Great fantasy performances of all-time: Super Bowls XXXVII-XL
As we gear up for Super Bowl XLIV it can’t hurt to reminisce about some of the great moments in the history of the biggest sporting event in America.
Jerry Rice is back in Super Bowls XXXVII-XL, so is Tom Brady and Terrell Owens makes an appearance. But can any of them crack the top-10?
To read more about this series, check out the post on the first four Super Bowls. To see every Super Bowl fantasy MVP and links to all of the posts in this series, check out our Super Bowl Fantasy MVPs page. Check back at noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. every day through Saturday to see how you favorite memories from the Super Bowl stack up against the rest.
We’re using standard scoring with PPR: 1 pt/20 passing, 1 pt/10 rushing/receiving, 4pts/passing TD, -1 INT, 6 pts/(rushing/receiving TD).
Today’s edition of the series reviews Super Bowls XXXVII through XL:
Super Bowl XXXVII: Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21
MVP: Dexter Jackson
Fantasy MVP: (Tie) Raiders wide receiver Jerry Rice and Buccaneers quarterback Brad Johnson, 18 points.
- Another defense-dominated Super Bowl allowed an aging Jerry Rice to capture his fourth Super Bowl fantasy MVP. He had to share it with Brad Johnson, which takes a little luster off, but it’s still impressive to think he was the best offensive performer in four different Super Bowls wit two different teams. Jerry Porter, another Raiders receiver, scored 16 fantasy points.
Super Bowl XXXVIII: Patriots 32, Panthers 29
MVP: Tom Brady
Fantasy MVP: Patriots wide receiver Deion Branc, 30 points.
- Branch edged Brady by one fantasy point. Branch had 10 catches (fifth best in the Super Bowl) for 143 yards (ninth best) and scored a Td. Brady threw for the sixth-most yards in any Super Bowl (354) and threw three TDs. Jake Delhomme scored an impressive 28 fantasy points, tossing three scoring plays and for 323 yards. Muhsin Muhammad had 140 yards and a TD on four catches. Muhammad, Delhomme, Brady and Branch all had Top-10 Super Bowl performances in the contest but only Branch scored 30 fantasy points.
Super Bowl XXXIX: Patriots 24, Eagles 21
MVP: Deion Branch
Fantasy MVP: Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, 26 points.
- Despite throwing three interceptions, McNabb was the best fantasy performer of the day. He threw three TDs and for the fourth-most yards in Super Bowl history (357). Branch, who caught 11 passes (tied for first all-time in the Super Bowl) for 133 yard, scored 24 points. Terrell Owens caught nine passes for 122 yards and finished with 21 points.
Super Bowl XXXL: Steelers 21, Seahawks 10
MVP: Hines Ward
Fantasy MVP: Steeelers wide receiver Hines Ward, 25 points.
- Ward was the lone offensive juggernaut in this game. He caught five passes for 123 yards and scored a TD. He also ran once for 18 yards.
Rankings after Super Bowls I-XXXL:
49ers WR Jerry Rice, SBXXIX……………….43
49ers QB Steve Young, SBXXIX……………..41
49ers QB Joe Montana, SBXIX………………40
Redskins WR Ricky Sanders, SBXXII………40
49ers WR Jerry Rice, SBXXII………………..39
49ers WR Jerry Rice, SBXXIV……………….39
49ers RB Roger Craig, SBXIX………………..38
49ers QB Joe Montana, SB XXIV……………36
Bengals TE Dan Ross, SBXVI…………………34
Raiders RB Marcus Allen, SBXVIII…………34
Redskins RB Timmy Smith, SBXXII………..34
Broncos RB Terrell Davis, SBXXXII…………34
Knocked out this round: None. Despite featuring two absolutely great Super Bowls (XXXVIII and XXXIX), no players cracked the top 10.
Note: The rankings are 12 players long due to a tie for 10th place.
