Ranking every QB performance in Super Bowl history
Super Bowl performances often define a quarterback's legacy, with a captive audience tuning in for America's greatest sporting event.
So theScore editors Michael McClymont, Arun Srinivasan, Alex Chippin, and Sean Tomlinson ranked all 104 starting quarterback performances in the Super Bowl, with an emphasis on clutch moments, statistical production, and, of course, the game's final result.
Best of the bestThere are a number of excellent performances throughout Super Bowl history, and the following are the absolute best.
Joe Montana, 49ers vs. Broncos, SB 24
22-for-29, 297 yards, 5 TD
Montana capped off the best all-time postseason run with a masterclass against the Broncos, dicing up the opponent immediately, starting with the 49ers' first drive. He became the third player to win Super Bowl MVP and NFL MVP in the same season, and although he'd long cemented his place in history, this game was a legacy-defining performance.
Steve Young, 49ers vs. Chargers, SB 29
24-for-36, 325 yards, 6 TD
Young was simply unfair against the Chargers. In his finest hour, he torched San Diego with two early first-quarter touchdowns, then calmly continued to destroy the opposition. He also led the 49ers with 49 rushing yards on five carries.
Joe Montana, 49ers vs. Dolphins, SB 19
24-for-35, 331 yards, 3 TD, 1 rush TD
Not only did Montana best Dan Marino with his 331 passing yards and three touchdowns, he also added a rushing score and set a record at the time for the most quarterback rushing yards in the Super Bowl.
Doug Williams, Redskins vs. Broncos, SB 22
18-for-29, 340 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
Williams' performance was historic in many ways, and it's best remembered for its social significance after he became the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. He tossed an unprecedented four touchdown passes in the second quarter alone to earn Super Bowl XXII MVP honors.
Troy Aikman, Cowboys vs. Bills, SB 27
22-for-30, 273 yards, 4 TD
Aikman was flawless in his Super Bowl debut, lifting Dallas to its first of three championships over a four-year span. His four touchdown passes helped the Cowboys drop 52 points on the Bills.
Phil Simms, Giants vs. Broncos, SB 21
22-for-25, 268 yards, 3 TD
Simms set Super Bowl records for completion percentage (88.0) and passer rating (150.92) while pushing the Giants to a 19-point rout of the John Elway-led Broncos.
Tom Brady, Patriots vs. Falcons, SB 51
43-for-62, 466 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT (returned for TD)
It was a tale of two halves for Brady, and during the final two quarters, he showed why he's the best quarterback ever. Brady rallied the Patriots to victory after trailing 28-3 in the third quarter.
Drew Brees, Saints vs. Colts, SB 44
32-for-39, 288 yards, 2 TD
Brees was clinically efficient while steering the Saints to a comeback victory over the Colts, a win that permanently pushed him to another tier among the all-time greats.
Kurt Warner, Rams vs. Titans, SB 34
24-for-45, 414 yards, 2 TD
The Hall of Famer threw a go-ahead touchdown in the dying minutes and didn't commit a turnover in 45 pass attempts.
Tom Brady, Patriots vs. Panthers, SB 38
32-for-48, 354 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Brady threw for 156 yards in the fourth quarter alone, with much of that (67 yards) coming on a game-winning drive that began with only 1:08 remaining.
Nick Foles, Eagles vs. Patriots, SB 52
28-of-43, 373 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 1 receiving TD
Carson Wentz's backup outshined Brady to finish his magical playoff run and give Philadelphia its first-ever Super Bowl.
Best performance in a losing effortWinners are immortalized forever, and losers are often forgotten. But we'd be remiss to not highlight this performance.
Boston Globe / Boston Globe / GettyTom Brady, Patriots vs. Eagles, SB 52
28-for-48, 505 yards, 3 TD
Brady playing as well as possible and still losing is rare, but that's what happened against the Eagles. He carved up the Eagles at every turn, but they always had an answer, and the Patriots' defense should take the blame for the 41-33 defeat.
Not elite, but still very goodAlthough these performances aren't quite elite, there's no shame being included in this group.
Joe Montana, 49ers vs. Bengals, SB 23
23-for-36, 357 yards, 2 TD
Montana was at his best when it mattered most. He led a 92-yard drive culminating with a game-winning touchdown pass with 34 seconds remaining.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers vs. Steelers, SB 45
24-for-39, 304 yards, 3 TD
Tom Brady, Patriots vs. Seahawks, SB 49
37-for-50, 328 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Joe Flacco, Ravens vs. 49ers, SB 47
22-for-33, 287 yards, 3 TD
Jim Plunkett, Raiders vs. Eagles, SB 15
13-of-21, 261 yards, 3 TD
Bart Starr, Packers vs. Chiefs, SB 1
16-for-23, 250 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Terry Bradshaw, Steelers vs. Cowboys, SB 13
17-for-30, 318 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT, 2 fumbles lost
Eli Manning, Giants vs. Patriots, SB 46
30-for-40, 296 yards, 1 TD
Formidable foesThere's no shame in losing when you play this well.
Kurt Warner, Cardinals vs. Steelers, SB 43
31-for-43, 377 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT (returned for TD)
Santonio Holmes denied Warner a second Super Bowl ring when he toed the sideline in the end zone to haul in a final-minute championship-winning touchdown for Pittsburgh.
Matt Ryan, Falcons vs. Patriots, SB 51
17-for-23, 284 yards, 2 TD, 1 fumble lost
Brett Favre, Packers vs. Broncos, SB 32
25-for-42, 256 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Roger Staubach, Cowboys vs. Steelers, SB 13
17-for-30, 228 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Jake Delhomme, Panthers vs. Patriots, SB 38
16-for-33, 323 yards, 3 TD
Peyton Manning, Colts vs. Saints, SB 44
31-for-45, 333 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (returned for TD)
Colin Kaepernick, 49ers vs. Ravens, SB 47
16-for-28, 302 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 rush TD, 67 rushing yards
Russell Wilson, Seahawks vs. Patriots, SB 49
12-for-21, 247 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
John Elway, Broncos vs. Giants, SB 21
22-for-37, 304 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 rush TD
Rock solidThese signal-callers led their teams to victory with help from great supporting casts.
Focus On Sport / Getty Images Sport / GettyTerry Bradshaw, Steelers vs. Cowboys, SB 10
9-for-19, 209 yards, 2 TD
Bradshaw wasn't as effective in his first Super Bowl meeting against the Cowboys while completing just nine passes. However, he did record several spectacular connections with Super Bowl X MVP Lynn Swann.
Tom Brady, Patriots vs. Eagles, SB 39
23-of-33, 236 yards, 2 TD
Brett Favre, Packers vs. Patriots, SB 31
14-of-27, 246 yards, 2 TD, 1 rush TD
Russell Wilson, Seahawks vs. Broncos, SB 48
18-of-25, 206 yards, 2 TD
Troy Aikman, Cowboys vs. Steelers, SB 30
15-of-23, 209 yards, 1 TD
Mark Rypien, Redskins vs. Bills, SB 26
18-for-33, 292 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Legacy-defining victoriesThe circumstances of these victories made the performances more memorable than the stat lines may suggest.
Allen Kee / Getty Images Sport / GettyJohn Elway, Broncos vs. Falcons, SB 33
18-for-29, 336 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 rush TD
Elway earned his second ring, and then he rode off into the sunset firmly in place as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever.
Eli Manning, Giants vs. Patriots, SB 42
19-for-34, 255 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Manning was on one end of an iconic Super Bowl moment - David Tyree's helmet catch with 51 seconds left - while leading a brilliant fourth-quarter comeback in the final minutes.
Jeff Hostetler, Giants vs. Bills, SB 25
20-for-32, 222 yards, 1 TD
Hostetler secured his legacy as one of the best backups in league history. He took over for an injured Phil Simms late in the season, then kept a defense-oriented Giants team moving steadily toward a championship.
Peyton Manning, Colts vs. Bears, SB 41
25-for-38, 347 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
After years of regular-season dominance, 13 playoff games, and four one-and-done postseason appearances for his Colts, Manning finally broke through to win his first Super Bowl.
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers vs. Cardinals, SB 43
21-for-30, 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
A less experienced Roethlisberger struggled during his first Super Bowl appearance, finishing with just nine completions on 21 pass attempts. This time, however, he redeemed himself while completing 70 percent of his throws, powering the Steelers to a championship.
A win is a winThese pivots did what they had to do - but not a whole lot more - to get the win.
Focus On Sport / Getty Images Sport / GettyRoger Staubach, Cowboys vs. Dolphins, SB 6
12-for-19, 119 yards, 2 TD
Staubach is a Hall of Famer, but he was reduced to a lesser role in both of his Super Bowl-winning appearances. The Cowboys relied heavily on their rushing attack in Super Bowl VI (48 carries).
Bart Starr, Packers vs. Raiders, SB 2
13-for-24, 202 yards, 1 TD
Terry Bradshaw, Steelers vs. Rams, SB 14
14-for-21, 309 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Joe Montana, 49ers vs. Bengals, SB 16
14-for-22, 157 yards, 1 TD, 1 rush TD
Jim Plunkett, Raiders vs. Redskins, SB 18
16-for-25, 172 yards, 1 TD
Roger Staubach, Cowboys vs. Broncos, SB 12
17-for-25, 183 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble lost
Troy Aikman, Cowboys vs. Bills, SB 28
19-for-27, 207 yards, 1 INT
Jim McMahon, Bears vs. Patriots, SB 20
12-for-20, 256 yards, 2 rush TD
John Elway, Broncos vs. Packers, SB 32
12-for-22, 123 yards, 1 INT, 1 rush TD
Joe Namath, Jets vs. Colts, SB 3
17-for-28, 206 yards
Tom Brady, Patriots vs. Rams, SB 36
16-for-27, 145 yards, 1 TD
Brad Johnson, Buccaneers vs. Raiders, SB 37
18-for-34, 215 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Joe Theismann, Redskins vs. Dolphins, SB 17
15-for-23, 143 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Ken Stabler, Raiders vs. Vikings, SB 11
12-for-19, 180 yards, 1 TD
Decent in defeatNot good enough to win the big trophy, but far from disastrous.
Brian Bahr / Getty Images Sport / GettyDonovan McNabb, Eagles vs. Patriots, SB 39
30-for-51, 357 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
A puking McNabb left everything he had on the field in Jacksonville, but it wasn't enough to overcome the dynastic Patriots.
Tom Brady, Patriots vs. Giants, SB 46
27-for-41, 276 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Kurt Warner, Rams vs. Patriots, SB 36
28-for-44, 365 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 rush TD
Len Dawson, Chiefs vs. Packers, SB 1
16-for-27, 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Ken Anderson, Bengals vs. 49ers, SB 16
25-for-34, 300 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 1 rush TD
Daryle Lamonica, Raiders vs. Packers, SB 2
15-for-34, 208 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Tom Brady, Patriots vs. Giants, SB 42
29-for-48, 266 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble lost
The forgettablesThe only memorable thing about these performances is how much we want to forget them.
Sylvia Allen / Getty Images Sport / GettyDan Marino, Dolphins vs. 49ers, SB 19
29-for-50, 318 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
A mediocre showing against the Niners in his lone Super Bowl appearance ensured Marino would become the best signal-caller to never capture the grand prize.
Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks vs. Steelers, SB 40
26-for-49, 273 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Roger Staubach, Cowboys vs. Steelers, SB 10
15-for-24, 204 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Fran Tarkenton, Vikings vs. Dolphins, SB 8
18-for-28, 182 yards, 1 INT, 1 rush TD
Steve McNair, Titans vs. Rams, SB 34
22-for-36, 214 yards
Vince Ferragamo, Rams vs. Steelers, SB 14
15-for-25, 212 yards, 1 INT
Jim Kelly, Bills vs. Giants, SB 25
18-for-30, 212 yards
Jim Kelly, Bills vs. Cowboys, SB 28
31-for-50, 260 yards, 1 INT
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers vs. Packers, SB 45
25-of-40, 263 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Peyton Manning, Broncos vs. Seahawks, SB 48
34-of-49, 280 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Drew Bledsoe, Patriots vs. Packers, SB 31
25-of-48, 253 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT
Stan Humphries, Chargers vs. 49ers, SB 29
24-of-49, 275 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
John Elway, Broncos vs. Redskins, SB 22
14-of-38, 257 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Terry Bradshaw, Steelers vs. Vikings, SB 9
9-for-14, 96 yards, 1 TD
Chris Chandler, Falcons vs. Broncos, SB 33
19-of-35, 219 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Neil O'Donnell, Steelers vs. Cowboys, SB 30
28-of-49, 239 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Fran Tarkenton, Vikings vs. Raiders, SB 11
17-of-35, 205 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rex Grossman, Bears vs. Colts, SB 41
20-of-28, 165 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Len Dawson, Chiefs vs. Vikings, SB 4
12-of-17, 142 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Ron Jaworski, Eagles vs. Raiders, SB 15
18-for-38, 291 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT, 1 fumble lost
Jim Kelly, Bills vs. Redskins, SB 26
28-for-58, 275 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT, 2 fumbles lost
Peyton Manning, Broncos vs. Panthers, SB 50
13-of-23, 141 yards, 1 INT, 1 fumble lost
Joe Theismann, Redskins vs. Raiders, SB 18
16-for-35, 243 yards, 2 INT, 1 fumble lost
Boomer Esaison, Bengals vs. 49ers, SB 23
11-for-25, 144 yards, 1 INT
Bob Griese, Dolphins vs. Cowboys, SB 6
12-for-23, 134 yards, 1 INT, 1 fumble lost
Trent Dilfer, Ravens vs. Giants, SB 35
12-for-25, 153 yards, 1 TD
Bob Griese, Dolphins vs. Redskins, SB 7
8-for-11, 88 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Bob Griese, Dolphins vs. Vikings, SB 8
6-for-7, 73 yards
DreadfulThese quarterbacks reached a staggering level of ineptitude.
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images Sport / GettyRich Gannon, Raiders vs. Buccaneers, SB 37
24-for-44, 272 yards, 2 TD, 5 INT
While playing his former head coach, Gannon posted the first and only five-interception performance in the Super Bowl.
Cam Newton, Panthers vs. Broncos, SB 50
18-for-41, 265 yards, 1 INT, 2 fumbles lost
Joe Kapp, Vikings vs. Chiefs, SB 4
16-for-25, 183 yards, 2 INT, 1 fumble lost
Craig Morton, Cowboys vs. Colts, SB 5
12-for-26, 127 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
David Woodley, Dolphins vs. Redskins, SB 17
4-for-14, 97 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 fumble lost
Johnny Unitas, Colts vs. Cowboys, SB 5
3-for-9, 88 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 fumble lost
Jim Kelly, Bills vs. Cowboys, SB 27
4-for-7, 82 yards, 2 INT, 1 fumble lost for TD
Worst performance in a winning effortEvery win counts the same, but history won't look favorably on this showing.
Larry Maurer / Getty Images Sport / GettyBen Roethlisberger, Steelers vs. Seahawks, SB 40
9-for-21, 123 yards, 2 INT, 1 rush TD
Antwaan Randle El, who threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward on a gadget play, was the Steelers' most effective passer in this game. Big Ben didn't contribute much to the win.
Worst of the worstThese are the worst performances in Super Bowl history.
John Elway, Broncos vs. 49ers, SB 24
10-26, 108 yards, 2 INT, 1 fumble lost
Fran Tarkenton, Vikings vs. Steelers, SB 9
11-for-26, 102 yards, 3 INT
Billy Kilmer, Redskins vs. Dolphins, SB 7
14-for-28, 104 yards, 3 INT
Miami planned to force Kilmer to pass throughout the game. The Dolphins' strategy worked to perfection, as the quarterback failed to generate any meaningful offense.
Kerry Collins, Giants vs. Ravens, SB 35
15-for-39, 112 yards, 4 INT
To be fair, Collins played against arguably the greatest defense ever assembled. Still, the veteran personified futility, failing to lead a single scoring drive and registering the second-worst passer rating in Super Bowl history at 7.1.
Earl Morrall, Colts vs. Jets, SB 3
6-for-17, 71 yards, 3 INT
Morrall replaced the injured Johnny Unitas at the start of the year and performed better than expected, but he reverted back to his worst form in the Super Bowl. Unitas eventually took the reins again and didn't fare much better.
Craig Morton, Broncos vs. Cowboys, SB 12
4-for-15, 39 yards, 4 INT
Morton wanted to get revenge on his former team, but calamity came every time he dropped back. He was benched in the third quarter.
Tony Eason, Patriots vs. Bears, SB 20
0-for-6, 0 yards, 1 fumble lost
It's impossible to record a worse performance than Eason. He failed to complete a pass and was benched in the second quarter, but the damage was already done. The Bears raced out to a 20-3 lead and never looked back, trouncing the Patriots.
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