Super and Not-So-Super Bowls: Allen Barra Ranks all 44 Previous Big Games from Worst to First
While we wait for this Sunday's showdown between the Steelers and the Packers, we're feeling nostalgic for the big games of our past.
We've been spoiled lately with some pretty exciting Super Bowls. But we remember a time not so long ago when the ultimate championship tended to be something of a downer. Sure, this should be the thrilling matchup of the two best teams in the land, but that hasn't always turned out to be the case.
In fact, we wondered if it wouldn't be useful to go through all 44 previous games to sift the wheat from the chaff.
We asked the Voice's Jockbeat writer Allen Barra to put them in order, from worst to first, keeping in mind not only the big plays and big upsets, but the relative strengths of the teams facing off.
And now, let's start with the dregs, the five worst Super Bowls of all time...
44: XXXV (No. 35, Jan 28, 2001) Baltimore 34, NY Giants 7
In losing 34-7, the Giants were so bad in this game that there was practically no glory in even having won the NFC. The only consolidation was that the Ravens might have had the greatest defense in NFL history.
43: VIII (No. 8, Jan. 13, 1974) Miami 24, Minnesota 7
Nothing is more tedious than watching a scrambling quarterback run from side to side and back again only to throw an incomplete pass. Perhaps not the worst football game ever played, but probably the dullest.
42: IV (No. 4, Jan. 11, 1970) Kansas City 23, Minnesota 7
Those who weren't convinced of the AFL's parity with the older league by Super Bowl III certainly were by the time this fiasco was over. The Vikings put up no fight at all and were out of the game midway through the second quarter.
41: II (No. 2, Jan. 14, 1968) Green Bay 33, Oakland 14
Actually, it's easy to understand why everyone regarded the NFL as superior after the first two Super Bowls. Vince Lombardi's Packers were coldly efficient in this game, having left all their fire in the Ice Bowl with the Cowboys; this was just another day at the office.
40: XXVIII (No. 28, Jan 30, 1994) Dallas 30, Buffalo 13
This was a virtual repeat of the previous year's game except the Cowboys weren't quire as fired up. All I can remember about it is a camera shot in the second quarter in which Jim Kelly sat staring at the ground -- in the second quarter.
Let's move on to slightly less mediocre spectacles, the next five dogs...
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