Saturday, April 30, 2011

NFL Running Back Rankings

         We did not see a ton of game changing running backs make an impact this past season. Most or all NFL teams now have a two running back system, which is bringing down most running back's stats and showcase. However, the team's with a big time running back are almost always competitive. Here is a list of the top 20 running backs in the NFL as of the end of the 2010 season.

20 LaDainian Tomlinson    New York Jets




        We know that LaDainian Tomlinson is on the down side of his stellar career. That being said, he still has big play capability and remains a consistent running back. He had an impact that many people didn't expect, which earns him a spot at number 20. 

19 Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis  New England Patriots




        The Law Firm had a quiet, but extremely productive breakout season for the Patriots. He provided the Patriots offense a power threat in the backfield that allowed Tom Brady to win MVP and the Patriots to a 14-2 season. Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis is still young and still improving, but for now he is number 19 on the list of the NFL's best running backs.

18 Ronnie Brown                Miami Dolphins 




        Ronnie Brown is the focal point of Miami's wildcat offense. He runs, catches and on occasion even throws! He is very exciting to watch and unfortunately had his season cut short last season due to injury. Brown is an extremely versatile back, which places him at number 18.


17 Cedric Benson                Cincinnati Bengals 





        After being exiled from Chicago, Cedric Benson has found a home in Cincinnati. After a breakout season and a playoff berth, the Bengals are back in turmoil but Benson remains a consistent a building block. 

16 LeGarrette Blount         Tampa Bay Buccaneers 




        After LeGarrette Blount seemed destined to be a talented running back who's poor decisions would play him out of the NFL. But this guy proved everyone wrong. No one ever questioned his talent, but after getting himself in the right direction he exploded onto the scene for the surprise Buccaneers. Blount is a big time talent who should be the work horse for the up and coming Buccaneers.

15 Darren McFadden         Oakland Raiders




14 Ahmad Bradshaw         New York Giants




13 Peyton Hillis                   Cleveland Browns 




12 LeSean McCoy               Philadelphia Eagles



11 DeAngelo Williams        Carolina Panthers




10 Michael Turner              Atlanta Falcons




Frank Gore                       San Francisco 49ers




Jamaal Charles                Kansas City Chiefs




Rashard Mendenahll       Pittsburgh Steelers




6 Ray Rice                           Baltimore Ravens




5 Arian Foster                     Houston Texans 




4 Steven Jackson                 St. Louis Rams




3 Maurice Jones- Drew      Jacksonville Jaguars




2 Chris Johnson                  Tennessee Titans 




1 Adrian Peterson               Minnesota Vikings 




Thursday, April 21, 2011

Top NFL Reigns of Greatness

     The NFL has seen many powerful forces sustain greatness for a period of time. What exactly defines a NFL franchise reign of greatness? I think at the very least there has to be multiple Super Bowl appearances or one Super Bowl victory. Most of these teams make the playoffs year after year and have deep runs in the playoffs, but what team had the greatest reign of greatness in the Super Bowl era? Read the list and debate. (In depth analysis on all teams coming soon)
Didn't Make the Cut
1984-1990 Chicago Bears- "The Ditka Era" 
1988-1996 Buffalo Bills- "The Levy Era" 
2001-Present Pittsburgh Steelers- "The Cowher/Tomlin Era" 
2000-Present Philadelphia Eagles- "The McNabb Era" 
1992-Present Green Bay Packers- "The Favre/Rodgers Era" 


10 1999-Present Indianapolis Colts- "The Manning Era" 
1 Super Bowl Victory (XLI) 
2 Super Bowl Appearances (XLI, XLIV)
9 Division Titles 
11 Playoff Appearances
3 Conference Championship Appearances (2003, 2006, 2009)
7 Straight Seasons of 12 victories or more
4 Seasons of 13 or more victories 
Pro Bowl Caliber Players- 11: Peyton Manning, Edgerin James, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathias, Cato June, Gary Brackett, 
Bob Sanders 
Hall of Fame Players (Assumption)- 7
     The Colts have had a great run. They have been one of, if not the, most dominant regular season teams of all time. The only thing holding the Colts back is their postseason performance; only producing 9 postseason victories and 1 Super Bowl title. This Colts team is one of the most exciting teams of all time, which places them at number 10.


9 1967-1985 Oakland/LA Raiders- "The Madden/Flores Era" 
3 Super Bowl Victories (XI, XV, XVIII)
4 Super Bowl Appearances (II, XI, XV, XVIII)

8 1970-1978 Dallas Cowboys- "The Landry Era" 
2 Super Bowl Victories (VI, XII)
5 Super Bowl Appearances (V,VI, X, XII, XIII)


7 1970-1975 Miami Dolphins- "The Shula Era" 
2 Super Bowl Victories (VII, VIII)
3 Super Bowl Appearances (VI, VII, VIII)


6 1982-1992 Washington Redskins- "The Gibbs Era" 
3 Super Bowl Victories (XVII, XXII, XXVI)
4 Super Bowl Appearances (XVII, XVIII, XXII, XXVI)


5 1991-1996 Dallas Cowboys- "The Jones Era" 
3 Super Bowl Victories (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
3 Super Bowl Appearances (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)


4 1961-1967 Green Bay Packers- "The Lombardi Era" 
5 NFL/Super Bowl Victories (I, II)
5 NFL/Super Bowl Victories (I, II)


3 2001-Present New England Patriots- "The Brady/Belichick Era" 
3 Super Bowl Victories (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX)
4 Super Bowl Appearances (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLII)
8 Division Titles
8 Playoff Appearances 
5 Conference Championship Appearances (2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007) 
Undefeated Regular Season 2007
3 Seasons of 14 or more Victories
10 Seasons of 9 victories or more
14 Playoff Victories
Pro Bowl Caliber Players- 14: Tom Brady, Corey Dillon, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour, Tedi Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Willie McGinest, Ty Law, Rodney Harrison, Adam Vinatieri
Hall of Fame Players (Assumption)- 8
     The Patriots are the new definition of sustained excellence. They are the model franchise of the NFL, not spending too much money or attention on super stars, but finding the key role players that allow them to win Super Bowls. It would've helped if they won Super Bowl XLII and completed the undefeated season; then there is no question that they were the greatest team and dynasty of all time. But given their level of domination and steadiness, this Patriots squad has the third greatest reign in NFL history.


2 1981-1998 San Francisco 49ers- "The Montana and Young Era" 
5 Super Bowl Victories (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, XXIX)
5 Super Bowl Appearances (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, XXIX)


1 1972-1979 Pittsburgh Steelers- "The Steel Curtain Era" 
4 Super Bowl Victories (IX, X, XIII, XIV)
4 Super Bowl Appearances (IX, X, XIII, XIV)

The Greatest Super Bowls of All Time


Let's start this blog off with a fun and intriguing list. We're one month removed from a very exciting and well played Super Bowl 45 where the Green Bay Packers returned to glory by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers. So I'm wondering where does this past Super Bowl rank amongst the greatest? From worst to first, here is a list of the Greatest Super Bowls of all time based on excitement and competitiveness.

45. Super Bowl XXIV- San Francisco 49ers over Denver Broncos 55-10
Super Dome  New Orleans, LA  MVP: Joe Montana, QB
Yes, a sensational effort by Joe Montana and the 49ers. But why is this the worst Super Bowl of all time? Because this was Joe Montana v.s. John Elway, are you kidding me and the score is 55-10? Although this game established Joe Montana as the greatest quarterback of all time and the 49ers as one of if not the greatest dynasty in NFL history, this game should have been much more given the fact that two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history were set to do battle.













44. Super Bowl XX- Chicago Bears over New England Patriots 46-10
Super Dome  New Orleans, LA  MVP: Richard Dent, DE
Very similar to Super Bowl XXIV because this game was the icing on the cake for the '85 Bears at the brutal expense of the cinderella New England Patriots. This was one of those games you could leave at halftime.





43. Super Bowl VII- Miami Dolphins over Minnesota Vikings 24-7
Rice Stadium   Houston, TX   MVP: Larry Csonka
God, does anyone even remember this game? Well if you do, you would remember that Miami was so dominant up front that Bob Griese only had to throw the ball eight fucking times!














42. Super Bowl XXVII- Dallas Cowboys over Buffalo Bills 52-17
Rose Bowl   Pasadena, CA   MVP: Troy Aikman
I hate to put this as one of the worst, but the Bills were simply no match for the Cowboys. But the Bills had heart. We saw that when Don Beebe tracked down Leon Lett in a 52-17 game to prevent a touchdown. It's one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history, even in one of the all time most lopsided games.
















41. Super Bowl XII- Dallas Cowboys over Denver Broncos 27-10
Super Dome   New Orleans, LA   MVP: Randy White and Harvey Martin
Another boring Super Bowl. You had lousy play all around from the Broncos and the Cowboys were simply the beneficiaries.



40. Super Bowl XL- Pittsburgh Steelers over Seattle Seahawks 21-10
Ford Field     Detroit, MI     MVP: Hines Ward
Super Bowl XL is remembered for poor refereeing and poor quarterbacking and, well poor everything. Except for the half time show, I thought the Rolling Stones were fantastic. But this was a very lack luster Super Bowl. 



39. Super Bowl VI- Dallas Cowboys over Miami Dolphins 24-3
Tulane Stadium     New Orleans, LA     MVP: Roger Staubach
Not much to describe about this game, which is why it's the 39th best Super Bowl. Roger Staubach played well in this game, I think that's all that happened.



38. Supe Bowl XXXV- Baltimore Ravens over New York Giants 34-7
Raymond James Stadium     Tampa, FL     MVP: Ray Lewis
The Ravens humiliated Kerry Collins and the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV, and without the back to back kick returns, this game might have ranked as the worst Super Bowl of all time.




37. Super Bowl II- Green Bay Packers over Oakland Raiders 33-14
Orange Bowl     Miami, FL     MVP: Bart Starr
In Vince Lombardi's last game as head coach of the Packers, it was only fitting that his Packers team handled the Raiders with ease.




36. Super Bowl XXIX- San Francisco 49ers over San Diego Chargers 49-26
Joe Robbie Stadium     Miami, FL     MVP: Steve Young
Yes, it was an unbelievable performance by Steve Young, not by the San Diego Chargers though. They proved no match for the 49ers.


35. Super Bowl VII- Miami Dolphins over Washington Redskins 14-7
Los Angeles Coliseum     Los Angeles, CA     MVP: Jake Scott
Super Bowl VII was a very sloppy and defense dominated game. The Redskins were dismal all day, their lone score coming off the notorious blunder by Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian. This game was historic because the Dolphins capped off their undefeated season, but this game was not historic because it was a well played Super Bowl.


34. Super Bowl XXXIII- Denver Broncos over Atlanta Falcons 34-19
Joe Robbie Stadium     Miami, FL     MVP: John Elway

    The Falcons were happy to be in Miami, but they wanted no part of winning the Super Bowl. John Elway lit up the Falcons D in his final start under center for the Broncos.

33. Super Bowl XXII- Washington Redskins over Denver Broncos 42-10
Jack Murphy Stadium     San Diego, CA     MVP: Doug Williams 
Another Super Bow, and the defense is no where to be fucking found! After going up 10-0, the Redskins turned on the switch and scored 35 straight points in the second quarter to lock up the Super Bowl before halftime.


32. Super Bowl XVIII- Los Angeles Raiders over Washington Redskins 38-9
Tampa Stadium     Tampa, FL     MVP: Marcus Allen



31. Super Bowl IV- Kansas City Chiefs over Minnesota Vikings 23-7
Tulane Stadium     New Orleans, LA     MVP: Len Dawson



30. Super Bowl IX- Pittsburgh Steelers over Minnesota Vikings 16-6
Tulane Stadium     New Orleans, LA     MVP: Franco Harris




29. Super Bowl XXVI- Washington Redskins over Buffalo Bills 37-24
Metrodome     Minneapolis, MN     MVP: Mark Rypien 



28. Super Bowl XXXVII- Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Oakland Raiders 48-21
Qualcomm Stadium     San Diego, CA     MVP: Dexter Jackson
This game actually wasn't that bad to watch. I mean if you were a Raiders fan it was awful, but there were some exciting pick sixes. So not a completely shit game, but nonetheless a shit game.


27. Super Bowl XI- Oakland Raiders over Minnesota Vikings 32-14
Rose Bowl     Pasadena, CA     MVP: Fred Billitnikoff 



26. Super Bowl XV- Oakland Raiders over Philadelphia Eagles 27-10
Super Dome     New Orleans, LA     MVP: Jim Plunkett



25. Super Bowl V- Baltimore Colts over Dallas Cowboys 16-13
Orange Bowl     Miami, FL     MVP: Chuck Howley



24. Super Bowl XXVIII- Dallas Cowboys over Buffalo Bills 30-13
Georgia Dome      Atlanta, GE     MVP: Emmitt Smith



23. Super Bowl XIX- San Francisco 49ers over Miami Dolphins 38-16
Stanford Stadium     Palo Alto, CA     MVP: Joe Montana 



22. Super Bowl XLI- Indianapolis Colts over Chicago Bears 29-17
Dolphin Stadium     Miami, FL     MVP: Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning's long awaited Super Bowl victory came in a rainy, sloppy game against the Chicago Bears. This Bear's team was certainly not the '85 bears (Rex Grossman was the quarterback for christ's sake) and this was not even the best Colt's team of the 2000's. But this game was underrated. The opening kickoff was returned for a touchdown by Devin Hester and the game was tight until Kelvin Hayden took back a Rex Grossman pass for a touchdown to put the game away.


21. Super Bowl XXXIX- New England Patriots over Philadelphia Eagles 24-21
Alltel Stadium     Jacksonville, FL     MVP: Deion Branch
This was a well played football game. Two of the best teams of the 2000's squared off and the game was very competitive. The game wasn't quite as tight as the final score indicates, but Tom Brady and the Patriots were challenged by Donovan McNabb, Terrell Owens and the Eagles.


20. Super Bowl I- Green Bay Packers over Kansas City Chiefs 35-10
LA Coliseum     Los Angeles, CA     MVP: Bart Starr
     Well it was the first Super Bowl, so why not put it at number 20? Other than being the first Super Bowl, it wasn't really special. It wasn't even sold out!


19. Super Bowl XVI- San Francisco 49ers over Cincinnati Bengals 26-21
Pontiac Silver Dome      Detroit, MI     MVP: Joe Montana 



18. Super Bowl XXI- New York Giants over Denver Broncos 39-20
Rose Bowl     Pasadena, CA     MVP: Phil Simms



17. Super Bowl XVII- Washington Redskins over Miami Dolphins 27-17
Rose Bowl     Pasadena, CA     MVP: John Riggins



16. Super Bowl XXX- Dallas Cowboys over Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17
Sun Devil Stadium     Glendale, AZ     MVP: Larry Brown



15. Super Bowl XXXI- Green Bay Packers over New England Patriots 35-21
Super Dome      New Orleans, LA     MVP: Desmond Howard




14. Super Bowl III- New York Jets over Baltimore Colts 16-7
Orange Bowl     Miami, FL     MVP: Joe Namath 
     Undoubtably the most overrated Super Bowl of all time, but that doesn't mean it wasn't historic. First of all, the game was crap. The Colts couldn't score, but neither could the Jets really. Joe Namath really didn't do a whole lot, it was more the running game that won the game for the Jets. If anything this game was disappointing because even though the Jets pulled the upset, the Colts beat themselves for such a great team. I understand that this game was historic because it meant the AFL had finally matched the NFL, but that doesn't mean it was a great Super Bowl.


13. Super Bowl XIV- Pittsburgh Steelers over Dallas Cowboys 21-17
Orange Bowl     Miami, FL     MVP: Lynn Swan
     This matchup was the first of what would become an American classic. The blue collar Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the glamourous Dallas Cowboys. A ton of hall of famers played in this game and the hall of fame match-ups were all over the place. This was the dream matchup for an NFL fan in the 1970's and the two teams played a great game that wasn't settled until the very end.

     
12. Super Bowl XLIV- New Orleans Saints over Indianapolis Colts 31-17
Sun Life Stadium   Miami, FL   MVP: Drew Brees
       The Saints capped off their storybook season with a win over Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLIV. Everything went right for New Orleans after falling behind early. After a slow first half, Saints coach Sean Payton called for one of the ballsiest coaching moves in NFL history calling for the onside kick. The Saints recovered, which sent the tone for their comeback. Ahead 24-17, Peyton Manning seemed to be leading the Colts down the field to tie the score. But Tracy Porter cut off Manning's pass and took it the rest of the way which sealed the Saints long awaited Super Bowl. It was a feel good game for New Orleans, and unless you were from Indianapolis you had to be pulling for New Orleans. Super Bowl XLIV ranks as the 12th greatest Super Bowl.

11. Super Bowl XLV- Green Bay Packers over Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25
Cowboys Stadium   Dallas, TX   MVP: Aaron Rodgers
This past year's Super Bowl was a very good game with plenty of excitement and drama. In a matchup of two even teams, the Green Bay Packers led by Aaron Rodgers held on to defeat the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers was on target all night as the Packers jumped out to an early 21-3 lead. But from there, the Steelers regrouped, cutting the lead to 21-17 and later 28-25. The Packers defense would later force the Steelers to turn the ball over on downs to preserve a 31-25 victory. Although this game didn't have as much excitement as some of the Super Bowls in the top 10, it was a one score game for the whole fourth quarter, which places it at number 11.


10. Super Bowl X- Pittsburgh Steelers over Los Angeles Rams 31-19
Rose Bowl     Pasadena, CA     MVP: Terry Bradshaw 
     This was a very underrated Super Bowl. The LA Rams were 9-7 in the regular season who somehow found themselves in the Super Bowl. But once they were there, they outplayed the Steelers for most of the game, and an upset seemed in the cards as the Steelers were looking to cap off one of the greatest dynasties in sports history. The Steelers pulled together late, and won the game 31-19, a score which doesn't indicate how tight this game really was.


9. Super Bowl XIII- Pittsburgh Steelers over Dallas Cowboys 35-31
Orange Bowl     Miami, FL     MVP: Terry Bradshaw
     Electrifying offense throughout the game, which wasn't really the Steelers mantra, but what the hell, it was a great game. The spread was never more than one possession and the Cowboys and Steelers offense's were dueling back and fourth.



8. Super Bowl XXV- New York Giants over Buffalo Bills 20-19
Tampa Stadium     Tampa, FL     MVP: Otis Anderson
     This was a spectacular game that came down to the wire. Unfortunately for Buffalo, they came up short. But this game had defense, long drives, hard hitting and one play that decided the outcome; what more could you ask for in a Super Bowl? Oh yeah, there was that wide right play too.




7. Super Bowl XXXII- Denver Broncos over Green Bay Packers 31-24
Qualcomm Stadium     San Diego, CA     MVP: Terrell Davis 
     This Super Bowl featured one of the best quarterback match-ups in Super Bowl history with John Elway and Brett Favre, but this game was also one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history. The mighty Packers were heavily favored but that would not stop the Broncos in what could've been John Elway's last chance at the Lombardi trophy. The game was back and fourth for the whole game, but what sticks out about this game for me was the desire that the Broncos had. Terrell Davis rushed for 150 yards with a migraine headache and an old John Elway went airborne for a first down while being decked by two Packers defenders. That's what the Super Bowl is all about.


6. Super Bowl XXIII- San Francisco 49ers over Cincinnati Bengals 20-16
Joe Robbie Stadium     Miami, FL     MVP: Jerry Rice
     Super Bowl XXIII was a good game, but it got great in the fourth quarter. Obviously the highlight was Joe Montana leading the 49ers down the field and winning the game on a touchdown pass to John Taylor. The score was never separated by more than a possession and the Bengals had the lead for most of the game, but the 49ers grabbed the lead with less than a minute to go in one of the most dramatic 4th quarters in football history.


5. Super Bowl XXXVI- New England Patriots over St. Louis Rams 20-17
Super Dome   New Orleans, LA   MVP: Tom Brady
The heavily favored Rams were expected to easily defeat the underdog Patriots who many thought were lucky to be there. But New England coach Bill Belichick schemed one of his best game plans to slow down the Greatest Show on Turf. The New England defense was always bumping Marshall Faulk around and they were applying constant pressure on Kurt Warner. The Patriots jumped out to a 17-3 lead until St. Louis got going and tied the score at 17 with under two minutes left to play. John Madden was one of many who said the Patriots should sit on the ball and play for overtime. But a young Tom Brady had other ideas as he guided the Patriots into field goal position for Adam Vinatieri who nailed a 49 yarder as time expired. The Patriots edged the Rams in one of the greatest chess matches and upsets in Super Bowl history as it cracks the 5 spot in the all time list.


4. Super Bowl XXXVIII- New England Patriots over Carolina Panthers 32-29
Reliant Stadium   Houston, TX   MVP: Tom Brady
Super Bowl XXXVIII featured some hard nosed defense, explosive offense, a game winning drive and another Super Bowl winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri that ended a back and fourth game. Tom Brady was on target for the whole game, completing a then record 32 passes. But Jake Delhomme and the Panthers never gave up. Carolina responded in big ways including an 80 yard pass from Delhomme to Mushin Muhammad. But the football gods were on the Patriots side. With the ball at the 40 yard line and a little over a minute left to play, Brady calmly moved the Patriots down the field in position for Adam Vinatieri to seal another Super Bowl win for the Patriots. Because this was the first Super Bowl I ever went to and I happened to see the Patriots win, this is my personal favorite Super Bowl. But my personal favorites aside, this game ranks as the fourth greatest Super Bowl of all time.




3. Super Bowl XLIII- Pittsburgh Steelers over Arizona Cardinals 27-23
Raymond James Stadium   Tampa, FL   MVP: Santonio Holmes


Larry Fitzgerald Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals scores a 64-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Larry Fitzgerald;James HarrisonIn the midst of an economic recession, Super Bowl XLIII between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the 9-7 Arizona Cardinals did not seem likely to spark added interest in this years game. On paper, this game matched two teams, the Steelers, the model for a successful franchise in the NFL who decade after decade would remain competitive. The other, the Cardinals, were the model of mediocrity who consistently missed the playoffs. But this would have no impact on the game. Super Bowl XLIII had arguably the some of the most exciting moments in Super Bowl history which featured an 100 yard interception return by James Harrison at the end of the first half, an explosive passing attack led by Kurt Warner strikes like lightning to put the Cardinals up 23-20 with a few minutes to play and then for a finale, Ben Roethlisberger connected with Santonio Holmes who snared the ball out of thin air as he tiptoed his feet along the sidelines to haul in the game winning touchdown pass. This game featured some of the biggest and most exciting shifts in momentum the Super Bowl has ever seen, which places this game at number three.




2. Supe Bowl XXXIV- St. Louis Rams over Tennessee Titans 23-16
Georgia Dome   Atlanta, GE   MVP: Kurt Warner
      
         A valiant effort by Steve McNair and the Tennessee Titans came up one yard short. Literally. With no time left. In the Super Bowl! What made this game great was that it didn't have a big market team that normally is the only reason a championship has intrigue. Not in the NFL. Two smaller market teams can provide as good of a game with as much intrigue as a game with two big market teams. The Rams were that seasons cinderella story led by an unknown named Kurt Warner who would take home Super Bowl MVP. Kurt Warner lit up the Georgia Dome throwing for a Super Bowl record 414 passing yards. The Rams had most of the momentum throughout the game, but Steve McNair would lead the Titans back into the game by the fourth quarter. After the Titans tied the game at 16, the Rams answered right back with Kurt Warner connecting with Issac Bruce for 73 yards. Down 23-16, Steve McNair would run for his life from the Rams defense, but they could not stop him from leading the Titans to the ten yard line on the last play of regulation. McNair hit Kevin Dyson on a slant, but in one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history, Mike Jones wrapped up his legs and brought down Dyson while he extended out to the goal line. Dick Vermeil and the cinderella Rams defeated the Titans in one of the most exciting games and electrifying 4th quarters in Super Bowl history, which is why it places second on the all time list of greatest Super Bowls.



1. Super Bowl XLII- New York Giants over New England Patriots 17-14
University of Phoenix Stadium   Glendale, AZ   MVP: Eli Manning
Super Bowl XLII was the greatest Super Bowl of all time because it had all the necessary ingredients. One team, the New England Patriots, trying to make history and become the first team to complete a

19-0 season in NFL history. They set records and they were only one win away from establishing themselves as possibly the greatest team in sports history. The other team, the New York Giants, were a 10-6 team who were not even thought of as a Super Bowl team. The Giants pulled off the greatest upset in Super Bowl history while pulling off the greatest play in Super Bowl history (David Tyree's helmet clinging grab). So let's recap. You have a 10-6 New York Giants team taking on a historic New England Patriots squad going for an undefeated season. The Giants dominated the Patriots up front, clinging to a 10-7 lead until Tom Brady connected with Randy Moss to give the Patriots a 14-10 lead with under three minutes to play. Then, just when it seemed the Patriots had sacked Eli Manning, he escapes and finds David Tyree 50 yards downfield while the ball clings to his helmet and Rodney Harrison rips at his right shoulder. That play led to Eli Manning finding Plaxico Burress for the game winning touchdown with under a minute to go. Though I am a die hard Patriots fan who attended the game, I was glad I was at this game. I was crushed by the loss, but I saw the greatest upset, the greatest play and the greatest Super Bowl of all time.


Tom Brady Tom Brady #12 of of the New England Patriots walks off the field in frustration after a third down attempt in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.