Image via Complex Original
With Super Bowl XLVIII mere days away, the countdown is already on to predict who the next MVP is going to be. If you happen to be a betting person, the Broncos’ Peyton Manning currently stands as the runaway favorite to take home the award at 11/10 odds, while on the Seattle side the favorite is a tie between quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch, who are both currently at 15/4.
Like in most matters related to football, the quarterbacks tend to be the ones who get all the glory. Of the 47 Super Bowl MVPs, the award has gone to QBs 26 times; for comparison, the next closest position is running back, which has seen seven players given the honor and requisite trip to Disney World. Icons like Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, and Jerry Rice are but a few of the all-time greats to have taken home the MVP trophy, and most of them are in the Hall of Fame (or will be, when their careers end).
But not all performances are created equal. Sometimes a player may put up pedestrian numbers but make huge plays, sometimes they put up big numbers in a blowout, and sometimes they may simply put up the least-bad numbers in a sloppy game. From best to worst, we’re Ranking Every Super Bowl MVP.
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1. Steve Young, Super Bowl XXIX (1994)
Date: 1/29/1995
Matchup: San Francisco 49ers vs. San Diego Chargers
Stats: 24/36, 325 YDS, 6 TD, 0 INT, 5 CAR, 49 YDS
While it certainly helped that the Chargers were anything but a juggernaut, Steve Young put on a performance for the ages in Super Bowl XXIX. He set the record for most touchdown passes in a Super Bowl (6) and was one shy of tying the record for any NFL game, and also became the first quarterback ever to lead the game in rushing yards as he scrambled for an additional 49 yards. Young set the tone from the beginning, flinging touchdown passes of 44 yards to Jerry Rice and 51 yards to Ricky Watters on the 49ers' first two drives. His four first half touchdown passes tied Doug Williams' record for most in a Super Bowl, and unlike Williams he Young was able to pile two more on top of that after the break.
2. Joe Montana, Super Bowl XXIV (1989)
Date: 1/28/1990
Matchup: San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos
Stats: 22/29, 297 YDS, 5 TD, 2 CAR, 15 YDS
A year after narrowly missing out on the award in favor of his teammate Jerry Rice, Joe Montana became the first (and only) three-time Super Bowl MVP with his scintillating performance in the 49ers' blowout win over the Broncos. He set the Super Bowl record for touchdown passes in a game (5) as well as consecutive completions (13), getting his team into the end zone four times in the first half and another four in the second before being replaced by backup Steve Young for almost the entire fourth quarter. With the award, Montana became just the third player to take home both regular season and Super Bowl MVP honors in the same season, matching Terry Bradshaw (1978) and Bart Starr (1966).
3. Phil Simms, Super Bowl XXI (1986)
Date: 1/25/1987
Matchup: New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos
Stats: 22/25, 268 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT, 3 CAR, 25 YDS
While your mind may not immediately go to Phil Simms when thinking of the top games ever played in a Super Bowl, the numbers from Super Bowl XXI don't lie. Simms set records for completion percentage (88 percent), passer rating (150.9), and consecutive completions (10) as he led his Giants to victory over the Broncos. Just how good was he? Of Simms' three incompletions, in fact, two were just straight up dropped by his receivers. After the game, Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells plainly stated that "this might be the best game a quarterback has ever played," and with numbers like Simms' we have a hard time disagreeing with him.
4. Marcus Allen, Super Bowl XVIII (1983)
Date: 1/22/1984
Matchup: Los Angeles Raiders vs. Washington Redskins
Stats: 20 CAR, 191 YDS, 2 TD, 2 REC, 18 YDS
This game was really one of the all-time biggest beatdowns in the history of the Super Bowl, and MVP Marcus Allen was a big reason why. The favored Redskins simply had no answer for the Raiders' fleet-footed running back, who averaged an astonishing 9.6 yards per carry and busted a then-Super Bowl record 74-yard touchdown run during the third quarter. While the game was effectively over when Jack Squirek returned a horrible Joe Theismann pass for a touchdown just before halftime to make the score 21-3, Allen put the game away with his touchdown run on the Raiders' first second half possession then simply broke Washington's spirit with his zig-zagging long run on the final play of the third quarter.
5. Jerry Rice, Super Bowl XXIII
Date: 1/22/1989
Matchup: San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stats: 11 REC, 215 YDS, 1 TD, 1 CAR, 5 YDS
There's a perfectly good reason Joe Montana would have to wait to win that record third Super Bowl MVP trophy: Jerry Rice. Montana's No. 1 weapon was at his absolute best in Super Bowl XXIII, set a record for receiving yards in the Super Bowl (215) and saved his biggest plays for when it mattered most. Rice hauled in eight passes for 126 yards and a touchdown during the second half alone as the teams jostled for position during a back-and-forth game. During the 49ers' legendary 92-yard scoring drive to take the lead in the fourth quarter, Montana targeted Rice on four of his nine passes, completing three of them for a total of 51 yards.
6. Lynn Swann, Super Bowl X
Date: 1/18/1976
Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stats: 4 REC, 161 YDS, 1 TD
The tenth anniversary of the Super Bowl gave fans one of the most thrilling finishes in the game's history, as MVP Lynn Swann and the Pittsburgh Steelers staged a fourth quarter comeback to win their second consecutive title. While Swann's four receptions are tied for the fewest of any receiver to win the award, he made them count; the yardage on his receptions went 32-53-12-64, and this all happened after he had suffered a concussion that put him in the hospital for two days during the AFC title game. We think it's safe to say that there's no way he would have been playing nowadays, but Steelers fans sure are glad he did.
7. Doug Williams, Super Bowl XXII
Date: 1/31/1988
Matchup: Washington Redskins vs. Denver Broncos
Stats: 18/29, 340 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT, 2 CAR, -2 YDS
It's rare for a player who is at the center of so much as Doug Williams was to actually outperform expectations in the Super Bowl, but that's exactly what the Redskins' quarterback did as he set multiple records in guiding his team to a dominating victory. Williams set a record for passing yards (340), and with his four TD pass barrage in the second quarter became the first player in Super Bowl history to throw that many touchdowns in a half, let alone a quarter. Denver actually led 10-0 after the first quarter of this game, but the Washington offensive onslaught led by Williams set still-standing marks for most offensive yards in a game (602), touchdowns scored (6), and several others as well.
8. Terrell Davis, Super Bowl XXXII
Date: 1/25/1998
Matchup: Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
Stats: 30 CAR, 157 YDS, 3 TD, 2 REC, 8 YDS
If not for his knee injuries, Terrell Davis likely would have gone down as one of the best running backs in NFL history. He put his talents on display for the world in Super Bowl XXXII, rushing for 157 yards and a record three touchdowns to win the MVP award despite missing almost the entire second quarter with a migraine. After carrying the ball just nine times in the first half, Davis was asked to shoulder the load in the second as he helped Denver to their first championship in a game whose most iconic moment was John Elway's "helicopter." While Elway may lead highlight reels, it was Davis who carried four times for 21 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 1:47 to play on the Broncos' final drive.
9. John Riggins, Super Bowl XVII
Date: 1/30/1983
Matchup: Washington Redskins vs. Miami Dolphins
Stats: 38 CAR, 166 YDS, 1 TD, 1 REC, 15 YDS
The second-most famous running back named "Riggins," at least among the younger crowd, John Riggins was an absolute beast in winning the Super Bowl XVII MVP award. With 166 yards rushing and 38 attempts, he set two new Super Bowl records and indeed put up more yards of total offense himself than the entire Miami Dolphins. Riggins' fourth quarter, 43-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-1 remains one of the iconic highlights from a Super Bowl, as he displayed his raw power in running right through the tackle of Miami's Don McNeal and cemented his status as an all-time legend in the process. And oh yeah, he also gave his team the lead for good and brought Washington its first championship.
10. Kurt Warner, Super Bowl XXXIV
Date: 1/30/2000
Matchup: St. Louis Rams vs. Tennessee Titans
Stats: 24/45, 414 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT, 1 CAR, 1 YDS
In one of the most thrilling finishes in Super Bowl history, Kurt Warner and the "Greatest Show on Turf" narrowly defeated the Titans on a heart-stopping tackle on the game's final play. Warner's performance was outstanding, as he set Super Bowl records for passing yards (414) and passing attempts without an interception (45) in his MVP-winning effort. While the Rams were accustomed to scoring almost 33 points per game, the game was a defensive struggle that didn't see a touchdown until just under four minutes into the third quarter. While Warner only completed one pass in the entire fourth quarter, he made sure it was a big one: a 73-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Bruce that proved to be the game-winner.
11. Terry Bradshaw, Super Bowl XIII
Date: 1/21/1979
Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stats: 17/30, 318 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT, 2 CAR, -5 YDS
Terry Bradshaw's first MVP award was a record-setting effort, as he set the mark for most passing yards (318) and passing touchdowns (4) in a Super Bowl. For Bradshaw, 253 of those yards came in the first half-a new record-and among them was a 75-yard touchdown pass, which tied Johnny Unitas' mark from Super Bowl V. After a back-and-forth third quarter that saw the Steelers cling to a 21-17 lead, the fourth began with Pittsburgh getting in the end zone twice within 19 seconds to put the game away and secure their third title in five years.
12. Desmond Howard, Super Bowl XXXI
Date: 1/26/1997
Matchup: Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots
Stats: 4 KR, 154 YDS, 1 TD, 4 PR, 30 YDS
It is practically impossible for someone who doesn't play on offense or defense to be the MVP of a Super Bowl, but trust us: Desmond Howard was the right choice. After several dangerous-looking kick and punt returns in the first half, Howard got his next chance after the Patriots had just scored a touchdown to cut the Packers' lead to 27-21. He made the most of it, zooming 99 yards for the touchdown in what at the time was the longest play in Super Bowl history. It speaks to how much Howard impacted the game that even though Packers' quarterback Brett Favre accounted for three touchdowns and no turnovers, Howard was still chosen as the MVP.
13. Tom Brady, Super Bowl XXXVIII
Date: 2/1/2004
Matchup: New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers
Stats: 32/48, 354 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT, 2 CAR, 12 YDS
Super Bowl XXXVIII was a tale of two halves, and what looked like an easy victory for the Patriots quickly turned into more Tom Brady MVP-winning fourth quarter heroics. After Carolina's Ricky Proehl tied the game with a touchdown grab with 1:13 to go, it looked like Brady would have a long way to go to secure a second title. Thanks to an epic shank by Panthers' kicker John Kasay, though, New England started on their own 40 with all three timeouts at their disposal. Brady took it from there, completing four of five passes on the drive for 47 yards to once again set up Adam Vinatieri for the game-winning field goal.
14. Joe Montana, Super Bowl XIX
Date: 1/20/1985
Matchup: San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins
Stats: 24/35, 331 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT, 5 CAR, 59 YDS, 1 TD
Playing in his second Super Bowl, Joe Montana looked the part of a cool and composed veteran as he set the record for passing yards in a game (331) and rushing yards by a quarterback (59). For the second year in a row, the game saw a decisive victory by one of the teams, as the 49ers overcame two early deficits (3-0 and 10-7) by scoring touchdowns on three consecutive possessions in the first half to overwhelm the underdog Dolphins. Montana then crushed Miami's spirit by guiding his team to scoring drives on each of their first two second half possessions, making the final quarter and a half a mere formality.
15. Eli Manning, Super Bowl XLVI
Date: 2/5/2012
Matchup: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
Stats: 30/40, 296 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT, 1 CAR, -1 YDS
With flashbacks from the "Helmet Catch" still fresh in their minds, the Patriots once again fell victim to a standout performance from Eli Manning and had to watch the Giants MVP-winning quarterback lead another fourth quarter comeback at their expense. Manning posted some impressive overall numbers, finishing just shy of the record for most completions in a Super Bowl and finishing without an interception. His incredible pass to Mario Manningham on the game-winning touchdown drive is one of the most clutch passes in Super Bowl history, as the Giants were backed up to their own 12 with 3:46 on the clock and only one timeout remaining.
16. Emmitt Smith, Super Bowl XXVIII
Date: 1/30/1994
Matchup: Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills
Stats: 30 CAR, 132 YDS, 2 TD, 4 REC, 26 YDS
Emmitt Smith was a major factor in all three Cowboys Super Bowl wins, but his performance in Super Bowl XXVIII in particular cemented his legacy as one of the greatest running backs of all time. He was instrumental in the Cowboys' second half beatdown of the Bills, helping put away a game that looked very much in doubt at halftime as Buffalo led 13-6. After tying the score on a fumble recovery for a touchdown, Dallas leaned heavily on Smith as they took the lead for good on their next drive; he carried the ball on seven of the drive's eight plays, gaining 61 yards on the ground and scoring the decisive touchdown. He carried the ball 20 times in the second half overall, helping steady the Cowboys' offense and helping them win their second consecutive Lombardi Trophy.
17. Jim Plunkett, Super Bowl XV
Date: 1/25/1981
Matchup: Oakland Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stats: 13/21, 261 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT, 3 CAR, 9 YDS
Jim Plunkett put Super Bowl away early, tossing two touchdown passes in the first quarter and putting the Eagles in his rearview mirror before 15 minutes had ticked off the clock. It certainly helped, too, that the Raiders played outstanding defense and forced Philadelphia quarterback Ron Jaworski into one of the worst games of his career. With the halftime score already heavily in Oakland's favor at 14-3, Plunkett led his team down the field on the opening drive of the second half and in just 2:08 got them into the end zone. The game was never close again.
18. Troy Aikman, Super Bowl XXVII
Date: 1/31/1993
Matchup: Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills
Stats: 22/30, 273 YDS, 4 TD, 0 INT, 3 CAR, 28 YDS
Troy Aikman was not always spectacular, but he certainly brought his best to Super Bowl XXVII. The Cowboys' quarterback simply overwhelmed the Bills, who had simply no answer for Aikman and his favorite target, Michael Irvin. Of Aikman's three first half touchdown passes, two went to "the Playmaker," and Irvin already had 77 yards receiving by the time the Cowboys took a 28-10 lead into halftime. Aikman missed the mark on just three passes the entire second half, and would have posted even bigger numbers had he not been replaced by backup Steve Beuerlein midway through the fourth quarter.
19. Drew Brees, Super Bowl XLIV
Date: 2/7/2010
Matchup: New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stats: 32/39, 288 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT, 1 CAR, -1 YDS
As he had been all season, Drew Brees posted incredibly efficient numbers as his New Orleans Saints won the first Super Bowl title in franchise history. The historically hapless Saints had Brees to thank for this turnaround, as the MVP-winning quarterback tied the record for most completions in a Super Bowl and brought his team back from a 10-6 halftime deficit. While Tracy Porter's pick-six is the most memorable play of the game, the game-winning touchdown came at the hands of Brees, who prior to Porter's big play had led the Saints on a nine-play scoring drive in which he completed all seven of his passes to seven different receivers.
20. John Elway, Super Bowl XXXIII
Date: 1/31/1999
Matchup: Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stats: 18/29, 336 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 3 CAR, 2 YDS, 1 TD
The iconic John Elway finally had a ring and was likely going to retire after the game no matter what, but that didn't stop the Broncos' legendary quarterback from putting on one last vintage performance. Elway's gutty effort cemented his legacy as one of the all-time great NFL quarterbacks, and at 38-years-old he became the oldest player ever to win the Super Bowl MVP award. His steady performance helped keep the Broncos safely ahead for pretty much the entire game, and served as a storybook ending to his Hall of Fame career.
21. Tom Brady, Super Bowl XXXVI
Date: 2/3/2002
Matchup: New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams
Stats: 16/27, 145 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT, 1 CAR, 3 YDS
Some may forget this, but there was actually a real quarterback controversy heading into Super Bowl XXXVI. After taking over in the second game of the season and leading the Patriots to the playoffs, Tom Brady had been injured and replaced by Drew Bledsoe in the AFC Championship game, a contest in which Bledsoe played exceptionally well. Brady ended up getting the starting nod, and we're going to go out on a limb and say that was a good move. After a relatively ordinary game in which he simply was asked to manage the offense and not try to do anything too spectacular, Tom Brady became Tom Brady as with the game tied, no timeouts, and just 1:30 to go he led the Patriots into position for Adam Vinatieri's game-winning field goal.
22. Larry Csonka, Super Bowl VIII
Date: 1/13/1974
Matchup: Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stats: 33 CAR, 145 YDS, 2 TD
While it wasn't quite a perfect season, the Dolphins' Super Bowl win was much more convincing thanks to the outstanding performance of running back (and former American Gladiators host) Larry Csonka. Both his total yards and number of carries set Super Bowl records at the time, and indeed this effort allowed the Dolphins to jump out to a 24-0 lead after three quarters. Csonka's running helped the Dolphins grind out numerous long, exhausting drives that broke the will of the Vikings, mounting consecutive 10-play drives to start the game and establishing their complete dominance up front. While his records did not stand for long, he does hold the distinction of being the first running back to win the MVP award.
23. Franco Harris, Super Bowl IX
Date: 1/12/1975
Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stats: 34 CAR, 158 YDS, 1 TD, 1 Fumble recovered
In a game that saw the Steelers' defense hold the Vikings to just nine first downs and no offensive touchdowns, Pittsburgh fullback Franco Harris took home the MVP trophy thanks to gaining more yards rushing (158) than the entire Vikings team gained on offense (119). While the Steelers took their sweet time grabbing the lead (they were up just 2-0 at halftime) a fumble recovery to start the second half followed by three carries from Harris, culminating in a nine-yard TD run, gave them all the points they would need to secure the title. Behind Harris, the Steelers would continue to pound the Vikings defense, dominating the time of possession en route to their first Lombardi trophy.
24. Eli Manning, Super Bowl XLII
Date: 2/3/2008
Matchup: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
Stats: 19/34, 255 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT, 3 CAR, 4 YDS
New England fans will never get over this game, as Eli Manning and the Giants thwarted the Patriots' chance at a 19-0 season with their incredible victory in Super Bowl XLII. Manning was steady all game, avoiding the mistakes that could cost his team the game and instead eating up all kinds of time with short, efficient passes. He came alive in the fourth quarter, first leading a go-ahead drive that culminated with a touchdown pass to David Tyree and then completing perhaps the most miraculous sack escape in Super Bowl history prior to Tyree's famous "Helmet Catch." His game-winning touchdown pass the Plaxico Burress sealed what may be the biggest upset of the modern era.
25. Terry Bradshaw, Super Bowl XIV
Date: 1/20/1980
Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Stats: 14/21, 309 YDS, 2 TD, 3 INT, 3 CAR, 9 YDS
After winning MVP honors the previous year, Terry Bradshaw became the first player since Bart Starr to win the award in consecutive years as the Steelers won their fourth ring in six years. Bradshaw, quite simply, did not play well in the first three quarters of the game; although he did manage a 47-yard touchdown pass to former MVP Lynn Swann, he also threw three interceptions and had his team behind 19-17. However, he cemented his legacy with a monster fourth quarter in which he hit John Stallworth for a 73-yard touchdown that ended up providing the winning margin, then hitting Stallworth again with a 45-yard pass two possessions later that helped the Steelers put the victory on ice.
26. Aaron Rodgers, Super Bowl XLV
Date: 2/6/2011
Matchup: Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stats: 24/39, 304 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT, 2 CAR, -2 YDS
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers dominated much of this game, getting out to a 21-3 lead and, despite the close final score, never trailing in the game. Much of that was thanks to Rodgers, who in winning the MVP threw two touchdown passes in the first half and another at the beginning of the fourth quarter to spur his team to victory. While 300 yards passing may seem normal for Rodgers, it came against a Steelers defense that during the 2010 regular season had ranked second in the NFL in yards allowed per game and was anchored by the league's Defensive Play of the Year, safety Troy Polamalu.
27. Santonio Holmes, Super Bowl XLIII
Date: 2/1/2009
Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stats: 9 REC, 131 YDS, 1 TD, 2 PR, 5 YDS
Historically, Super Bowl XLIII may be the most underrated of all 47 games. It had pretty much everything, including one of the most heart-stopping finishes of all time as Santonio Holmes secured his MVP trophy by hauling in the game-winning touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger with just 35 seconds to play. It was a fitting end to a great game for Holmes, who in becoming the third Steelers wide receiver to win the award caught nine balls for 131 yards, including 73 yards on that game-deciding drive.
28. Richard Dent, Super Bowl XX
Date: 1/26/1986
Matchup: Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots
Stats: 1.5 Sacks, 2 FF, 1 Pass Defensed
The 1985 Chicago Bears remain one of the gold standards for defense in the NFL, and it's fitting that tackle Richard Dent would take home the MVP honors in their Super Bowl drubbing over the Patriots. Dent was relentless all day, wreaking havoc in the backfield after leading the NFL in sacks with 17 during the regular season. He forced fumbles on consecutive Patriots drives in the first quarter, setting the stage for 10 Bears points and being a huge reason for the New England gaining just 19 yards of offense in the first half. The 123 total yards in the game for the Patriots is the second-lowest in the history of the Super Bowl.
29. Bart Starr, Super Bowl I
Date: 1/15/1967
Matchup: Green Bay Packers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stats: 16/23, 250 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT
No matter how average his numbers, Bart Starr will always bear the distinction as being the first-ever Super Bowl MVP. That has to count for something, right? After a closely-contested first half that concluded with the Packers clinging to a 14-10 lead, the Chiefs' Len Dawson threw an interception on the Chiefs' first drive of the second half that put Green Bay in the driver's seat for good. Starr was his usual, economic self as he turned seldom-used receiver Max McGee into a star, with his new favorite target catching seven passes for 138 yards and two TDs after a regular season in which he caught a grand total of four balls for 91 yards and one TD.
30. Hines Ward, Super Bowl XL
Date: 2/5/2006
Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stats: 5 REC, 123 YDS, 1 TD, 1 CAR, 18 YDS
The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to the Super Bowl and, in a game marred slightly by some dubious officiating decisions, won the franchise's fifth title on the strength of a standout game by MVP Hines Ward. While quarterback Ben Roethlisberger struggled, Ward certainly had no problems torching the Seattle secondary, hauling in a game-clinching touchdown pass from wide receiver Antwaan Randle-El in the fourth quarter to complete his excellent performance. He also provided his signature key blocking downfield, helping the Steelers run for a total of 181 yards.
31. Joe Montana, Super Bowl XVI
Date: 1/24/1982
Matchup: San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stats: 14/22, 157 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT, 6 CAR, 18 YDS, 1 TD
Joe Montana's first Super Bowl victory saw him post relatively modest numbers, but he was still able to take home the MVP award on the strength of his outstanding first half performance. After scoring on a QB sneak on San Francisco's first drive, Montana followed that up two series later by guiding his team down the field on a 92-yard scoring drive-which remains a Super Bowl record-capped by the first touchdown pass of his Super Bowl-record 11 career TD tosses. While he did not get the 49ers into the end zone during the second half, Montana did put them in position for a couple field goals which, paired with an outstanding defensive effort, allowed his team to win their first title.
32. Bart Starr, Super Bowl II
Date: 1/14/1968
Matchup: Green Bay Packers vs. Oakland Raiders
Stats: 13/25, 202 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT, 1 CAR, 14 YDS
In the second of Bart Starr's consecutive Super Bowl MVP wins, he highlighted his performance with a 62-yard play-action bomb in the second quarter that gave his team a seemingly insurmountable 13-0 lead. Starr was a machine from there, and during the second half helped to lead one of the most dominant offensive performances in Super Bowl history in terms of time of possession; in the third quarter alone, the Packers held onto the ball for an astonishing 12:30. Starr's numbers might have been if he had not been knocked out of the game with a jammed thumb early in the fourth quarter, although by that point his team led 26-7 and the result was no longer in doubt.
33. Joe Flacco, Super Bowl XLVII
Date: 2/3/2013
Matchup: Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stats: 22/33, 287 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT
Last year's MVP Joe Flacco may not be a Pro Bowler, but when it matters most the quarterback simply gets it done. He was great all playoffs, and capped a phenomenal stretch by throwing three touchdown passes in the first half, staking his team to a 21-6 halftime lead. With his team leading 28-6 after Jacoby Jones' touchdown return to open the second half, Flacco shifted into "game manager" mode as he simply tried to avoid mistakes and keep the clock moving. His short completions helped keep the Ravens moving, and the two field goals they mustered in the second half proved to be just enough to earn them their second Super Bowl title.
34. Roger Staubach, Super Bowl VI
Date: 1/16/1972
Matchup: Dallas Cowboys vs. Miami Dolphins
Stats: 12/19, 119 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT, 5 CAR, 18 YDS
After serving as the backup to Craig Morton in the Cowboys' Super Bowl V loss to the Colts, Roger Staubach took over full-time during the 1971-72 season and not only got his team back to the big game, but managed to win at this time on the strength of his MVP performance. Dallas completely dominated the hapless Dolphins, who were thrown by not only the cold (it was a record-low 39 degrees at kickoff), but also the stifling "Doomsday Defense" of the Cowboys. It remains the only time a team has been held without a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Staubach certainly did his part as well, tossing touchdown passes in both halves and keeping the clock moving.
35. Len Dawson, Super Bowl IV
Date: 1/11/1970
Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stats: 12/17, 142 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 3 CAR, 11 YDS
Len Dawson became the fourth consecutive quarterback to win the MVP award thanks to his strong performance in Super Bowl IV, which saw his Chiefs become the second consecutive AFL team to win the Super Bowl and for Dawson he personally avenged his loss in Super Bowl I. While the majority of Dawson's passes were of the dink-and-dunk variety, he did manage a 46-yard TD pass. The big difference in this game was turnovers, as the Vikings turned it over five times compared with just one for the Chiefs.
36. Peyton Manning, Super Bowl XLI
Date: 2/4/2007
Matchup: Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears
Stats: 25/38, 247 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 CAR, 0 YDS
It had been a long-time coming for Peyton Manning, who finally complemented his regular season accolades with a Super Bowl win and MVP trophy. Sure, he did it against Rex Grossman, but it still counts. Manning was excellent as usual against a very tough Bears defense and a steady downpour throughout the game, putting up his typical 200-plus passing yards while also benefiting from excellent field position. Manning kept his team composed despite falling behind 14-6 in the first quarter, and the Colts outscored the Bears 23-3 over the final 45 minutes.
37. Larry Brown, Super Bowl XXX
Date: 1/28/1996
Matchup: Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stats: 2 INT
While the Cowboys' "triplets" got all the press, it was cornerback Larry Brown who helped secure Dallas' third Super Bowl title in four years. After the Cowboys had jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first half, the Steelers scored just before the break and showed that they weren't going away quietly. Brown took it from there, picking off Neil O'Donnell in the third quarter to set up a two-play touchdown drive for the Cowboys, then following that up with another interception of O'Donnell in the fourth quarter as Pittsburgh had rallied to narrow Dallas' lead to 20-17. Another two-play drive after Brown's pick gave the Cowboys all the points they would need to lock up another ring.
38. Harvey Martin and Randy White, Super Bowl XII
Date: 1/15/1978
Matchup: Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos
Stats: 2.0 Sacks (Martin), 1.0 Sacks (White)
When the voters named Dallas' Harvey Martin and Randy White as co-MVPs of the Super Bowl, they were upset they didn't get their way. No, they didn't favor one over the other; they actually wanted to name the Cowboy's entire defense MVP, only the NFL wouldn't allow it. They settled for Martin and White, who as anchors on the defensive line of Dallas' vaunted "Doomsday Defense" terrorized poor Broncos quarterback Craig Morton, forcing him into what has to be the worst stat line in the history of the Super Bowl (4/15, 39 yards, 0 TDs, 4 INT, 3 fumbles lost) before he was yanked in the third quarter.
39. Deion Branch, Super Bowl XXXIX
Date: 2/6/2005
Matchup: New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stats: 11 REC, 133 YDS
The closely-contested Super Bowl XXXIX featured strong performances from the Patriots' Tom Brady as well as his top target Deion Branch, but Branch took home the MVP award because, let's be honest, everyone is pretty sick of hearing about how great Brady is. Branch tied Jerry Rice's record with 11 receptions in the game, and combined with his total of 10 the year before set the best-ever mark for receptions in consecutive Super Bowls. While Branch never actually got into the end zone, he nevertheless was on the receiving end of almost half of Brady's completions for the entire game.
40. Ottis Anderson, Super Bowl XXV
Date: 1/27/1991
Matchup: New York Giants vs. Buffalo Bills
Stats: 21 CAR, 102 YDS, 1 TD, 1 REC, 7 YDS
This game is most remembered for the infamous "wide right" kick off the foot of the Bills' Scott Norwood, but it would never have gotten to that point if not for the steady running of the Giants' Ottis Anderson. Anderson earned the MVP award by enabling the Giants to dominate the time of possession, setting a Super Bowl record by being on offense for an astounding 40:33. His touchdown plunge came on the opening drive of the second half, a series that was 14 plays long, ate up 9:29 of clock, and featured Anderson carrying the ball five times for 37 yards.
41. Dexter Jackson, Super Bowl XXXVII
Date: 1/26/2003
Matchup: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Oakland Raiders
Stats: 2 INT
Could this game be a doppelganger for Super Bowl XLVIII? Featuring the NFL's No. 1 offense (Oakland) and No. 1 defense (Tampa Bay), the Buccaneers' Dexter Jackson proved the adage that "defense wins championships" as he picked off the Raiders' Rich Gannon twice to be named the game's MVP. He chose a good time to log his interceptions, snaring both passes within five minutes of each other and when the result was still in doubt, becoming the first player in Super Bowl history to grab multiple interceptions in the first half.
42. Joe Namath, Super Bowl III
Date: 1/12/1969
Matchup: New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts
Stats: 17/28, 206 YDS, 0 TD, 0 INT
Everyone knows this game as Joe Namath's "guarantee" game, and that big talk from Broadway Joe likely played a major role in his securing the MVP award. The Jets shocked the Baltimore Colts—an 18 point favorite—with a steady running attack led by Matt Snell, who carried 30 times for 121 yards and a touchdown. It was Namath, though, who despite the Colts defending heavily against the pass helped the Jets play a ball-control style offense that allowed them to possess the ball for 12 minutes of the third quarter. It was during the third, though, that Namath injured his thumb, and after leaving for a few plays came back in but did not attempt a pass for the rest of the game.
43. Ray Lewis, Super Bowl XXXV
Date: 1/28/2001
Matchup: Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants
Stats: 3 TK, 2 ATK, 4 Passes defensed
We're sure Ray Lewis doesn't care about this, but he does bear the distinction of being MVP of one of the most boring Super Bowls ever played. The Giants never had a chance, and put on one of the worst offensive displays seen in a long time; of their 16 possessions, every single one ended with either a punt or turnover (except their last one, because the game mercifully ended). Lewis was undoubtedly a part of that, dominating the middle of the field and wreaking havoc on the Giants' passing game as he knocked down four passes and affected the direction of several others.
44. Chuck Howley, Super Bowl V
Date: 1/17/1971
Matchup: Baltimore Colts vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stats: 2 INT (No sacks/tackle stats recorded)
Much like the NBA Finals, only once in the history of the Super Bowl has the MVP gone to a member of the losing team. Super Bowl V saw the Cowboys fall to the Colts, yet linebacker Chuck Howley took home MVP honors on the strength of both his two interceptions as well as a relative lack of any strong performances by anyone else. This was one of the sloppiest Super Bowls ever, as the teams combined to turn the ball over 11 times, a record that still stands. As an anchor on Dallas' vaunted "Doomsday Defense," Howley's interceptions both came at huge moments, including one in the fourth quarter where he picked off Earl Morrall in the end zone.
45. Jake Scott, Super Bowl VII
Date: 1/14/2013
Matchup: Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Redskins
Stats: 2 INT (No sacks/tackle stats recorded)
Jake Scott's two-pick effort capped the Dolphins' perfect season, which remains the only one in NFL history. While perhaps the most enduring memory of this game is Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian's comical attempt to throw a pass, the victory nevertheless required a strong defensive performance from Scott and his teammates. After already logging one interception, Scott picked off a second pass in the end zone early in the fourth quarter, stopping the Redskins' best chance at scoring all game and putting his team in position to take home the first Super Bowl win in franchise history.
46. Mark Rypien, Super Bowl XXVI
Date: 1/26/1992
Matchup: Washington Redskins vs. Buffalo Bills
Stats: 18/33, 292 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT, 6 CAR, -4 YDS
Both the Redskins and Bills entered Super Bowl XXVI feeling pretty good about themselves, but after a sloppy, scoreless first quarter Washington's Mark Rypien began to take over. He threw for 119 yards and a touchdown in the second quarter, guiding his team to a 17-0 halftime lead that they would never come close to relinquishing. His second touchdown pass of the game with 1:56 to go in the third quarter effectively put the game on ice, as it put the Redskins up by three touchdowns against a Buffalo side who, until that point, had yet to put together a sustained offensive drive.
47. Fred Biletnikoff, Super Bowl XI
Date: 1/9/1977
Matchup: Oakland Raiders vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stats: 4 REC, 79 YDS, 0 TD
Fred Biletnikoff owns perhaps the least impressive stat line ever for an MVP. He's the only receiver to win the award to not get over 100 yards, and he did not even get in the end zone. However, that's not to say he wasn't a huge part of why the Raiders won their first title. Of his four grabs, three put Oakland inside of the five-yard line and the Raiders were able to convert all three of them. It was a classic case of "intangibles" winning out over conventional stats, and it helped that nobody else on Biletnikoff's team put up especially dazzling offensive numbers either.