Super Bowl Rankings ?

45. Super Bowl XII: Dallas Cowboys 27, Denver Broncos 10
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 1
Historical Significance: 1

The first Super Bowl ever played indoors and the first and only time two players shared MVP honors, this Super Bowl was great for Cowboys fans and a bore for everyone else.

44. Super Bowl XXXVII: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Oakland Raiders 21
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 1
Historical Significance: 1

The Gruden Bowl! With Jon Gruden coaching the Bucs, Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, and John Lynch got their Super Bowl rings in a blowout of Gruden’s former team and quarterback, Rich Gannon.

43. Super Bowl II: Green Bay Packers 33, Oakland Raiders 14
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 1
Historical Significance: 2

The Packers won the second Super Bowl with another dominant performance against an overmatched AFL foe. The game before this one — The Ice Bowl win over the Dallas Cowboys — is far more celebrated in Packers lore.

42. Super Bowl VIII: Miami Dolphins 24, Minnesota Vikings 7
Overall Quality of Play: 1
Competitiveness of Game: 2
Historical Significance: 2

The Dolphins only attempted seven passes, and that’s about seven more than they needed. Larry Csonka ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns in a game that was never in doubt.

41. Super Bowl XXVIII: Dallas Cowboys 30, Buffalo Bills 13
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 1
Historical Significance: 2

In the rematch of a Super Bowl from the year before, Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith got the best of Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas yet again, marking the fourth straight Super Bowl loss for the Buffalo Bills. They haven’t been back since.

40. Super Bowl XIX: San Francisco 49ers 38, Miami Dolphins 16
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 1
Historical Significance: 2

In Dan Marino’s only Super Bowl trip in his 17-year-career, the second-year quarterback was outdone by Joe Montana, who took MVP honors with 331 passing yards in the second of his four championship-game wins.

39. Super Bowl XXIV: San Francisco 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10
Overall Quality of Play: 1
Competitiveness of Game: 2
Historical Significance: 2

The 49ers scored a Super Bowl-record 55 points, marking back-to-back championships for San Francisco. Joe Montana won his third Super Bowl MVP award, tossing for 297 yards and a then-record five touchdowns.

38. Super Bowl XXIX: San Francisco 49ers 49, San Diego Chargers 26
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 2
Historical Significance: 1

After shocking the Steelers in Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship Game, the Chargers were blown out by the first NFL post-free agency “Dream Team.” Built to win and win now, San Francisco cruised behind six Steve Young touchdown passes.

37. Super Bowl XXXIII: Denver Broncos 34, Atlanta Falcons 19
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 1
Historical Significance: 2

In his second title-game victory, a 38-year-old John Elway became the oldest player to win Super Bowl MVP with a dazzling performance over the Dirty Bird Falcons. Elway retired the following May.

36. Super Bowl XXXV: Baltimore Ravens 34, New York Giants 7
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 1
Historical Significance: 2

The Ravens defense, statistically the most dominant unit in NFL history, suffocated the Giants in a blowout in Tampa. Ray Lewis won Super Bowl MVP, just 12 months after he was linked to a nightclub shooting during Super Bowl weekend in Atlanta.

35. Super Bowl VI: Dallas Cowboys 24, Miami Dolphins 3
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 2
Historical Significance: 2

The Cowboys ran the ball for 252 yards, owning the clock and dominating the line of scrimmage. This game included 17 future Pro Football Hall of Famers.

34. Super Bowl IX: Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 2
Historical Significance: 2

A defensive matchup between Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain and Minnesota’s Purple People Eaters wasn’t much of a game. Minnesota’s offense was stagnant, recording Super Bowl all-time lows in first downs (9), total yards (119) and rushing yards (17).

33. Super Bowl XXVI: Washington Redskins 37, Buffalo Bills 24
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 2
Historical Significance: 2

The Bills never recovered from a 24-0 deficit in their second of four consecutive Super Bowls. Washington became the first franchise to win three Super Bowls with three different starting quarterbacks, winning this one with Mark Rypien under center.

32. Super Bowl XXVII: Dallas Cowboys 52, Buffalo Bills 17
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 2
Historical Significance: 2

The Cowboys defense caused nine Buffalo Bills turnovers en route to a 35-point blowout in the first of Jimmy Johnson’s back-to-back Super Bowl wins. One of those nine turnovers was a Leon Lett fumble return. You know the rest.

31. Super Bowl IV: Kansas City Chiefs 23, Minnesota Vikings 7
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 2
Historical Significance: 2

The first championship game to be known as “The Super Bowl,” this was also the last of the AFL-NFL matchups before the merger. Though far less dramatic than Joe Namath’s victory over the Colts a year earlier, the underdog Chiefs proved the AFL’s might, evening the series at 2-2.

30. Super Bowl XI: Oakland Raiders 32, Minnesota Vikings 14
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 1
Historical Significance: 3

After years of coming up short in the AFC, the Raiders broke through, winning their first Super Bowl behind 429 yards of offense. This was the last Super Bowl to finish under daylight.

29. Super Bowl XV: Oakland Raiders 27, Philadelphia Eagles 10
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 3
Historical Significance: 2

The Raiders got out to an early 14-0 lead, then rode the hot hand of Jim Plunkett en route to becoming the first wild-card team to ever win a Super Bowl.

28. Super Bowl XX: Chicago Bears 46, New England Patriots 10
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 1
Historical Significance: 4

The ’85 Bears set Super Bowl records for sacks (7) and fewest rushing yards allowed (7) in a complete whitewash of the Patriots. Considered by many to be the greatest defense of all time, the Bears were led by defensive end Richard Dent, who won MVP with 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

27. Super Bowl XVIII: Los Angeles Raiders 38, Washington Redskins 9
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 3
Historical Significance: 1

In the city of Los Angeles’ first NFL championship since 1951, Marcus Allen carried the ball 20 times for 191 yards. This one is considered “Black Sunday” in Redskins history. The Redskins were favored.

26. Super Bowl XL: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 3
Historical Significance: 2

Known for marking Jerome Bettis’ and Bill Cowher’s elusive Super Bowl wins, this one was marred by sloppy play and questionable officiating. The Steelers became the first No. 6 seed to win a Super Bowl.

25. Super Bowl I: Green Bay Packers 35, Kansas City Chiefs 10
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 1
Historical Significance: 5

The first Super Bowl. The Packers dominated the Chiefs, Bart Starr won the MVP and Max McGee — playing with a hangover — made seven catches and scored two touchdowns in the win.

24. Super Bowl XXXI: Green Bay Packers 35, New England Patriots 21
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 3
Historical Significance: 2

Brett Favre’s first and only Super Bowl victory, the Packers won the NFC’s 13th consecutive Super Bowl over the AFC with this one. Desmond Howard took home MVP honors, setting Super Bowl records for return yards and net yards gained.

23. Super Bowl XXXIX: New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 4
Historical Significance: 1

The Patriots caused four Eagles turnovers, winning their second straight Super Bowl and third in four years. Donovan McNabb connected with Terrell Owens nine times for 122 yards, but came up short in his only Super Bowl appearance.

22. Super Bowl XLI: Indianapolis Colts 29, Chicago Bears 17
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 3
Historical Significance: 3

Peyton Manning left the “Can’t Win The Big One” stigma that followed him through the first seven years of his career with a rain-soaked victory over the Rex Grossman-led Bears. Manning won the Super Bowl MVP, though both Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai generated over 100 yards of offense. Tony Dungy became the first African American coach to win a Super Bowl.

21. Super Bowl V: Baltimore Colts 16, Dallas Cowboys 13
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 4
Historical Significance: 3

An ugly game, this one is known as “The Blunder Bowl.” The teams combined for 11 turnovers, with the Colts committing seven of them. This was also the only Super Bowl in which a player on the losing team won an MVP. Chuck Howley, the Cowboys linebacker, won the award for intercepting two passes. Though it ended with a game-winning field goal, it was anything but a well-played game.

20. Super Bowl XIV: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Los Angeles Rams 19
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 3
Historical Significance: 3

The fourth of Terry Bradshaw’s Super Bowl wins and the last of the Steel Curtain era, the Steelers beat a red-hot Rams team playing in its home city.

19. Super Bowl XVII: Washington Redskins 27, Miami Dolphins 17
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 3
Historical Significance: 3

John Riggins rushed the ball 38 times for 166 yards in a 10-year reunion of the Super Bowl VII matchup between the ’72 Dolphins and Redskins. Washington scored 17 unanswered points in the second half of the final game in a strike-shortened season.

18. Super Bowl XXI: New York Giants 39, Denver Broncos 20
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 3
Historical Significance: 3

The Giants scored 26 consecutive points in the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance. Phil Simms won MVP, completing 22 of 25 passes. It was the Giants’ first NFL championship since 1963.

17. Super Bowl XXII: Washington Redskins 42, Denver Broncos 10
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 2
Historical Significance: 5

Doug Williams became the first African American quarterback to win a Super Bowl as the Redskins came back from a 10-0 deficit to score 42 straight. The Redskins set seven offensive records for the game, including most touchdowns in a quarter with five.

16. Super Bowl XVI: San Francisco 49ers 26, Cincinnati Bengals 21
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 3
Historical Significance: 3

In the first Super Bowl played in a cold weather city (Detroit), Joe Montana and the 49ers won the franchise’s first of five Lombardi trophies in a 26-21 win over the Bengals. Though Cincinnati outgained the 49ers 356 yards to 275, San Francisco forced five turnovers. The 49ers led 20-0 at halftime.

15. Super Bowl XLV: Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 3
Historical Significance: 3

Aaron Rodgers won the first Super Bowl of his career, tying Brett Favre in Super Bowl rings. Rodgers’ 304 yards and three touchdown passes earned him the MVP award.

14. Super Bowl VII: Miami Dolphins 14, Washington Redskins 7
Overall Quality of Play: 2
Competitiveness of Game: 4
Historical Significance: 4

The ’72 Dolphins completed their perfect year with a 14-7 victory over the Redskins in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl to date. The Dolphins won the Super Bowl in just their seventh season in existence. No team’s gone undefeated in the regular season and won a Super Bowl since.

13. Super Bowl XXXVIII: New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 4
Historical Significance: 2

The Janet Jackson Game! Two years after going 1-15, the Panthers came up three points short of becoming Super Bowl champions. This one looked like a blowout until the Panthers came crawling all the way back with 19 fourth-quarter points. Tom Brady took home MVP honors, throwing for 354 yards and three touchdowns.

12. Super Bowl XXX: Dallas Cowboys 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Overall Quality of Play: 4
Competitiveness of Game: 4
Historical Significance: 2

Two of the game’s most storied franchises squared off in Tempe, Ariz., in a hard-fought game won by the Cowboys. Down 20-10, the Steelers recovered an onside kick, scored a touchdown, and made it a 20-17 game. Larry Brown then recorded his second interception, ultimately leading to a game-icing Cowboys touchdown. Exciting from start to finish, involving two mega franchises.

11. Super Bowl XIII: Pittsburgh Steelers 35, Dallas Cowboys 31
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 4
Historical Significance: 4

Known in NFL lore as “The Battle of Champions,” the contest featured Terry Bradshaw throwing for 318 yards in a win over the defending champions. Down 35-17 early in the fourth quarter, Dallas rallied to score two touchdowns and make it close.

10. Super Bowl XLIV: New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 4
Historical Significance: 4

Just four and a half years after Hurricane Katrina, the Saints gave the city of New Orleans its first and only Super Bowl victory with a surprising 31-17 win over the favored Colts. Down seven points and driving, Peyton Manning was intercepted by Tracy Porter at the Saints 26 for the first takeaway of the game. Porter took the interception 74 yards, giving New Orleans a 14-point lead with just three minutes remaining.

9. Super Bowl X: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Dallas Cowboys 17
Overall Quality of Play: 4
Competitiveness of Game: 4
Historical Significance: 3

The first of several Super Bowl matchups between two of the most popular franchises in football, this was a remarkable clash of big defense (Pittsburgh) and big offense (Dallas). Ironically enough, it was Lynn Swann — a Pittsburgh receiver — who took home the MVP honors.

8. Super Bowl III: New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7
Overall Quality of Play: 3
Competitiveness of Game: 3
Historical Significance: 5

Broadway Joe! Remembered most for Joe Namath’s Super Bowl week guarantee, this game was never in doubt. The Jets got out to a 16-0 lead and not even Johnny U could lead the Colts back. The New York victory, still considered one of the biggest upsets in sports history, was the first time the AFL defeated the NFL. The Jets haven’t been back to the Super Bowl since.

7. Super Bowl XXIII: San Francisco 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16
Overall Quality of Play: 4
Competitiveness of Game: 4
Historical Significance: 3

Down 16-13 with 3:10 left to go, Joe Montana led the 49ers on a magical 92-yard game winning touchdown drive. Though Montana connected with John Taylor for the game-winning score, it was Jerry Rice, with 11 receptions for a Super Bowl-record 215 yards, who took home MVP honors.

6. Super Bowl XXXII: Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24
Overall Quality of Play: 4
Competitiveness of Game: 4
Historical Significance: 4

The defending Super Bowl champion Packers entered this one as double-digit favorites, but John Elway and Terrell Davis defeated Brett Favre in dramatic fashion. Davis, despite leaving the game in the second quarter with a concussion, won the MVP award with 157 rushing yards and three touchdowns. After coming up short in his first three attempts, John Elway got his elusive Super Bowl win.

5. Super Bowl XXXIV: St. Louis Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16
Overall Quality of Play: 5
Competitiveness of Game: 5
Historical Significance: 3

Though not the shootout most pundits expected heading into this game, the Titans came back from a 16-0 deficit to come up just one yard shy of taking tying the game and taking it into overtime. Kurt Warner, the league MVP, threw for 414 yards and two touchdowns. Steve McNair led the Titans on a heroic final drive, but a pass completion to an outstretched Kevin Dyson came just short in the end.

4. Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23
Overall Quality of Play: 5
Competitiveness of Game: 5
Historical Significance: 3

Entering the game in pursuit of the franchise’s first NFL title since 1947, the underdog Cardinals — led by 37-year-old Kurt Warner — rallied from a 20-7 third quarter deficit to take a 23-20 lead with just 2:37 left in the game. Ben Roethlisberger then led Pittsburgh on an eight-play, 78-yard touchdown drive capped by an incredible scoring catch by Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes with just 35 seconds remaining.

3. Super Bowl XXV: New York Giants 20, Buffalo Bills 19
Overall Quality of Play: 5
Competitiveness of Game: 5
Historical Significance: 4

Whitney Houston’s Star Spangled Banner, resonating more than ever in light of the Gulf War, set the tone. Neither team committed a turnover as the Giants owned the line of scrimmage and set a Super Bowl record for time of possession by controlling the ball for over 40 minutes. Down a point in the waning moments, Jim Kelly drove the Bills to the Giants’ 29-yard line. On the game’s final play, Scott Norwood kicked the ball wide right on a field-goal attempt from 47 yards.

2. Super Bowl XXXVI: New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
Overall Quality of Play: 4
Competitiveness of Game: 5
Historical Significance: 5

Just five months after the 9-11 tragedy changed the country forever, the underdog Patriots — led by their second-year quarterback Tom Brady, a sixth-round pick of the 1999 NFL Draft — upset the defending Super Bowl champions with a brilliant game plan and gritty defense. The Rams were 14-point favorites, but found themselves down 17-3 at the end of three quarters. Kurt Warner led the Rams back in the fourth quarter, hitting Ricky Proehl on a game-tying 26-yard pass. That’s when Brady went to work. After a magnificent nine-play, 53-yard drive in just 1:53, Adam Vinatieri hit a 48-yard field goal as time expired.

1. Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14
Overall Quality of Play: 5
Competitiveness of Game: 5
Historical Significance: 5

The 18-0 Patriots, the underdog Giants, the David Tyree catch, Michael Strahan’s long-awaited ring, Peyton Manning in the skybox cheering his brother on vs. his archrival, the game-winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress — there’s been no better-played, more dramatic, more historic Super Bowl than XLII. It was so good …