Super Bowls Tier List: Ranking Every Classic (and Clunker)
Fifty-plus Super Bowls in, and the gap between the all-timers and the duds has never been wider. Some of these games gave us helmet catches and onside kick miracles. Others gave us a halftime show that was more memorable than anything on the field.
We went through 30 of the most talked-about Super Bowls, from Joe Namath's guarantee to the Tyreek Hill track meets, and sorted them by how good the actual football was: drama, finish, stakes, and staying power in football conversation. Fan forums and recap pieces agree on a lot of this. Where they don't, we picked a lane and explained why.
Disagree with where we put your favorite blowout or your team's heartbreak? That's the fun of a list like this. Argue it out.
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SS Tier: The Games People Never Stop Talking About
Super Bowl XLII (Giants vs. Patriots)
The Helmet Catch. David Tyree pinning the ball against his own head while Rodney Harrison grabbed at him, on the drive that broke the Patriots' perfect season. There's an argument this is the single greatest play in Super Bowl history, and the game around it held up too.
About Super Bowl XLII (Giants vs. Patriots)
The New York Giants upset the previously undefeated New England Patriots, denying them a perfect season. David Tyree's catch against his helmet on the game-winning drive remains one of the most replayed plays in NFL history.
- Winner
- New York Giants
- MVP
- Eli Manning
Super Bowl XLIX (Patriots vs. Seahawks)
Malcolm Butler's goal-line interception instead of a Marshawn Lynch handoff is still debated by Seahawks fans who can't let it go, and honestly, fair enough. A back-and-forth fourth quarter that ended on one of the most shocking goal-line stands ever.
About Super Bowl XLIX (Patriots vs. Seahawks)
A back-and-forth game decided when New England intercepted a Seattle pass at the goal line in the final minute. The decision to pass instead of hand off to Marshawn Lynch remains one of football's most debated calls.
- Winner
- New England Patriots
- MVP
- Tom Brady
Super Bowl LI (Patriots vs. Falcons)
28-3. The Falcons had this game won, had champagne-level control, and then Tom Brady and James White engineered the only overtime comeback in Super Bowl history. Atlanta fans still wince at the words "28 to 3."
About Super Bowl LI (Patriots vs. Falcons)
New England overcame a 25-point deficit to beat Atlanta in the first Super Bowl decided in overtime. It stands as the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.
- Winner
- New England Patriots
- MVP
- Tom Brady
Super Bowl XXV (Giants vs. Bills)
Scott Norwood's kick sails wide right as time expires, capping a game that was close and tense from start to finish. Whitney Houston's national anthem during the Gulf War added a layer of weight that few Super Bowls ever carry.
About Super Bowl XXV (Giants vs. Bills)
The New York Giants edged the Buffalo Bills by one point after Scott Norwood's potential game-winning field goal attempt sailed wide right. Played during the Gulf War, the pregame atmosphere was notably charged.
- Winner
- New York Giants
AA Tier: Legitimately Great Football
Super Bowl III (Jets vs. Colts)
Joe Namath guaranteed it, and the heavy-underdog Jets actually delivered, flipping the entire perception of the AFL overnight. Not the flashiest game by modern standards, but the upset itself changed football history.
About Super Bowl III (Jets vs. Colts)
Played in January 1969, this game saw the AFL's New York Jets upset the heavily favored NFL's Baltimore Colts. Joe Namath's pregame guarantee of victory became one of the most famous moments in sports history.
- Winner
- New York Jets
- MVP
- Joe Namath
Super Bowl XXIII (49ers vs. Bengals)
Joe Montana's game-winning drive in the final minutes, capped by the John Taylor touchdown, is the blueprint every clutch quarterback moment gets compared to. A tight, well-played game with a legend cementing his legacy.
About Super Bowl XXIII (49ers vs. Bengals)
Joe Montana led a late game-winning drive to beat Cincinnati, further cementing his reputation for clutch performances. John Taylor caught the winning touchdown pass in the final minute.
- Winner
- San Francisco 49ers
- MVP
- Jerry Rice
Super Bowl XLVII (Ravens vs. 49ers)
The lights went out in the Superdome for over half an hour, and somehow the game that followed was better than the one before it, with the 49ers clawing back from a big deficit. Jacoby Jones' opening kickoff return for a touchdown still holds up as one of the best big-stage special teams plays around.
About Super Bowl XLVII (Ravens vs. 49ers)
Known as the "Blackout Bowl" after a power outage stopped play for over half an hour. Baltimore held off a late San Francisco comeback to win.
- Winner
- Baltimore Ravens
- MVP
- Joe Flacco
Super Bowl LII (Eagles vs. Patriots)
The Philly Special. A fourth-down trick play touchdown pass caught by the quarterback, Nick Foles, in a Super Bowl against Bill Belichick's defense, in the biggest moment of the game. An absolute shootout that finally ended New England's three-peat bid.
About Super Bowl LII (Eagles vs. Patriots)
Philadelphia beat New England in a high-scoring game featuring the famous "Philly Special" trick play. It was the Eagles' first Super Bowl title.
- Winner
- Philadelphia Eagles
- MVP
- Nick Foles
Super Bowl XLIV (Saints vs. Colts)
Sean Payton's gutsy onside kick to open the second half flipped momentum entirely, and the Saints rode it to the franchise's first title after Hurricane Katrina. One of the better feel-good stories the game has given us.
About Super Bowl XLIV (Saints vs. Colts)
New Orleans won its first championship behind a bold onside kick call to start the second half. The win was seen as a major moment for the city following Hurricane Katrina.
- Winner
- New Orleans Saints
- MVP
- Drew Brees
Super Bowl LVII (Chiefs vs. Eagles)
Patrick Mahomes playing through a bad ankle and still delivering a late scoring drive makes this one of the better modern finishes. The Eagles had their chances, the Chiefs just had the better closer.
About Super Bowl LVII (Chiefs vs. Eagles)
Kansas City beat Philadelphia with Patrick Mahomes playing through an ankle injury, leading a late go-ahead drive. It featured the first two Black starting quarterbacks to face off in a Super Bowl.
- Winner
- Kansas City Chiefs
- MVP
- Patrick Mahomes
Super Bowl LVIII (Chiefs vs. 49ers)
The first Super Bowl decided in overtime under the newer rules, with Mahomes leading another late Kansas City push to force extra time and finish it off. A genuinely great, tense finish to cap a dynasty-building run.
About Super Bowl LVIII (Chiefs vs. 49ers)
Kansas City beat San Francisco in the first Super Bowl decided in overtime under the league's newer playoff overtime rules. Patrick Mahomes led another late-game rally to force the extra period.
- Winner
- Kansas City Chiefs
- MVP
- Patrick Mahomes
BB Tier: Solid, Memorable, No Complaints
Super Bowl XLI (Colts vs. Bears)
Remembered as much for the rain in Miami and Devin Hester's opening kickoff return as for the overall game, but Peyton Manning finally got his ring here. A solid, if slightly soggy, final.
About Super Bowl XLI (Colts vs. Bears)
Played in heavy rain in Miami, Indianapolis beat Chicago for Peyton Manning's first championship. Devin Hester opened the game with a kickoff return touchdown.
- Winner
- Indianapolis Colts
- MVP
- Peyton Manning
Super Bowl XLIII (Steelers vs. Cardinals)
James Harrison's 100-yard interception return just before halftime is one of the most absurd individual plays in Super Bowl history, and Santonio Holmes' toe-tap touchdown catch closed it out in style. A genuinely great fourth quarter carries this one high.
About Super Bowl XLIII (Steelers vs. Cardinals)
Pittsburgh beat Arizona on a late touchdown catch by Santonio Holmes in the corner of the end zone. James Harrison's 100-yard interception return before halftime remains a signature highlight.
- Winner
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- MVP
- Santonio Holmes
Super Bowl XLVI (Giants vs. Patriots)
A rematch of Super Bowl XLII that couldn't quite top the original but still delivered a tight finish, with Eli Manning finding Mario Manningham on a sideline throw that set up the winning score. Consistent, tense, no real lulls.
About Super Bowl XLVI (Giants vs. Patriots)
A rematch of Super Bowl XLII, with New York again edging New England in a close finish. Eli Manning earned his second Super Bowl MVP award.
- Winner
- New York Giants
- MVP
- Eli Manning
Super Bowl XXXIV (Rams vs. Titans)
The Tennessee Titans came up a single yard short as Kevin Dyson got tackled at the goal line as time expired, in maybe the best single final play the Super Bowl has ever produced. "The Tackle" alone earns this one a high spot.
About Super Bowl XXXIV (Rams vs. Titans)
St. Louis held off Tennessee when linebacker Mike Jones tackled Kevin Dyson a yard short of the goal line on the final play. The finish is known simply as "The Tackle."
- Winner
- St. Louis Rams
- MVP
- Kurt Warner
Super Bowl XXXVI (Patriots vs. Rams)
Nobody expected Tom Brady's Patriots to knock off the "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams, and Adam Vinatieri's walk-off field goal launched a dynasty nobody saw coming. The start of something huge, even if it didn't feel that way at the time.
About Super Bowl XXXVI (Patriots vs. Rams)
New England upset the heavily favored "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams on a last-second Adam Vinatieri field goal. It launched the Patriots dynasty of the 2000s.
- Winner
- New England Patriots
- MVP
- Tom Brady
Super Bowl XIII (Steelers vs. Cowboys)
Two dynasties, the Steelers and Cowboys, meeting at their peak gave this one real juice, with Terry Bradshaw tossing four touchdowns. A genuinely competitive heavyweight clash that lived up to the hype of the matchup.
About Super Bowl XIII (Steelers vs. Cowboys)
Pittsburgh beat Dallas in a matchup of two of the decade's dominant franchises. Terry Bradshaw threw four touchdown passes in the win.
- Winner
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- MVP
- Terry Bradshaw
Super Bowl XXXII (Broncos vs. Packers)
John Elway's helicopter dive on third-and-goal is one of the gutsiest, most memorable plays by a quarterback in Super Bowl history, and it propelled Denver past the favored Packers. Elway finally got his ring, and it felt earned.
About Super Bowl XXXII (Broncos vs. Packers)
Denver upset defending champion Green Bay behind John Elway's famous midair dive for a first down. It was Elway's first championship after several earlier Super Bowl losses.
- Winner
- Denver Broncos
- MVP
- Terrell Davis
Super Bowl XXXVIII (Patriots vs. Panthers)
A wild, high-scoring fourth quarter capped by Adam Vinatieri's second championship-winning kick made this one of the more underrated close games on this list. Jake Delhomme and Carolina gave New England all they could handle.
About Super Bowl XXXVIII (Patriots vs. Panthers)
New England beat Carolina on another late Adam Vinatieri field goal after a high-scoring fourth quarter. Jake Delhomme led a strong Panthers effort that fell just short.
- Winner
- New England Patriots
- MVP
- Tom Brady
Super Bowl XLV (Packers vs. Steelers)
Aaron Rodgers outdueling Ben Roethlisberger in a game that stayed competitive into the fourth quarter is underrated in Super Bowl history. Green Bay's defense made just enough plays late to hold on.
About Super Bowl XLV (Packers vs. Steelers)
Green Bay held off Pittsburgh in a game that stayed close into the fourth quarter. Aaron Rodgers earned Super Bowl MVP in the win.
- Winner
- Green Bay Packers
- MVP
- Aaron Rodgers
CC Tier: Fine, But You Won't Rewatch It
Super Bowl XLVIII (Seahawks vs. Broncos)
A safety on the very first snap set the tone, and Seattle's "Legion of Boom" defense never let Peyton Manning's offense find any rhythm after that. Impressive if you like dominant defense, dull if you wanted a contest.
About Super Bowl XLVIII (Seahawks vs. Broncos)
Seattle's defense dominated from the opening snap, a safety on the first play, in a lopsided win over Denver. The "Legion of Boom" defense became a defining unit of the era.
- Winner
- Seattle Seahawks
- MVP
- Malcolm Smith
Super Bowl LVI (Rams vs. Bengals)
Joe Burrow's rookie-era Bengals run was a great story, and Cooper Kupp's late touchdown gave the Rams the win in front of their own fans, but the overall flow of the game never quite caught fire the way the moment seemed to promise.
About Super Bowl LVI (Rams vs. Bengals)
Los Angeles beat Cincinnati on a late touchdown catch by Cooper Kupp, winning a championship on their home field. Joe Burrow's run with the Bengals was a major story of that season.
- Winner
- Los Angeles Rams
- MVP
- Cooper Kupp
Super Bowl LIV (Chiefs vs. 49ers)
Patrick Mahomes' late comeback against a 49ers team that led for most of the game was exciting in flashes, but a lot of this one was defined by San Francisco's missed opportunities more than Kansas City's brilliance.
About Super Bowl LIV (Chiefs vs. 49ers)
Kansas City rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat San Francisco, giving Patrick Mahomes his first championship. It kicked off the Chiefs' run as a modern dynasty.
- Winner
- Kansas City Chiefs
- MVP
- Patrick Mahomes
Super Bowl XX (Bears vs. Patriots)
The '85 Bears defense was a wrecking ball, and this game is remembered more for the Super Bowl Shuffle and the Fridge's touchdown than for any competitive tension. Dominant, loud, and fun in its own way, just not close.
About Super Bowl XX (Bears vs. Patriots)
The 1985 Chicago Bears, famous for their dominant defense and the "Super Bowl Shuffle" song, routed New England. William "The Refrigerator" Perry scored a rushing touchdown.
- Winner
- Chicago Bears
Super Bowl 50 (Broncos vs. Panthers)
Peyton Manning's victory lap of a final season leaned entirely on Denver's defense smothering Cam Newton and the high-flying Panthers offense. Good theater around the edges, forgettable as an actual football game.
About Super Bowl 50 (Broncos vs. Panthers)
Denver's defense overwhelmed Carolina's high-powered offense in Peyton Manning's final game. It was Manning's second Super Bowl title.
- Winner
- Denver Broncos
- MVP
- Von Miller
Super Bowl LV (Buccaneers vs. Chiefs)
Tom Brady beating the team he spent two decades playing for, in the Buccaneers' own stadium no less, is a fun footnote, but Kansas City's offensive line injuries turned this into a one-sided affair fast.
About Super Bowl LV (Buccaneers vs. Chiefs)
Tampa Bay beat Kansas City in a game hampered by injuries to the Chiefs' offensive line. Tom Brady won his first title with a team other than New England.
- Winner
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- MVP
- Tom Brady
Super Bowl XXXIX (Patriots vs. Eagles)
Solid, well-played, and largely overshadowed by the two Patriots title games around it. Donovan McNabb's Eagles kept it within reach, but this one is more respected than beloved.
About Super Bowl XXXIX (Patriots vs. Eagles)
New England beat Philadelphia to complete a run of three championships in four years. Donovan McNabb led the Eagles' offense in a competitive but ultimately losing effort.
- Winner
- New England Patriots
- MVP
- Deion Branch
DD Tier: Forgettable or Lopsided
Super Bowl LIII (Patriots vs. Rams)
The lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever is not a stat you want attached to your championship game. Both offenses looked allergic to the end zone, and even the eventual Patriots win felt more like a slog than a victory lap.
About Super Bowl LIII (Patriots vs. Rams)
New England beat Los Angeles in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history. Both offenses struggled throughout, with defense dominating the night.
- Winner
- New England Patriots
- MVP
- Julian Edelman
Super Bowl LIX (Eagles vs. Chiefs)
The Chiefs' bid for a three-peat ran straight into a dominant Eagles performance that was lopsided from fairly early on. Good for Philadelphia fans, not much drama for anyone else watching.
About Super Bowl LIX (Eagles vs. Chiefs)
Philadelphia beat Kansas City decisively, denying the Chiefs a bid for a three-peat. The Eagles' performance was dominant for much of the game.
- Winner
- Philadelphia Eagles
FF Tier: Turn the Channel
Super Bowl LX (Seahawks vs. Patriots)
Placeholder spot until more is known, and it may move once the full picture is clear.
About Super Bowl LX (Seahawks vs. Patriots)
A matchup between Seattle and New England, one of the more recently scheduled games on this list.
- Matchup
- Seahawks vs.
How we ranked them
We ranked these on the quality of the game itself first: how close it was, how it ended, and whether it produced moments people still reference years later. Historical weight (upsets, dynasties being made or broken) and sheer chaos factor also mattered. Blowouts with no drama sink low no matter the stakes; nailbiters with iconic finishes rise, even if the broader game had rough patches.
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Rank these yourselfFAQ
What is the greatest Super Bowl of all time?
Most fans and critics point to Super Bowl XLII (Giants vs. Patriots) or Super Bowl LI (Patriots vs. Falcons) as the gold standard, thanks to David Tyree's Helmet Catch and the historic 28-3 comeback.
What is considered the worst Super Bowl ever played?
Super Bowl LIII (Patriots vs. Rams), the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history, is frequently cited as the dullest, alongside blowouts like Super Bowl XLVIII.
Which Super Bowl had the biggest comeback?
Super Bowl LI, where the Patriots overcame a 28-3 deficit against the Falcons to win in overtime, is the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.
Why do fans rank Super Bowl III so highly?
Joe Namath's guaranteed win over the heavily favored Colts was a massive upset that legitimized the AFL and changed how the sport was viewed going forward.
What made Super Bowl XXXIV's ending so famous?
Kevin Dyson was tackled a single yard short of the goal line as time expired, a play now known simply as "The Tackle," preserving the Rams' win over the Titans.
More rankings
Image credits
- Super Bowl XLII (Giants vs. Patriots)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XLIX (Patriots vs. Seahawks)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl LI (Patriots vs. Falcons)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XXV (Giants vs. Bills)Logo: Super Bowl XXV/NFL, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
- Super Bowl III (Jets vs. Colts)Logo: w:en:Opertinicy (talk | contribs), Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
- Super Bowl XXIII (49ers vs. Bengals)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XLVII (Ravens vs. 49ers)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl LII (Eagles vs. Patriots)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XLIV (Saints vs. Colts)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl LVII (Chiefs vs. Eagles)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XLI (Colts vs. Bears)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XLIII (Steelers vs. Cardinals)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XLVI (Giants vs. Patriots)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XLVIII (Seahawks vs. Broncos)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl LVI (Rams vs. Bengals)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl LIV (Chiefs vs. 49ers)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XX (Bears vs. Patriots)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XXXIV (Rams vs. Titans)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XXXVI (Patriots vs. Rams)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl 50 (Broncos vs. Panthers)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl LV (Buccaneers vs. Chiefs)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl LIII (Patriots vs. Rams)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XIII (Steelers vs. Cowboys)Logo: NFL, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
- Super Bowl XXXII (Broncos vs. Packers)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XXXVIII (Patriots vs. Panthers)Logo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
- Super Bowl XXXIX (Patriots vs. Eagles)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl XLV (Packers vs. Steelers)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl LVIII (Chiefs vs. 49ers)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl LIX (Eagles vs. Chiefs)Logo: Wikipedia · Source
- Super Bowl LX (Seahawks vs. Patriots)Logo: Wikipedia · Source