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In 47 Super Bowls, there have been at least 47 great performances, as evidenced by the MVP awards given to the best player at the end of each game. But often times, more than one player shines on the brightest stage. With that in mind, Terra has distilled the Super Bowl's best individual performances to the top 10.
Photo: AP in English
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10. Ray Lewis (Super Bowl XXXV): Lewis won the MVP award for his sideline-to-sideline terrorization of the New York Giants, as he made five tackles and defended four passes in Baltimore's mauling defensive effort. New York was intercepted four times and totaled just 152 yards of offense, scoring their only TD on special teams in a 34-7 loss.
Photo: AP in English
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9. Lynn Swann (Super Bowl X): Before passing was in vogue, Swann lit up the Orange Bowl with one of the greatest performances in Super Bowl history. The Steelers receiver caught four passes for 161 yards and the game-winning TD in Pittsburgh's 21-17 win, and although he only caught four passes, they were all things of beauty, especially this 53-yard reception (photo) that was hailed as the greatest catch in Super Bowl history.
Photo: AP in English
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8. Desmond Howard (Super Bowl XXXI): Howard torched New England for 244 all-purpose yards on his way to becoming the only special teams player to date to win Super Bowl MVP honors. But with the Packers' lead cut to 28-21 in the fourth quarter, Howard ripped off a 99-yard kickoff return for TD to seal a 35-21 win.
Photo: AP in English
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7. John Riggins (Super Bowl XVII): Riggins carried the ball more times (38) for more yards (166) than any man had in Super Bowl history. But he saved his best run for the game's biggest play, a 4th-and-1 from the Miami 43 in the fourth quarter. Riggins busted through the tackle of Dolphins cornerback Don McNeal (photo) for the TD run that gave Washington the winning score in a 27-17 victory.
Photo: AP in English
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6. Drew Brees (Super Bowl XLIV): Brees tied a Super Bowl record with 32 completions in 39 attempts, good for a completion percentage of 82.1, and he threw for 288 yards and 2 TDs in the Saints' 31-17 win over Indianapolis. Brees earned MVP honors for his performance.
Photo: AP in English
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5. Jerry Rice (Super Bowl XXIII): Rice tied a Super Bowl record with 11 catches, but set a new mark with 215 yards and a TD in San Francisco's 20-16 win over Cincinnati to earn game MVP honors.
Photo: AP in English
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4. Steve Young (Super Bowl XXIX): Young finally got the monkey off his back with a sterling Super Bowl, completing 24 of 36 passes for 325 yards and a still-record six TD passes in the 49ers' 49-26 win over the San Diego Chargers. Young was also the game's leading rusher with 49 yards on five attempts, and he was named the MVP.
Photo: AP in English
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3. Timmy Smith (Super Bowl XXII): Smith didn't even know he would start the game until Sunday morning, then the rookie went out and had the greatest rushing performance in Super Bowl history. Smith set a new record with 204 rushing yards on 22 carries, and scored two TDs in Washington's 42-10 demolition of Denver. Smith ran for 122 yards on five carries in the second quarter alone, scoring on a 58-yard run. He finished the game with a 9.3 average, but is the only man on this list who did not win the Super Bowl MVP, as that honor went to his quarterack, Doug Williams.
Photo: AP in English
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2. Joe Montana (Super Bowl XXIV): Montana had two superb Super Bowl performances and was named the game's MVP a record three times, but it was his game against Denver in Super Bowl XXIV that stands as the peak of his art. Montana completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards and five TDs, effortlessly directing San Francisco to the biggest rout in Super Bowl history, 55-10.
Photo: AP in English
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1. Phil Simms (Super Bowl XXI): Why Simms? In the biggest game of his life, he missed on only THREE passes all day, setting a Super Bowl record with a completion percentage of 88 as the New York Giants walloped the Broncos 39-20. Simms went 22 of 25 for 268 yards and three TDs, and of course, was named the Most Valuable Player.
Photo: AP in English
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In 47 Super Bowls, there have been at least 47 great performances, as evidenced by the MVP awards given to the best player at the end of each game. But often times, more than one player shines on the brightest stage. With that in mind, Terra has distilled the Super Bowl's best individual performances to the top 10.
Photo: AP in English
