A good Super Bowl should be close, a game that goes back and forth and raises and lowers your hope constantly. It should be the best versus the best. But sometimes, one team just seems to take control and run away without ever feeling questioned. This is the top 5 worst Super Bowls based on that criteria.
#5 Super Bowl XLVIII: Seahawks 43, Broncos 8
In what was supposed to be a tight game with a high-powered, explosive Peyton Manning-lead offense against a stingy, hard-hitting Seattle defense, this Super Bowl proved that defenses really do win championships, and by a lot.
Peyton Manning would bounce back two years after a disastrous loss to the Seahawks in this Super Bowl. But his record-setting 55 touchdown passes in 2013 had everyone thinking that this was could be more of an even shootout than a cream. Things got ugly for Denver right from the start when running back Knowshon Moreno was tackled in the end zone for a safety. Then, in the blink of an eye, Denver trailed 22-0 at halftime. The Broncos’ running game was pitiful, mustering just 27 rushing yards against the league’s best defense. Down 36-0 at the end of the third quarter, Manning finally found payday connecting with Demaryius Thomas for a 14 yard touchdown. But it was much too late for Denver. The Seattle defense picked off Manning twice, once for a touchdown, and Russell Wilson threw for two more scores in this 43-8 thrashing. I was watching this game with some friends in my dorm and we got bored in the third quarter.
#4 Super Bowl XX: Bears 46, Patriots 10
With the exception of William “The Refrigerator” Perry’s one yard touchdown run, this game offered little excitement. It’s hard to believe this game was actually tied 3-3 seeing as the Patriots accumulated just 123 yards of total offense. Chicago was lead by the steady, but shifty Jim McMahon, who threw for 256 yards and ran for two touchdowns. It was the Bears’ defense that stole the show during the Super Bowl. Widely considered one of the best defenses to play the game, the 1985 Bears surrendered just 198 points all season and shutout the Giants and Rams in the post-season. Their dominant streak of flashy defensive plays continued on this day, registering seven sacks and six turnovers. Linebackers Wilbur Marshall, Mike Singletary and Otis Wilson all made plays in this game, whether it be pressuring the quarterback or recovering fumbles. Neither Steve Grogan, nor Tony Eason, of the Patriots could rally their team on offense while the New England defense gave up 39 points.
#3 Super Bowl XXVII: Cowboys 52, Bills 17
The score was only 14-10 in the second quarter, but eventually Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith torched the Buffalo defense in this romp. Buffalo actually managed to rush for over 100 yards and Andre Reed had over 100 yards of receiving. 17 points in the Super Bowl isn’t totally pathetic, unless you’re playing the 1992 Dallas Cowboys. Jim Kelly had to come out of the game for Buffalo and Frank Reich didn’t do much offensively. Meanwhile, Aikman passed for four scores, two to his favorite target, Michael Irvin.
#2 Super Bowl XXXV: Ravens 34, Giants 7
If not for a 97 yard kickoff return, the Giants would probably have remained scoreless in this Super Bowl. Kerry Collins passed for just 112 yards and four interceptions against the 2000 Ravens defense, one of the most talented of all time. Baltimore relied on the arm of Trent Dilfer, a game manager type of quarterback who was never too flashy. Jamal Lewis ran for over 100 yards and a score while the defense recorded five turnovers.
#1 Super Bowl XXIV: 49ers 55, Broncos 10
This one ranks as the worst Super Bowl because of the 45 point differential and sheer perfection displayed by Joe Montana. The game was never close at all as Montana passed for a whopping five touchdowns, while Denver quarterback John Elway completed just 10 for 26, 108 yards, and two costly interceptions. Besides a 34 yard run by Bobby Humphry, the Broncos didn’t have any significant plays. Meanwhile, San Francisco racked in six sacks and four turnovers. This game got out of hand due to Montana’s God-like ability. Weapons like Jerry Rice, Roger Craig and John Taylor made the game miserable for the Denver community. At least Elway would win the big one under Mike Shanahan years later.