Greatest fantasy performances of all-time: Super Bowls XXXIII-XXXVI
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.
It’s getting harder and harder for Super Bowl performers to crack the top-10. Several records are broken between Super Bowls XXXIII through XXXVI, but do the performances have the punch necessary to break into the Top-10 all-time?
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 XXXIII through XXXVI:
Super Bowl XXXIII: Broncos 34, Falcons 19
MVP: John Elway
Fantasy MVP: Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith, 26 points.
- Elway was masterful, but his favorite target edged him in fantasy points by one. Smith had five catches and scored a touchdown to go along with his 152 yards, the fifth-most receiving yards in a Super Bowl. Elway threw for 336 and a TD and ran in a TD in the win.
Super Bowl XXXIV: Rams 23, Titans 16
MVP: Kurt Warner
Fantasy MVP: (tie) Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, 28 points; Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce, 28 points.
- Warner set the all-time record for passing yards in a Super Bowl in this contest with 414. He also threw two TDs. Bruce caught six of Warner’s throws for 162 yards (3rd most in a Super Bowl) and a TD. Their teammate Torry Holt scored 23 points, catching seven for 109 and a TD. Eddie George led the Titans, scoring twice and finishing with 26 fantasy points.
Super Bowl XXXV: Ravens 34, Giants 7
MVP: Ray Lewis
Fantasy MVP: Ravens running back Jamal Lewis, 17 points.
- Anybody who remembers this Super Bowl also remembers why the fantasy “MVP” scored just 17 points. The Ravens defense picked off Kerry Collins four times, at the time that tied him for the most ever in a Super Bowl. Jamal Lewis had a 27-101-1 line rushing and caught one pass for -1 yards.
Super Bowl XXXVI: Patriots 20, Rams 17
MVP: Tom Brady
Fantasy MVP: Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, 27 points.
- Warner wins his second Super Bowl fantasy MVP award as the lone offensive star of this game. He threw for 365 yards — the third most in Super Bowl history. He was picked off twice but threw a TD and ran in a TD in the loss.
Rankings after Super Bowls I-XXXVI:
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. Interestingly, despite Warner throwing for massive yards and Isaac Bruce catching much of it, neither performance was good enough to crack the Top-10.
Note: The rankings are 12 players long due to a tie for 10th place.
