We’re moments away from Super Bowl 60, and the anticipation leading up to the big game can sometimes end in disappointment rather than celebration. Some games are blowouts. Some are boring. Some are just plain bad.
5) Super Bowl 59
Eagles 40, Chiefs 22
The Philadelphia Eagles were the better team and flexed their muscles almost immediately, taking a 17-0 lead on the strength of Cooper DeJean’s pick-six of Patrick Mahomes.
Philadelphia’s powerful defensive front battered Mahomes, sacking him six times and dominating from start to finish.
Ultimately, this game could be the end of the Chiefs’ dynasty, which came into the game seeking the NFL’s first three-peat in the Super Bowl era. It was not to be, as the Eagles dominated wire-to-wire for their second Super Bowl title.
4) Super Bowl 24
49ers 55, Broncos 10
This game had plenty of fireworks, but everyone loves drama in the Super Bowl. There was none in this matchup between an overmatched Broncos team that was still seeking its first title with John Elway under center.
They would get there eventually, but this was not their day, as they faced the San Francisco 49ers’ dynasty led by Joe Montana. Montana and Jerry Rice put on a show, and Montana set what at the time was a record third Super Bowl MVP.
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This remains the most significant margin of defeat in Super Bowl history, so unless you’re a 49ers fan, this game probably did not do much for you.
3) Super Bowl 53
Patriots 13, Rams 3
Tom Brady’s last Super Bowl victory with the New England Patriots was the most dull. This game had potential, as Brady faced off against a high-powered Los Angeles Rams offense led by Jared Goff.
The coaching battle was interesting as well, with whiz kid Sean McVay going up against the master, Bill Belichick. The most impressive play of the game was a pass breakup by Jason McCourty in the end zone, which kept the game tied at 3.
The Patriots would put up 10 more points and suffocate Goff and the Rams’ offense from there. Julian Edelman won the game’s MVP honors with 10 catches and more than 100 yards receiving.
2) Super Bowl 48
Seahawks 43, Broncos 8
The first cold-weather Super Bowl in modern history was over before it even started. Yes, the first snap of the game went over Peyton Manning’s head and through the back of the end zone, resulting in two points for the Seattle Seahawks.
From there, the rout was on. Seattle was dominant from start to finish. Denver’s offense, which was the best in the NFL that season, failed to score until the final play of the third quarter. Seattle’s defense, which earned the nickname “Legion of Boom,” was dominant against Manning and Denver’s pass catchers on that day.
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The game was essentially over on the first play of the second half when Percy Harvin took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown to give the Seahawks a 29-0 lead, with Seattle’s defense making the rest of the second half nothing but a footnote.
Again, if you were hoping for drama, this game was devoid of that.
1) Super Bowl 35
Ravens 34, Giants 7
The only excitement in this game came when the two teams traded kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Outside of that, the Baltimore Ravens’ defense was so good that the game was likely over once they scored double digits. The Giants, who had won 41-0 in the NFC Championship Game, were overmatched from the start of the game and never mustered anything of significance on offense.
Ray Lewis, the linebacker who found himself in trouble one year before this Super Bowl, was named the game’s MVP. Ultimately, the hope for a Super Bowl is to provide something memorable, and this certainly did not do much of that, which is why it makes the cut here.
