What are the 10 most memorable Super Bowl plays of all time?

Super Bowl Sunday is without doubt one of the most anticipated days, and yearly stars are created and legacies are cemented.

In some video games, one play can swing the result. These are those that you just bear in mind fondly if you happen to’re a fan of that crew. Should you’re on the unsuitable finish, although, that second haunts you for the remainder of your fandom.

A lot of these performs are nonetheless talked about any time the “Massive Recreation” is mentioned, however that are really the very best performs within the historical past of the Tremendous Bowl?

Forward of Tremendous Bowl LIX (Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX), listed below are the ten finest Tremendous Bowl performs of all time.

10 finest Tremendous Bowl performs of all time

After largely erasing an early 28-3 deficit, the Patriots sat at their very own 36-yard line with slightly below two-and-a-half minutes left. Then got here one of the crucial miraculous catches and shows of focus in historical past. 

Tom Brady laced a go down the center of the sector supposed for Edelman that ought to’ve been picked off by cornerback Robert Alford. As a substitute, the ball was tipped within the air. At that second, Edelman stopped his momentum and commenced to come back again to the ball as two Falcons safeties converged on his place. Edelman then reached his arms between Alford to snag the go earlier than it hit the bottom. Besides, as he did, the ball popped out of his arms and again within the air once more. At that time, Edelman managed to seize maintain of it as soon as once more and got here by way of with the catch.

The remaining is historical past, as New England tied the sport and finally gained 34-28 in additional time to finish the comeback.

9. John Elway’s helicopter dive (SB XXXII: Broncos vs. Packers)

Within the third quarter with the sport tied 17-all, the Broncos had labored their method right down to the Packers 12-yard line. However it was now third-and-6, and the following play would change Elway’s profession. 

The cellular quarterback escaped the pocket to try to get the primary down, and as he received nearer, it was clear he must dive. He reached head-first over incoming linebacker Brian Williams, however whereas he floated by way of the air, security LeRoy Butler hit his legs and security Mike Prior hit his shoulder, forcing him to spin within the air 180 levels. Elway landed on his again however received the primary down. That arrange a Terrell Davis landing that helped energy Denver to a 31-24 Tremendous Bowl win, delivering Elway his first ring.

8. Devin Hester’s kick return TD (SB XLI: Bears vs. Colts)

You’ll be able to’t make this record with out some history-making performs! Though the Bears got here up brief in the long run, Devin Hester created sparks proper from the leap when he took the opening kickoff 92 yards to the home.

Everybody knew Hester, who has now been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was one among — if not the — most harmful return males within the sport’s historical past, however he proved it once more. He turned the primary participant in NFL historical past to return the Tremendous Bowl’s opening kick for a rating.

7. Mario Manningham’s sideline seize (SB XLVI: Giants vs. Patriots)

With the Giants trailing 17-15 with slightly below 4 minutes remaining, the snap got here to quarterback Eli Manning from the Giants 12-yard line. Then, Manning uncorked a 38-yard go towards the sideline that was headed for broad receiver Mario Manningham, who was double-covered. 

Happily for the Giants, there was a sliver of daylight between the late-arriving Patriots security Patrick Chung and Manningham. The ball discovered its method by way of that daylight, dropping proper in Manningham’s arms as he tapped each toes and absorbed a giant hit from Chung. That catch put the Giants at midfield and eight performs later, they scored the go-ahead landing for a 21-17 win and one other Lombardi Trophy.

6. James Harrison’s 100-yard TD return (SB XLIII: Steelers vs. Cardinals)

One of the vital momentum-swinging performs in Tremendous Bowl historical past occurred with simply 18 seconds remaining within the first half. With the Cardinals down 10-7 to the Steelers, they’d first-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Arizona needed an opportunity to punctuate the tip of the half. 

Quarterback Kurt Warner took the shotgun snap and turned to fireside the ball to his trusted receiver Anquan Boldin, however sadly for him, star Steelers linebacker James Harrison jumped in entrance of Boldin and picked it earlier than taking off towards the alternative finish zone. As he raced towards the tip zone, a number of Pittsburgh defenders adopted him, turning away different gamers making an attempt to catch the free-running Harrison. Harrison reached the tip zone and gave the Steelers a 17-7 lead at halftime, setting them up for his or her 27-23 victory towards the surging Cardinals. 

5. The Philly Particular (SB LII: Eagles vs. Patriots)

Up 15-12 late within the first half, the Eagles had fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Coach Doug Pederson needed to go for all of it earlier than the half. Then got here the well-known play in Philadelphia sports activities historical past, “The Philly Particular.” 

Foles had Corey Clement movement behind him, then went to make pre-snap reads on the line standing behind his proper deal with. It was at that time that heart Jason Kelce snapped the ball to Clement. The working again ran left however shortly pitched the ball to tight finish Trey Burton, who had began working towards Clement. Then got here the magic. Burton delivered a go to a wide-open Nick Foles, who had scampered out of the backfield uncovered towards the tip zone. That put the Eagles up 22-12 and finally helped safe Philly’s first Tremendous Bowl title.

4. Mike Jones’ game-saving deal with on Kevin Dyson (SB XXXIV: Rams vs. Titans)

One of many extra excruciating, emotional and thrilling finishes got here in Tremendous Bowl XXXIV. The Titans, who have been down 16-0, roared all the way in which again to tie the sport at 16-16 within the fourth quarter. Regardless of that comeback, the Rams by no means took their foot off the fuel. On the following play from scrimmage after the Titans tied the sport, Kurt Warner zipped a 73-yard landing go to Isaac Bruce, placing the Rams up 23-16 with slightly below two minutes to go within the sport. 

Even with that, the Titans pushed again, charging down the sector to the Rams 10-yard line with simply six seconds left and no timeouts. The following play was the one that might stay without end. Quarterback Steve McNair discovered Kevin Dyson on a slant over the center, and the receiver raced towards the tip zone earlier than getting hit by St. Louis linebacker Mike Jones. Dyson reached so far as he may, extending his arm, however got here up only one yard wanting a possible game-tying landing, sealing the win for the Rams. 

3. Santonio Holmes’ landing toe-tap (SB XLIII: Steelers vs. Cardinals)

One of many extra good passes thrown in Tremendous Bowl historical past got here from the hand of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who rifled a go proper into the arms of wideout Santonio Holmes. That itself was worthy of belonging in Tremendous Bowl lore, however much more unbelievable was that this play gave Pittsburgh a 27-23 lead with simply 35 seconds remaining within the sport.

The 5-foot-11 Holmes was capable of corral the go in some way with three Cardinals defenders within the space. The factor is, Holmes was the man for Roethlisberger and the Steelers. You knew the ball was going there and, regardless of the outstretched hand of Arizona nook Ralph Brown, Holmes managed to faucet each toes and contort his physique to make the catch and clinch the Tremendous Bowl victory for Pittsburgh towards the upstart Cardinals.

Ought to they’ve run it!? That is the best defensive play in Tremendous Bowl historical past. The Seahawks had simply come down the sector after a miraculous Jermaine Kearse catch (simply missed the record) during which the wily vet snagged the ball off his legs, bringing the crew contained in the crimson zone. 

With simply 26 seconds left, the Seahawks — who have been down 28-24 and defending their championship — had quarterback Russell Wilson drop again from the 1-yard line regardless of bulldozing RB Marshawn Lynch within the backfield. Wilson tried to power a go to a breaking Ricardo Lockette, however Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler beat Lockette to the spot and intercepted the go earlier than falling down on the half-yard line and sealing the sport for Tom Brady and the Patriots. 

1. David Tyree’s helmet catch (SB XLII: Giants vs. Patriots)

The most effective play in Tremendous Bowl historical past had numerous components to it, and it finally put an finish to the primary undefeated bid for the reason that 1972 Miami Dolphins. The play got here on third-and-5 from the Giants 44 with 1:15 remaining. It started with Eli Manning shaking free from a number of go rushers earlier than heaving the ball downfield. That’s when the magic really occurred, as David Tyree, a participant low on the Giants’ depth chart, managed to pin the deep go towards his helmet and forestall Pats security Rodney Harrison from knocking it unfastened.

That will result in a landing, pulling the Giants forward with a 17-14 lead. Lower than a minute later, they gained by the identical margin and handed New England its first and solely lack of the season. 

Honorable mentions:

• Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning kick (SB XXXVI: Pats vs Rams)
• Jacoby Jones’ 109-yard kick return (SB XLVII: Ravens vs 49ers)
• Saints’ shock onside kick to start out second half (SB XLIV: Saints vs Colts)
• Lynn Swann’s acrobatic catch (SB X: Steelers vs Cowboys)
• Marcus Allen’s 74-yard TD run (SB XVIII: Raiders vs Washington)
• Jermaine Kearse’s catch off his legs (SB XLIX: Seahawks vs Patriots)
• Tracy Porter’s pick-six (SB XLIV: Saints vs Colts)
• John Riggins’ 43-yard TD run on fourth-and-1 (SB XVII: Commanders vs Dolphins)

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