The Super Bowl is an undeniably huge part of American culture and tradition. As a matter of fact, statistics show that approximately 111/3 million viewers tune in to watch the show from their televisions. Friends and families alike make a huge deal of this weekend, even hosting game nights and get-togethers where everyone can have fun.
During American football leagues, halftime shows have become a rite of passage for most artists in the industry. Most of these went down as some of history’s best and finest performances. Fans would argue that Beyonce’s performance, as well as Lady Gaga’s and Coldplay’s, made for some of the most unforgettable shows of all history.
But of course, the stars of the Super Bowl are its winners. These champions and their legacies are forever cemented in the hearts of football fans. Find out who made it to the top by reading this list of winners from the past 20 years. Thanks to the aggressive offense showed by Mike Jones against the Titans’ Kevin Dyson, the St. Louis Rams managed to get their first-ever win at the Super Bowl. While the Titans put up a seemingly impenetrable defense, the Rams managed to come from down under and offset the 16-point lead.
In a match between the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Giants, the former reigned supreme because of the great defense played by the team. Though the Ravens struggled against the Giants’ constant lead in the game, the swift team snatched the titled for the day.
In yet another momentous time in history, the Patriots’ sheer grit and determination remained unmatched for a Tom Brady-centered game. While the team had a rocky start, the Patriots rammed their way to success over the St. Louis Rams. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won against the Oakland Raiders by a landslide score of 48 – 21 at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Despite the landslide win, USA Today dubs the match as one of the most boring games in the history of the NFL.
The close game between the Patriots and the Caroline Panthers gave nearly 72,000 people in attendance the time of their lives. Due to the exceptional performance by crowd-favorite Tom Brady, he was later on awarded as the season’s MVP. With approximately 78,000 people in attendance, the Patriots showcased their skill in the field over a match with the Philadelphia Eagles. New England struggled in the first half, the first-ever time in history where its score was down during the post season. At halftime, the crowd was serenaded with the delightful performance of the Paul McCartney.
The match between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks was filled with controversy due to the biased refereeing that day. Despite bearing questionable judgements, the Steelers’ exceptional performance allowed them to win a much-coveted trophy. This play truly showed why teamwork makes the dream work. Payton Manning is certainly the darling of the crowd, which is why it makes his win as MVP a memorable for fans and viewers alike. The quarterback led his team, Indianapolis Colts, to victory against the Chicago Bears. What cemented the Bears’ fall was Devin Hester’s move. You have to watch it for yourself.
One of the most highly anticipated games of all time, the New York Giants went head-to-head against the New England Patriots – literally. In a strategic play called the ‘Helmet Catch,’ quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver David Tyree executed one of the most seamless plays in the Super Bowl. Through this tactic, the Giants secured a touchdown that won them the game, finally disrupting the near-perfect season of the Patriots.
The Steelers definitely stole the game against Arizona Cardinals with just a 4-point lead. Santonio Holmes’ display of strength and grit allowed them to secure the win. Talk about dedication – especially when he has got two feet down at the end zone just as the game was finishing up. For a first-timer in the arena, the New Orleans Saints surprisingly won their stint over the Indianapolis Colts. Though the Saints were down by 4 during the halftime, they managed to recover and come out strong by the end of the game.
Early season favorites Green Bay Packers won by a score of 31-25 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 23-yard field goal secured by the Packers helped them put their win in the bag. Fan favorites New York Giants and New England Patriots battled each other at the Lucas Oil Stadium. The close scores throughout the game kept viewers on their feet, with the Giants unexpectedly winning the game despite their low season record.
Touted as the Harbaugh Bowl, the Baltimore Ravens fought against the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brothers and coaches Jim and John Harbaugh led their respective teams, with the Ravens securing the win. In a sweeping victory, the Seattle Seahawks cemented themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the field of American football. Though pegged as an underdog, the Seahawks finally got their win – with a 35-point lead to boot.
Played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, the Patriots won their fourth championship from the Seattle Seahawks. Though the Patriots were trailing by 10 by the end of the third quarter, the team won by just 4 points by the end of the fourth quarter. The Denver Broncos emerged as the winner over the Carolina Panthers on February 7, 2016, at the Levi’s Stadium in California. Throughout the game, the Broncos secured their advantage over the Panthers.
Held at the NRG Stadium in Houston last February 5, 2018, the Patriots went against the Atlanta Falcons. Though the Falcons led the game by 25 points, the Patriots managed to swoop right in and end the game with overtime – another first in Super Bowl History. In an exciting game held at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the Philadelphia Eagles managed to score an early lead against the Patriots thanks to Nick Foles, the quarterback of the team. Thanks to Foles’ maneuver dubbed as “The Philly Special,” the team won by a massive 41-33. This is the first-ever win by the Philadelphia Eagles.
The New England Patriots once again snagged the championship from the Los Angeles Rams last February 3, 2019. Held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, this event was considered one of the lowest-scoring games in the history of the Super Bowl. Patriots’ 2019 win is their sixth championship. Now that you have had a brief recap of the success stories of the Super Bowl winners for the past 20 years, you might have a deeper appreciation for the sport and for the players themselves.
