NFL Betting – Top 10 Super Bowl Moments
Moment #10: Phil’s Finest Hour
In 1987, the Super Bowl odds might have said that the New York Giants would beat the Denver Broncos, but NFL oddsmakers never could have imagined that Phil Simms would establish the standard for Super Bowl passing accuracy. The Giants’ signal caller dominated Super Bowl XXI, hitting 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. It will be hard to envision the day when Simms’ performance will be matched.
Moment #9: Norwood’s Nightmare
In fairness to former Buffalo Bills placekicker Scott Norwood, the 47-yard mark is the distance where kickers miss field goals more than they make them. Yet, that statistic is lost upon most football fans, who cannot forget the final play of Super Bowl XXV. The Bills, trailing the New York Giants, 20-19, in the final seconds, had a championship-winning kick set up. However, Norwood’s attempt drifted wide right, and the Giants won their second Super Bowl in five seasons.
Moment #8: Standing and Delivering
The Cincinnati Bengals were a one-point favorite against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI, but because of a remarkable display of determination from the 49ers, those who chose the Bengals in their NFL betting walked away disappointed.
The goal-line stand that electrified the Pontiac (Mich.) Silverdome came in the third quarter of a game the 49ers led, 20-7. Cincinnati had second and goal at the San Francisco 1, but couldn’t score. Bengal fullback Pete Johnson was stuffed on second and fourth down, but the most memorable play of the sequence was the third-down snap. Cincinnati quarterback Ken Anderson found tailback Charles Alexander in the right flat, but 49er linebacker Dan Bunz tackled Alexander a foot away from the goal line. That stand allowed the Niners to secure a 26-21 triumph.
Moment #7: Brady’s Beginning
Before he towered over the rest of the NFL, Tom Brady was an unproven New England Patriot. When Brady took the field for Super Bowl XXXVI against the heavily-favored St. Louis Rams, there seemed to be no way the AFC champions could overtake “The Greatest Show on Turf.”
Yet, Brady maintained his poise and put the Patriots in position to win. When legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri banged through a 48-yard field goal on the final play of regulation, the Patriots didn’t just defy the sportsbook odds; they won the first Super Bowl in the history of the franchise.
Moment #6: Montana Magic
The San Francisco 49ers, down 16-13 to the Cincinnati Bengals with 3:10 left in the fourth quarter, had to travel 92 yards in order to win Super Bowl XXIII without need for overtime. Joe Montana answered the call. The 49ers winged the ball downfield, and when Montana hit receiver John Taylor on a 10-yard strike with 34 seconds left, the 49er dynasty had claimed its third Super Bowl title
Moment #5: Mike Jones’ Masterpiece
It will long remain the most famous tackle in Super Bowl history: St. Louis Rams linebacker Mike Jones dragged down Tennessee Titans receiver Kevin Dyson at the 1-yard line on the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV, allowing the Rams to claim a thrilling 23-16 victory in Atlanta.
Moment #4: Elway’s Ultimate Experience
After losing three Super Bowls and then waiting eight years to reach his fourth Supe, Denver Bronco quarterback John Elway finally crossed the threshold. No longer a bridesmaid, Elway led his Broncos to a stirring 31-24 win over the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII, giving closure and completeness to one of the greatest careers in pro football history.
Moment #3: Eli, David, and the Upset of Upsets
Eli Manning’s escape from Vince Wilfork. David Tyree’s hand-to-helmet catch. A last-minute touchdown to deny the New England Patriots a perfect 19-0 season, unprecedented in the history of professional football. Super Bowl XLII gave the NFL a mountain of unforgettable images and epic achievements. It also bestowed a third Super Bowl title to the New York Giants.
Moment #2: Lynn Swann’s Legendary Leaps
He was Baryshnikov in a helmet and pads. He levitated and lingered in the air to outplay Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mark Washington. Lynn Swann crafted the most beautiful collection of plays in Super Bowl history, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers past the Cowboys, 21-17, in Super Bowl X.
Moment #1: Joe Namath’s Guarantee
“We’re gonna win. I guarantee it.” And then, the New York Jets did indeed defeat the 18-point favorites from Baltimore, clipping the Colts, 16-7, in this game’s greatest upset. Yes, the Super Bowl III shocker ranks as an even bigger surprise than Giants-Patriots in 2008.
