No one remembers second place. That quote is true for the NFL. You could work your absolute hardest throughout the entire year and make the dance, only to come a play or two short. Due to that shortcoming, performances where legends of the game left it all on the field are lost to time, forever becoming an obscure trivia question. It’s a shame, as besides the expected top-tier performances displayed by the all-time greats, during these losses much more unknown players get their time to shine, only to not even be remembered in the long run. Today, we’ll be going through some of those forgotten performances in Super Bowl history, and rank the best five among them.
5: Jalen Hurts vs the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) drops back to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Breen/The Republic via Imagn Images
While Philadelphia ultimately got their revenge against Kansas City in dominant fashion, failing Hurts’ magnificent statline does sting. Their former second rounder was a true dual threat nightmare, putting up 304 yards on the air and an extra 70 on the ground. His rushing total exceeded that of Steve McNair’s 23 year long Super Bowl record of most yards on the ground accumulated by a QB. Additionally, he near single-handedly led the team to 35 points, scoring four total touchdowns. Given how the Eagles dismantled the Chiefs just two years later, in time this performance may fall into obscurity.
4: Kony Ealy vs the Broncos in Super Bowl L
Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) runs the ball after an interception against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Ealy is a name that little remember. The former second rounder failed to leave much of a mark during his time in the NFL. However, he does have this one Super Bowl he can fondly look back on, even if it was in a losing effort. Ealy could not be stopped, as he brought down Peyton Manning for 3 sacks and forced a fumble. He also logged a one handed interception, giving Cam Newton another possession. This was all done in just 23 snaps, and is an outlier for a player who’s career was mostly unremarkable.
3: Terrell Owens vs the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX
Feb 06, 2005; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver #81 Terrell Owens fends off the tackle of New England Patriots safety #37 Rodney Harrison during Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium. The Patriots won the game 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
“I don’t know what he was before the injury, but I’ll tell you, it was like he didn’t lose a step at all. I couldn’t be at the level he was playing.” Said Randall Gay, who covered Terrell Owens for most of the night. Owens was famously nursing a broken leg and a ligament tear, but decided he was not going to stand by and watch in the biggest game of his life. The resilience he displayed when lining up on 62 of Philadelphia’s 72 offensive snaps alone make this an incredible display. However, him managing to haul in 9 catches for 122 yards in spite of that lingering injury puts his performance among the best in the sport.
2: Thurman Thomas vs the Giants in Super Bowl XXV
Jan 27, 1991; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas (34) carries the ball against the New York Giants during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium. The Giants defeated the Bills 19-20. Mandatory Credit: Bob Deutsch-Imagn Images
Kickstarting Buffalo’s dreadful four year Super Bowl run without a win, Thurman Thomas exhausted all his efforts against the Giants. The Bills legend rushed for a staggering 135 yards and simultaneously added 55 yards receiving. His mark of 190 scrimmage yards was more than half of Buffalo’s total offensive output. What makes those numbers especially impressive is that he racked them up in just 20 touches. In 15 rush attempts and 5 catches, Thomas embarrassed anyone who dared to stand in his way.
1: Tom Brady vs the Eagles in Super Bowl LII
Feb 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Confetti falls as New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) walks off the field after Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
What’s a defense? Save for a handful of plays, both offensive attacks were wiping the floor with their opponents in this one. Tom Brady and Nick Foles engaged in one of the most memorable Super Bowls of our time, logging some truly remarkable statlines. Brady and the Pats offense in particular showed up in an all-timer. The unit as a whole put up a Super Bowl record of 613 yards. 505 of those 613 yards came from Brady alone, another Super Bowl record. He was surgical, exhibiting perfect ball placement against that year’s fourth ranking defense in yards and points allowed. If Brandon Graham hadn’t come in the clutch, chances are Nick Foles’ Cinderella run would be nothing but a “What if”.
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