Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs is bound to have at least one memorable play that will help fans remember the game years from now.
That’s how it’s been for the 57 previous Super Bowls, which have produced volumes of highlight-reel plays, often making it difficult to rank the best of the best.
But there are some plays that simply stand apart from the rest for their impact and their brilliance. They are both timeless and iconic.
That said, here are the top 10 greatest plays in the history of the Super Bowl.
10. ‘The Philly Special’ — Super Bowl LII
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson was taking a gamble. On fourth-and-goal at the New England Patriots’ 1-yard line, Pederson opted to go for it instead of kicking a field goal already up 15-12.
Instead, what happened next was the greatest trick play in Super Bowl history. Eagles quarterback Nick Foles moved to the right and the ball was snapped to running back Corey Clement, who then flipped it to tight end Trey Burton on a reverse. Burton then threw to a wide-open Foles in the end zone for the touchdown.
9. John Riggins scores on ’70 Chip’ — Super Bowl XVII
It was fourth-and-one, and Washington was at the Miami 43-yard line down 17-13 early in the fourth quarter. Head coach Joe Gibbs decided to go for it, and he called “70 Chip,” a standard short-yardage play to his star running back, John Riggins. But Riggins turned into something even greater.
Riggins not only got a first down; he went the distance. He easily shed Dolphins cornerback Don McNeal, who tried the arm-tackle the powerful running back, and Riggins burst untouched 43 yards to the end zone to give Washington the lead for good in a 27-16 victory.
That run wrapped up the MVP award for Riggins, ran 38 times for 166 yards and one iconic touchdown.
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8. Lynn Swann’s circus catch — Super Bowl X
Lynn Swann was one of the most acrobatic receivers in NFL history, and he showcased it on the NFL’s biggest stage.
With the Pittsburgh Steelers backed up on their own 10-yard line, quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw deep to Swann, who went up for the ball against Dallas Cowboys defensive back Mark Washington and made a juggling catch on his way down for a 53-yard gain.
Swann, who finished with four catches for 161 yards, later caught a 64-yard TD pass from Bradshaw and was named the game’s MVP in the Steelers’ 21-17 victory.
7. James Harrison’s unlikely pick-six — Super Bowl XLIII
No one would have thought of James Harrison as a candidate to return an interception for a touchdown. But that turned out to be part of the winning Super Bowl script for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With the Arizona Cardinals on the verge of taking a lead on the final play of the first half, Kurt Warner’s pass was picked off at the goal line by Harrison, who rumbled 100 yards for one of the most improbable Super Bowl touchdowns.
The Harrison touchdown turned out to be pivotal for the Steelers, who won 27-23 on another play that’s also included on this list.
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6. Marcus Allen’s run to glory` — Super Bowl XVIII
The Oakland Raiders were already well ahead of Washington, 31-9 in the fourth quarterback, when quarterback Jim Plunkett turned and handed the ball to Allen.
The All-Pro running back headed left and found nothing but a dead-end. So, he simply spun around and headed in the opposite direction. Allen then found a crease up the middle and bolted through it unscathed for the most dazzling touchdown run in Super Bowl history.
Allen’s 74-yard TD run capped an epic performance, with 191 yards on 20 carries and two scores to earn MVP honors.
5. Montana to Taylor — Super Bowl XXIII
Everyone at Miami’s Joe Robbie Stadium probably thought the ball would go to Jerry Rice, the San Francisco 49ers’ all-everything who’d already carved up the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense with 11 catches for 215 yards and one score.
But with 34 seconds left, Joe Montana instead threw a perfect strike to John Taylor for a 10-yard go-ahead score that completed a 92-yard scoring drive and sealed the 49ers’ 20-16 victory.
The final play call was the last of Bill Walsh’s coaching career, and the play just added to Montana’s legendary status as one of the NFL’s ultimate big-game performers.
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4. Mike Jones’ triumphant tackle —
Other than a field goal try, no Super Bowl had ever been won on the last play of the game, and the Tennessee Titans were on the cusp of making history against the St. Louis Rams, who were leading 23-16.
With five seconds on the clock and the Titans at the Rams’ 10-yard line, Titans QB Steve McNair threw to receiver Kevin Dyson on a crossing route. But as he was making his way toward the end zone, Rams linebacker Mike Jones was able to get his hands around Dyson’s waist and bring him down.
Dyson reached for the end zone with his arm outstretched, but he came up one yard short, and the Rams won their first Super Bowl.
3. Big Ben to Holmes — Super Bowl XLIII
The Arizona Cardinals had just scored on an electrifying 64-yard TD catch-and-run by Larry Fitzgerald to go up 23-20 over the Pittsburgh Steelers with 2:47 left. But that was plenty of time for Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, who drove the Steelers down the field to the Cardinals’ 6.
On second-and-goal with 42 seconds left, Roethlisberger threw into triple coverage near the back corner of the end zone, where the ball amazingly found its mark — the hands of Holmes, who not only caught the ball, but kept both toes clearly inbounds for a highlight-reel, go-ahead touchdown.
Holmes was named the game’s MVP, catching nine passes for 131 yards and greatest TD catch in Super Bowl history.
2. Malcolm Butler steals a victory — Super Bowl XLIX
The Seattle Seahawks needed a touchdown to win, but they seemed like they were destined to win a second straight Super Bowl — until New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler stepped in and stole it from them.
With 26 seconds left and the ball on the Patriots’ 1-yard line, the Seahawks decided to pass instead of hand the ball to running back Marshawn Lynch. Russell Wilson threw a quick slant to Ricardo Lockette, but Butler stepped in front of Lockette and intercepted the ball at the goal line to preserve the Patriots’ fourth Super Bowl title.
Butler’s pick didn’t reach No. 1 on this list, but it’s certainly the greatest defensive play in Super Bowl history.
1. ‘The Helmet Catch’
Up 14-10, the New England Patriots were less than two minutes away from completing only the second perfect season in the Super Bowl era. But Eli Manning had the New York Giants on the move.
With 1:15 left at the Giants’ 44-yard line, Manning went back to pass on third-and-five, somehow escaped an almost-sure sack and then heaved the ball downfield for David Tyree, who outjumped Patriots safety Rodney Harrison for the ball and inexplicably came down with it while pressing it against his helmet.
Tyree’s unbelievable 32-yard reception put the Giants within range of the end zone for Manning to hit Plaxico Burress for a 13-yard go-ahead TD with 39 seconds left to derail New England’s undefeated season and earn the Giants their third Super Bowl title.
It might not have gone for a touchdown, but “The Helmet Catch” was still the greatest play in Super Bowl history.
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