown (TD by TD) to get the ball back rather than have the Broncos run down the clock and kick a short winning field goal.

1979 — Pittsburgh (AFC) 35, Dallas (NFC) 31

Terry Bradshaw outdueling Roger Staubach. Brilliant catches by Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. Jackie Smith’s dropped pass in the end zone.

2008 — New York Giants (NFC) 17, New England (AFC) 14

David Tyree’s “Helmet Catch”. Eli Manning’s precision. Tom Coughlin and the Giants ending the Patriots’ bid for perfection.

2018 — Philadelphia (NFC) 41, New England (AFC) 33

The Philly special. Doug Pederson outcoaching Bill Belichick. The Eagles’ first championship since 1960.

2017 — New England (AFC) 34, Atlanta (NFC) 28, OT

Down 28-3 in the third quarter, Tom Brady leading a comeback for the ages. Atlanta’s coaching staff losing its wits in the fourth quarter. The only Super Bowl that went to OT.

2009 — Pittsburgh (AFC) 27, Arizona (NFC) 23

Santonio Holmes’ perfect tip-toe catch to win it. Larry Fitzgerald’s amazing fourth quarter. James Harrison running out of gas on his 100-yard interception return score.

2015 — New England (AFC) 28, Seattle (NFC) 24

The biggest fourth-quarter Super Bowl comeback at that point. Malcolm Butler’s goal-line pick to preserve victory — Give the ball to Beast Mode!

1991 — New York Giants (NFC) 20, Buffalo (AFC) 19

Wide right. The Giants running the ball all day with Ottis Anderson, keeping the “K-Gun” offense off the field, yet only surviving because of Scott Norwood’s missed 47-yard field goal at the end.

2013 — Baltimore (AFC) 34, San Francisco (NFC) 31

Ray Lewis’ final game. That’s the night the lights went out in ... Louisiana. San Francisco staging a sizzling comeback after that. So, was it pass interference in the end zone on the Niners’ last play?

2000 — St. Louis (NFC) 23, Tennessee (AFC) 16

The Titans coming back, but Mike Jones making what is forever known in St. Loo as “The Tackle” on Kevin Dyson just short of the goal line. Kurt Warner earlier hitting Isaac Bruce with the 73-yard pass for the winning points for “The Greatest Show On Turf.”

2012 — New York Giants (NFC) 21, New England (AFC) 17

In a second go-round with the favored Patriots, Manning working his passing magic again. A perfect throw to Mario Manningham setting up the winning drive.

2002 — New England (AFC) 20, St. Louis (NFC) 17

Maybe the halftime show featuring U2 and a tribute to the victims of 9-11 is the shining light. But the Patriots stunning the Rams with rugged defense, a late drive to Adam Vinatieri’s winning field goal should not be overlooked.

MEMORABLE

1969 — New York Jets (AFL) 16, Baltimore Colts (NFL) 7

The AFL could claim parity after the biggest upset in Super Bowl history. Joe Namath guaranteeing a Jets victory and then delivering the most significant of wins. The NFL hierarchy was embarrassed.

1989 — San Francisco (NFC) 20, Cincinnati (AFC) 16

Joe Montana spotting John Candy in the crowd while driving the 49ers to the winning TD, his pass to John Taylor in the dying seconds. Stanford Jennings’ 83-yard kickoff return TD for the Bengals.

1988 — Washington (NFC) 42, Denver (AFC) 10

Doug Williams becoming the first African-American quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Washington scoring 35 unanswered points in the second quarter.

1986 — Chicago (NFC) 46, New England (AFC) 10

Not much of a competitive game, but worth watching for perhaps the NFL’s most dominant defense and team finishing off laying waste to the league. Refrigerator Perry’s touchdown. Walter Payton getting his sweet reward.

1973 — Miami (AFC) 14, Washington (NFC) 7

Again, this one is about the team: Miami having the only undefeated record in league history. The No-Name Defense. Garo Yepremian’s aborted pass.

1970 — Kansas City (AFL) 23, Minnesota (NFL) 7

As if the Jets shocking the football world wasn’t a big enough step for the AFL, Hank Stram’s Chiefs running roughshod over the Vikings the next year. It solidified the AFL as it entered fully into the NFL.

1967 — Green Bay (NFL) 35, Kansas City (AFL) 10

Although it didn’t carry the Super Bowl tag yet, the Packers representing the NFL taking on the Chiefs of the AFL kicking off what would become America’s biggest sporting event.

1982 — San Francisco (NFC) 26, Cincinnati (AFC) 21

The birth of the 49ers dynasty came by holding off a strong comeback in the first Super Bowl played in a cold-weather city at the Pontiac Silverdome. Yes, folks, the Bengals actually have made two Super Bowls.

2004 — New England (AFC) 32, Carolina (NFC) 29

An exciting contest — in the second and fourth quarters, ending in Vinatieri kicking another winning field goal. As for the first and third period, well, they were scoreless snoozers.

1980 — Pittsburgh (AFC) 31, L.A. Rams (NFC) 19

The end of the Steelers’ run featuring a back-and-forth encounter with Pittsburgh pulling away in the fourth quarter for its fourth championship in seven seasons.

OF INTEREST

2016 — Denver (AFC) 24, Carolina (NFC) 10

Peyton Manning’s final game and second championship, though it’s the Broncos’ latest Orange Crush that did in Cam Newton and the Panthers.

2011 — Green Bay (NFC) 31, Pittsburgh (AFC) 25

The entire week, including the game, being overshadowed by winter storms that pretty much shut down the Dallas metroplex. Aaron Rodgers outperforming Ben Roethlisberger.

1983 — Washington (NFC) 27, Miami (AFC) 17

Riggo’s run, one of the great running plays in Super Bowl history. John Riggins punctuating his Hall of Fame career with the 43-yard run for the winning score on fourth-and-1.

1981 — Oakland (AFC) 27, Philadelphia (NFC) 10

The uptight Eagles can’t match the loose — perhaps very loose — Raiders. Philly can’t cover deep threat Cliff Branch nor move the ball efficiently.

2007 — Indianapolis (AFC) 29, Chicago (NFC) 17

Peyton’s other championship victory with the Colts rallying following the first opening kickoff return TD in Super Bowl history, by Devin Hester. The first Super Bowl plagued by rain — but also Prince singing “Purple Rain” at halftime in Miami.

2010 — New Orleans (NFC) 31, Indianapolis (AFC) 17

Manning’s Super Bowl defeat, punctuated by Tracy Porter’s pick-6 to clinch it. Once the Aints, the Saints becoming NFL champs.

1997 — Green Bay (NFC) 35, New England (AFC) 21

Desmond Howard’s kickoff return TD finally swinging the game in the Packers’ favor for their first championship since the Lombardi days. Perhaps most intriguing: Bill Parcells’ saga as Patriots coach that was ending.

2005 — New England (AFC) 24, Philadelphia (NFC) 21

Yeah, a close final score. Did anyone really expect the Eagles to score a winner? No Philly Special back then. Only Terrell Owens’ courageous performances coming off a broken leg and Deion Branch’s MVP work.

1984 — Los Angeles Raiders (AFC) 38, Washington (NFC) 9

Marcus Allen with perhaps THE greatest running play in Super Bowl history: Allen finishing off a then-Super Bowl-record 191 rushing yards with a darting, dashing 74-yard piece of magic to clinch matters.

1992 — Washington (NFC) 37, Buffalo (AFC) 24

Hey Thurman, where’s your helmet? A tough way to begin a Super Bowl and not much getting better for Buffalo in its second successive title game loss. Washington going up 24-0 and cruised.

1996 — Dallas (NFC) 27, Pittsburgh (AFC) 17

Larry Brown, a popular name in several pro sports, playing hero with two picks of Neil O’Donnell, and Barry Switzer coaching what truly was Jimmy Johnson’s team to a third championship in four seasons.

1999 — Denver (AFC) 34, Atlanta (NFC) 19

The Vikings probably should have been the opponents for what could have been a wild showdown. Instead, John Elway’s farewell game bringing him a second ring in a rout.

1995 — San Francisco (NFC) 49, San Diego (AFC) 26

Everyone knew this was over when Jerry Rice was matched up with a linebacker on the third play from scrimmage. Bang: 44-yard TD and the rout was on. Steve Young getting a ring as a starting QB.

1994 — Dallas (NFC) 30, Buffalo (AFC) 13

The last of four straight defeats for the Bills in the big game. Emmitt Smith capping an MVP season with an MVP in the Super Bowl. The Triplets at their very best.

1976 — Pittsburgh (AFC) 21, Dallas (NFC) 17

The first of eventually three matchups between America’s Team and the Steelers. This version of the Steel Curtain carrying the day in the least memorable of that trio of Cowboys-Steelers games.

2006 — Pittsburgh (AFC) 21, Seattle (NFC) 10

The Bus ride ends in Detroit, Jerome Bettis’ hometown, in a virtual home game for Pittsburgh. Hines Ward’s TD pass providing a spark to a dull contest.

1971 — Baltimore Colts (AFC) 16, Dallas (NFC) 13

Sloppy, offensively inept football, but with some staunch defense led by Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley, the game’s MVP. Not much to recall otherwise, except it was the first Super Bowl after the completed merger.

DUDS
 

1985 — San Francisco (NFC) 38, Miami (AFC) 16

Joe Montana outdueling Dan Marino. Aside from that, not much.

1968 — Green Bay (NFL) 33, Oakland (AFL) 14

Noteworthy only for Lombardi’s final game with the Packers. A total mismatch.

1990 — San Francisco (NFC) 55, Denver (AFC) 10

The biggest offensive onslaught the game has seen. Denver’s D not showing up.

1987 — New York Giants (NFC) 39, Denver (AFC) 20

New York’s red-zone defensive stand late in the first half sparking a turnaround to a rout.

2014 — Seattle (NFC) 43, Denver (AFC) 8

From Denver’s first scrimmage play resulting in a safety on a bad snap, the only noteworthy item was the first outdoor Super Bowl in a cold-weather city. And it was mild for early February, then snowed the next day.

1975 — Pittsburgh (AFC) 16, Minnesota (NFC) 6

Another game beginning with a safety, almost enough for the Steelers to win their first championship. Minnesota’s only score coming on a blocked point, then the extra point failing.

2001 — Baltimore Ravens (AFC) 34, New York Giants (NFC) 7

Baltimore bringing it with a defense for the ages. New York bringing nothing.

1978 — Dallas (NFC) 27, Denver (AFC) 10

Years earlier, Tom Landry chose Roger Staubach over Craig Morton as his potential championship QB. Morton wound up in Denver, Staubach and Cowboys routed him and original Orange Crush.

1993 — Dallas (NFC) 52, Buffalo (AFC) 17

Leon Lett being stripped by Don Beebe in the only worthwhile play for Buffalo, which had nine — yes N-I-N-E — turnovers.

2003 — Tampa Bay (NFC) 48, Oakland (AFC) 21

The Raiders trying to match the Bills’ lack of skill with five giveaways — including three pick-6s. Former Oakland coach Jon Gruden beating his old team.

1977 — Oakland (AFC) 32, Minnesota (NFC) 14

The Raiders’ first title and John Madden’s only championship. Again, the Vikings putting up little resistance.

2019 — New England (AFC) 13, Los Angeles Rams (NFC) 3

A rare Patriots victory with no last-minute drama.

1974 — Miami (AFC) 24, Minnesota (NFC) 7

Miami getting its second straight title behind Larry Csonka, a bruising defense and Minnesota’s ineptitude. Blah.

1972 — Dallas (NFC) 24, Miami (AFC) 3

The worst of them all. Nothing super here after Csonka’s early fumble set Dallas on its way. Csonka fumbled only 21 times in 11 seasons, and this one was the most costly.