Ranking the Superbowl's of the 2010s
Putting the Superbowl’s of the 2010’s in their order of greatness
The SuperBowl is the pinnacle of American football. For players, coaches, team owners and fans winning a Lombardi is the ultimate goal.
The 2010s was a great decade for the NFL. It may go down as the best decade of Championship games in the league's history. We were treated to some defensive battles, record-breaking passing performances, back-and-forth spectacles.
Ross Crawford takes his first snap for The Sporting Blog, and ranks the Superbowls of the 2010s from Worst, to First.
10) New England Patriots 13 - 3 LA Rams (Superbowl 53)
A controversial opinion to get us going. Tie game in the fourth, Superbowl on the line, how is this game ranked last? What saves this contest is that it was still so close in the final quarter. Can any neutral really say they enjoyed watching this game?
I can appreciate a dominant Defense, but if that side of the ball is going to dominate, it needs to create some memorable highlight plays. In a defensive slugfest, I only remember the Rob Gronkowski catch to get the Patriots to the doorstep of the endzone and the double-digit punts as most of the world yawned their way through this Superbowl.
9) Seattle Seahawks 43 - 8 Denver Broncos (Superbowl 48)
A blowout by all measures. But in that first half, anytime you felt like Denver were putting something together, the Seahawks defense would force something exhilarating to watch.
Kam Chancellor completely obliterating Wes Welker to prevent the first down early in the game. Cliff Avril forcing a Peyton Manning pass to flutter up in the air like a lost bird into the arms of Malcolm Smith for a near 70-yard Pick-Six. The Chancellor interception. Seattle forced memorable plays. The dominance of Seattle is worth watching more than the punt fest of 2019.
8) Denver Broncos 24 - 10 Carolina Panthers (Superbowl 50)
Watching Denver pass-rusher Von Miller absolutely tearing apart the Carolina Panthers offensive line is far and away the best reason to re-watch this Superbowl. The third game in a row on this list where a dominant Defense has won out over a high powered offense that fell apart on the big stage.
Miller delivered the most game-changing four quarters of defensive play from the last 10 decades. Carolina was in this game. But Miller continuously and mercilessly turning the Panthers right tackle into a turnstile is a must-see.
7) Green Bay Packers 31 - 25 Pittsburgh Steelers (Superbowl 44)
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers became THE Aaron Rodgers with this Superbowl MVP winning performance in this game. Asserting himself as one of the elites in the game with 300+ passing yards and three touchdown passes on the biggest stage.
Some throwback names such as Hines Ward, Greg Jennings, Antwan Randal-el, and Mike Wallace all make big plays that are worth watching. The Packers hold on after a great defensive stand. Some excellent defensive moments will keep fans of good defense happy.
6) Kansas City Chiefs 31 - 20 San Francisco 49ers (Superbowl 54)
I thoroughly enjoyed Superbowl 54. Listing it at six speaks more to the quality of games still to come. The Chiefs comeback in the fourth quarter will go down in NFL folklore. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, pre-half-a-billion contract extension, on 3rd & 15 down 10 points midway through the fourth quarter launched an absolute missile to Tyreek Hill. Getting the Kansas City comeback train rolling.
Three touchdowns in the final seven minutes of play sealed victory for Mahomes, and Head Coach Andy Reid lifted his first Lombardi Trophy in 16 seasons as a Head Coach in the league.
5) Baltimore Ravens 34 - 31 San Francisco 49ers (Superbowl 47)
I honestly think the Joe Flacco Superbowl gets forgotten about far too often. There's a strong case to be made that Ravens quarterback Flacco mastered the greatest succession of playoff game performances by a quarterback in NFL history. Leading the Ravens to Superbowl glory in 2012.
A lot of storylines to get wrapped up in as well if you want to go full time-machine mode. Coined "The Harbaugh Bowl," as Jim and John lead opposing sides as head coaches. This was Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis' last game before retirement. Future Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed was looking for his first Superbowl made a big play and Frank Gore put in one of the best running back performances in Superbowl history on the losing side.
4) New York Giants 21 - 17 New England Patriots (Superbowl 46)
The remaining Super Bowls on this list could easily be someone's best four of all time, never mind just the last 10 years.
The Patriots were out for revenge over the Giants. New York had edged out the 18-0 (yes, undefeated) Patriots in Superbowl 42 just four years prior. History repeated itself when Giants quarterback Eli Manning tossed a seemingly hopeful, lobbed pass down the left sideline that somehow dropped right into the breadbasket of Giants receiver Mario Manningham.
One of the best throws in FOOTBALL history. Giants tumbled into the endzone (literally, maybe the weirdest game-winning score ever when you learn the back story), and just barely held on as a labouring, injured Rob Gronkowski couldn’t reach the deflected endzone hail mary for the Patriots on the last play of the game.
3) Philadelphia 41 - 33 New England Patriots (Superbowl 52)
Absolute chaos ensued in Minnesota for this one. The loss that spurred Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick to completely change his roster strategy for the following season, as he saw his defense shredded for four quarters by Eagles quarterback Nick Foles.
The reason this is third? It honestly felt like a college game at some points, as neither defense could get anything done. I personally enjoy some balance between the three phases of football.
Everyone watching assumed Patriots quarterback Tom Brady would complete the comeback at some point for New England. But Foles outdueled Brady and provided viewers with a classic Superbowl play for an exclamation point. His touchdown catch as part of "Philly Special," late in the first half extended the Eagles lead and really gave them the boost and belief that they could win this game.
2) New England Patriots 28 - 24 Seattle Seahawks (Superbowl 49)
I think the end-to-end drama of Superbowl 53 was extraordinary to watch as a viewer. But Superbowl 49 was the better game because it actually provided contests in all phases of the game.
The stars showed up in Superbowl 49. Beastmode Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch rumbled for over 100 yards. Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman each had big games receiving for the Patriots. Tom Brady threw for four touchdowns but didn't have it all his own way as the Legion of Boom and Seattle's All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner earned two takeaways.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson had a slow start but was dialled in for the final two and a half quarters. The luck was swinging Seattle's way after receiver Jermaine Kearse circus catch set Wilson up inside the 10-yard line, searching for a game-winning touchdown with under a minute play.
We all know what happened next...
1) New England Patriots 34 - 28 Atlanta Falcons (Superbowl 51)
It's almost a coin flip and certainly comes down to individual preference when choosing between the top few spots on this list. For me, the greatest comeback in Superbowl history just sneaks it over the back and forth spectacle of Super Bowl 49.
You know it's bad for the Falcons when a Superbowl match can be summed up by uttering the scoreline "28-3."
But this game was more than just a capitulation on Atlanta's side. Some of the plays New England made were hard-fought, elite football plays. The "Edleman catch," is now a Top five-catch in Superbowl history, for its importance, level of difficulty, and the element of luck involved.
This was also the first overtime game in Superbowl history, as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady marched his team down the field against a tired Atlanta defense. Securing a fifth Superbowl title for the Brady & Belichick combo.
Superbowl 51 was sports drama at it's best. Watch the joy and elation of a Patriots team that was down and buried, scratch, claw, and fight their way back into contention at the demise of an utterly helpless Atlanta squad who lived a nightmare.
Skip Bayless shares his thoughts on the Patriots win over the Falcons at Super Bowl LI.
