NFL Rankings: The Top 5 Super Bowl MVP Performances of All-Time

The Philadelphia Eagles are set to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII next week, in what is expected to be a firecracker of a game. The most valuable player of the night will take home the title of Super Bowl MVP and be immortalized in NFL history for leading their team to victory. 

To celebrate the honor, we take a look back at the top 5 Super Bowl MVP performances of all-time, as ranked by our experts.

#5 Jerry Rice (San Francisco 49ers) – Super Bowl XXII

Jerry Rice’s Super Bowl performance against the Cincinnati Bengals back in 1988 is what legends are made out of. Rice compiled 215 yards in 11 receptions, which is still a Super Bowl record, of which 109 came in the fourth quarter. He also caught the game tying touchdown and a 27-yarder with a minute to go to seal the game.

#4 Terry Bradshaw (Pittsburgh Steelers)- Super Bowl XIII

Super Bowl XIII was an instant classic, as the Steelers rode an amazing performance by their quarterback Terry Bradshaw to beat the defending champion Cowboys, 35-31. What was remarkable about this game was Bradshaw’s ability to convert third downs under pressure, completing 8 of 9 passes for 156 yards and two scores. No starting quarterback has had a higher third-down completion rate in a Super Bowl.

#3 Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers)- Super Bowl XXIV

Super Bowl XXIV was anything but close, as Montana and the high flying 49ers offense absolutely destroyed the Denver Broncos 55-10. Montana had a massive game, throwing for five touchdown passes on 29 attempts, two of which went to his favourite target, Jerry Rice. His MVP performance stands as the benchmark for quarterback play in a Super Bowl.

#2 Emmit Smith (Dallas Cowboys)- Super Bowl XXVIII

Emmit Smith put the Dallas Cowboys on his back during Super Bowl XXVII, finishing the night with 30 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns. What made his play so special was the fact that Troy Aikman and the Cowboys offense couldn’t get any traction until Smith was able to will them to victory. Dallas was able to pull away in the second half to win 30-13 and Smith touched the ball on all but seven plays during the game winning drives.

#1 Tom Brady (New England Patriots)- Super Bowl LI

Rather unsurprisingly, Tom Brady takes the number one spot for the greatest Super Bowl MVP performance of all-time. It doesn’t get much better than the most iconic player in Super Bowl history leading his team from a 28-3 deficit to deliver a 34-28 overtime win. Brady was 39 years old at the time and set records for both yards and attempts in a Super Bowl.