Super duels

Ranking the greatest Super Bowl quarterback matchups based on three elements: the quality of the two quarterbacks’ careers; how well they played in the season leading up to their Super Bowl meeting; and their performance in the championship game itself.

SUPER BOWL XLIV

Drew Brees vs. Peyton Manning (2010)

Two future Hall of Famers in the prime of their careers met in a game sealed by, of all things, an interception return for a touchdown by the Saints.

SUPER BOWL LI

Tom Brady vs. Matt Ryan (2017)

This game marked only the fifth time in Super Bowl history that the league’s two highest-rated passers squared off.

SUPER BOWL LV

Tom Brady vs. Patrick Mahomes (2021)

Brady threw for 40 touchdowns, his most since 2007, in his first season in Tampa Bay, and is eyeing his seventh ring in his 10th Super Bowl appearance. Mahomes will become the first quarterback to start two Super Bowls at age 25 or younger.

SUPER BOWL XIX

Dan Marino vs. Joe Montana (1985)

For one of the first times in Super Bowl history, the focus was primarily on the quarterbacks when the 15-1 49ers and 14-2 Dolphins met at Stanford Stadium. Marino broke numerous single-season passing records in his second year, including touchdowns (48) and yards (5,084). But Montana outdueled Marino on the biggest stage, passing for 331 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-16 win. Marino never made it back to the Super Bowl.

SUPER BOWL XLVI

Tom Brady vs. Eli Manning (2012)

Four years after Manning and the Giants spoiled the Patriots’ bid for a perfect season, he and Brady met in a Super Bowl rematch. Brady threw for 5,235 yards and 39 touchdowns in the regular season, while Manning had a career year, throwing for a franchise record 4,933 yards and 29 touchdowns. Manning’s Giants got the best of Brady in the Super Bowl again, with running back Ahmad Bradshaw scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute.