Super Bowl's Greatest Catches

With Super Bowl XLVII a mere 3 days away, I thought it would be fun to talk about the greatest moments in 46 years of Super Bowls.  Today's topic is the five greatest catches.  As always, feel free to leave a comment and disagree!

5. Super Bowl XXXIV, Steve McNair to Kevin Dyson, Post Route

The St. Louis Rams mowed through the competition with their "Greatest Show on Turf" offense, which is why it was so surprising that this Super Bowl was a defensive struggle.  That is why the game's final play is so interesting; it was a defensive stop by a team known for its offense.  With the Rams' fans on the edge of their seats, Kevin Dyson ran a post route and Steve McNair connected with him five yards short of the end zone when Rams linebacker Mike Jones reached out, and with only the strength in his fingers in one hand, grabbed onto Dyson's leg and pulled him down.  Dyson stretched the ball out, only to come a yard short.  It was the most exciting Super Bowl ending since Montana hit Taylor with 39 seconds to win Super Bowl XXIII.  Even though Dyson was stopped short, this reception will forever be remembered.

4. Super Bowl XXIII, Joe Montana to John Taylor, Slant Route

Speaking of Montana to Taylor, "The Drive" might be a little bit of a strong title (for there have been many great drives,) but it is an important piece of Super Bowl history nonetheless.  With Cincy leading 16-13, Montana drove the San Francisco offense methodically down the field, thanks in large part to the dreaded Prevent Defense, Don Shula's invention which only prevents the defense from winning.  It seems everybody knew how it would end.  The only surprise was that the ball went to Taylor and not Jerry Rice.

3. Super Bowl XIV, Terry Bradshaw to John Stallworth, Streak Route

People like to look at the score and think it was a blowout, but most don't realize that the 10.5 point underdog Rams held the lead late.  With 13 minutes to go and down by 2 points, Bradshaw, faced with a 3rd and 8 from the Pittsburgh 27 and without his best wide receiver Lynn Swan, decided to go for broke.  Putting just enough air under the ball, Stallworth hauled in an over-the-shoulder catch just beyond the outstretched arms of Rams safety Rod Perry and took it in for the score.  It was a go-for-broke play that broke the Rams backs. 

2. Super Bowl X, Terry Bradshaw to Lynn Swan, Fade Route

It's been played over and over, always in slow motion and always with orchestra music that gives you goosebumps.  The Steelers and Cowboys were the "Lakers/Celtics" of the NFL, two historic franchises with the best players and story lines.  And they hated each other.  Swan was recovering from a concussion and it was thought he wouldn't play.  Cliff Harris, Dallas defensive back had hinted around that he might hurt Swan if the wide receiver did play.  Late in the second quarter, Swan ran a fade route along the right sideline.  Bradshaw woefully underthrew the pass to the inside and it looked like it would be intercepted, but Swan, as graceful as his name, reached over the defender, tipped the ball up, waited for the defensive back to fall and the angels to sing while he tip-toed along the sideline. Then he lunged and caught the ball on his fingertips as he fell to his stomach.  This may be the best catch of all time, but because of the situation, it only takes second place on this list.  The Pittsburgh drive would stall and they wouldn't get any points out of Swan's heroics.  So since situation counts for so much, the number 1 is...

1. Super Bowl XLII, Eli Manning to David Tyree, Broken Play

It was a perfect season for the New England Patriots, and a very imperfect season by the New York Giants.  The favorite Pats, up 14-10 late in a defensive struggle, relied on its defense to stop Eli Manning, who had a pedigree, but had never been in a big game like this before.  On the play, Manning is nearly sacked, but miraculously escapes, lookes straight downfield and heaves it in David Tyree's general direction.  The ball is overthrown, but Tyree leaps up, barely gets his fingertips on the ball, and cradles it against the top of of his helmet as if stuck by velcro, before he falls to his back.  Before this play, pretty much everyone knew the Pats were going to pull out the perfect season.  After it, even the Pats defense knew it was over.  A few seconds later when Plaxico Burress catches a touchdown pass, they were right.