The countdown is on towards Super Bowl LII, set to be played next Sunday in Minnesota. The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles will battle on the gridiron, with the latter team looking for their first ever NFL title. But they'll also be competing to leave a lasting legacy on the sport of Football. For the past 51 years, players have been leaving their all on the field during the ultimate competition in American sports.
These are the best plays in the history of the big game.
4. Santonio Holmes catch - Super Bowl XLIII
After scoring 16 straight points in the fourth quarter, the Arizona Cardinals had the Pittsburgh Steelers on the ropes.
Pittsburgh needed to drive down the field and score quickly to save their championship hopes. With just 35 seconds remaining, Ben Roethlisberger completed the 78-yard drive with a 6-yard strike to Santonio Holmes in the corner of the end zone. The Steelers held on to win and Holmes was named Super Bowl MVP.
3. Mike Jones tackle - Super Bowl XXXIV
One yard. That's all that separated Tennessee Titans receiver Kevin Dyson from the end zone. He never made it the last three feet, though. St. Louis Rams linebacker Mike James was on the case, wrapping up Dyson just shy of the goal line as the receiver extended his arm towards glory. The clock ran out with the Titans trailing the Rams by 7 points. The play became known in Super Bowl lore as "One Yard Short," representing the three feet that decided a title.
2. Malcolm Butler interception - Super Bowl XLIX
The Seattle Seahawks were in perfect position to knock off the New England Patriots in the closing moments of Super Bowl XLIX. That was before Seahawks coach made the (still) controversial decision to pass on the 1-yard line. That pass was intercepted by Patriots hero Malcolm Butler.
To this day, people rue the fact that Marshawn Lynch didn't get the ball on the 1-yard line. Tom Brady isn't, though, and he gave his MVP truck to Butler as a deserved gift.
1. 'The Helmet Catch' - Super Bowl XLII
It's probably the best play in NFL history. It's certainly the most famous. The New York Giants needed a miracle to end the Patriots' undefeated season.
As Eli Manning went scrambling for his life and threw one up in the air, a miracle emerged, as little-known receiver David Tyree pinned the football to his helmet on his way to the ground. New York drove the rest of the way to finish off the most famous upset in Super Bowl history.
Good luck topping that this year.
