This Sunday is not just about the big game; it also marks the 60th Super Bowl anniversary and the 11th anniversary of the memorable Super Bowl 49, where the Seahawks clashed with the Patriots. That match is famously highlighted by Malcolm Butler’s legendary interception, which altered the course of the game.
To celebrate this occasion, we gathered a panel of eight football writers from both the New York Post and the newly established California Post to rank what they believe are the ten greatest plays in Super Bowl history. Each writer provided their own rationale for their selections.
You can check out the individual voting results as we await another chance for a memorable play this coming Sunday.
Overall Results
1. David Tyree’s helmet catch (77 points)
2. Malcolm Butler’s game-saving interception (70)
3. Santonio Holmes’ toe-tapping touchdown (51)
4. Mike Jones’ tackle on Kevin Dyson at the 1-yard line (43)
5. James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return for touchdown (31)
6t. Philadelphia Special: Nick Foles catching a touchdown pass (24)
6t. Julian Edelman’s juggling catches (24)
8. Joe Montana’s touchdown pass to John Taylor (17)
9. John Elway’s helicopter dive (16)
10. Marcus Allen’s 74-yard touchdown run (14)
Also receiving votes: Lynn Swann’s catch (10) … Adam Vinatieri’s last field goal (10) … Mike Bass blocking a field goal/interception (9) … John Riggins’ glorious run (8) … Joe Namath’s guarantee (7) … Eli Manning’s pass to Mario Manningham (6) … Scott Norwood’s missed kick (6) … Tracy Porter’s 74-yard interception return for touchdown (5) … Patrick Mahomes’ throw to Tyreek Hill (4) … and more.
Vinnie Bonsignore
1. Tyree’s Helmet Catch
2. Allen’s reversed field run
3. Butler’s interception
4. Namath’s iconic guarantee
5. Norwood’s miss
6. Holmes’ touchdown catch
7. Elway’s helicopter dive
8. Blocked field goal/interception
9. Philadelphia Special
10. Jones’ pivotal tackle
Tyree’s catch stands as a remarkable play in sports history, and Allen’s run is a sight to behold. Manning’s escape and the creativity of the Philadelphia Special are unforgettable. Could the greatest teams have succeeded without those key moments?
Mark Cannizzaro
1. Butler’s interception
2. Jones’ tackle
3. Holmes’ catch
4. Tyree’s helmet catch
5. Montana to Taylor
6. Edelman’s juggling catch
7. Manning to Manningham
8. Vinatieri’s game-winning kick
9. Porter’s pick against Manning
10. Riggins’ run
I’m captivated by those decisive moments that truly shift the momentum in a game—the interception, the tackle—each one a high-stakes drama.
Brian Costello
1. Tyree’s catch
2. Butler’s interception
3. Holmes’ touchdown
4. Harrison’s return
5. Philadelphia Special
6. Jones’ tackle
7. Swann’s catch
8. Allen’s run
9. Riggins’ glory run
10. Montana to Taylor
Tyree’s catch remains one of the most miraculous plays I’ve witnessed, and it still resonates as something truly special in the football world.
Michael Duarte
1. Tyree’s catch
2. Butler’s interception
3. Holmes’ catch
4. Edelman’s juggling play
5. Jones’ tackle
6. Elway’s helicopter moment
7. Vinatieri’s kick
8. Philadelphia Special
9. Montana to Taylor
10. Saints’ onside kick
With time, I find myself leaning towards the moments that resonate most deeply, like Tyree’s catch—an unforgettable point in the game.
Ryan Dunleavy
1. Tyree’s catch
2. Jones’ tackle
3. Butler’s interception
4. Holmes’ touchdown
5. Harrison’s return
6. Philadelphia Special
7. Edelman’s catch
8. Vinatieri’s kick
9. Riggins’ run
10. Swann’s catch
I think about the timing of each play; the first four all made their mark in crucial moments.
Paul Schwartz
1. Tyree’s catch
2. Butler’s interception
3. Holmes’ touchdown
4. Elway’s dive
5. Jones’ tackle
6. Harrison’s return
7. Edelman’s juggling catch
8. Riggins’ run
9. Philadelphia Special
10. Montana to Taylor
While there are other well-executed plays, Tyree’s catch stands out for its sheer improbability. Eli’s composure under pressure is legendary.
Steve Serby
1. Tyree’s catch
2. Butler’s interception
3. Harrison’s return
4. Holmes’ touchdown
5. Philadelphia Special
6. Jones’ tackle
7. Edelman’s catch
8. Porter’s pick
9. Allen’s run
10. Manning to Manningham
Tyree’s helmet catch remains the hallmark of Super Bowl moments, and it came at a pivotal time.
Mike Vacaro
1. Tyree’s catch
2. Swann’s catch
3. Butler’s interception
4. Montana to Taylor
5. Blocked FG/INT
6. Harrison’s return
7. Mahomes to Hill
8. Ingram’s tackle-breaking catch
9. Jones’ tackle
10. Manning to Manningham
Tyree’s catch, a stunning upset play, truly changed the narrative of the game.
