Three of the best Super Bowls in recent history

As the NFL season reaches its business end, the anticipation for Super Bowl LIX builds to a fever pitch.

With the playoff race heating up, every team is pushing hard for a shot at the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy.

This year’s Super Bowl, set to take place on February 9, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, is shaping up to be another epic showdown.

The Kansas City Chiefs, led by the indomitable Andy Reid, are seeking to add yet another title to their impressive legacy, while challengers like the Buffalo Bills, who are 5/2 third favourites at the time of writing with NFL betting odds, alongside the Philadelphia Eagles, will want to dethrone them. As the playoff action intensifies, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

In the build-up to this highly anticipated game, it’s good to reflect on some of the most memorable Super Bowls of recent years.

From dramatic comebacks to unexpected upsets, these games have captured the hearts of fans and left their mark on NFL history.

Super Bowl LIX promises to add its own chapter to this legacy, but let’s take a look back at three of the best Super Bowls in recent memory that continue to define what makes the big game so special.

Super Bowl XLII (2008): New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

At a time when the US was suffering from one of its worst economic crises in history, Super Bowl XLII helped return that feel-good factor.

The New England Patriots had steamrolled their way to the big game with a perfect season, seemingly destined to cap off their historic campaign with a victory. But the New York Giants had other plans.

In a stunning upset, Eli Manning and the Giants’ defense disrupted the Patriots’ high-powered offense. The game was punctuated by one of the most iconic plays in Super Bowl history—the “Helmet Catch” by David Tyree.

The Giants held their nerve to win 17–14, defying all expectations and dashing the Patriots’ hopes of a perfect season.

Super Bowl XLIX (2015): New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks

Super Bowl XLIX will forever be etched in NFL history as one of the most dramatic matchups. The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks were locked in a fierce battle, with the game-changing momentum multiple times.

As the clock wound down, Seattle found themselves on the cusp of victory, but an unforgettable interception by Malcolm Butler at the goal line denied them glory.

Butler’s game-winning play secured a 28–24 win for the Patriots, and the moment cemented the game as a defining Super Bowl classic.

The nail-biting finish, combined with the stakes, made this one of the most thrilling Super Bowls ever played.

Super Bowl LIV (2020): Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers

Super Bowl LIV was a showcase of sheer resilience. The Kansas City Chiefs, trailing by 10 points heading into the fourth quarter, executed one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent memory.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who had faced adversity throughout the game, turned in a masterful performance in the final moments, rallying the Chiefs to a 31–20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. His ability to stay composed under pressure, along with clutch plays from his teammates, was instrumental in Kansas City’s first Super Bowl win in 50 years.

This victory not only marked a historic achievement for the Chiefs but also solidified Mahomes’ status as one of the NFL’s brightest stars.