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Top 10 Greatest QB Super Bowl Performances of All Time
With Super Bowl 59 just a matter of weeks away, let’s look back on some of the greatest quarterback performances in Super Bowl history. With 58 games to choose from, there will surely be some debate on who did not make the final cut. Read ahead to see our Top 10!
No: 10 - Terry Bradshaw: Super Bowl XIII
Terry Bradshaw led the way in defeating the reigning champion Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl 13. In this game, Bradshaw threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns. He threw two touchdowns to John Stallworth, one from 75 yards out and the other two to Franco Harris and Lynn Swan.
This was an impressive victory as Bradshaw dismantled the “Doomsday Defense” that allowed the third-fewest points all season.
No: 9 - John Elway: Super Bowl XXXII
In Super Bowl 32, John Elway defeated the Green Bay Packers en route to winning the first championship in their team history. Elway lost his previous three Super Bowl appearances but was able to snap his streak by defeating the reigning champions.
In this contest, the Hall of Famer did not have the most impressive performance in the box score as he threw for just 123 yards. However, his iconic “helicopter” run set up a Terrell Davis touchdown that gave Denver the lead. This is one of the most memorable plays in league history and defined who Elway was as a player.
No: 8 - Doug Williams: Super Bowl XXII
Doug Williams and the then-Washington Redskins defeated the Denver Broncos 42-10. In this game, Williams went 18-for-29 with 340 yards and four passing scores.
In fact, despite the lopsided score, the Broncos had an early ten-point lead, but the entire game shifted when Williams led Washington to five touchdowns in the second quarter alone. In this game, Williams became the first African American quarterback to not only start a Super Bowl but win one en route to being named the MVP.
No: 7 - Nick Foles: Super Bowl LII
Nick Foles’ Cinderella run ended in dramatic fashion as he led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory in their team history. Foles replaced starter Carson Wentz late in the second after he suffered a season-ending injury. In this game, Foles outdueled Tom Brady as he tallied four touchdowns and 373 passing yards, with a 106.1 passer rating.
“The Philly Special” play will live in infamy as Foles and the Eagles pulled off a trick play on a 4th and 1 in the red zone. On this play, Foles caught a pass from tight end Trey Burton which setup as a critical score late in the game.
No: 6 - Kurt Warner: Super Bowl XXXIV
Kurt Warner and “The Greatest Show on Turf” pulled off a thrilling 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans. In this game, Warner went 24-for-45 with 414 yards and two scores en route to being named MVP.
Warneer’s best play of the game came on a 73-yard TD strike to Isaac Bruce, which gave the Rams a lead in the third quarter. The Rams defense then stole the show by stopping the Titans at the one-yard line of their potential game-tying score.
No: 5 - Phil Simms: Super Bowl XXI
Phil Simms led the Giants to their first Super Bowl victory and first NFL championship since 1951. In this game, Simms was near-perfect as he went 22-for-25 with 268 yards and three passing scores.
Simms got the Giants out to an early lead and was able to hold off the surging John Elway-led Broncos late in the fourth quarter. After being named MVP, Simms became the first Super Bowl champion to utter the famous “I’m going to Disney World” line that has been said after every Super Bowl since.
No: 4 - Joe Montana: Super Bowl XXIV
Joe Montana posted one of the best statistical performances as the 49ers completely outclassed the Denver Broncos. Montana led the 49ers to a 55-10 win in this victory. He went 22-for-29 with 297 yards and five scores.
Montana threw three of those scores in the opening half, which was highlighted by a 69-yard TD pass to John Taylor. His top wideout, Jerry Rice, tallied 148 yards and three of those touchdown passes.
No: 3 - Steve Young: Super Bowl XXIX
After being in Joe Montana’s shadow for most of his career, Steve Young put his name in the record books during their dominating 49-26 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. In this game, Young tallied six passing touchdowns, which still stands as the most in a Super Bowl.
Young looked to Jerry Rice throughout most of the game as he tallied three of these scores, with Ricky Watters and Brent Jones catching the others. Young was in complete control all evening as he led the 49ers to four first half touchdowns.
No: 2 - Joe Montana: Super Bowl XIX
Montana makes another appearance on this list as he defeated the 14-2 Miami Dolphins led by Dan Marino. Montana completely outclassed Marino after he just set single-season passing records earlier this season.
In this game, Montana went 24-for-35 with 331 yards and three passing touchdowns. He held a near-perfect 127.1 passer rating. Montana led the 49ers to an impressive 28-16 lead in the first half, which set the stage for the victory.
No: 1 - Tom Brady: Super Bowl LI
Tom Brady and the Patriots were down 28-3 to the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter. However, Brady pulled off the most incredible comeback not only in Super Bowl history.
Brady found his top wideout, Julian Edelman, on a stunning one-handed catch late in the fourth quarter, which set up the eventual game-tying score. In overtime, Brady led the Patriots on a 75-yard game-winning drive, which was capped off by a James White touchdown reception.
