Where do the Denver Broncos Super Bowls Rank Against the Others?

by Jezru on Feb 1, 2012 1:00 PM MST in Strictly My Opinion

Fox Sports just released rankings of every Super Bowl ever played. The factors they used to come to their conclusions were: Competitiveness of the game, overall quality of play and historical significance.

While I was a little surprised at how highly ranked Super Bowls XXI, XXII and XXIV, the Super Bowl that I think Fox Sports missed the mark on entirely was Super Bowl XII. Fox Sports gave it the lowest grade in terms of historical significance and I take issue with that. It was the Denver Broncos first Super Bowl ever. Denver's mere appearance fractured the otherwise dominant regimes of the Raiders and Steelers. It was historically significant because even though there was a league-wide perception that we had no business being there, we belonged by virtue of what we accomplished on the field (even though the Cowboys beat Denver pretty soundly). To get an idea of how historically significant Super Bowl XXII was, just take a look at the number of books on that 1977 season there are available to buy. Far more than any other Broncos Super Bowl year -- and we lost! Go figure.

All that aside, I was pleased with the placement of Super Bowl XXXII. I remember there being a modicum of outrage around here after NFL Network's America's Game ranked Denver's first ever Championship at nine. Readers of this blog will be happy to know that Fox Sports has taken steps to rectify this injustice and has placed us near where this Super Bowl should probably be.Though, I won't take any issue with anyone ranking it atop the heap... That's just how I roll.

Without further ado, click here for the rankings. What do you think? Good, bad or ugly?

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they rank ahead of the Patriots' wins

what else needs to be said?

Brad James

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With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!

by the new Bradfather on Feb 1, 2012 1:16 PM MST reply actions

Not in agreement with all of them

But those types of lists are all opinions. Here are a few of my biggest dislikes:
- XXIX (SF-SD) higher just for the fact Steve Young got his ring and the Chargers got blown away.
- XL (Pitt-Sea) higher mostly because the refs in that game still piss me off but it was important to both franchises.
- XXXI (GB- NE) higher for historical significance and for some of the huge plays.
- XLI (Indy-Chi) lower besides Hester’s great return to start the game, it was a blow out and Grossman sealed his career there as a failure.
- III (NYJ-Indy) lower besides being Namath-Unitas, the game was flat.

Like I said, these are just opinion lists, but it is fun to try and rank them.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Feb 1, 2012 1:25 PM MST reply actions

historians would differ from you on Super Bowl III

because it was the impetus of the merger (i.e., the NFL we know today), many NFL teams thought the AFL was akin to the CFL, or worse, Arena Football in its sphere

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by the new Bradfather on Feb 1, 2012 1:30 PM MST up reply actions

Oh I agree it was important historically

But watching as much of the game as I can and rereading play-by-plays, sure wasn’t exciting.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Feb 1, 2012 4:13 PM MST up reply actions

most 16-7 games are not

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by the new Bradfather on Feb 1, 2012 11:24 PM MST up reply actions

My Favs.

The ranked the Broncos over Packers 5th and the Rams over Titans 4th. I wonder, if the Pats and Giants weren’t having their rematch this year, would that games have been ranked #1? I think if the Broncos, Rams or Titans played out of Boston or New York, they’d get an added bump to push them over the top!

Erras.

by ejruiz on Feb 1, 2012 1:25 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

agreed.

pats and giants manage to occupy spots in the top three games. i mean, come on—any game that’s won or lost on a makable missed field goal (XXV) should automatically exclude it from top 10, or at least top 5. both games you listed should be top three (what’s the historical significance of steelers/cards again?). the only possible thing the broncos/packers game was missing was a better performance by favre on the last drive. otherwise, that entire game was a back and forth nail biter. rams/titans might get the slight nod because of that classic last play. great stuff.

"We don’t get no hat or nothing?..." —C. Harris

by oxmouth on Feb 1, 2012 2:52 PM MST up reply actions

Favre crapping the bed with the game on the line

imagine that #sarcasm

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by the new Bradfather on Feb 1, 2012 2:57 PM MST up reply actions

The Broncos vs Cowboys dead last?

That had more significance than the 55-10 beat down by the Niners

"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson
"When John Elway is standing in lava with a football, he will stay there and sink until you're open"
-Seanbaby

by Calikula on Feb 1, 2012 1:31 PM MST reply actions

yeah, it wasn’t the greatest superbowl ever, but it absolutely kills about ten of the other dogs on that list. rise of the orange crush and staubach vs. morton gives you more historicity than even some of the better played games.

the broncos/redskins one was way too high, too. first black QB MVP is noteworthy and laudable, but that was just a stinky game to sit through—even washington fans could be happy with the championship but would be hard pressed to act like that was a good game.

"We don’t get no hat or nothing?..." —C. Harris

by oxmouth on Feb 1, 2012 2:34 PM MST up reply actions

Surprise, Surprise. They rank Super Bowl XLII number 1. New England vs NYGiants

Just a fluff piece to promote this weeks match up. Is the game on FOX this year?

by artistnyc on Feb 1, 2012 1:32 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

so is it ranked #1

by the cumulative size of markets to compete in a given Super Bowl because that’s the only way that monstrosity could be #1, if you watch the America’s Game documentary about the Giants that season, even Eli said it’s the type of game you don’t watch until the 4th Quarter if you DVRed it

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by the new Bradfather on Feb 1, 2012 1:35 PM MST up reply actions

There was an undefeated season on the line.

The game ended with 2 scores by each team to take the lead. David beat goliath… Its tough to top all of that.

by Triz06 on Feb 1, 2012 2:07 PM MST up reply actions

yes, and it's Boston v. New York

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by the new Bradfather on Feb 1, 2012 2:09 PM MST up reply actions

I beg to differ.

In this case it’s Boston vs. New Jersey. Any NY’er will tell you they’re a Jets fan first.

GO BRONCOS!!!

by go4broncos on Feb 2, 2012 12:46 PM MST up reply actions

Not true....

Jets play in jersey just like the Giants and there are as many Giants fans as Jets fans in NY. Also… until they got the new complex… the place where the Giants and Jets played was called Giants Stadium by all the local people. Only on TV did they call it the Meadowlands.

Also.. Pats play in Foxboro, which is actually further from Boston than NJ is from NY. (I grew up in NY and live in Boston now.)

by Triz06 on Feb 2, 2012 2:36 PM MST up reply actions

Try this...NFC dominates, wins 13 superbowls in a row, Green bay is the new dynasty, replacing San Fran and Dallas, 14pt favorites over the "can't win a superbowl" Broncos. Favre has 3 straight MVPS, Elway cant win the big one, game goes down to the wire.

Compare that to pat/giants….almost perfect season. Game goes down to the wire.

rams/titans was more exciting.

by alkatraz76 on Feb 2, 2012 12:50 AM MST up reply actions

Eh.... its a toss up.

but I’m biased b/c I’m a Broncos fan. Either way… I don’t think NE/NYG is #1 to boost ratings. I think that it is a legit candidate for the top spot and is at least top 3 no matter how you look at it.

by Triz06 on Feb 2, 2012 3:37 PM MST up reply actions

I'd rank it in my top 2

If not #1. Lots of historical significance, came down to the wire, and a lot of excellent play.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Feb 1, 2012 4:14 PM MST up reply actions

I might b a little bit biased, BUT..

No game tops SB XXXll,. Ever. Especially one w/ cheaters involved!

by Mike@4th&99 on Feb 1, 2012 3:03 PM MST via iPhone app reply actions 2 recs

^ This

My only regret is that I didn’t stay sober for that game. The second half was a little fuzzy for me, then when we won, I went nuts! I still tear up when I watch my copy of America’s Game and that last Farve pass hits the dirt.

"You’re only great if you win something. I mean, Alexander wasn’t Alexander the Mediocre or Alexander the Average. He was Alexander the Great, and there’s a reason for it."-Shannon Sharpe

by CH74 on Feb 1, 2012 5:06 PM MST up reply actions

Mobley knocks it away... I was in a room full of people that don't watch football and I had to work the night shift after the game. THATS how I celebrated.

by alkatraz76 on Feb 2, 2012 12:51 AM MST up reply actions

"And its going to be... knocked away!!! Are You kidding me? Denver's gonna win this thing!!!"

"You’re only great if you win something. I mean, Alexander wasn’t Alexander the Mediocre or Alexander the Average. He was Alexander the Great, and there’s a reason for it."-Shannon Sharpe

by CH74 on Feb 2, 2012 11:15 AM MST up reply actions

I like how we all seem to be okay...

with where SB XXXIII is. lol

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by Jezru on Feb 1, 2012 3:04 PM MST reply actions

The real drama of XXXIII

Was almost screwing the pooch against the Jets. The guys were a little too intent to watch the Falcon-Viking game play out.

"You’re only great if you win something. I mean, Alexander wasn’t Alexander the Mediocre or Alexander the Average. He was Alexander the Great, and there’s a reason for it."-Shannon Sharpe

by CH74 on Feb 1, 2012 5:09 PM MST up reply actions

In my opinion,

Super Bowl XIII (Steelers-Cowboys 1978) and our win over GB in 97 are 1 and 2 all-time as far as Super Bowls go. These are my reasons for that:

1. The teams were pretty even in both matchups (although the Steelers and Broncos were a little better).

2. There were juicy pre-game stories before each one (Elway not being able to win the big one, the jawing that Hollywood Henderson was doing)

3. The games were pretty exciting.

Those two Super Bowls had everything.

by PABroncofan on Feb 1, 2012 4:44 PM MST reply actions

The summary of 32 says TD left wiith a concussion.........

Pretty sure it was a migraine…….just saying..

by blackhillsbronx on Feb 1, 2012 5:18 PM MST reply actions

Can't even get their facts straight!

Sharper going off at the begining of the second half, “He ain’t gonna run it hard anymore, he’s scared”! We seen how that worked for them. Gilbert Brown totally out of gas in the second half was priceless!

"You’re only great if you win something. I mean, Alexander wasn’t Alexander the Mediocre or Alexander the Average. He was Alexander the Great, and there’s a reason for it."-Shannon Sharpe

by CH74 on Feb 1, 2012 5:27 PM MST up reply actions

How did NE-StL make number 2????

Because it was 4 months after 9/11? XXXII will always be my number 1, but I think they got their #1 right. People that are all about offense would have been bored by that game, but it was played very well by the 2 teams’ D and the storyline of the undefeated Patriots being taken down is unmatched.

Drinkin the kool-aid, smokin the Orange Kush

by boanst on Feb 1, 2012 7:20 PM MST reply actions

not even close perfect season does NOT compare with a 13 year win streak snapped by one of the teams that LOST 3 of those 13years. AND we beat the new "dynasty" at the time.

by alkatraz76 on Feb 2, 2012 12:54 AM MST up reply actions

Freakin' exactly

That high ranking is a big mistake—it was a good game, but less entertaining, significant, or resonant than 3-4 others on that list.

I think given the criteria and competition, XXXII should be 3-5. The top two they have there already are I think legit: not only the 18-0 season, but the sheer entertainment factor and the scrappy wild card team beating the dynasty. Also, Rams-Titans was fairly quality throughout, and how can you have a more dramatic ending? I could see it going lower than #2, but it still deserves top five.

by Dirk Gently on Feb 2, 2012 10:47 AM MST up reply actions

SB XLll = much ado about nothing IMO

Pats didn’t go undefeated,so nothing special there, nor were the G men the biggest SB underdogs in history. & unless ur a Pats/Giants fan I doubt u were jumping up out of your chair like I remember EVERYbody doing ( Broncos fan or not), when Elway did his “helicopter”, Atwater knocked everybody around him out including Atwater, or Mobley knocked down Farvre’s last pass. THAT was a Superbowl!

by Mike@4th&99 on Feb 1, 2012 8:51 PM MST via iPhone app reply actions 1 recs

I think they added way to much historical significance to recent games

Steelers Cardinals a 3 ?
Rams Titans a 3?
Colts Saints a 4?
Packers steelers a 3?

I don’t really see a lot of historical significance in any of those. These compare to the only team ever going undefeated (dolphins), only receiving a 4

by broncoboy326 on Feb 1, 2012 9:44 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

agree

SB32 should have been a 5 for historical significance…13 year SB streak, snapped!

by alkatraz76 on Feb 2, 2012 12:56 AM MST up reply actions

All things being equal, people will tend to put more significance on recent events – just the nature of the beast. That is why it is for us to make our voices heard for those who forget what an awesome game SB 32 was. It had everything!! Total David and Goliath storyline as mentioned above. Great strategy by both coaches – putting TD in as a decoy when he couldn’t see, Packers letting the Broncs score at the end to get one last chance – one that almost worked. Great performances – TD and Atwater both playing just out of their minds along with Farve on the other sideline. And who can ever forget the smack down McCaffrey put that Packer linebacker. I love it!!! And drama – I can remember hardly being able to watch – especially that last Packer drive. All the agony of 4 previous losses weighing on EVERY SINGLE PLAY!!! Man, I get chills just writing and thinking about it now and I’m not too proud to say I cried right along with the rest of them when Mobley knocked down that last pass and later when John hoisted the trophy. And I don’t care how biased I am…I will scream it loud and proud. Super Bowl 32 was not only the best Super Bowl ever, imho it was the greatest football game ever played. Nuff said

by Gardner K on Feb 3, 2012 12:07 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

After that comment

I may have to go home and watch my 1997 Denver Broncos America’s Game!

"You’re only great if you win something. I mean, Alexander wasn’t Alexander the Mediocre or Alexander the Average. He was Alexander the Great, and there’s a reason for it."-Shannon Sharpe

by CH74 on Feb 4, 2012 5:33 PM MST up reply actions